Almanac Footy: Western District Football Wrap

 

With some time constraints, I’ve had to try and shorten the weekly wrap and will also not be able to produce the wrap every week leading into finals due to being out of action for a couple of weeks later in the season.

 

Hampden FNL – Round 13

The surprise packet of this season to me, Warrnambool, at home, downed South Warrnambool by 14 points, 7-9-51 to 5-7-37. South, with players back, were at or near full strength, but trailed Warrnambool most of the day, albeit hitting the front narrowly for a short time mid to late in the third quarter, following a Daniel Nicholson goal. Warrnambool coach, Daniel O’Keefe, certainly has his team playing well and they appear a real challenger. O’Keefe who has had experience as a Development Coach at Carlton, and coaching roles including with the Geelong Falcons and Geelong VFL team, is now in this third season coaching Warrnambool. After losing 2024 gun recruit Ben Cunnington over the off season due to health reasons, he has been able to guide his team into second place on the ladder following the weekend’s win.

Amon Radley again featured amongst the goal kickers with two for the home side, whilst best players were Liam Bidmade and captain, Jackson Bell.  Best for South were Liam Mullen and Daniel Nicholson, on return from injury. Nicholson also led South’s goal kicking with two.

Both teams had a number of players involved on the weekend from the Coates Talent League, with the GWV Rebels not having a game, and VFL duties.

Terang Mortlake returned to the winners list at home with a 44 point victory over fellow competitor for a spot in the 5, Koroit, 14-12-96 to 8-4-52. The win sees Terang Mortlake draw level with Koroit on 7 wins now and only one win behind South Warrnambool who have dropped to fourth and Portland in third spot on the ladder.

Terang Mortlake, with what appears as close to a full list as they have had for some time, with ex-Sydney AFL player, Colin O’Riordan, playing his third game for the season, along with former AFL player Trent West and local gun, Scott Carlin, also back in the team, were far too good for Koroit. Without knowing the full story, it seems Terang Mortlake will try and do enough with their list to make the five and then have a red hot go for as long as they can in the finals series. Terang Mortlake were tipped by many as the 2025 premiers in the pre-season but haven’t had a full list regularly throughout the season.

Best players on the weekend were young gun, Ryley Hutchins and O’Riordan (he’s played three games for the season to date and been in the best players in each of them). Trent West and Scott Carlin also featured in the best players. Best players for Koroit were ex-Geelong FNL player, Ben Miller, and Thomas Baulch, whilst young gun Connor Byrne kicked two goals to continue his stretch of having played every game for the season and kicking at least one goal in every game.

In other games, top of the ladder North Warrnambool at home scraped over the line from 7^th placed Camperdown, 11-7-73 to 9-11-65.

Portland, away, defeated Port Fairy, 8-13-61 to 6-11-47. The season of boom Port Fairy recruit, Gary Rohan, appears over, after he sustained a shoulder injury in Round 11. Young key forward, Chad Finck, back into Portland’s team from the GWV Rebels on the weekend, kicked three goals.

And in the final game, Cobden away defeated the Hamilton Kangaroos, 11-11-77 to 11-6-72, seemingly consigning the Kangaroos to the wooden spoon in 2025. Mathew Drayton kicked four goals for Cobden and was best player, whilst for the Kangaroos young key backman, Brodie Phillips, playing his second senior game for the Club, with the GWV Rebels having no game on the weekend, was named best player. Phillips is also having a very good season in the Coates Talent League, playing a key role in the team’s backline.

With five rounds now until finals, the battle for a spot in the five, and which position, is really heating up. Six teams are still in contention for a spot in the five and the only position seemingly clear is top spot to North Warrnambool who currently have a two game break and percentage over Warrnambool in second spot.

It’s hard to split game of the round this week between South Warrnambool at home to Terang Mortlake and North Warrnambool away to Portland. Both games will have a big impact on positions in the 5.

