The Amateur Footballer Rd1 2015 by VAFA Media

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Amateur Footballer SEASON SE S EAS ASO ON N2 2015 01 0 15

11 APRIL 11 APR PR RIL IL IL

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WELCOME TO EDITORIAL

Michael Hazell - VAFA President

WELCOME EVERYONE TO ANOTHER SEASON OF VAFA FOOTBALL The VAFA officially launched its season two weeks ago at its season launch at the MCG. As usual, the room was packed and the audience was full of the usual anticipation that comes with a new season. Many thanks to Simon Madden for performing the role of our guest speaker.

season that there would be no increase in club affiliation fees again for season 2015. However, keeping affiliation fees low into the future is only possible by growing commercial revenue. We look forward to continuing to work with our clubs and commercial partners in 2015 in relation to this.

It’s been a busy off season for the VAFA staff & board. During the 2014 season the board and staff identified a number of areas where we could look at making improvements come the off season. The led to a number of reviews (and hopefully improvements) in relation to many aspects of our competition over the summer across each of the areas of football, umpiring, competition integrity, finance and risk, and commercial and media.

In the area of competition integrity, we engaged in a rules review at the end of 2014. This review resulted in some changes to our rules, particularly in relation to tribunal processes. Thank you to those clubs who participated in this review process.

I would like to share some of the initiatives. In the core area of football, a number of changes have been made in 2015 to try and improve on some of the areas where improvement was needed. In particular, the board made the difficult decision to move away from our Under 18 competition and focus on our flagship junior competition, the Under 19s. Whilst these decisions are never easy, I firmly believe that the correct decision was made. In relation to umpiring, we have over the off season adopted a new structure and additional personnel, designed to give us a boost in relation to umpiring recruitment and retention. I am very hopeful that our management and staff are able to capitalise on these changes and that we see a sharp increase in the numbers in our umpiring ranks over the next 12 to 18 months. Commercially, the VAFA has over the off season placed a lot of emphasis and planning into further growing commercial revenue over the next 12 months. Whilst the VAFA has no influence over the price of a hot dog or pie at club canteens, we do have the ability to control affiliation fees, so we were very pleased to announce over the off

The VAFA is also very pleased to have launched a new website over the off season. I urge you to take a look when you get a chance. Thank you to the staff who worked on this, particularly Andrew Leonard. Finally, our board and staff, driven by our CEO and our risk sub-committee, have done a mountain of work over the off season improving our injury insurance arrangements for our players. Space does not permit me to outline in detail here what the changes in our insurance arrangements are in 2015. However, I can say with confidence that our clubs and players will enjoy a much better insurance regime in 2015 and beyond. Thank you again to Sportscover for approaching our recent negotiations with the integrity and common sense we have come to enjoy from such a loyal sponsor. Each of these off season discussions and ultimately decisions will hopefully make our competition stronger. In closing, good luck to every club and player on the season ahead. I hope it is a fulfilling one. PS – a huge congratulations to our senior representative team for winning its representative game against the Northern Football League recently. Cover: VAFA victorious senior team after they again won the AFL Vic Metro Championship

The Amateur Footballer

THE JOURNAL OF THE VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION April 11, 2015 THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

$3.00

Vol. 15 No. 1 1

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER

Andrew Leonard

PUB TALK Welcome to the 2015 William Buck Premier season! This year feels different and it’s not just that we welcome William Buck as the proud naming rights partner to Premier Section. I mean on the football field, where the discussion on the merits and pitfalls of each team has been taking place across Melbourne in between in-swinging thunderbolts from Mitch Starc in the World Cup at pubs and BBQs around the city. At this stage of the year, everyone is equal. Time for talk and rumours to be cast aside and replaced by hard evidence. Is that summer signing the saviour or will they be the poster child for another false dawn. With all the marketing spiel done, let’s concentrate on the footy. How on earth do you pick a final four in William Buck Premier? This has been the pattern all summer for me. Blacks? Tick, reigning premiers, almost the same squad. But what about the new coach you say? Well Roberts was new last year and look what happened, another internal appointment sees Luke O’Connell assume top mantle at Blacks and he knows how to win a premiership too, having coached the Blacks Premier B Reserve flag in 2012. Yes, Blacks are in.

@ Lennytalk remember him? Yes he and Hibbo coached back to back flags only a couple of seasons ago. Collegians, yep can’t leave them out. Old Trinity had a year from the clouds and they still didn’t make it so what chance have they got, you say? Well they did have two of the best players in the comp last year in Brendan Iezzi and Harry Tinney (who incidently were both in the best three on the ground in the VAFA’s win over Northern last week). They are also one of the few sides that don’t suffer losing players to VFL each week. They regularly played 4-6 under 19 players in their senior side and their Unders also won the section 2 flag. The T’s will only get better and by my reckoning that puts them in. De La Salle were the worst side to stay up in Premier since LA Adamson introduced promotion and relegation in the 1920’s you say? This might be true, but the club has seen the return of a whole team of players. Paul Satterly is one of the premier coaches in the game, not just in the VAFA and this year he will be forced to leave good players out of his 22 each Thursday night. Yes, yes we know they are small, but gee they move the ball fast don’t they. De La to make it? Surely not, but they just might you know.

St Bernards? They did lose in straight sets and fell away torwards the end of last year you say? Well they also spent most of the year beating their opponents at will, all the while learning a new game plan under Anthony Rock. Rock is in his second year and remember their U19s won the U19 Premier flag and all other teams played finals. The Snowdogs ooze depth and they will be hurting from last year. Yes, the Bernies are in.

Hey but you have left out the best side to win Premier B in the past decade you say? Well Uni Blues were certainly impressive but didn’t they go down with essentially the same list they are back up with? So what, so did Old Trinity and look how they fared. Blues are better. More run, and they welcome back Dan Nicholson, Ross Young and plus a couple of others from Gold Coast Suns. They have learnt again how to win and how to win well. Ruthless in attack plus about five of their players have had the benefit of a VFL preseason too. They simply must be in the four.

Collegians fluked it to a Grand Final you say? Right form at the right time? Well that might be, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone at the Lions who thinks they won’t be better this time around. Yes they may have made it to a Grand Final when not expected to, but they did it with a bunch of youngsters who have just had another pre-season under their belt. Oh, and Simon Arnott is back in the coaching team,

What of Old Carey, Old Xaverians, Old Scotch and Beaumaris you say? A case can be made for each. Beaumaris played some of the most daring and exciting football of the past two seasons. Unfortunately for them, they seem only able to do so in April and maybe the first week of May. The Sharks have had a taste of Premier, but now they need to actually take a bite. By the end of Round 1 this week, Beaumaris players will have

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

WATCH EVERY PREMIER GAME AT WWW.VAFA.COM.AU

heard a message from five coaches in 37 games at this level. Stability is the word and early wins have kept them safe in two seasons to date, the feeling is they will need that again in 2015. Old Xaverians too will have had five coaches in the past 37 games come the end of Round 1. Albeit co-coaches are amongst their groupings. It is hard to get better when three of the best ten players in the competition leave the club. A lot of players were tried last year. However, despite almost every Xavier College boy that exits year 12 signing to play at the Old Xavs, the fact is the school hasn’t won a flag since 2003. The should still improve though and have have you heard of a bloke by the name of Luke Ball? Well, he has been training too. Old Scotch have been the Jekyll and Hyde side of the past few seasons. Brilliant one week, off the pace the next. They have some of their top sheld and they have also lost a 50 goal forward as Passador moves from the goal square to the magnet board. Passador though has been groomed for this role and the Cardinals best players are very, very good. Losing finalists for three years the Cardinals are no slouches in recent times and find ways to win games you don’t think they will. Finally Old Carey. The club everyone seems to like having in Premier, but beyond their best half dozen players don’t give much credit to their onfield potential. That’s probably right, as their 2013 annus horribilis in Premier is the last memory. However they became just the second side in 90 seasons of VAFA football to bounce back with the other relegated side at the same time. Yes they rely on their best, but what club doesn’t want their best players playing well? Whilst most have them struggling, the club has recruited well. Finalists? Probably not, but they certainly won’t be the easy beats of 2013. So you see therein lies the problem. Ten doesn’t go into four and whilst there are reservations about four sides, you certainly can’t say with certainty that they will be the bottom four. On reflection, last year (unless you were Blacks) felt like a poor year, 2015 feels like it could be one of the greatest yet.

