The Amateur Footballer, Grand Final Edition, 2017

Our family had a working relationship 40 years strong with William Buck. Their team really understood our business. Our biggest challenge in the last 5 years has been seeking finance as we executed our growth plans. Our advisors have been our greatest allies and outcomes have been significant – 30% increase in sales, financial stability and most importantly, peace of mind, which lets us sleep well at night. We now plan to double our turnover through a second redevelopment. So more fresh thinking will be in order. We know we’re in good hands.

TIM RUGLESS Managing Director, Rugless Family Foodland

Brett Connell

2017 DRAWS TO A CLOSE Congratulations are also extended to the preliminary final winners Caulfield Grammarians (Premier C) and Old Scotch (Premier B), who both play off for premierships this week and, equally important in both cases, a return in 2018 to a higher section.

This weekend marks the close of the VAFA’s 125th year and upon reflection what a year it has been.

From the season opening game played under lights at Boss James Reserve in Hampton, where Hampton Rovers and Ormond’s women’s teams battled it out in April, there have been highlights a plenty.

To the Collegians Football Club well done and congratulations, founding member club, playing off in the William Buck Premier Grand Final in the VAFA’s 125th year, is there an omen there – well they did win the A Section Premiership in 1992 the VAFA’s Centenary Year?

From our VAFA Conference to our inaugural women’s lightning premiership and eventual season, to our Season Launch, matches disrupted by lightning, a terrific weekend of representative football with wins for both our women’s and men’s sides against country opposition, the 11th Annual Big V Club Lunch, the first sod turned in the Elsternwick Park Re-Development project, clubs gaining promotion into VAFA sections they had only dreamed of previously and some of our players getting ready to head off to another Ireland Tour.

Time will tell I guess and standing in their way is the juggernaut which is SKOBs. I’m certain we’ll have cracking games to round out our 125th year on Sunday at Trevor Barker Oval Sandringham (Premier), not to mention Old Haileybury (Premier C) and Old Brighton (Premier B) who await their second semi-final opponents this Saturday, keen on revenge, at Casey Fields and Trevor Barker Oval respectively.

We continue to grow in terms of team numbers, which adds greater workload to our already stretched volunteers – one of a few matters for debate and discussion as we plan for season 2018.

To our partners, in particular Sportscover, William Buck, Wilson Group and Holmesglen thank you for your terrific support and to all of our other contributing partners we extend our sincere appreciation for your continued allegiance.

It has been a massive year all round and it all would not be possible without the wonderful network and band of volunteers who, in some cases, will be enjoying a wellearned break right now, or at last after this weekend.

Key stakeholders in Bayside City Council and AFL Victoria are acknowledged and thanked for their on-going partnerships which bring mutual benefit for us all.

We applaud every volunteer throughout our VAFA community, your untiring efforts make us what we are today – thank you sincerely.

In closing and on behalf of the VAFA Board and Staff we would like to wish you all a very safe and restful offseason, we look forward to working with and supporting all of our clubs and the VAFAUA in 2018 as we strive to take the VAFA to new heights in the years to come.

We thank Owen Hinson (VAFAUA President) and the VAFAUA and all of their running members for their support and dedication, yet again this season. There is no doubt that in part the strength of the VAFA is due to the terrific work of the VAFAUA and their relationships with the VAFA and its clubs.

Enjoy this weekend’s round of footy and remember@ the VAFA “We’re still loving the Game”.

To the premiers Aquinas (D4), UHS-Vic Uni (D3), Prahran Assumption (D2) and PEGS (D1) – well done, enjoy the spoils of victory, the celebrations and remember you have just made club history.

See you @ the footy.

