Waaia sinks the boot into Jerilderie to go atop Picola District Football League ladder

By Liam Nash

May 18, 2025

Waaia's Connor Brown booted six goals as the Bombers knocked over Jerilderie on Saturday. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The wheat is starting to separate from the chaff in Picola District Football League and there is a usual suspect at the top.

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Three-time reigning premier Waaia sits suited, booted and hatted at the head of the table after seven rounds despite two other unbeaten teams in tow.

The Bombers belted out their song for the sixth time this season on Saturday, wresting an 81-point win at home over Jerilderie for their fourth 10-plus goal margin in a row.

Waaia clicked from the get-go, kicking 7.7 in the opening term while restricting the Demons to a single goal to hold a 43-point advantage at the first break.

Kicking up another gear in the following quarter, the Bombers booted eight more majors before half-time, and though Jerilderie was able to stop the rot somewhat after the main change of ends, Waaia eventually laid claim to a 19.14 (128) to 7.5 (47) victory.

Forwards Connor Brown and Charlie Burrows combined for 10 of the Bombers’ goals, while Mark Bergamin played an elite four quarters in the sash.

You could argue Mitch Cleeland’s side hasn’t been tested in recent weeks - but that is about to change.

Waaia now prepares for an away day against second-placed Deniliquin Rovers, a team coming off a 19.6 (120) to 9.4 (58) victory over Picola United.

Meanwhile, Katandra — the only other unbeaten side — clinched a 15.18 (108) to 4.2 (26) result over Strathmerton with Corey Hickford (four goals) in the thick of the action alongside Jarrad Newman.

Fellow premiership hopeful Katamatite, still missing ex-AFL star Tom Clurey, chalked up a 72-point triumph over Katunga with four Tigers collecting three or more majors.

Dookie United’s rapid scale of the ladder continued as the Thunder defeated Blighty 19.14 (128) to 6.5 (41) as Kyle Tapscott kicked a bag of six.

Elsewhere, Tungamah showed no mercy to Mathoura during a 207-0 thrashing of the Timbercutters, while Tocumwal toppled Rennie by 66 points.

On the netball courts, Dookie United’s great start to life in the Picola league got a huge boost as the Thunder reaped an enormous 92-13 victory over Blighty to push to second on the ladder.