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

2014 GRAND FINAL RESULTS PREMIER - GRAND FINAL University Blacks 2.3, 2.4, 12.9, 13.12 (90) Collegians 0.1, 3.1, 4.2, 7.4 (46) Goals, University Blacks: A. Robbins 2, J. Blake 2, H. Lahy 2, T. Napier 1, A. Locke 1, S. Weekley 1, A. Pattison 1, T. Kruse 1, J. Laurie 1, H. Lacey 1 Collegians: S. Taft 3, N. Corp 2, H. Croft 1, J. Kamener 1 Best, University Blacks: B. Mahon, H. Lahy, A. Pitt, S. Weekley, A. Pattison, S. Thomas Collegians: C. Hylton, J. Eimutis, S. Hibbins, N. Ries, T. Penberthy, C. Holst

PREMIER RESERVE - GRAND FINAL University Blacks 1.1, 3.4, 4.4, 9.9 (63) Old Xaverians 3.8, 4.9, 7.10, 7.11 (53) Goals, University Blacks: J. Foster 4, S. Butler 2, S. Flight 1, J. Crameri 1, S. Myers 1 Old Xaverians: M. Cain 2, J. Anderson 1, L. Keith 1, M. Douglas 1, M. Margin 1, C. Beetham 1 Best, University Blacks: J. Quaile, J. Foster, S. Flight, T. Storer, L. Devine, T. Howie Old Xaverians: J. Douglas, M. Cain, M. Douglas, D. Prowse, D. Harangozo, C. Margin

PREMIER THIRDS - GRAND FINAL Old Xaverians 2.5, 6.11, 11.13, 17.16 (118) University Blacks 0.2, 2.2, 5.5, 5.5 (35) Goals, Old Xaverians: T. Daniher 5, H. Buckley 3, C. Dipierdomenico 3, B. Corcoran 2, S. Ross 1, A. Mathis 1, J. Evans 1, N. Ielasi 1 University Blacks: J. Heeley 1, A. Mackay 1, H. Robinson 1, J. Wilson 1, A. Torney 1 Best, Old Xaverians: H. Buckley, J. Smith, T. Daniher, P. Armstrong, J. Woods, J. Hanger University Blacks: A. Torney, L. Crameri, J. Cordner, J. Champion De Crespign, S. Lewis, A. Mackay TODAY SELECTIONS IN BOLD Old Xaverians v Collegians Beaumaris v Old Carey University Blacks v Old Scotch Old Trinity v St Bernards De La Salle v University Blues

PREMIER B

VAFA Man of Mystery

OPENING SALVOS We are still looking for a scribe for Premier B in 2015, please call Andrew Leonard at the VAFA on 95376708 or email andrew@vafa.com.au if you are intertested in fulfilling this role.

Welcome to the Premier B Season for 2015! If you believe the hype and noise out of the TH King, then St Kevin’s seem to have already penciled a spot in this year’s Grand Final. However it is harder to imagine this being a foregone conclusion and given their recent history I doubt even those in the tricolor hoops even think it’s a sure thing. Recent finals history aside, Premier B has historically been the most competitive section in the VAFA. University Blues last year were an aberration of sorts. If you look at the ladder of those sides second down to eight just four and half games separated the teams. From second to fifth was just one game with percentage defining the finals order.

easy beats of recent seasons. Expect a ferocious attack on the ball and the man as the younger Fieldsmen have grown up.

Premier B is a great section of the VAFA. Many teams have made it to this level, reached striking distance of Premier, only to fall back. It is an oscillating section. Very few clubs spend too long in the section. Only the previously mentioned St Kevin’s have overstayed their welcome. This season will be their 10th straight year in Premier B. The next two longest tenants are Old Melburnians and AJAX both entering their fourth year. Interestingly the clubs that have served the longest are the teams we take most consideration of when considering who might make the jump to Premier this year.

Hampton Rovers’ rise to Premier B is the feel good story of the VAFA. If the Rovers can somehow maintain their momentum their best is good enough for an historic return to the top section of the VAFA. With a brilliant playing surface, harmonious relationship with their junior club and one of the best coaching teams in the VAFA, it seems that only injuries or themselves could curtail this run at present.

AJAX are ready to pounce, two fifth place finishes in the past two seasons and a change of coach to Marty Pask has the Jackers primed for a foray to September. If they do win enough games to qualify, it will be the first finals campaign at this level for AJAX since 1979, when they won the B Section flag! They have some of the best players section including Moore Medal runner up Josh Ludski and the leading goalkicker in B Section for the last three years in David Fayman. Evgeni Routman returns from Old Scotch too. Caulfield Grammarians hung on for dear life over the last two years under the tutelage of Tim O’Shaughnessy, now with the fresh voice of Wayne Oswald, the young Fields might be ready to mount something. By no means favourites, but they certainly won’t be the early season 4

Fitzroy are somewhat of an enigma in Premier B. Initially taking half a dozen games to win for the first time at this level in 2013. Last season they were on track to play final when they held second spot mid year for a week. The Roys fell away and were cruelled by injury. The club is strong however and have added the voice of Nick Mitchell as an assistant to Michael Pickering. This shapes as a make or break season for the club, they are within striking distance of William Buck Premier, can they take the next step?

Mazenod were the great disappointment of last year. Burnt by a Premier C Grand Final loss, the players carried that anger the wrong way into the 2014 season. As a result the Nodders took too long to get going. A new voice at the top was called for and the club implemented former Docker and Nodder himself Heath Black to the top post. The off season noise has been all positive this time around and the players are keen to make amends for their poor showing last year. Old Brighton were desperately unlucky to be relegated from Premier last year. However the fact remains that they should have won more of TODAY SELECTIONS IN BOLD Hampton Rovers v Mazenod St Bedes/Mentone Tigers v St Kevin’s Fitzroy v Old Brighton Caulfield Gr. v Parkdale Old Melburnians v AJAX

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

Please email your match reports, thoughts and feelings by Sunday afternoon to andrew@vafa.com.au

their games on their home patch. This season, not only do the Tonners have a pristine new playing surface to play on at the Beach oval, they also have a new man at the top. Former Melbourne player and coach Greg Hutchinson takes the reigns. The team also needs more fresh faces amongst its best players if they are to be in finals contention. Old Melburnians, like AJAX are ready to go. No shortage of depth or class, Nathan Brown’s men are one of the key clubs that will define the Premier B year. They might not have been on the Junction Oval all summer and may face an early exit form the venue if cricket get the funding wallet opened in time, but OM’s shouldn’t let this affect their season ahead. Good players on every line, good depth, keep them in calculations. Parkdale Vultures buck the trend of many of the other clubs in that the highly successful and much loved Sam Radford continues for a fifth straight season. More impressive about the Vultures return to Premier B second time is that Radford rejuvenated the list and took them up a stronger club, despite the fact they lost the Prem C decider to Rovers. St Bedes/Mentone were the most surprising story of 2014. Relegated from Premier a year after playing in the Grand Final. Nevertheless the club has not imploded and Mick Dwyer continues what they hope will be a stable rebuild. There is enough young talent at the Tigers to suggest they should bounce back quickly but the mental challenge of learning to win again is the first hurdle. St Kevin’s are most pundit’s monty for at least a Grand Final appearance. That means they need to win a final for the first time in a decade. With the recruiting they have done, on paper this should eventuate. Daniel Harford is joined by co-coach Jon Edgar and SKOBs will have a full season to utilise and exploit their excellent facilities at TH King for the first time. So that’s the synopsis, it all starts this weekend and ends on the last weekend of the year in THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

September. Many more words will be spoken, written and consumed between now and then, but at least we can all be comfortable that today is a great day for all ten teams of Premier B.

