Talk about a breakout game.
He had threatened to do it in recent weeks, especially in his last outing against Footscray, but Mitch Cox (Narre Warren/Frankston VFL) has certainly arrived at VFL level.
On Friday night, the excitement machine swapped between playing on the ball and deep forward, more commonly known as ‘the Dusty Martin’ role.
His performance against the Northern Bullants resembled a bit of the three-time Norm Smith Medalist as Cox collected 29 disposals and slotted five goals.
In the last VFL season in 2019, only one Frankston player earned the full five votes on best and fairest night for what is considered an ‘elite’ performance (The eventual winner Will Fordham for 31 disposals and three goals).
The full five is certainly destined to be heading Cox’s way on best and fairest night down at Skybus Stadium.
It was the first VFL match since the mid-year draft, where Cox requested an exemption to nominate for the draft after not nominating for the national draft the year before.
After a performance like that, he will definitely leave a few recruiters flicking through their notes.
Jack Toner (Narre Warren/Williamstown) played in one of the more memorable VFL matches on Sunday afternoon.
On a picture-perfect day at Willy against modern foe Richmond, the Gulls would normally be overwhelmed by supporters surrounding the ground, but with the restrictions preventing crowds, an absolute belter was left to be seen from the couch at home.
Toner has relished his role in the back pocket and on Sunday faced no bigger test, he lined up on the likes of the Rioli’s and new Tiger Matty Parker.
Late in the match, Toner gave away a free kick that is rarely seen, impeding on Parker’s run to receive the ball in a one-two play, Toner gave away the free kick which is a free and a 50-metre penalty.
At this stage he looked to be a villain as Parker lined up no further than 30 out to put the Tigers 11 points up.
197751 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
But he missed, and in transition, Toner linked up with his Gulls teammates in a two goal swing as Willy went coast to coast and evened the game up.
On the siren, Williamstown had a shot on goal and was spoiled back into play (no score), then once the siren had gone, a Gulls player punched it over the line, appearing to have won the game.
But under that rule, the side in which trying to score, is not allowed to push the ball over the line for a score once the opposition has spoiled it back into play with the original kick.
Two of the most unique football rules on display in a nail-biting draw at Williamstown.
Toner had 17 disposals, continuing his fine season in the blue and gold, looks to have really improved by his stint in the SANFL in 2020.
After the conclusion of the NAB League girl’s season, prospects out of the Dandenong Stingrays have dispersed across local competitions and some in VFL competitions.
Georgia Malkoun (Beaconsfield) has returned from Rays duties to local footy club Beaconsfield, where she has turned heads, kicking goals for fun.
In just seven outings, Malkoun has kicked 34 majors, including a bag of six on three occasions.
Lucas Jellyman-Turner (Berwick/Aspley) played in one of the bigger shootouts across the VFL on the weekend.
The bounding half-back was looking at recording his first win in his second game when his Hornets side were up 12 goals to six at the main break.
But the Gold Coast Suns showed some rare flare in the second half, rattling home 13 goals in the second and third stanzas to come home winners.
The Hornets kicked six too, in a game that featured a combined score of 37.34 (256).
‘Jelly’ kicked his first goal in an improved performance from his previous outing.
Beaconsfield product Bryce Milford performed well in the Dandenong Stingrays thumping win over the Bendigo Pioneers.
Milford got on the end of a few, booting a match-high four goals.
Will Papley (Bunyip/Gippsland Power) was unable to get on the end of a few snag, but collected 21 disposals in his sides three goal loss.
The performance earned Papley a place in the coaches best for the first time this year, despite his much-improved start to the year.
