Bulldogs court ‘hit-run’ Podhajski brothers

It unleashed the Podhajski brothers in a “hit-and-run” mission against second-ranked Seymour on Saturday and the pair turned more than a few heads as they racked up an impressive statistical return.

The brothers were hard to miss, both standing around the two-metre mark and wearing numbers 66 and 68 on their backs.

Tatura Football Netball Club president Jim Pyke said he expected the match to be a “one-off” for the season, which will be music to the ears of opposition clubs perusing last week’s Premier Data statistical report.

“Coburg had the bye, as did their home club Greenvale (Essendon District Football League), so they made themselves available for the match,” Pyke said.

“They had heard good things about the club and we are looking to recruit them for next year.”

Mitch Podhajski, who is a joint vice-captain at VFL club Coburg, had eight shots on goal (for a 4.4 return), took 11 marks (including four inside 50) and had 20 possessions (19 kicks) for his afternoon.

He was a member of the Vic Metro national championships team in 2017, where he was used at both ends of the ground.

Younger brother, and ruckman, Liam had 18 disposals (14 contested), sent the ball inside 50 on 10 occasions, 28 hit-outs (10 to advantage) and three tackles.

Mitch played 41 games over three seasons with Calder Cannons and was touted as a mid-season draft selection after a strong start to the 2021 season.

Liam, nine centimetres taller than his brother at 202cm, played with Northern Bullants before joining his brother at Coburg.

Pyke said the brothers would end the season at Coburg, which sits on the bottom rung of the 21-team VFL ladder and is the only winless team.

Liam had been sidelined since May 13 (round eight of the VFL), which was the last time the brothers played together.

In that match Liam had 15 disposals, 17 hit-outs and six clearances, while Mitch (playing in the mid-field) had 25 disposals and took 14 marks.