With a mix of weather across the state there were another eight leagues beginning their 2024 season this weekend.
Following on from last weekend where Portarlington FNC in the Bellarine FNL broke the longest losing streak in Victorian country footy, they were able to follow up their Round 1 success with another victory in Round 2. For the first time since the 2010 season, they sit undefeated after 2 rounds as a result of their 30-point win over Ocean Grove FNC. This victory also brought to an end a 58-game losing streak against the Grubbers that stretches all the way back to 1994.
A similar run of club v club based losing streaks was also ended in the Ovens and Murray FNL where North Albury FNC defeated the highly rated Wangaratta FNC for the first time in 8 years. Their last win against the Magpies came back in 2016, eight years and 12 matches ago.
A few of other losing streaks also came to an end after this weekend's rounds with the third longest active losing streak now a distant memory for Nilma Darnum FNC as they won their opening round match in the Ellinbank & District FNL by a resounding 144 points, kicking 25.10 160 to Nyora FNC’s 2.4 16. This brings to a conclusion a 38-match losing run that stretched back to the early part of the Covid-19 affected 2021 season.
Other significant losing streaks came to an end in the Picola & District FNL, where an 81-point win to Blighty FNC 18.15 123 to Yarroweyah FNC’s 6.6 42, saw the end of a run of 21 consecutive losses by the Red Eyes. Hopefully the celebrations lived up to their nickname!
In the Sunraysia FNL, the recruiting of former Bomber Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti by Imperial FNC paid immediate dividends as they recorded a 27-point win over Robinvale-Euston FNC to end their run of 17 straight defeats. McDonald-Tipungwuti kicked 3 goals in his club debut.
There were a couple of 2023 Grand Final rematches that took place this weekend with Merrivale FNC in the Warrnambool and District FNL reversing last year's result by coming away with a 15 point win over last season's premiers Nirranda FNC, 9.8 62 to 7.5 47 in a close contest. Across in the neighbouring Hampden FNL, it was also a different result with last year's runners-up South Warrnambool FNC coming away with a 23-point win in their rematch over North Warrnambool FNC.
In an exciting debut in the Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL opening round, newly merged club Maryborough Giants FNC lost by a solitary point after leading at three-quarter time in their game against Talbot FNC. We always love an after-the-siren win and we got our first for the 2024 season when Chaz Sargeant kicked truly after the siren to give Tatura FNC a 3-point win over Seymour FNC in the Goulburn Valley FNL 11.9 75 to 10.12 72.
On the goal kicking front, Heathcote FNC’s Corey Grindley led all comers when it came to the biggest individual haul with 8 in his match against Mount Pleasant FNC which the Saints won by 32 points. Overall at this early stage of the season we have equal leaders with Kyle Mueller from Congupna FNC and Cooper Thomson from Bright FNC equal on 13 goals while Greta FNC’s Cody Crawford and last year's top goal kicker, Dominic Dare from Alvie FNC, sitting one goal behind on 12 majors so far from two games each.
Next week we have another thirteen leagues starting for 2024 with the ball being bounced for the first time in the Ballarat, Central Highlands, Central Murray, East Gippsland, Horsham & District, Kyabram & District, Loddon Valley FNL, Mid Gippsland, North Central, North Gippsland, Omeo & District, Outer East Div 1 and South West District football and netball leagues.
For all the country footy latest, head to countryfootyscores.com.
Image from Imperial Football & Netball Club on Facebook.