2014 GRAND FINAL RESULTS PREMIER B University Blues 5.7, 7.7, 12.14, 20.22 142) Old Carey 3.1, 5.5, 8.6, 10.7 67) Goals, University Blues: T. MacKenzie 6, P. Summers 2, P. Gardiner 2, R. Eade 2, J. Caldow 1, R. McMahon 1, D. Heinz 1, S. Carr 1, M. Rippon 1, J. Mugavin 1, M. James 1, W. Cuningham 1 Old Carey: B. Smithwick 3, C. Howat 2, M. Laidlaw 2, J. Reid 1, N. Richardson 1, L. Macleod 1 Best, University Blues: J. Mugavin, T. MacKenzie, J. Townley, P. Summers, A. Nice, C. Williams Old Carey: L. McQueen-Miscamble, A. Stewart-Holmes, J. Rice, B. Smithwick, T. Roach, C. Howat

PREMIER B RESERVE University Blues 5.3, 8.3, 12.6, 13.7 85) St Kevins 1.0, 3.2, 5.8, 7.8 50) Goals, University Blues: G. Chisholm 4, J. Mugavin 3, H. Evans 2, H. Weddell 1, A. Wettenhall 1, J. Wood 1, M. Steinbach 1 St Kevins: E. Waldron 3, P. Aughton 2, T. McPherson 1, J. Gambaro 1 Best, University Blues: T. Foott, D. Barton, J. Brown, A. Wettenhall, E. Long, B. Merriman St Kevins: A. Keely, J. Staffieri, E. Waldron, P. Aughton, T. Hickey, N. McArdle

PREMIER B THIRDS Old Xaverians 2.1, 4.3, 5.6, 7.7 49) St Kevins 1.2, 2.2, 4.3, 6.11 47) Goals, Old Xaverians: N. Sharkey 1, J. Samartzis 1, W. Ralph 1, D. Cotchett 1, M. Owen 1, B. Lyon 1, M. Sitch 1 St Kevins: T. Soultanakis 2, J. Liston 2, N. Marchesani 1, J. Anthony 1 Best, Old Xaverians: D. Cotchett, S. Franklyn, B. Steedman, M. Sitch, M. Owen, P. Monti St Kevins: T. Johnston, L. McDonell, J. Anthony, S. Constantinou, T. Soultanakis, A. Fenech

PREMIER C

James Ried

@jamesried9

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW 2015 says goodbye to four combatants and welcomes as many new ones as the long season takes its opening stride. Last years Premiers Hampton Rovers and runners-up Parkdale Vultures made their exodus to Premier B, while Old Haileyburians and Old Ivanhoe Grammarians slide down to join Premier C along with Williamstown CYMS and Therry Penola jumping up from Division 1. However, in the end newcomers or old-timers to the section are irrelevant once games begin. The first matchup always feels it carries double the points and importance to catapulting a good season. True or not there’s no arguing footballs winning simplicity.

revitalise the proud club. Old Ivanhoe had solid hit outs against fellow Premier C teams Therry Penola and Marcellin during the preseason; the boys look likely to come out as a completely different team to 2014.

Following Division 1’s duo to Premier C I’ve seen how dominant Williamstown CYMS and Therry Penola could be. The step up in competition is sorely needed as they clearly reigned supreme from the rest of the section. Therry Penola went the regular season undefeated until losing their Semi-Final and Grand Final meetings with Williamstown. Will be an avid bystander to see how the two handle new competition, and if they will sink or swim. Therry and the CY’s could replicate Hampton’s back-to-back promotions as their lists and fitness have only grown in the offseason.

Oakleigh finished last year 8-10 but are shaping to be dangerous in 2015. The Krushers have won all three of their preseason games including Premier B side Caulfield Grammarians. PEGS have also spruced up since last season, with promising results against Therry Penola and Marcellin in recent weeks. Much like Oakleigh, their average 9-9 win-loss season should easily be achieved and surpassed with their promise of form.

Old Haileybury and Old Ivanhoe fought out a tough season in Premier B with five wins and a struggle for consistency against quality teams as the two make the move to Premier C. Haileybury have enlisted Daniel Hughes as new senior coach as the Bloods have slowly dropped off over the years. Hughes and the many new recruits set to stop the bleeding and

Old Camberwell and Peninsula were looking strong midway through last season, especially the Pirates, as they were one game out of the four. However both teams fell off in the back half of the season, finishing 7th and 8th. Peninsula sweated it out against Rosebud in their final preseason game and showed signs of things to come, while Old Camberwell have kept quiet on their preseason outings.

Monash Blues and Marcellin both failed in last season’s finals campaign and will be more than eager to write their wrongs. Monash finished 3rd while Marcellin ended as minor Premiers. Monash was knocked out of the elimination final and the Eagles fell short and dropped out in straight sets. Throughout the pre-season Marcellin have looked on a mission and capped it off with a win over Premier side Old Brighton. Monash couldn’t defeat Old Melbournians in their warm up Varsity challenge meeting

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

WATCH EVERY PREMIER C GAME at www.vafa.com.au

Please email your match reports, thoughts and feelings by Sunday afternoon to james.ried@hotmail.com

as they could seemingly go either way this season. In the opening round, Old Haileyburians take on Therry Penola at Princes Park. Interested to see how Haileybury and Therry Penola respond to the change in competition. Therry’s three-peat in promotions have proven it hasn’t been troublesome thus far and tip it still won’t as they defeat the Bloods. Monash Blues plays Old Ivanhoe Grammarians, predicting a straight forward win for Monash based off previous results. However both sides have kept reasonably quiet during the preseason and could create a stir off the bat. Oakleigh AFC travel to Old Camberwell Grammarians. Oakleigh is running into form at the right time with big wins in the preseason and think they can get the win away from home. PEGS face Peninsula OB, two mid-table teams last year and both have the potential to break away from that cluster. Expect PEGS to edge out Peninsula in a tight one. In the match of the round, Division 1 Premiers, Williamstown CYMS host Premier B minor Premiers, Marcellin OC at Fearon Reserve. This will be closer than some may expect as the CY’s hold a wild trick up their sleeve that is Fearon. The CY’s thrive at home and will make it tough for Marcellin. On this note expecting Williamstown to hold off Marcellin.

2014 GRAND FINAL RESULTS PREMIER C - GRAND FINAL Hampton Rovers 5.4, 10.6, 11.7, 14.7 (91) Parkdale Vultures 2.3, 4.4, 8.8, 9.10 (64) Goals, Hampton Rovers: G. Martyn 6, J. Ting 2, E. Turner 2, J. Toouli 1, C. Sharp 1, J. Verlin 1, M. Care 1 Parkdale Vultures: C. Dillon 5, K. Lopo 3, N. Ng 1 Best, Hampton Rovers: J. Lovig, G. Martyn, J. Ting, R. Atkins, D. Corp, L. Fletcher Parkdale Vultures: M. Kidner, K. Lopo, C. Dillon, R. Swayn, N. Ng, S. Chapman

PREMIER C RESERVE - GRAND FINAL Parkdale Vulture PEGS

3.3, 2.3,

5.4, 6.4,

7.6, 7.6,

10.12 (72) 9.8 (62)

Goals, Parkdale Vultures: R. Irvine 3, S. L’Huillier 2, P. Lee 1, D. Atkins 1, T. McLENNAN 1, M. Todd 1, C. Tobin 1 PEGS: J. Barrett 2, D. Podger 2, D. Phelan 1, M. Fahey 1, J. Rogers 1, C. Tzambazis 1, J. Clarke 1 Best, Parkdale Vultures: T. Kight, R. Irvine, R. Meade, J. Waters, C. Tobin, J. Le Breton PEGS: M. Miller, J. Rogers, B. Briggs, A. Baddeley, D. Bianchi, R. Richardson

PREMIER C THIRDS – GRAND FINAL St Kevins 1.3, 3.9, 7.13, 10.17 (77) St Mary’s Salesian 1.1, 1.2, 2.3, 4.5 (29) Goals, St Kevins: D. Kerr 3, L. Clancey 2, N. Pryor 1, T. McMaster 1, M. Nolan 1, J. Howell 1, J. Montgomerie 1 St Mary’s Salesian: A. Baird 3, L. Power 1 Best, St Kevins: N. Ciurleo, L. Clancey, D. Kelly, M. Nolan, J. Frazer, J. Betlehem St Mary’s Salesian: N. Alexopoulos, A. Castle, A. Bussell, J. Sutherland, F. Ravida, S. Crilly

TODAY SELECTIONS IN BOLD Williamstown CYMS v Marcellin Monash Blues v Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Old Camberwell Gr. v Oakleigh AFC PEGS Football Club v Peninsula OB

Send all match reports and game notes to james.ried@hotmail.com by 5pm each Sunday night.