The Amateur Footballer THE JOURNAL OF THE VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION September 23-24, 2017

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Vol. 17 No. 22

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

Michael Sholly VAFA CEO St Kevins OB by 3 points Old Brighton by 10 points Caulfield Gr 8 points

Tim Nelson VAFA President St Kevin’s by15 points Old Brighton Gr by 27 points Caulfield Gr by 9 points

Nick Armistead VAFA Media St Kevin’s by 8 points Old Brighton by 12 points Caulfield by 35 points

George Burbury Big V Men’s Captain Collegians by 13 points Old Brighton by 26 points Old Haileybury by 17 points

LIVE STREAM:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL GAMES THIS WEEKEND VIA THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

St Kevin’s v Collegians Sunday September 24, 2:30pm Website: www.vafa.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/VAFA.HQ

RADIO: WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER St Kevin’s v Collegians Sunday September 24, 2:00pm 96.5 Inner FM

PREMIER B Old Brighton v Old Scotch Saturday September 23, 2:20pm 96.5 Inner FM

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

Claire Messent Big V Women’s Captain St Kevin’s by 19 points Old Scotch by 11 points Caulfield by 22 points

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Website: www.vafa.com.au Twitter: @VAFA_HQ Facebook: www.facebook.com/VAFA. HQ

HASHTAGS: Generic: #VAFAFinals William Buck Premier: #SKOBvCOLL Premier B: #OBvOS Premier C: #OHvCG

The VAFA would like to thank our important partners in 2017

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CM

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VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

Nick Armistead

ST KEVIN’S VS COLLEGIANS: THE DECIDER

2017’s top two sides will officially square off in the 2017 William Buck Premier Grand Final this Sunday from Trevor Barker Oval.

St Kevin’s, who have experienced the week’s rest after accounting for University Blues in the second semi-final, will enter the match as slight favourites after spending 13 of a possible 18 weeks on top of the ladder throughout the home and away season.

SKOB has never won an A-Grade/Premier flag since entering the VAFA after world War II and this is hands down their best chance to add to their tally of four senior flags with the top gong.

Collegians were forced to double down against both De La Salle and Uni Blues over the past fortnight but secured their richlydeserved grand final spot after accounting for the Blues by 21 points on Sunday. With 19 of the 20 goals kicked for the day to one end, the Lions won the game when they restricted the Blues to just three goals in the third before piling on five unanswered in the final term. Shortlisted Rising Star nominee, Fraser Cameron, was outstanding with a match-winning four goals for the Lions, while Sam Hibbins and Will Johnson continued their elite form from the elimination semi.

Importantly, Lachlan Ferguson returned for the Lions after missing eight games due to an ongoing ankle injury, and he kicked two goals in an encouraging performance.

Ferguson’s value to the Lions’ set-up is as important as anyone’s, with the star forward showcasing his match-winning tendencies through the first 11 rounds and leading the Woodrow Medal count on 12 votes prior to his injury. The Lions’ offence took a significant hit in Ferguson’s absence and averaged 79.8 points compared to the 90.7 in the first 10 rounds.

Now, we have the elite firepower of St Kevin’s up against the disciplined physicality of Collegians. SKOB’s harassment of the ball carrier against the Lions’ elite run and carry from half back. We quite literally have the two best sides for the duration of the season playing off in the VAFA’s showpiece event.

HEAD-TO-HEAD These two sides split the points in their two meetings this year, with the Lions dismantling SKOB by 90 points when they first met in Round 6 under lights at Harry Trott. 35 scoring shots to 15 helped the Lions simply dominate after quarter time, piling on 17 goals to four in the final three terms. Tom Penberthy, Alex Croft, Viv Michie and Kenny Ong were outstanding for the Lions but it was the six-goal haul and threevote performance from Ferguson which will resonate in the minds of SKOB’s supporters this weekend. His presence alone means VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

SKOB’s strongest small defender will unlikely try and find his own ball, instead focusing his energy on stopping Ferguson.

Fast-forward to Round 11 and the second encounter between these two sides when SKOB returned serve with a 47-point victory at St Kevin’s College. Three goals from Ferguson was not enough as Gerard Gleeson and Zach Ginies (six) helped SKOB increase their 11-point three quarter lead with seven goals to one in a dominant fourth.

