Outer East league: Ex-AFL man’s massive goal haul for Wandin
Aaron Mullett’s value to Wandin goes far beyond his extraordinary goal tally. The Bulldogs explain why they wouldn’t swap the ex-Blue and Kangaroo for anything.
Aaron Mullett made the most of “silver service’’ from his Wandin teammates on Saturday, kicking 12.1.
Given room to move, the ex-league man was razor-sharp as the Bulldogs beat Olinda Ferny Creek 19.7 (121) to 10.7 (67) in OEFN Premier Division.
Former Port Adelaide AFL player Joel Garner was among those kicking it to Mullett.
“I reckon nine or 10 of his goals were from marks inside fifty,” Wandin coach Nick Adam said.
“He got some good supply on the weekend, probably the best he’s had.
“We were able to manipulate some space in front of him which was pleasing.”
With 38 goals in four matches, Mullett is on century pace.
No player has kicked a ton in the Outer East FN since the competition started in 2018, but many have done so in the old Yarra Valley Mountain District league, including Gary Moorcroft with 153 goals for Silvan in 2008.
Wandin plans to keep Mullett fresh as the season goes along.
“We’ll manage his year, he won’t play every week,” Adam said.
“There are games when we want to allow him to be away from the club and have that week where he can invest back into life...he’s got two young daughters.
“That footy and life balance is working well for him.”
Mullett is in his third season at Wandin — he won a premiership in 2023 and made the grand final last year — and Adam said he was a marquee recruit who’s a giver, not a taker.
“We’ve had some ex AFL guys who’ve come through the club over the journey and it feels like they are trying to take because of maybe what they’ve missed out on in their careers, whereas he’s the opposite,’’ he said.
“He loves playing footy and knows how to invest in a playing group.”
While Mullett was best-afield, Wandin had plenty of other key players on Saturday, including Leiwyn Jones, Macauley Beckwith, Garner, Chayce Black and co-captain Patty Bruzzese.
BROOKERS ON THE BOARD
A season-first win has lifted Gembrook Cockatoo off the bottom of the Outer East Premier Division ladder. Ex-league man Robin Nahas kicked two goals, as did Pat Snoxell and Joseph Verna, as the Brookers edged Officer, 8.10 (58) to 7.9 (51).
TIGERS PULL CLEAR
Woori Yallock turned a 13-point quarter-time deficit into a 47-point win over Upwey Tecoma, 14.12 (96) to 7.7 (49). Fiver Tigers booted two goals — Mitch Arnold, Kody Busoli, Christian Cameron, Hamish Gemmill and Jordan Williams — while Robert Allen was best afield.
RED-HOT ROVERS
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A dynamic opening quarter fired Mt Evelyn to victory over Emerald 16.15 (111) to 3.3 (21). Tom Burkitt, Michael Gibbons and Callum Urquhart kicked three goals apiece for the Rovers, who counted Montrose recruit Liam Bowden as their best player.
BLOODS WIN AGAIN
Healesville improved its record to 4-1 with a win over Monbulk 11.11 (77) to 7.10 (52). Brandon Murphy, Kyan Barclay and Charlie Warren ran rampant for the Bloods, and Max Donegan slotted three goals.
Originally published as Outer East league: Ex-AFL man’s massive goal haul for Wandin
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