Old Haileyburians v Therry Penola

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

VAFA Media Coverage

9.00 VAFA Footy Show

Hosted by Andrew Leonard and John Kanis. Plus a rotating panel of VAFA experts discussing all the big issues of the week.

1.45 VAFA Match of the Day

Live broadcast of Round 1 William Buck Premier Match of the Day. Plus all the around the ground scores as the season commences!

STREAMING LIVE AT

Sundays at 6:00pm

southernfm.com.au

Glenn “Scatters” Scarborough dissect the weekend’s round

SUNDAYS at 9:30am Tom Brain and Brenton Mann apply their post-mortems

Streaming at northwestfm.org

vafatv.com

LISTEN TO BUSH ‘N’ THE BURBS WITH MARK FINE 9PM THURS

LIVE SCORES:

facebook.com/vafa. Access the URL on your Smartphone & save to your home screen.

@VAFA_HQ

livescores.vafa.com.au

LATE SCORES, FINES AND TRIBUNAL Late Scores -

none

Results of Tribunal – 8 April 2015 *Ryan Barker, Point Cook. Abusive language, 2 matches. *Sam Upton, St. Bedes Mentone Tigers. Abusive language 2 matches

*Accepted Prescribed penalty.

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

You’ll Find It Within Within Anytime Fitness you’ll find all you need to achieve your health and fitness goals. It’s the place that Anytime Fitness call ‘Feel Something Better.’ I know this place. I live life there. My wish is that you will too. In my experience, when people remove all obstacles from their mind, magic happens. It is the sum of your passion, your commitment and self-reliance. If that’s what you want, you and Anytime Fitness are made for each other.

That’s why I’m part of Anytime Fitness.

Anytime Fitness are proud to sponsor the VAFA in 2014

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anytimefitness.com.au 9

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME Send any FTLOTG stories to andrew@vafa.com.au by midday on Monday.

NEW VAFA WEBSITE

FUN FACTS Whist researching for content for the new website, some interesting discoveries were made.

There is all sorts of new statistical data on the VAFA Website with direct links to past VAFA Grand Finals and matches that are online. A special feature is that each club now has their own section of the website where you can filter for news by your clubs, review the club’s contact details and location as well as review the history of your club. Whilst reviewing all the senior premiership triumphs at each club, it dawned upon us that there are only three teams that have won senior premierships in at least five sections. Can you name them? Send your answer to andrew@vafa.com.au before Monday 2pm and there will be a prize for the winner.

None more so that what we believe to be the record score in any VAFA game. The combined Melbourne University Under 19s side playing against Kew’s Under 19s in U19 Section 1 in the 1983 season. The game saw Melbourne Uni kick a staggering 65.35.425 to Kew’s 1.1.7. It is worth noting the quarter by quarter scores from the game too. Melbourne Uni: 11.13, 33.16, 48.28, 65.35 to Kew: 0.1, 0.1, 0.1, 1.1. In all Uni had 16 goal kickers, but no player managed to kick more than nine goals.

POWER OF RADIO Eley Park found another new way to source a coach for the 2015 season. The club’s initial coaching arrangement fell through over the Christmas period and so the club took matters into their own hands. During SEN 1116’s Saturday Sports Central during the summer months, the President Trav Houlden rang through detailing their situation and we are glad to report the club had immediate success. Michael Polley is the new man in charge and he got the job after he got in contact with the club on hearing the call to SEN. Michael’s playing background saw him play a few games at Melbourne before a move to Collingwood. After being delisted by the Pies, he spent four years in the SANFL at Glenelg. He then returned Melbourne playing and assistant coaching in the Northern and Essendon District Football Leauge. The Sharks are keen to get going in the new season with a younger list than previous years as they had a large group of senior players retire at the end of 2014.

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

KEW IN UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY One of the peculiarities of the promotion and relegation system has again struck. Kew will play in Division 1 (or the fourth tier of the VAFA) for only the third season in their 67 year history in the VAFA. Kew joined the VAFA in 1949 and commenced in C Section. For the first half of their existence, they were mostly A and B Section with occasional appearances in C Section. It wasn’t until 1995 after they were relegated from C Section that they fell to D section for the first

KRUSHERS MOURN PASSING OF GRIGORIOU Oakleigh Amateur Football Club committee, players, and supporters regret the passing of our friend and player, James Grigoriou, after a short and courageous battle with illness that he fought until the end with strength and dignity. James was an important member of the clubs

time. It was a brief appearance as the club were relegated to E East Section for the 1996 season. A runners-up finish to Old Carey in E (White) in 1998 saw Kew return to D Section for the 1999 season, but again the stay was brief as Kew were again relegated back to the new D2 Section for the 2000 season. We are sure all at Kew will be hoping the stay is a short one again, after all they have already won back to back premierships, so why not a third in a row?

under 19 team up until he took ill towards the end of 2014. He was much liked and a great clubman. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Grigoriou family at this tragic time. James, we will miss you. Rest in peace

AMMO ODD SPOT Elsternwick is the oldest district club in the VAFA. They also lay claim to one of the wackiest feats in VAFA history. In 1996 Adam Hankin kicked 10 goals in one game and simultaneously devoured a hot dog with each goal he booted. There were no records kept as to whether he had fries with each dog. THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

LOVE THE GAME FORFOR THETHE LOVE OFOF THE GAME

Metro Championships VAFA WIN A THRILLER TO STAY NUMBER 1

The VAFA senior representative side has miraculously won the AFL Victoria Metro Championships with a come from behind five point win over a desperately unlucky Northern Football League at Carlton’s Ikon Park. The VAFA stole victory from the jaws of defeat, only assuming the lead for the first time in the whole match with less than five minutes to go, then clinging desperately to every tackle, and jumping late to ensure every spoil, the VAFA won a game they had seemingly had no right to win 7.7.49 to 5.14.44 to retain the number one ranking of Melbourne’s community competitions. Northern had jumped the VAFA early, with the Big V failing to have a meaningful stat for the first 7 minutes of the match. The NFL had established a three goal lead before Adam Bentick (St Bernard’s) pegged one back for the VAFA. Northern’s crisp ball movement and pressure were wreaking havoc through the midfield, and the elusive Shane Harvey was proving a handful up forward. Harry Tinney would have the last laugh in this contest though, as he locked down on Harvey and produced excellent rebound for the VAFA, eventually winning the VAFA’s Best on Ground Medal. The second term saw the VAFA start the climb back, via goals to skipper Matt Handley (Old Xaverians) and Old Scotch midfielder Jack Bull before Harry Croft (Collegians) kicked truly late in the term to leave the VAFA within a couple of kicks at half time. Whilst Northern added another goal, but the margin never got beyond