Danger Forwards: Jay Schulz (43), Zach Ginies (29) and Bill Kanakis (22) vs Lachie Ferguson (28), Bill Riddle (21) and Alex Croft (20) SKOB has been an offensive juggernaut throughout the season, averaging 105 points per game. Jay Schulz has been at the forefront of the onslaught with 43 goals; including, nine bags of at least three. Ginies is a constant threat up forward if he plays after dislocating his knee in the second semi, while Billy Kanakis is the crafty small forward who can often make something out of nothing. The Lions have offered up a vast array of goal kickers in 2017 as they increased their points average from 4

64 to 84 over the course of one season. As such, they enjoy spreading the love with Ferguson, Riddle and Croft their only goal kickers over 20, while the dangerous Corey Cassidy has kicked 19.

Set-up Men: Steven Salopek vs Nick Dixon Salopek was phenomenal across half back in SKOB’s second semi-final win over Blues, marking everything backward of centre and using his elite disposal to kickstart SKOB’s forward thrusts. I would envisage Jake Trotter will reprise his role as number one tagger for the Lions and head straight to Salopek to curb his influence. On the other hand, Dixon will have a monster task of using his first-class foot skills to break down SKOB’s defensive structures across half back but we know he is more than capable following a standout first year for the Lions.

On-Ball Brigade: Anthony Lynch, Gerard Gleeson, Nick Wood, Lachlan Sullivan, Ben Dowd & Mitch Brown vs Tom Penberthy, Sam Hibbins, Courtney Hylton, Kenny Ong & Viv Michie.

Few words need to be spoken about the

quality of both midfields with the class of SKOB set to face off with the big-bodied physicality of the Lions. Both brigades ooze talent and the most superior midfield on the day will win the match.

The X-Factors: Thomas Jok vs Will Tardif Jok’s athleticism across half back/wing has been a standout for SKOB this season as the 20-year-old showed poise well beyond his years. We’ve seen it at the highest level of representative football when he kicked two goals and played a leading hand in the Big V’s record-breaking victory over AFL Vic

Country, so we can expect something similar on Sunday. Tardif was electrifying in the Lions’ hard-fought elimination final win over De La as he booted five goals; including, two momentum shifters in the second term. He managed just one against the Blues over the weekend but Tardif’s experience at the top level holds him in good stead to turn up and boot a match0winning three or four.

5

PREDICTION Winner: St Kevin’s Margin: 8 points Jock Nelson Medallist: Anthony Lynch (SKOB)

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

St Kevin’s OB v Collegians — 2:30pm Sunday 24 September — TREVOR BARKER OVAL

ST KEVINS

COLLEGIANS

Senior Coach: Shannon Grant Assistant Coaches: Tom Williams, Guy Martyn, Jess Sinclair

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 25 26 27 28 28 30 31 32 34 35 36 39 40 44 46 55 78 84

Name Matthew Murphy Nicholas Wood Ben Dowd James Strauss Patrick Dowd Steven Salopek Callum Matheson Mitchell Brown Sam Critchley Nick McArdle Patrick Keely Chris Gleeson Jack Holden Jason Salopek Zach Ginies Billy Kanakis Stephen Gilham Shaun Kennedy Lachlan Nankervis Michael Di Natale Gerard Gleeson Edward Ring Jay Schulz Tom Cunningham Anthony Lynch William Coates Lachlan Sullivan Joshua Wallis Lachlan McKenzie Lachlan Merrett Mark Jamar Henry Parkes Conor Ross Thomas Jok Nicholas Meehan Jarrod Nash 1st Qtr

Goals

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

Senior Coach: Shane Joyce Assistant Coach: S imon Arnott, Paul Baker

1 2 2r 3 4 4r 5 6 6r 7 7r 8 8r 9 10 11 11r 11 12 12r 13 14 15 15r 16 17 18 18r 19 19r 20 20r 21 21r 22 22r 23 23r 24 24r 25 26 26r 27 28 28r