 

South West District FNL – Round 13

Last season premiers Tyrendarra are running into form at the right end of the season and at home on Saturday downed 3^rd placed Coleraine, 6-10-46 to 4-9-33, to move into fifth spot on the ladder. It’s  the first time they have been in the five since Round 1 this season. Best players for Tyrendarra were Digby Sharp, playing his fourth game with the club this season, and Jayme Smith. Best players for Coleraine were young players Rhyan Menzel and Bailey Cooper.

Second placed Dartmoor at home defeated Branxholme Wallacedale to see them slip out of the five, 14-19-103 to 4-0-24. Dartmoor recruit this season, Ethan Murdock, continued his very good season with three goals and was named best player along with coach, Jayden Polaski. Christian Howlett kicked four goals for Dartmoor to be the game’s leading goal kicker. Branxholme Wallacedale veteran, Sean Picken, from the famous football family, kicked three of his team’s four goals. Gun recruit this season, Brandon Newton, was again named best player for the visitors.

Elsewhere, top team Cavendish at home defeated bottom of the ladder Heathmere, 35-13-223 to 2-4-16. Recruit this season, Jayden Hendry kicked 10 goals for Cavendish and was named best player with young Harry Austin. On-baller and captain, Aiden Luhrs kicked seven goals for Cavendish. For the visitors, Jed Barclay was named best player.

Heywood away, without playing coach Leon Davis, was too good for Westerns, 12-12-84 to 7-8-50. Davis was injured in the previous round but is also away currently at the National Darts Championships in Birkdale, Queensland, representing Victoria.

With three rounds remaining till finals, the key games this weekend will be top team Cavendish playing third placed Coleraine at Coleraine, and fourth placed Heywood at home to fifth placed Tyrendarra.

 

Mininera & District FNL – Round 13

It was a very interesting round last weekend with the top 8 teams all playing other teams in the top 8 and the bottom four teams all playing each other.

Reigning Premiers Penshurst, at home, were far too good for the previously undefeated top of the ladder, Ararat Eagles, running out 42 point winners, 12-9-81 to 5-9-39. Both teams were without players, but Penshurst, led by assistant coach and key forward Josh Rentsch, ran out comfortable winners. Rentsch led the goal kicking with six goals and was named his team’s best player, being well supported by veteran ruckman, Kieran Neeson. Best for Ararat Eagles was the ever dependable, Ben Robertson.

I attended this game on the weekend, and the Eagles were without their captain, Jackson Taurau, but had no match up size-wise for the Penshurst key forwards in the windy conditions. This could be crucial for the Eagles if the teams clash during finals. Of course, the Penshurst players will need to be able to reproduce their form from the weekend.

In the other game of the round, second placed Lismore Derrinallum at home defeated Wickliffe Lake Bolac, 18-9-117 to 5-5-35. League leading goal kicker, Lachie Constable, kicked six goals for the home team as did midfielder Austen Humphrey, who is having a very good season, his first in the league. Humphrey was named best player for his team along with ruckman, Henry Walsh. Nicholas Vallance was named best player for the visitors.

Glenthompson Dunkeld at home scraped over the line against Hawkesdale Macarthur winning 17-6-108 to 15-4-94. Jezza Woods kicked four goals for the home team and was named best player. Samuel Boyd, playing his first game for the season and first game for Hawkesdale Macarthur kicked seven goals on debut and was named best player. Boyd has previous playing experience in the Northern FNL in suburban Melbourne, Warrnambool District FNL and Geelong FNL.

Tatyoon at home defeated Woorndoo Mortlake, 11-6-72 to 6-4-40. Joshua Lee continued his good form this season for Tatyoon kicking four goals.

SMW Rovers at home defeated Moyston Willaura, 22-19-151 to 9-6-60. Captain, Ash Gray, kicked six goals for the victors.

Great Western away downed Caramut, 12-14-86 to 10-6-66. Samuel Cocks was the game’s leading goal kicker with five for Great Western.

The top four now seems settled, although the positions may change, but there is a real battle for the last spot in the five with any of four teams still a chance to take that spot with four rounds remaining before finals.

 

 

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