Eli Templeton was key in the Borough's comeback over the Zebras. Photo: @PortMelbourneFC / Twitter
Who shined around the state leagues this weekend? We take a look at the best of the second-tier competitions this week, as the WAFL takes a week off due to a snap lockdown.
Last week’s editions of Around the States:
Around the States special: The restructured Victorian Football League is a footy fan’s dream
Victoria
VFL
Port Melbourne vs Sandringham – Round 2
The Borough mounted one of 2021’s great comebacks, after all hope looked lost by half time.
Down by four goals at the main break, Port Melbourne looked flat around the contest and struggled in front of goals, kicking 4.8 in the wet conditions. Sandringham managed just three more scoring shots, but converted its forays forwards through the first use of AFL-listed rucks Paddy Ryder and Paul Hunter.
Ryder and Hunter would finish the day with a combined 58 hit-outs.
A half and three quarter time rev up from coach Gary Ayres was all the Borough needed, inspired to kick nine unanswered goals.
Eli Templeton was truly dynamic, ending the afternoon with 25 disposals, 13 marks, and two crucial goals.
Matthew Signorello and Liam Delahunty were equally as important to the massive comeback, sharing five goals between them and icing the game in the last.
What was most impressive for the Borough was how they wrestled the game back into their control up against a Zebras side packed with nine AFL-listed players, including long-serving senior players Luke Dunstan, Shaun McKernan, Dean Kent and the previously mentioned Ryder.
Dunstan registered an unrivalled 46 disposals, more than 20 disposals clear of teammate Ryan Brynes.
After registering its first win of the season, Port Melbourne come up against traditional rivals Williamstown in the side’s first game back at Downer Oval since the end of 2019.
Sandringham will still be searching for its first win of the season against Box Hill at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday.
Final score: Port Melbourne 13.14.(92) def. Sandringham 9.12.(66)
Other results:
GWS Giants 10.3.(63) def. by Footscray 21.9.135
Gold Coast Suns 14.11.(95) def. Sydney 12.9.(81)
Carlton 24.10.(154) def. Brisbane 13.7.(85)
Southport 14.25.(109) def. Aspley 15.5.(95)
North Melbourne 5.9.(39) def. by Frankston 16.8.(104)
Collingwood 6.14.(50) def. by Essendon 12.13.(85)
Box Hill Hawks 17.10.(112) def. Northern Bullants 8.8.(56)
Richmond 5.7.(37) def. by Casey Demons 13.18.(96)
Werribee 7.11.(53) def. by Williamstown 9.10.(64)
Byes: Coburg, Geelong
VFLW
Essendon vs Collingwood – Round 8
The VFLW Bombers and Magpies provided a thrilling opening act on ANZAC Day, in a celebration of the two sides that come together every year to honour the occasion.
Essendon’s VFL men’s side got the chocolates over Collingwood on Saturday afternoon, but it was the Magpies that got the job done on Sunday.
Tasmanian Marla Neal was the stand-out player on the day, playing her best game in Pies colours. She racked up 28 disposals, laid 14 tackles and added on a goal as the cherry on top.
AFLW-listed Sophie Alexander was inaccurate in front of goals, but worked out of the 50 metre arc, finishing with 17 disposals and seven marks. Joanna Lin made the most of midfield minutes, with 17 touches and five tackles.
It was a tightly locked game from the first bounce, both teams held to a goal apiece to half time. The Bombers couldn’t find their typical late-game charge to bring the scoreline back to their advantage.
Mia-Rae Clifford has continued her impressive year up forward, kicking another three and sitting second on the VFLW leading goalkicker tally.
The Essendon pressure was still present however, Lizzy Hosking, Grace Dicker, Courtney Ugle and Eloise Ashley-Cooper sharing the load and laying 26 tackles between them.
Bendigo Pioneer Elizabeth Snell has put her hand up for AFLW draft contention, backing up an impressive performance against Williamstown with another 14 disposals and five tackles.
Essendon must win Sunday’s return match to Windy Hill against Carlton to remain in touch of the top four, while Collingwood will look to stay undefeated against the lowly Williamstown.
Final score: Essendon 4.4.(28) def. by Collingwood 5.8.(38)
Other results:
Western Bulldogs 4.10.(34) def. Southern Saints 2.4.(16)
Port Melbourne 4.4.(28) def. by Casey Demons 10.9.(69)
Darebin 1.5.(11) def. by Geelong 11.9.(75)
Hawthorn 5.6.(36) def. Williamstown 2.8.(20)
North Melbourne 6.11.(47) def. Carlton 1.0.(6)
Alex Catalano
Western Australia
WAFL/W
The WAFL and WAFLW were called off after Premier Mark McGowan called a three-day lockdown.
On Monday, the WA Football Commission announced the season will recommence this weekend, with rounds four (WAFL) and nine (WAFLW) to be made up at the end of the season.
For now, here’s a five-word summary of every team’s season so far:
WAFL
Subiaco: Very early favourites for premiership
Claremont: Out: A.Waterman, In: flag redemption
Swan Districts: Sandover Sam Fisher impressing again
East Fremantle: Bites early, fourth quarter fadeouts
South Fremantle: Premiership defence begins. Looks competitive
West Perth: Ball magnets. 28.7 disposals clear
Peel Thunder: Freo boys build selection cases
Perth: Brady Gray lead the way
West Coast: New kids on the block
East Perth: Peel thrashing killed their percentage
WAFLW
Swan Districts: Eight and oh, undefeated streak
Claremont: Just can’t beat Swan Districts
Peel Thunder: Ella Roberts. Take a bow.
