Marra man Joel Garner has produced a remarkable 23-goal performance to claim the Outer East Premier Division leading goalkicker award.
Garner was unstoppable for Wandin on Saturday, finishing with 23.9 as the Bulldogs defeated Upwey-Tecoma 31.21 (207) to 5.8 (38) at Wandin North Recreation Reserve.
The 27-year-old collected 37 disposals, 24 marks - all of them inside 50 - 35 score involvements and 19 contested possessions during an extraordinary individual performance.
The result completed an undefeated home and away season for Wandin, which will take a 26-game winning streak into the finals.
Garner entered the final round within reach of the competition's leading goalkicker award and his teammates made no secret of trying to get the ball into his hands.
Wandin coach Nick Adam told the Herald Sun the plan was to use Garner as the team's main target inside 50, particularly with spearhead Aaron Mullett being rested.
"We knew he (Garner) was going to be the focal point," Adam said.
"The competition goal-kicking was fairly tight at the top, so we were hoping to get it into his hands a bit and see if he could give that a shake."
Garner took full advantage. He kicked three goals in the opening quarter before reaching nine by half-time. Another five followed in the third term before he added a remarkable nine goals in the final quarter.
Adam said Garner's strength and understanding of the forward role proved difficult for Upwey-Tecoma to contain.
"It was pretty brutal," he told the Herald Sun.
"Some of the athletic advantage that he has in terms of his strength, and then you combine that with his understanding of how to play the role."
Garner finished the home and away season with 60 goals from only eight appearances for Wandin. His finish to the season was particularly impressive, with 47 of those goals coming across his final four games.
The performance adds another achievement to an accomplished footy career which has taken Garner to the AFL, VFL and Northern Territory Football League.
Originally selected by Port Adelaide with pick 60 in the 2017 AFL National Draft, Garner spent four seasons on the Power's list.
He made his AFL debut against Gold Coast in 2019 and played four senior games before being delisted at the end of the 2021 season.
The 184cm midfielder has since played State League football with Footscray and Richmond, while also becoming an important player for NTFL powerhouse St Marys.
Garner was awarded the Chaney Medal as best on ground in St Marys' 2024 premiership victory over Nightcliff.
He has continued to balance his State League football commitments in 2026, playing 12 VFL games for Richmond while also making an impact with Wandin.
Garner is also employed full-time within Richmond's AFL program as the club's Indigenous Player Development Manager and works in a development coaching capacity.