four goals, which given the low scoring nature of the game seemed could have been a game breaker. Woodrow Medallist Brendan Iezzi (Old Trinity), Bede Mahon (Uni Blacks) Bull and Bentick started to read the tap work of John Shaw (Old Xaverians) a little better and the VAFA’s skills which had been badly offline in the opening exchanges started to find their targets more often. Despite this improved performance the VAFA couldn’t convert any of their early chances, and it was the NFL that finished the third term the strongest. However, with all the possession the NFL had, they too couldn’t convert and a goalless quarter meant that for all their dominance, the NFL led by just 13 points at the final change. VAFA coach Cam Roberts, implored his side to have one last effort at three quarter time, “I still don’t think we have reached our best, but we are only 13 points down” he told the team as they prepared for what would be a memorable final quarter. Roberts pulled a rabbit out of the hat by sending his Blacks premiership defender of last year, Adam Pitt, to the forward line and he had an immediate impact, marking one handed from the first centre clearance, but his kick was punched through for a minor score. Tom Sullivan (St Bernard’s) seemed to be in everything, whilst the VAFA half back line, led by Will Tardif (Collegians) kept running and repelling the NFL attacks. A free kick for holding THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

the ball was converted by Jack Bull to close the gap, then Mahon broke through centre half forward to nail a running goal and the gap was a solitary point. Then the ball was sent deep into attack again and Handley – who regularly had two to beat all day – was deemed to have been held for a free kick, as the ball fell to the ground, Pitt picked up the ball and dribbled a snap through to give the VAFA the lead for the first time in the day with less than five minutes to go. Northern had a chance to take back the lead via a free of their own, then another shot from the boundary but both kicks missed. Croft marked 40 metres out with a minute left to seal the game. After taking his full 30 seconds, his kick missed and Northern with 22 seconds remaining has one last chance to take the ball the length of the ground. The NFL players endeavour cannot be questioned as they rocketed the ball to centre half forward, but the VAFA players were equally desperate and managed to force a turnover to hold on and win by five points

VAFA SIDE THAT PLAYED: No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Name Brendan Iezzi (VC) Jack Bull Tom Sullivan Bede Mahon Phil Edgar Huw Lacey Tom Small Ben Smithwick Sam Williams Will Tardif Harry Tinney Courtney Hylton Jason Kelly Adam Bentick Matt Fieldsend Tom Caven Scott Sherwen Harry Croft Lachlan McQueen Miscamble Nick Corp Matthew Handley (C) Adam Pitt John Shaw Anthony Lynch

Club Old Trinity Old Scotch St Bernards University Blacks St Kevins OB University Blacks Caulfield Gr. Old Carey De La Salle Collegians Old Trinity Collegians Mazenod St Bernards De La Salle St Bernards Old Scotch Collegians Old Carey

As VAFA vice captain, Brendan Iezzi said post match, “That last 20 seconds was the most stressful football I have played, to win a game like that means so much, we were lucky but we never gave up.”

21 22 23 24 25

Call Stephen Speilberg or Baz Luhrmann perhaps, because Hollywood could make a film about this one, “The Great Escape” or “The Heist” have both been done, so let’s try “Spirit of the Big V” because that’s what this group of 24 players showed on Saturday.

VAFA: 1.1 4.2 4.5 7.7 (49) NFL: 4.3 5.7 5.12 5.14 (44)

Tweet of the day:

Collegians Old Xaverians University Blacks Old Xaverians St Kevins OB

VAFA Goals: J Bull 2, A Bentick, H Croft, M Handley, B Mahon, A Pitt VAFA Best: H Tinney, B Iezzi, J Bull, T Sullivan, A Pitt, W Tardif VAFA Best on Ground Medal: Harry Tinney (Old Trinity) Spirit of the Big V: Tom Sullivan (St Bernard’s) NFL Best: N. Riddle, J. Kennedy, J. Donaldson, B. Marshall, N. Carter, M. Dennis

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

MILESTONES

All milestones to ally@vafa.com.au by Monday noon. Please supply a picture or Milestones reserves the right to find one on the web. GAMES

VAFA CONGRATULATES YOU IN REACHING THE MILESTONE

100

Hawthorn’s JAMES RIDLEY - Rids is one of the genuine hard nuts of the club. Floating around the half back line, he attacks the footy like his life depends on it, with no regard for his own body. He also loves sneaking forward and jagging the odd sausage roll. His celebrations are some of the best going around!

Hawthorn’s DAVID KENNEDY - Spinner’ has worked really hard at his footy over the last 3 years, developing in to one of the comp’s finest ruckmen. He is one of the first picked every week and will be looking forward to another stellar year.

Hawthorn’s DEAN MONOHAN - ‘Ranchy’ is a reliable wingman with silky skills. One of the genuine nice guys at the club, he has been elevated to the leadership group this year.

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

Season Launch

2015 Certificate of Merit Winners

Michael Hazell and Geoff Reilley

Guest Speaker , Simon Madden

Michael Sholly Opens VAFA 2015 Season Launch

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

Geoff Reilley responds to his Life Membership induction

DIVISION 1

William Balme

@balmey21

WEDDINGS, PARTIES, ANYTHING… FOOTY IS BACK! As the most annoying month on the Australian sporting calendar comes to a close (minus the dullest World Cup on record), finally, FINALLY, April is upon us and with it, the excitement and anticipation of another season of footy. It’s hard to explain to a lay person just how footy-itis wriggles into your veins and infects your bloodstream until you simply can’t attend another wedding, party, anything without mentioning your thoughts on how the Tiges will go this season, who you picked in your fantasy side and who on earth is going to play Centre Half Forward for the Yarra Valley Bushrangers. ‘The Yarra Valley Bushrangers? Who are they?’ The previously uninterested bartender mutters. ‘You don’t know the Yarra Valley Bushrangers? By gee, next you’ll be telling me that you hadn’t heard Mal Michael is playing at Ormond this season!!’ You excitedly tell the bartender as he wanders off to pour you another dry martini. You may be as gobsmacked as I am to be told that there are people out there who do not care about the fate of Division One in the VAFA this season. Fortunately for those who enjoy reading about footy as much as existential angst, I do care and I have happily found myself covering the season’s coming and goings for 2015. First of all, I have to say that Division 1 looks like one helluva prospect in terms of a competitive season. Last season Williamstown and Therry Penola left the Division for greener pastures in Premier C. They were both clearly the premier sides in the competition which leaves the proverbial door open for new royalty to sit on the throne. Will it be NOBS/St Pats and Old Geelong to naturally progress from finalists to Premier C competitors? Can Mal Michael’s surprise introduction into the Ormond hierarchy spark a renaissance from the South-siders? Or will the new faces of Kew and St Marys’ challenge the hierarchy? Of course, currently it is all speculation and innuendo. Without much substance minus a list of clearances, practice match results and the larking from enthusiastic supporters of their respective clubs, it is hard to know how things will pan out 16

in 2015. Starting with the finalists from last year, it is hard to go past the depth of Old Geelong in regard to their status as a major contender. Players from La Trobe (in particular Jack McMeel is one to watch out for), St Mary’s Salesian and a spattering of players from across the country have entered the fray. After pushing Therry Penola in the Grand Final, Old Geelong will be #thirsty to go one better in 2015. NOBS/St Pat’s will be a worthy top of the table rival for Old Geelong and have done extremely well out of their recruitment drive. The middle ranked sides from last year were Old Mentonians, Prahran Assumption and Yarra Valley. Old Mentonians and Yarra Valley have both been relatively quiet in transfer season, instead backing their ability to build from within. Yarra Valley reported strong practice match hit outs and their bigger bodies will worry smaller sides. Prodigal son Will Ponsford returns from Old Scotch with the big hope that he will make an immediate impact in their midfield. For Old Mentonians, the big question is whether Darcy Brown has listed the OMs as his feeder club as he seeks VFL game time. Overall, they’ve been relatively subdued in the off season. Prahran Assumption appears to have regained big guns for 2015, including Luke Giansiracusa. I believe their strength and discipline will see them return to the top 4. Ormond is the much talked about story of the off-season. Mal Michael! Mal Michael is playing for Ormond. Does anything else really need to be said? Okay, okay, let’s not get carried away. One Mal does not maketh a team, but it has certainly led to an avalanche of transfers back to the southeast. With a new coach in Ashleigh Lever, Ormond make no bones about their desire to go straight back to Premier. TODAY SELECTIONS IN BOLD NOBS/St Pats v Prahran Assumption Yarra Valley OB v St Mary’s Salesian Old Mentonians v Bulleen Templestowe Kew FC v Old Geelong Whitefriars OC v Ormond

