Local footy wrap: Three players bring up ton, Bulldogs AFLW captain Deanna Berry takes reins at Panton Hill

Here’s the latest local footy news from across the state.

GALLERIES

NEWTON CRACKS THE TON

Michael Newton wasted little time bringing up his 100th goal of the season for Whorouly in the Ovens & King league. Inside the first two minutes of the match against North Wangaratta, the former Melbourne Demons high flyer accepted a pass from his cousin Andrew Newton and from 25m out made no mistake.

Newton went into the match needing just one goal to kick 100 goals in a season for the first time in his career after slamming through 12 last round.

Newton is in his first season as coach and will continue in the role next year. Whorouly hasn’t played finals since 2016.

The match also marked the record for most senior matches played by a Whorouly player. Paul Glanville made his 327th appearance for the club. Newton finished the day with 10 goals in a 73-point win.

AFLW SKIPPER TAKES COACHING REINS

Panton Hill has made history again.

The Northern Football Netball League club has appointed Western Bulldogs AFLW skipper Deanna Berry as its interim senior men’s coach for the rest of the season.

Berry has been an assistant coach with the club since 2021 and will now lead the final three games of the Division 2 season.

Panton Hill confirmed the appointment on Saturday morning after the outgoing Simon Amore told the club he would end his tenure early.

Berry will have support from current assistants including Chris Jewitt, Scott Conte, and Brent Ryan.

The Bulldogs star will miss the start of the AFLW season after sustaining a hamstring injury at training.

It was a tough first outing for Berry as Panton Hill who travelled to take on ladder leader Diamond Creek and lost by 140 points.

EDWARDS RATTLES PAST TON

Ben Edwards kicked 15 goals in a Birchip-Watchem demolition job to rattle past the ton. Birchip-Watchem prevailed 33.11 (209) to 4.2 (26) over St Arnaud in the North Central league. The mammoth haul took Edwards’ season tally to 105.

KEILOR’S UNBEATEN RUN OVER

Pascoe Vale has become the first team to beat Keilor in the EDFL Premier Division in 2025. The Panthers ran out one-goal winners in a thrilling contest at Joe Brown Oval. It was a little bit of revenge for the Panthers, who are coached by ex-AFL player Daniel Harris, after losing last year’s grand final to the same opposition.

BLUES OUT OF DROP ZONE

University Blues have climbed out of the drop zone in the VAFA Premier competition with a 12-point win over finals aspirants Old Haileybury. Darcy Chirgwin was best afield with three goals as he continued an impressive season.

SAINTS SHOW THEIR CLASS

St Mary’s Salesian stamped its authority in the VAFA Division 2 top of the ladder clash, prevailing by 23 points against Old Yarra Cobras. Anton Circelli, William Coten and Jack Contencin were all impressive in the win.

SECOND HALF SURGE SETS UP STRATHMORE

Strathmore flexed its muscle in the second half against Maribyrnong Park, running out 61-point winners. The Mores booted 10 goals to zero after the main break to secure the win. Corey Grindlay and Hugh Allisson kicked four goals each.

STANTON GETS HIS TON

Lewis Stanton brought up his 100th goal of the season for Wyndhamvale as the Falcons saw off WFNL Division 2 contender West Footscray by 18 points. It was a milestone for the star forward who joined the club at the start of the year.

TERRIFIC TIGERS 

Dromana, under interim coach Gavin Taylor, defeated Edithvale-Aspendale by 42 points to take a big step towards a finals berth in Mornington Peninsula’s Division 1. The Tigers rushed to a 32-9 lead at the first break and then kicked six goals to three in the third quarter to set up a 17.15 (115) to 11.9 (75) victory. Nathan Higgins and Ben Tovey kicked three goals apiece for Dromana, which named Reece Wilde as its best afield. Taylor, who coached Mooroolbark’s first senior premiership in 1988, has steered Dromana to three wins in four games since taking the reins after Round 11.

CRIBBY CRACK BOMBERS 

Frankston Bombers’ 15-game winning streak was brought to a halt by Crib Point in Mornington Peninsula league Division 2. The Magpies, fourth on the ladder, came from 17 points behind at halftime at Baxter Park to claim a gripping 7.9 (51) to 7.8 (50) win. Joel Sarlo capped a best-on-ground display with three goals while Tyler Hobson, Noah Wisken and Josh Le Grice also starred. Crib Point hasn’t played finals since 2014 but at 11-5 it is on the verge of qualifying.

U18 MATCH ABANDONED

Strathfieldsaye’s under-18 match against Castlemaine was abandoned on Saturday due to injury.

Castlemaine led the Bendigo league clash 5.9 (39) to 2.1 (13) when the game was stopped.