Behinds

Alexander Croft Thomas Penberthy Edward Rice Matthew Singleton Dominic Russo Michael Irvine Kenny Ong Julian Hocking Lachlan Peck Sam Hibbins Tyson Wyett Julian Eimutis Harry Luff Billy Riddle Jim Bazzani Will Johnson Michael Dockery Sam Porz Fergus Huntington Benjamin McKenzie-Sirett Callum Regan Sebastian Evans Matthew Yates Harrison Butterss Corey Cassidy Courtney Hylton Trent Zimbachs Tim Varigos Kalem Post Matthew Mandile Dominic Waterman Michael Gregory Hunter Pool Callum Smith Vivian Michie Huw Apted Will Tardiff Seamus Hobbs Kyle Emley Ben Mason William Pocknee Henry Sullivan Jesse Band Condrick Nicholas Dixon Jake Trotter Zebedee Nicholls 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr

4th Qtr

Goals

Goals

Behinds

Behinds

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

6

29 30 30r 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 40 41 43 44 45 46 47 47r 49 50 51 52 53 54

56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 81 124

James Dunn Josh Kamener Harry Hawkins Lindsay Apted Sam Hibbins Lachlan Ferguson James Dougherty Matt Jenkinson Sam Sofrondis William Howie James Christie Samuel Hynes Carl Bacash Alistair Fahie Mitchell Polites Julian Hampton James Kenyon Smith Alex Barr Elliot Cattell Luther Lyon Christian Middleton Jaden Douglass Levi Fernandez Cameron Bonnar

Calvin Lyon Charlie Simmons Nick Bobeff Sam Cutts Fredrick Sullivan Edward Cordner Joshua Dickinson Fraser Walker Bernie Morris Daniel Baldasao Alex. Waddington Jacob Diplaris Lachlan Cooke Milo Abeyraine Sebastian Mundy James Clarke Curtis Collins Paul Tyson Linus Walsh James Kus Oscar Pearson Hugh Johnson 3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

Old Xaverians v St Kevin’s OB — 11:45am Sunday 24 September — TREVOR BARKER OVAL

7 9 11 13 15 17 23 24 27 28 31 35 37 38 39 40 41

OLD XAVERIANS

ST KEVINS

Coach: Murray Browne Assistants: John Symepoulos and Chris Santalucia

Coach: James Kennedy, Kornel Dachs Assistants: William Browne

Louis Denton Matthew Margin Luke Barry Josh Anderson Lachlan Keith Robert Ralph Sam Lees Tyler Scarce James Forrest Tom Anderson Matt Peric Ed Lachal (VC) Daniel Harangozo Ed Barr Nick Nunan Charlie Kennedy Hamish Morris

42 43 45 46 47 48 49 50 52 54 56 57 58 59 60 61

Tristan Parker Jayke Barrack Sebastian Knox Matt Smith Tom Amad Hamish Cullity Jonathan Pintal Ben Plant (C) Mitch Parker Luke Bisset Jack Kelliher Will Richards James Woods Lachlan Berry Hisham Nidam Matt Sitch

1 5 10 12 13 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 29 30

Matthew Murphy Patrick Dowd Tom Sullivan Nick McArdle Patrick Keely Jack Holden Jason Salopek Zach Ginies Shaun Kennedy Francis Keely Zane Carter Michael Shanahan James Stewart Lachlan Nankervis Michael Di Natale Thomas Quinlan Tom Cunningham

34 37 38 39 41 42 43 44 46 47 51 52 60 62 75 78 84

James Montgomerie Pana Karageorgiou Harrison Lagastes Lachlan Merrett Tom Kerr Andrew Clough D'arcy Kennedy Henry Parkes Conor Ross James Tighe Liam Mahoney Francesco Bonacci Joshua Shannon Timothy Tyler William Sist Nicholas Meehan Jarrod Nash

St Kevin’s OB Gold v Old Xaverians Red — 9:15am Sunday 24 September — TREVOR BARKER OVAL