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

SPORTS INJURYwww.vafa.com.au CASUALTY - OPEN 1-7 SATURDAY

Please email your match reports, thoughts and feelings by Sunday afternoon to balmey21@gmail.com

The teams who have risen from the depths are St Mary’s Salesian and Kew Football Club. Kew won their second consecutive flag last season over SMS by 9 points in a thrilling contest. Whilst they have had departures, they’ve kept the bulk of their list and added a couple of exciting young prospects including former Old Carey Grammarians winger Luke Marriott. A tough start to the year will separate the men from the pups. St Mary’s Salesian has lost key players from their Grand Final team including Nick Latsas to Old Camberwell, Braedon McLean to St Kevins’ and key forward Alastair Dwyer to retirement. However, the depth is strong at the club and they know how to play the cheeky little postage stamp down in Glen Iris rather well. Bulleen Templestowe and Whitefriars are unknown quantities. Bulleen staved off relegation by the skin of their teeth and the ‘R’ word is still right on the tip of a lot of tongues. Club great Greg Williams has departed and the ins are less than impressive. It will take a consolidated effort to turn their ailing fortunes around. Hayden Cotsford is a big loss for the Friars after a sensational 2014 and he isn’t the only one searching for greener pastures. Despite this, club faithful have stressed that the depth of their youth will see them avoid relegation. Willie Bee’s Match of the Round: Round 1 As always, round one matchups make us salivate. While each game has its own delightful narrative accompanying a tough contest, I like the look of Prahran Assumption heading to Alec Gillon Oval to take on NOBS/St Pats. Last time they met, Prahran pantsed the Old Boys, but I doubt there be more than a kick in it this time. A potential Grand Final preview this early in the season!

2014 GRAND FINAL RESULTS DIVISION 1 - GRAND FINAL Williamstown CYMS 6.1, 7.7, 13.13, 16.14 (110) Therry Penola 1.1, 2.4, 4.5, 8.6 (54) Goals, Williamstown CYMS: M. John 6, S. Puhar 3, J. Gray 2, A. Heaver 1, L. Molan 1, R. Joy 1, C. Richards 1, R. Chan 1 Therry Penola: J. Bannister 3, C. Bannister 3, M. Costello 1, M. Pell 1 Best, Williamstown CYMS: M. John, B. Gray, R. Danaher, T. Johnstone, T. Murphy, D. Calman-Orr Therry Penola: J. Egglestone, P. Edwards, M. Marangon, B. Egglestone, B. Harding, M. Lyons

DIVISION 1 RESERVE - GRAND FINAL Prahran Assumption 1.1, 4.5, 7.7, 9.10 (64) Therry Penola 1.1, 1.1, 2.3, 4.5 (29) Goals, Prahran Assumption: J. Williams 2, R. Ellis 2, D. Cupples 1, B. Kenny 1, J. Rice 1, T. Candy 1, J. Hogarth 1 Therry Penola: D. Ractliffe 1, E. Benson 1, J. Coutts 1, J. Gough 1 Best, Prahran Assumption: B. Field, A. O’Hare, T. Webb, B. Kenny, J. Hogarth, J. Williams Therry Penola: B. Budiono, J. Mennuni, E. Benson, A. Ractliffe, L. Reynolds, L. Ryan

I am excited for what the year ahead promises as I’m predicting the finals race to go down to the wire with a place in the top four being decided by percentage. To assist me with upcoming rounds, game information and highlights, send any match reports or summaries to

balmey21@gmail.com

NOBS/St Pats by 3 points. THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

DIVISION 2

Brenton Mann

@BrentyMann

FINALLY…FOOTY’S BACK After a long and arduous summer, round 1 has arrived and with it comes an air of optimism and excitement of 2015 may bring. In the world of relegation and promotion, we farewell Kew, St Mary’s and Glen Eira respectively, and welcome the Northern Blues, Richmond Central and the luckless Melbourne High. After back-to-back premierships, the Northern Blues are the VAFA “glamour team”, and quiet deservedly, but will face a stern test against the likes of Old Eltham, Parade, Ivanhoe and St Johns. Boasting a team brimming with youthful exuberance, there’s no limit to what this team can achieve in the years to come and 2015 may be another step in their journey up the VAFA ranks. Runners-up in 2014, Richmond Central will look to 2015 as a year of consolidation and will not want to fall into the trap of the promotion and relegation yo-yo. Ivanhoe looms as a tough round 1 opponent, with the Hoes keen on building on a solid 2014. Melbourne High find themselves in Div 2 after a number of challenging years but in sport, it sometimes pays to take a step back to again move forward. The off-season usually brings renewed hope and vigour, and they’ll need it as they host and smarming St Johns in round 1. If they can get off to a good start against the JOCs and build on that form, then the momentum will build for Melbourne High. Elsternwick avoided relegation and have hopefully bottled the form that saw them break eventual premiers Kew’s winning streak and beat finalists Old Eltham in 2014. Unfortunately for the Wicks in 2014, there was sizeable gap between their best and worst. Hopefully they’ve have rectified that over the summer and will build on their consistency in 2015. The same can be said for Monash and after a couple of lacklustre seasons, the Gryphons need to build some early momentum and early wins is the best way. They will fancy themselves against the Wicks and Melbourne High the following 18

week. After narrowly avoiding relegation the last couple of years, 2015 is sink or swim for the Gryphons, they’ll be hell bent on improving. Div 2 stalwarts Old Eltham host South Melbourne and will hope that Eltham College holds the same fear it held in 2014. The Turtles had one of the best home records of 2014 and are still searching for the combination to unchain themselves from Div 2 and ascend the VAFA ranks. They broke their finals hoodoo last year, which is a small step, but they’ll look to take another in 2015 become the powerhouse they’ve threatened to be. South Melbourne earmarked 2014 as a year of development and their mid-table finish reflected that. The exposure and experience that their young brigade gained though will prove invaluable and the Districts hope to further that development in 2015. A greater level of consistency will be a goal this year, as the Districts eye a possible finals berth. Ivanhoe, like South Melbourne, took some significant steps forward in 2014. They showed that they’re best was good enough but unfortunately weren’t able to produce that form on a consistent basis. The Hoes’ depth of young talent was highlighted by their U-19s’ premiership win and the will no doubt be looking to expose that talent to senior football. Richmond Central will be an unknown in round 1 and shouldn’t be taken lightly. St Johns were the enigma of 2014. After finishing fifth and missing the finals in successive years, the JOCs’ hierarchy felt a change was in order. The club appointed ’05 premiership coach Ben McGee with hope that a fresh voice and ideas TODAY SELECTIONS IN BOLD Elsternwick v Monash Old Eltham v South Melbourne Richmond Central v Ivanhoe

www.vafa.com.au

MHSOB v St Johns Nth Blues v Old Paradians

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

Please email your match reports, thoughts and feelings by Sunday afternoon to brentonmann25@gmail.com

will be the impetus for greater success. The JOCs’ biggest enemy in 2014 was themselves, mental lapses and lapses in concentration cost them games against the top sides and must be eradicated if they’re to make finals this year. Their pre-season form has been solid and Melbourne High presents an opportunity to get their 2015 campaign off on the right note. Old Paradians, like St Johns had a frustrating 2014. They made finals but barely gave a whimper against Old Eltham and were bundled out in the first week. Their form too was enigmatic, with lapses not just from week-toweek, but quarter-to-quarter costing them. They have the firepower up-forward in Boundy and Bellizia but James Kandalakis needs a chop out in the midfield. Consistency of performance would have been the message drummed in over the summer, and their clash against Northern Blues is the match of the round.