ROVERS RUN RAMPANT 

Heidelberg recruit Kellan Smith was best-on-ground as Mt Evelyn upset Olinda Ferny Creek by eight points to take a crucial step towards a finals berth in Outer East’s Premier Division. The Rovers trailed by nine points at the last change but unleashed a six-goal final quarter to secure a 12.6 (78) to 10.10 (70) win, to climb to fifth spot. Smith is a four-time premiership winner at Strathfieldsaye in the Bendigo Football League and his experience shone for Mt Evelyn, which also counted Will Gordon, Tom Burkitt and Michael Gibbons among its best players.

BLACKBURN ON TOP

Blackburn has moved a game clear of East Ringwood after a 10-point triumph in the top of the table Eastern league Premier Division clash.

Blackburn prevailed 15.8 (98) to 13.10 (88) at East Ringwood Reserve. Ryley Stoddart and Daniel Wood each kicked three goals apiece.

EAGLES STILL ALIVE

After back-to-back heavy losses, Cranbourne has rallied in the face of adversity to keep its season alive with a crucial win. The Eagles risked sealing relegation with a loss to Port Melbourne Colts in Southern Division 1, but instead claimed a 22-point win.

The sides sit ninth and 10th and now just four points separates them heading into the final three rounds.

BEST OF THE BEST

Foster favourite son Jake Best filled another bag of goals as the Tigers stayed on top of the Mid Gippsland league ladder with a 68-point win over Morwell East at Foster Showgrounds.

Best – the son of club legend and long-time Foster Mirror newspaper owner and publisher Robert – hoisted his season’s tally to 75 from 13 matches.

The classy right-footer was a leading player for the Tigers before heading to Leongatha, Casey Scorpions in the VFL and Vermont.

He also had a stint coaching Traralgon in the Gippsland league before returning to Foster last year.

The well-travelled Michael Cooke booted four goals in support of Best to deal more misery to bottom side Morwell East.

With two rounds remaining, the Tigers are a game clear on top of the ladder from their old Alberton league rival Fish Creek, which cleared out to an 80-point victory over Newborough.

Harrison Smith booted five goals for Fishy and joined Roland De Biase, Jai Stefani, Jacob Lamers, Brady Mitchell and Matthew “Moose’’ McGannon in the list of best players.

Zachary Skinner, Wade Anderson and Peter Ainsworth battled away for Newborough.

Finals aspirant Mirboo North had to work to the knuckle to defeat Stony Creek by eight points at the Stony Creek Racecourse.

400 GAMES FOR BURNETT

Yallourn North great Barrie Burnett was the toast of the North Gippsland league after playing his 400th game for the club.

Burnett, in his 23rd year of senior football, is one of the most accomplished and decorated players in YYN’s history.

He’s won four best and fairests, won a league medal and was a regular team-of-the-year selection in Mid Gippsland and is a two-time premiership coach.

The Jets marked his milestone with a thumping win over Glengarry, with former Richmond draftee Dean MacDonald slotting eight goals and Josh Keyhoe six.

VANDALS STRIKE

Eastern league club The Basin has been left frustrated after vandals broke in and stole over $1000 worth of goods from the clubs fridge.

BRIDGES SURVIVE

Hurstbridge survived a brilliant South Morang fourth-quarter fightback, clinching a nervy five-point win at Ben Frilay Oval on Saturday. The Bridges led by 43 points at three-quarter-time before the Lions launched a St Kilda-like charge. South kicked six unanswered goals to get within six points before Mitch Wild steadied the ship for the home team. The visitors came again, goalling with six minutes left and had a chance to hit the front but missed. Hurstbridge held on 16.15 (111) to 16.10 (106) with Liam Middleton, William Cookson and Nash Dyer best on. Nathan Stefanile, Tye Hall and Deacon Kalpakis were South’s best.

CATS WIN MINI-FINAL

Macedon is in the box seat to play RDFNL finals after a strong 28-point win over Romsey at Tony Clarke Reserve. The Cats and Redbacks came into the game fifth and sixth with the winner moving a game clear with one game remaining. Macedon led throughout but were eight points up at three-quarter-time. However, a five-goal blitz in the fourth term sealed a 13.11 (89) to 9.7 (61) triumph. Michael Rutledge bagged six goals in a standout performance, while Brodie Hoyne and Tom Rutledge also impressed.

CRUCIAL WIN FOR PARK ORCHARDS

Park Orchards kept in touch with South Belgrave at the top of the Eastern league Division 1 ladder after claiming a 37-point win over Boronia.

Connor Hickey led the way with four goals in the win.

Originally published as Local footy wrap: Three players bring up ton, Bulldogs AFLW captain Deanna Berry takes reins at Panton Hill