By Callum Ludwig
Halfway through the Outer East Division Two season and it’s Warburton-Millgrove out ahead with only one loss and six wins.
The Burras’ only loss for the season came in Round Five against Alexandra by only 9 points, but haven’t won a game by less than 30 points throughout the year, leading to an astronomical percentage of 250.82 per cent.
Young star Patrick Huynh has shone this season, featuring in the best players 6 times thus far and has been ably supported by ruckman Nelson Aldridge and new recruit Ben Pretty (4 times in best.)
Three of the leagues’ top goalkickers also call Mac Sparke Oval home, with Bailey Humphrey (26 goals, 2nd overall), Liam Westlake (14, equal 8th) and Trent Elliott (14, equal 8th) showcasing that the Burras are not short of forward firepower.
Somewhat misleadingly in second sits Alexandra, who will play over the King’s Birthday weekend with a win expected against Broadford. The Rebels’ only loss came in Round 2 against reigning premiers Powelltown by 11 points. William Stewart leads all-comers in the league goalkicking with 28 for the season as the side’s source of goals while D’Arcy Kennedy has featured in the best 4 times.
Powelltown’s premiership defence has gotten off to a reasonable start, sitting 5-2 so far.
Their two losses both came against Warburton-Millgrove, but they are also the only side to beat Alexandra thus far. The goalkicking spread is strong for the Towners, with 21 for Justin Van Unen (3rd in the league), Joel Perry with 17 (5th) and Jimmy Messas with 16 (equal 6th). Club stalwart Ben Wratten (5 times in best) continues to perform, with new recruit Gary Conyers (5 times in best) and Russell Cown (4 times in best) also important to the side.
Newcomers Yarra Glen will be proud of their three wins given the adversity the club has faced through the start of the season, finally able to host a game at home again recently. Two wins over Yarra Junction and one over Broadford has helped separate the River Pigs from the bottom two, with Sam Wood, Thomas Sullivan (6 times in best) and Ben Ashton ( 5 times in best) a big part in their season so far.
Broadford’s solitary win was a nailbiter, clinging on by two points over Yarra Junction. The Kangaroos haven’t had a dominant avenue to goal but have had a consistent group of players in good form, led by Dean Tydell. Liam Lucas, Josh Delaney, Jayden Welch and Adam Miles have also all featured in the best players four times.
Yarra Junction has been unable to pick up any premiership points as yet this season and has had a senior coach already depart but will be hopeful of beating Broadford in their future matchups and have come closer to their table-topping opponents than the Roos. Dylan Cawsey, Josh Jones (5 times in best) and Jdhara Jones (4 times in best) have performed admirably while Sam Morton (18 goals) has still managed to get on the end of a few.
Alexandra and Broadford playoff on Saturday 10 June in a King’s Birthday clash while Warburton-Millgrove hosts Yarra Junction, Powelltown welcomes Alexandra and Broadford takes on Yarra Glen the following week.
