Strathmerton star forward Tim Looby celebrates kicking 100 goals for the season with his wife Renae Looby and children Jersey (11) and Indigo (7).
The top of the Picola District League table is nice and tight heading into the final few rounds of the season.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Strathmerton remains on top of the ladder, but the Bulldogs (12-2 record) are closely followed by Katandra (12-1 and behind on percentage), Katamatite (11-2), Waaia (10-3) and Katunga (10-3).
This congestion means a loss for one of these clubs could result in sliding from first or second to fourth or fifth and vice versa for a win.
On Saturday, Strathmerton not only secured a commanding 155-point round 15 win over Mathoura, but the Bulldogs also celebrated Tim Looby’s 100th goal of the season.
The star forward booted nine majors for the match, taking his tally to 106 for 2024.
Looby was on 97 goals heading into the match against the Cutters, with Strathmerton coach Tim Bramich telling his players not to focus too heavily on ensuring the star forward hit the milestone in this game.
However, Bramich didn’t have to worry about his players focusing too much on the milestone for too long.
“I think he kicked it in the fifth minute,” Bramich said with a laugh.
“He had four shots on goal in the first five minutes.
“There was a group of kids behind the goals and they were riding every mark he took; it was good.
“They all ran on (when he kicked his 100th goal) — there was heaps that ran on actually.”
Looby is among the first in Victoria to kick 100 goals in season 2024.
Bramich said that the star forward was critical to the Bulldogs’ success on and off the field.
“It’s always good to see (a player kick his 100th); I think I have seen two or three, and as I have said, it is something that you will always remember,” he said.
“(Looby) has probably trained a lot more this year.
“I think losing the grand final hurt (him last year).
“He is more than just (a star); he is really good with the kids and his leadership is spot on.”
Strathmerton’s Tim Looby kicking his 100th goal of the season.
In terms of the match against Mathoura, Bramich said it was an even contribution from his players across the board, with Looby, Adrian Crestani, Matt O’Kane and Matt Ryan putting in impressive performances.
Three rounds remain before finals, and with rivals hot on the Bulldogs’ tail, Bramich said that his side simply needed to maintain its effort and the rest would sort itself out.
“We just have to make sure we keep turning up,” he said.
“We have gone through a plateau through the middle of the year — I think everyone does — we picked up a few injuries, but they are starting to come back now.
“We just have to worry about ourselves and get us playing the right way.
“We think if we play our style of footy, we can beat anyone, but it is going to be a good finals series.”
In other Picola District League football matches, Katandra survived a scare against Picola United.
The Kats claimed a six-point victory over United away from home, with defender Jye Limosani being named best-on-ground for the victors.
Katamatite secured an impressive 44-point win over Deniliquin Rovers, with Mitch Coleman booting five goals for the Tigers.
Tungamah remained firmly in the top eight with a 108-49 victory over Rennie.
Katunga won comfortably over Yarroweyah by 253 points — Swans forward Bailey Thomas kicked 13 goals.
Waaia produced a dominant 95-point win over Tocumwal, while Jerilderie defeated Berrigan 106-1.
Blighty had the bye.
In the Picola District League netball, Waaia beat Tocumwal in a close match, 28-20.
Ladder leader Katamatite defeated Deniliquin Rovers 53-38 in a high-quality clash.
Rennie claimed a two-goal victory away from home against Tungamah, while Katandra beat Picola United by 45 goals.
Strathmerton secured a dominant 74-18 win over Mathoura, while Jerilderie won by 35 goals against Berrigan and Katunga trounced Yarroweyah by 74 goals.