2 3 4 5 7 9 11 15 19 21 22 26 28 34 36 40

ST KEVIN’S OB GOLD

OLD XAVERIANS RED

Coaches: Ben Omizzolo, Jarrad McMaster Assistants: Nick Packwood

Coach: Shane Healy Assistants: Tim Mangan

Paul Di Natale Dominic Loschiavo James Mustey James Dimattina Charles Ring Julian Staffieri Luke McDonell Benjamin Omizzolo James Betlehem Anthony Kirwan Liam Clancey Troy McMaster Edward Ring Julian Gambaro Chris McPherson Jonathan Ring

42 43 45 48 50 51 53 57 62 70 72 74 76 81 91

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Matt Nolan D'arcy Kennedy Nicholaas Murphy Andrew Webb Timothy Sharpe Michael Moore Charles Randles Jerome White Timothy Tyler Rhys Gregory Patrick Rhodes Peadar Hanley Thomas Crookes William Russell Daniel Code

7

Harry Reed Will Wilson Jack Delutis Ben Dalbosco James Samartzis (VC) Fletcher Nugent (C) Cameron Bishop Conor O'Sullivan Harry Kelly Michael Cain Daniel Prowse Sam Cleeve Matt Lowe Will Richards Henry Cookesley Lucas O'Sullivan

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Angelo Amato Thomas Ingham Christian Prowse Tom Beaton Charlie Wilson Michael Stanley Ted Watkin Jack Buffon (DVC) Charlie Kennedy Tom Fantasia Tom Bergin (DVC)

28 29 30 31

Sam Vanderkley Lachlan Berry Billy Curtis Oscar Silk

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

Euan MacDonald

ONE FOR THE AGES AS OLD SCOTCH CLAW THEIR WAY INTO THE GRAND FINAL Forget West Coast vs Port Adelaide, the real talk of the town this season will be the Old Scotch vs St Bernards semi-final, which was decided in a thrilling overtime finish.

After knocking out the Blues last week, the Snow Dogs would have given themselves every chance to lock in a Grand Final and 2018 William Buck Premier berth as they came up against Old Scotch in a do or die preliminary final. The teams had met twice before in the 2017 season, with the tally locked at one win each.

Winning the toss and electing to kick with a strong breeze, the Cardinals looked to gain ascendancy early with an electric (but often wasteful) first term. 3.7 was a disappointing effort from the Cardinals, and with the Snow Dogs sneaking through two of their own, it was Old Scotch leading at quarter time by just 11 points. A tight second term saw Old Scotch put through two unanswered goals, and with a 24-point lead halfway through the term, they looked to be gaining control of the battle.

The Snow Dogs fought back, however, and a late goal blitz saw them just one-point shy of the Cardinals at half time. It was obvious we had a game on our hands, but nobody could have predicted just how close the finish of this game would be.

Kicking with the breeze once again, the Cardinals opened a narrow 11-point lead during the third quarter, registering 3.2 to the Snow Dogs 1.4. In the context of the game this was a big lead, but the Snow Dogs were coming home with the breeze, and the Cardinals had a serious fight on their hands. A fourth term opener to Jordan Clarke saw the lead slip out to 16 points, but a flurry of attack and ball control saw the Snow Dogs slot four unanswered goals to take the lead. Old Scotch looked like they could be on their last legs, but an inaccurate St Bernards (kicking eight points in the quarter) kept the Cardinals in the hunt. A final surge forward and another goal to Jordan Clarke saw the margin tighten to just two points, and the ensuing scrap saw the Cardinals force the ball forward for another two points. Scores were level at Trevor Barker Oval, and with just seconds left to play, a final foray forward by the Snow Dogs was thwarted by a stalwart mark by an outnumbered Old Scotch defender. The Siren blew and we were headed to overtime.

Two five-minute halves, and two more chances to capitalise on a strong breeze, it would come down to the wire and whoever managed to scrap out a win would be heading to a Premier B Grand Final and making the leap into William Buck Premier. The players knew their entire season rested on these last 10 minutes, VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

and it showed in the frantic play style from both teams. It took the silky skills of Matt Seed to slot through the first goal of extra time, and an early eight-point lead to the Cardinals had the Snow Dogs looking down the barrel of defeat. The sealer came with just minutes to spare when a dangerous pass in defensive 50 was turned over and resulted in an Old Scotch goal.