Therry Penola finished mid-table in 2012 but with new senior coach and favourite son Dennis Castaldi at the helm expect them to be a big improver. The pre-season focus has been on fitness, strength and basic skill work. In practice matches against Bulleen-Templestowe and Prahran Assumption, the players showed promising signs in adapting to the new game plan. After playing off the Grand Final in 2011, Therry will be looking to reach that level again after a disappointing 2012.

2014 GRAND FINAL RESULTS DIVISION 2 - GRAND FINAL Kew 6.5, 7.7, 7.7, 8.10 (58) St Mary’s Salesian 0.3, 3.7, 5.10, 6.11 (47) Goals, Kew: S. Bishop 2, A. Brazzale 2, R. Maibaum 2, K. Margaritis 1, J. Guerin 1 St Mary’s Salesian: L. Holmes 2, D. Weetra 1, S. Jones 1, B. Mc Lean 1, H. Chipperfield 1 Best, Kew: M. Waters, J. Delbridge, S. Bishop, T. Leeds, M. Henderson, K. Margaritis St Mary’s Salesian: H. Chipperfield, C. Butler, S. Jones, N. Latsas, D. Weetra, B. Mc Lean

DIVISION 2 RESERVE - GRAND FINAL St Mary’s Salesian 3.4, 7.7, 10.8, 14.11 (95) Ivanhoe 2.4, 5.5, 6.6, 10.7 (67) Goals, St Mary’s Salesian: S. Gusts 3, J. McCoy 2, A. Murphy 2, J. Evans 2, K. Buchanan 1, D. Gook 1, S. Gatehouse 1, J. Dickinson 1, H. Wong 1 Ivanhoe: P. Walter 2, A. Diorietes 2, B. Grigg 2, B. Zagontinos 1, C. Robinson 1, W. Servinis 1, B. Jackson 1 Best, St Mary’s Salesian: A. Murphy, J. Evans, K. Buchanan, K. Duerden, S. Brown, H. Wong Ivanhoe: B. Jackson, B. Fleming, A. Diorietes, A. Dimopoulos, W. Servinis, L. Vaughan

For game notes and match information please email details to

brentonmann25@gmail.com by 5pm Sunday night

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

DIVISION 3

Gavin Southern

@gavsouthern

READY, SET, GO Division 3 is in many ways the heart and soul of the VAFA. Northern Blues and Richmond Central have left us for greener pastures and South Mornington too, have gone for a spell. Division 3 is a section full of promise, whilst also retaining memories of a bygone era. A genuine mix of the new, and the old of the VAFA. UHS-VU carry the mantle of veteran club in the section. The Vultures have spent time in the upper echelons of the VAFA, whilst Power House and Albert Park (under the guise of ANZ Bank) are no spring chickens either. As these clubs will try to return to former glories, their challengers are in many ways just hitting their straps. We welcome back West Brunswick and Hawthorn from Division 4 and Glen Eira join us from above. These clubs join the mix of Division 3 in the fight, first for bragging rights, then to ensure enough wins to avoid the drop. If this is all achieved, the focus can be made on trying to make the six. It is a fantastic section of football, good luck to everyone of the 12 clubs striving to become two. It would be foolish to look past Emmaus St Leos whose heartbreaking 1-point preliminary final loss to the eventual premier would surely still be fresh in the memory of the players. Arguably the best performed team in the section last season with a percentage of 186.85%; one more win would have seen the Animals claim the minor premiership. Anything less than a top four finish would be an enormous surprise. Aquinas OC could also stake their claim as a serious premiership fancy. After beating Emmaus twice during the regular season, the Bloods would have been a confident bunch heading into the finals series. Like Emmaus, they just fell short of a hot Richmond Central. There’s no reason they can’t repeat their success this season. Top four. 20

Despite finishing 4th on the table, Swinburne University would undoubtedly be disappointed in their inability to match the top teams last season. The Razorbacks will be sure to make this consistency a point of focus in 2015, after failing to beat any of the other three teams in the top four. At times they played scintillating football, and with a bit of luck and some 4-quarter efforts there’s nothing stopping them from playing in another finals series. Albert Park were no slouches last year but were a couple of lengths off the pace of the sides above them. The goal must first be to repeat the achievements of last season by winning regularly against the teams they should beat. Then if they can challenge the top sides more often it could see them challenge the top four. Power House have shown gradual improvement under Ant Voyage and in his third season at the club he will be aiming for finals action. Power are in the same position as Albert Park, able to win the games they should but just falling short against the ladder leaders. Power House will be contending again, with a bigger focus on keeping their percentage in check in the harder times. UHS-VU were one of the surprises of 2014. A preliminary finalist the previous few seasons, the Vultures fell off the cliff badly last year. Injuries and absentees played their part, so expect them to bounce back this year. Struggle TODAY SELECTIONS IN BOLD Aquinas v St Francis Xavier Emmaus St Leos v Albert Park UHS-VU v Power House West Brunswick v Hawthorn Swinburne Uni v Glen Eira Eley Park v La Trobe Uni

THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

SPORTS INJURY CASUALTY - 316 Malvern Road, Prahran

Please email your match reports, thoughts and feelings by Sunday afternoon to gavsouthern@me.com

to see how they could miss finals this year given their talent. Off season turmoil had St Francis Xavier steal the headlines for the wrong reasons just a few weeks before the season start. The X-Men have lost a host of players and by all accounts are still struggling with their depth. This club was on an upward trend only two seasons ago so let’s hope they can rally enough players to help maintain their position in the section for another season before. If they do, it will be one of the stories of the year. Eley Park found a way last year to win the games they had to avoid the bottom two. With the club disbanding their thirds, the Shark’s depth will be tested this year. The club is full of enthusiasm and despite a coaching change in the preseason (See For the love of the game), the Sharks could still push up the ladder this year. La Trobe University took all before them in the Club XVIII Section 3 competition last year, but struggled in Division 3. They earned a stay of execution via the departure of Banyule from the VAFA. There is a lot to improve on from 11th spot and with a campus of students to pull from, hopefully enough good ones decide to pull on the red and black stripes. The new brigade is headlined by West Brunswick who are no stranger to arriving in this section as premiers having last done so in 2008. The Pies are a good outfit and have a well structured team in place that can certainly match it at this level. Their Grand Final showing last year will burn Hawthorn. Undefeated and seemingly destined for Champion Team status, the Hawks fell at the final hurdle. Have they held onto their elite talent? Are they ready to make good on their premiership promises to each other? The THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

2014 GRAND FINAL RESULTS DIVISION 3 – GRAND FINAL Northern Blues 3.7, 7.10, 11.16, 14.18 (102) Richmond Central 3.4, 7.5, 9.6, 12.6 (78) Goals, Northern Blues: T. Vuwai 3, L. McRedmond 3, D. Marcon 2, N. Parkes 1, A. Campbell 1, J. King 1, J. Phelan 1, S. Maatouk 1, T. Beames 1 Richmond Central: L. Carland 3, A. Fiske 2, W. Bucci 1, S. Bugeja 1, P. Holland 1, S. Demeo 1, D. Roy 1, C. Pullen 1, R. Costanzo 1 Best, Northern Blues: D. Calcedo, T. Vuwai, J. King, O. Clark, P. Sansonetti, D. Marcon Richmond Central: S. Brown, T. Thurwood, L. Carland, K. Schoenmaekers, T. Baker, N. Anstey

DIVISION 3 RESERVE Richmond Central 1.2, 3.4, 6.7, 11.8 (74) UHS-VU 1.0, 5.1, 7.4, 9.5 (59) Goals, Richmond Central: J. Munro 5, N. Cannon 3, E. Cotter 1, A. Shopov 1, A. Fraser 1 UHS-VU: R. Dickson 3, M. Sweeney 2, W. Smith 1, H. Lovell 1, S. Parker 1, S. Cracknell 1 Best, Richmond Central: S. Bohan, J. Shaw, E. Cotter, J. Munro, D. Ballock, M. Turner UHS-VU: W. Smith, S. Cracknell, A. Thomasse, A. Bossie, M. Roberts, C. Certo

Hawthorn of 2014 are certainly good enough to do damage in Division 3. The question is are they the same Hawks this time around? Glen Eira have had a horrid couple of years, but you get the feeling some positive times are just around the corner. The club is resolute as ever and despite some thrashings last year, they did at last win a couple of games. Expect the Saints to fight back in 2015. So Round 1 is here, the Division 4 Grand Final rematch is the highlight of the six fixtures, but of equal interest is UHS-VU hosting Power House and whether the Animals will have the same bite when they take on the Falcons.

