The Shepparton United, Rumbalara product starred in Victoria Country’s 14.12 (96) to 12.11 (83) win against the Allies at Sydney’s Blacktown Oval, collecting a team-high 29 disposals, nine intercept possessions, and seven rebound 50s playing predominantly off half-back.
The Vic’s kept the Allies at arms length until the third quarter, when the home side briefly took the lead, but a talent-laden Country side found another gear in the final quarter-and-a-half to open up their campaign on a strong note.
Armstrong’s drive out of the defensive 50 was a highlight, and the Richmond-tied NGA star will be one to watch again when Victoria plays Western Australia at Marvel Stadium on Friday, July 3.
Meanwhile, concern circles Armstrong’s teammate Cody Walker after the Echuca star and prospective number one pick went down with a shoulder injury in the third quarter.
Walker had shown good signs up to that point with 16 disposals, but a heavy collision brought an early end to his day, with the severity of the injury to be assessed in the coming days.
Meanwhile in the VFL, Kyabram star Anthony DePasquale’s strong Goulburn Valley League form was rewarded with his first State league game for 2026.
And boy did he capitalise on the opportunity.
Recalled for his first Werribee game since June last year, DePasquale, who has booted 20 goals for the Bombers as well as averaging 21 disposals and 10 marks a game, fired off a VFL career-best haul of 4.3 in the Tigers’ 26-point win over Brisbane.
Moreover, DePasquale had 19 touches and reeled in four marks, bringing the highlights with a deftly converted set shot tucked up close to the boundary before icing the game with a sharp snap around the body.
The win has Werribee well-placed in second spot, and if ‘Dippa’ can keep finding the big sticks, then he’ll be difficult to dislodge from the squad.