From the game, it was defender Alex Van Ryan who was named best on for the Cardinals, along with Jack McNamara for the Snow Dogs who slotted three majors himself. Dom Iermano kicked two for St Bernards, whilst Matt Seed and James Samsom contributed two apiece, 8

including one each in overtime.

In a hotly contested match of football that no spectator on the day will soon forget, it was Old Scotch who came away with the win, which sees them heading back into William Buck Premier next season, and lining up against the formidable Old Brighton Grammarians in the Grand Final.

A slow start in the first round of finals cost Old Scotch a big lead early against the Grammarians, and they will have to fire early if they are any chance of upsetting the minor premiers. The big dance will be held at 2:20pm at Trevor Barker Oval, on Sat 23 September. See you there!

Tip: Old Brighton by 5 in a nail biter.

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To sign up to the program and for more information, go to: lovethegame.vic.gov.au/sport 9 VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

Old Brighton v Old Scotch — 2:20pm Saturday 23 September — TREVOR BARKER OVAL

OLD BRIGHTON

No.

Senior Coach

Greg Hutchison

Senior Assistant

Mitch Pepper

Name

Goals

OLD SCOTCH Senior Coach: Dale Bower Assistant Coaches: Sean Kavanagh, Tristan Foenander, Will Strange

Behinds

No.

Name

1

Ben Jakobi

1

Andy Jelbart

2

Luke Healy

4

Harry Hill (co-captain)

2

Tom Kerr

5

Michael Slater

3

Joe Couch

6

Tom Fisher (vc)

5

James Sansom

7

Michael Dewar

6

Jack Bull

9

Andrew Dewar

7

Tim McMillan

10

Tom Larkworthy

8

Lachie Hill

11

Dylan Verney (co-captain)

12

Oliver Cavallaro

9

Jordan Clarke

13

Nick Coroneos

10

Will Carrington

14

Jack Cowling

12

Josh Halsall Gene Van Den Broek

15

Jack Toouli

14

16

Brock Rawlinson

15

James Long

17

Ben Jarick

16

Nick Cox

20

Hamish Graham

21

Jandre Olivier

17

Jono Daggian

22

Riley Cummin

18

Harry Larwill

23

Michael Karayannis (vc)

19

Max Van den Broek Matthew Seed

24

Raury Bolger

20

26

Ben Austen

21

Tom McKinley

29

Josh Dickerson

23

Kallum Searle

30

Tom King

31

Andrew McBain

31

Cal Mcdonough

35

Lucas Forato

32

Conor O'Beirne

38

Ben Gadsden

34

Aidan Franetic

41

Joel Balleggi

39

Dylan Gilbert

44

Alex Mastromanno

41

Hayden Calway

46

Daniel Anthony

45

Jack Hurley

48

Jimmy Davis

49

Matthew Gadsden

46

Max Wills

52

Stuart Hooy

50

Ben Hays

60

Tom Garner

57

Jono Aujard

73

Anthony Zimmerman

66

Alex Van Ryn

Patrick Liston

72

Sam Lynch

80

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

1st Qtr

Goals

Goals

Behinds

Behinds

S p o n s o r s Hodges, Half Moon, Travel Leaders, Riva, Storepro

VAFA PREMIER GRAND FINAL 2017

:

10

2nd Qtr

Goals

Behinds

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

Old Scotch v Old Brighton — 11:40am Saturday 23 September — TREVOR BARKER OVAL

OLD SCOTCH

OLD BRIGHTON

Coaches: George Dick Jason Previti

Coach: Ross Stewart

2

Tom Kerr

5 7 11 13 15 16 20 22 23 24 25 28 29 33

James Sansom Tim McMillan Charlie Long Damian Di Donato James Long Nick Cox Cam Melville Julian Beard Kallum Searle Will Stewart Max Davis Jack Slobom Richard Goodey Henry Dick