DIVISION 4

Rich Hummerson

ARE YOU THIRSTY WARNIE? No longer will Warnie plague our television screens, our relentless belittling of the Poms can take a brief recess and words like ‘zinger bails’ can be erased from our vernacular, hopefully permanently. After enduring a summer of cricket that has seemingly spanned decades, we can, finally, dedicate our unequivocal attention to Division 4 football. Yes, much to the dismay of our partners, friends, children and house chores, the allencompassing season has rolled around again. The Kayanos and Nike Frees have been tucked away in the cupboard for another year, replaced with a flashy pair of white Puma Kings. The hill sprints, the time trials and laps around the Tan all in the rear-view mirror, eyes all looking forward now, transfixed on survival, improvement and for a fortunate few, premiership success. Four new sides enter the Division 4 fold this season – Welcome Masala and Mt Lilydale from Club XVIII, South Mornington from Division 3 and a very special welcome back to Parkside who finally saw the light and return to the VAFA from the NFL. Given this fresh look and the fact sides are understandably remaining tight lipped with their recruits and aspirations, it will take a scribe far bolder than I to make predictions of any sort before the first ball is bounced. Equipped with only tidbits of information from the preseason, in the interest of selfpreservation a recap of last season is the order of the day.

CANTERBURY After a near perfect introduction to the VAFA last season, missing a fairytale grand final berth by a solitary kick, Canterbury has made no efforts to conceal their premiership aspirations. Canterbury have boosted their stocks considerably in the preseason. Scott Fitzgerald, a mountain of a man from South Australia and two likely types in James Goodwin and Charlie 22

@Richie_Humm Acutt the pick of the punch.

MANNINGHAM While Manningham had a worrying number of departures at seasons end, Coach Jack McDonald and his small army of loyal assistants have worked tirelessly to mitigate the losses, capped off with the signing of journeymen Mark Tapscott, a towering defender of Eastern Football League fame. If Manningham can retain their 2014 form, expect them to be thereabouts this year. POINT COOK Point Cook have served their apprenticeship in the VAFA and after improvement year on year, finally look poised to launch a serious attack at an extended finals campaign. Buoyed by decent performances in their fixture of practice matches and a string of signings, reports are they’re a happy bunch down at Saltwater Reserve. WESTBOURNE GRAMMARIANS If alleged preseason form is any indication, Westbourne Grammarians appear to be in serious trouble. Despite finishing the year off strongly and narrowly missing out on a finals berth, their performances this preseason would indicate a dramatic slide. Fortunately for Old Westbourne and their loyal followers, more often than not, preseason form is just that. Remember Sydney never like winning in preseason, although it remains to be seen how much of the Bloods culture has permeated the waters at the Warriors. CHADSTONE It’s hard not to have a level of sympathy for Chadstone that borders on condescending but the reality is, they haven’t won a game for two years. Fortunately for Chadstone and the competition alike, reports of their best preseason to date are filtering through. With the inclusion of Masala and Mt Lilydale this season, Chadstone could and should improve on last year’s efforts. That means we should be hearing that famous Synners song again. Let’s hope they still have players that remember the words!

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Please email your match reports, thoughts and feelings by Sunday afternoon to rich.hummerston@gmail.com

SOUTH MORNINGTON South Mornington are coming off the worst year in the club’s history, however the beauty of the relegation and promotion model means the Tigers have a clean canvas this year, the opportunity to paint and entirely different picture in 2015. The marginal step down in class will aid them in their quest to right the wrongs of the season prior and great numbers on the track during preseason indicate sunnier skies for the much maligned Tigers. NORTH BRUNSWICK North Brunswick are coming off a tough 2014 campaign, only managing a meagre four wins. With little information coming from the camp, it’s hard to make much of a prediction for our fixie riding brethren. What we can say with certainty, they’ll at least be the best side in Brunswick this year. BOX HILL NORTH Box Hill North, the perennial bridesmaids of division four. Continually Box Hill North find themselves on the cusp of greatness, but fall short where it counts. After another proactive preseason active on the recruitment front, could this be the year they finally get the recipe right? MASALA Masala have come to the end of their VAFA apprenticeship at Club XVIII level and with the numbers and their own brand of ‘spicy footy’ they have been promoted to the big leagues. Take Masala’s last year’s years form in the top grade of clubbies with a grain of salt, pitted against some very good sides, it was lambs to the slaughter. It won’t be an easy year, but the success of this club in gaining promotion from what was an Indian Australian rules team for the International Cup a few years ago is a credit to everyone involved. MT LILYDALE The Rams return to Division 4 after a second hiatus in Club XVIII, this time for just one season allowed the club time to breath and start again. My Lilydale may not have set the world on fire at THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2015

Clubbies level last year either, but they do know this section well and should be far superior given their extra numbers this time round.

PARKSIDE Five senior premierships, twelve in total at VAFA level, give Parkside a great history, but what will this new incarnation bring to the VAFA of the 21st Century? More than a decade of Northern or Diamond Valley League action leaves us wondering how this new outfit will fair. My guess is it will be a season full of promise. Their counterparts in Mount Lilydale had a touch more success and will prove worthy adversaries in division four.

2014 GRAND FINAL RESULTS DIVISION 4 - GRAND FINAL West Brunswick

.3, 11.4, 13.10, 18.13 (121)

Hawthorn

6.3,

8.5, 10.9,

12.11 (83)

Goals, West Brunswick: D. Muscat 5, J. Nulty 3, N. Mitchell 2, M. Handscombe 2, P. Carroll 1, A. Gibson 1, M. Simpson 1, R. Benjamin 1, Z. Tisdale 1, M. Holmes 1 Hawthorn: R. White 3, S. Stormonth 3, J. Ince 2, D. Tremewen 2, G. Edmond 1, S. Gunn 1 Best, West Brunswick: Z. Tisdale, J. Taylor, D. Muscat, L. Buckler, R. Touzel, M. Simpson Hawthorn: R. White, P. Avery, S. Gunn, N. Raiti, K. Pargeter, L. Chapman

DIVISION 4 RESERVE - GRAND FINAL Hawthorn

2.4,

3.9, 6.12,

West Brunswick

2.2,

3.2,

3.3,

7.13 (55) 8.3 (51)

Goals, Hawthorn: S. Wintle 2, D. Lauletta 1, P. O’Callaghan 1, J. Jackomos 1, N. Loutit 1, M. Laing 1 West Brunswick: T. Crabtree 2, B. Shepherd 2, R. George 2, P. Healey 1, P. Walpole 1 Best, Hawthorn: S. Wintle, C. Bilton-Gough, J. Perks, X. Hallam, A. Loke, K. Davies West Brunswick: M. Graham, P. Walpole, J. Tassone, T. Crabtree, v. Townsend, R. George TODAY SELECTIONS IN BOLD Masala v Chadstone South Mornington v North Brunswick Box Hill North v Mt Lilydale Manningham v Point Cook Parkside v Canterbury

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