Subiaco: Not quite last year’s standard
East Fremantle: Sharon Wong under the radar
South Fremantle: Low scorers. No win yet.
Rebecca Ruthven
Tasmania
TSL
North Hobart Demons vs Launceston Blues – Round 4
North Hobart hosted reigning premiers Launceston for an Anzac Day clash on Saturday afternoon.
The Demons put up a strong fight in the first half and were trailing by just 8 points heading into the main break. However, the Blues turned it on in the third. They booted 13 goals and held a 90-point lead at three quarter time.
Launceston kicked another six goals in the fourth, running out to a dominant (and season-high) 125-point victory.
The Demons had no answer for superstar Dylan Riley, who had a massive day booting 10 goals, nine of which came in the second half. He now leads the goal kicking table with 17, eight ahead of second placed Thomas Bennet (North Launceston).
Launceston’s midfield was both dynamic and incredibly dangerous. Michael Musicka won the best on ground medal with a stellar on ball performance in the absence of Jake Hinds.
Brodie Palfreyman was the key ball winner with 32 disposals, 16-year-old Cody McKercher impressed on debut with 12 touches and two goals.
Launceston heads home this weekend and welcomes Glenorchy to Windsor Park. North Hobart will be searching for their first win as they travel to Skybus Oval to face Lauderdale.
Final Score: Launceston 25.18.(168) def. North Hobart 7.1.(43)
Other Results:
North Launceston Bombers 19.13.(127) def. Lauderdale Bombers 4.10.(34)
Kingborough Tigers 10.12.(72) def. Glenorchy Magpies 6.12.(48)
Bye: Clarence Kangaroos
Simon Andrews
South Australia
SANFL
Woodville-West Torrens has withstood a firm challenge from North Adelaide to prevail as winners by three points in the traditional ANZAC Day clash last Sunday.
The Eagles looked a class above their opponents when Tyson Stengle put the home side 25 points in front early in the second quarter, but the Roosters managed to bang on six goals to one before half time to lead at the break.
A low scoring third quarter meant that the lead was back in Eagles’ hands at three quarter time, thanks to classy finishes from Jake von Bertouch and Jimmy Toumpas.
When North Adelaide’s Andrew Moore kicked truly at the five minute mark of the last quarter to put the visitors in front, it would appear that they were going to run over the top of the Eagles.
Wasted opportunities by the Roosters left the door ajar for Joe Sinor to snatch a goal in time on and the victory with it.
Alex Spina (31 disposals) and Jarred Allmond (31 disposals) were impressive for North Adelaide whilst in the midfield for the Eagles, former Crow Riley Knight (27 disposals) led all comers.
Defender Sam Rowland was judged best afield for his 23 disposals and six marks, as he took home the Bob Quinn Medal.
Final score: Woodville-West Torrens 9.7.(61) def. North Adelaide 9.4.(58)
The night before on ANZAC Day Eve, Glenelg held off a persistent Port Adelaide side to win its much-belated ANZAC game by 10 points.
The 2019 grand finalists were not able to stage their traditional encounter this time last year – let alone play each other – due to the COVID-19 pandemic and so did so as appropriately as possible this year.
The Glenelg lead that had stood at a match-high 25 points in the third quarter was eventually whittled away to nothing by Port Adelaide early in the last quarter.
Goals to Luke Partington and Lachlan Hosie (two) in the last quarter steadied the ship for the Bays, as they remain undefeated for season 2021.
Liam McBean was awarded the Bob Quinn Medal for his 23 disposals, six hit outs and three goals.
Final score: Glenelg 12.11.(83) def. Port Adelaide 10.13.(73)
Other scores:
South Adelaide 11.15.(81) def. Sturt 6.6.(42)
Central District 12.8.(80) def. by Adelaide 16.7.(103)
West Adelaide 9.8.(62) def. Norwood 5.8.(44)
SANFLW
Norwood has extended its lead atop the SANFLW ladder with a 10-point victory over West Adelaide on Saturday.
The Redlegs led at every change but withstood a late charge from the Bloods, who will rue missed opportunities, kicking 2.4 in a frantic final quarter at Hisense Arena.
Alison Ferrall (13 disposals, five tackles) was best for Norwood whilst Sharnie Whiting (16 disposals) was best for West Adelaide.
Final score: West Adelaide 3.7 (25) def. by Norwood 5.5 (35)
Elsewhere, Central District prevailed by one point over Sturt in the first ever country-SANFLW match.
Played in Tanunda, the Bulldogs trailed half way through the last quarter thanks to a goal from Sturt’s Chloe Forby.
Katelyn Rosenzweig kicked truly at the 13 minute mark, putting the Dogs back in front.
The result leaves Sturt bottom of the ladder whilst Central District sit just inside the top four.
Final score: Central District 3.6.(24) def. Sturt 3.4.(23)
Other results:
North Adelaide 5.2.(32) def. Woodville-West Torrens 1.1.(7)
Glenelg 3.2.(20) def, South Adelaide 2.5.(17)
Patrick Goldsmith
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