36 37 38 40 43 50 51 53 54 59 61 63 69 76 96

Josh Tilley Sean Leith Rob Macdougall Angus Harlock Justin Nikolovski Ben Hays John Daggian Charlie Millar Ed Furey Nick Bennison Tom Holding Luke Daggian Tom Beddison Sam Neil Patrick Djordjevic

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Ben Jakobi Luke Healy Harry Cannon Harry Hill (Co.C) Michael Slater Tom Fisher (vc) Michael Dewar Levi Otto Andrew Dewar Tom Larkworthy Dylan Verney (Co.C) Oliver Cavallaro Nick Coroneos Jack Cowling Jack Toouli Brock Rawlinson Ben Jarick Thomas Fisher Cal Macleod Hamish Graham Jandre Olivier Riley Cummin Michael Karayannis (VC)

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 37 38 39 40 41 43 44 45 47 48 49

Raury Bolger George Yeoman Ben Austen Jordie Portelli Jarrod Sargent Josh Dickerson Tom King Andrew McBain Brandon Harris Jesse McLean Tom Clarke Lucas Forato Eddie Tate Ben Gadsden Tom Gunning Hayden Johnson Joel Balleggi Nick Collin Alex Mastromanno Daniel Mount Greg Jones Jimmy Davis Matthew Gadsden

50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 67 68 70 71 72 78

Jordan Schieve Matthew Smith Stuart Hooy Paddy Liston Angus Morrison Angus Grant Nick Graham-Bowman Zack Alcott Logan Welsh Will Bardoel Tom Garner James Fisher Martin Ho Scott Riddell Brian Randall Peter Chantzos Conar Macleod Hugh Hamilton Kieran Rawlinson Connial Auty Lachie Bell Tom Currie

Caulfield Grammarians v Marcellin — 11:40am Saturday 23 September — CASEY FIELDS

2 4 5 8 11 14 15 18 19 20 22 24 25 26 27 30 32 35 36 38 39

CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS

MARCELLIN

Coach: Sebastian Gotch

Coach: Mark Spilio

Lloyd Everett Aiden Clarke Jordan Stewart Tom Rothel Charlie Logan Ryan Harris Lachlan Topp Will Kingwill Drew Dickson Tom Smith James Small John Nankervis Finn McEvoy Harrison Mills Callum Ernikiolis Alex Young James Anderson Andrew Spittal Lachlan Gallop Aya Fujiwara Adrian Bednarek

40 41 42 45 46 48 49 51 52 54 55 56 58 59 60 61 63 64 66 74

Lachie Kellock Harry Schaffer Tom Green Damien Hay (Co Capt) Connor Mengler-Francis Jerome Stewart Hamish Marshall Lachlan Nixon Robbie Handel (Co Capt) Connor Wilson James Easton Ryan Lewis Hugh Goodfellow Matthew Wood Jules Cougan Tom Tonkin Andrew Clark Will Kedmenec Callum Hogan Darcy Levin

2 3 4 6 7 8 9 12 13 15 17 18 19 20 21 23

11

Cullen James Maher Jake Augustin Peter Licciardi Joseph Mallos Harry-James Clayton Alistair Bonato Adrian Bosio Lucas Eliphinstone Ry Mackie Lachie Watty Nick Salvatore Anthony Crapper Steven Tolley Zac Cunningham Joel Menegas Andrew

26 30 31 32 33 35 37 41 42 44 45 49 52 55 63 64

Raso Nicholas Redmond Daniel Mcglin Anthony Berlangeri Anthony James Josh Mchenry Angus Lunn Daniel Frost Matthew Di Roberto Robert Black Thomas Dimattina John Baxter James Mackie Samuel James Nick Valsora David Donnoli Matthew

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

Mitch op’t Hoog

‘FIELDERS FIRE IN THE FOURTH TO SECURE PROMOTION AND GF BERTH Preliminary finals are always considered some of the best games for the year, no matter what division, grade or code of sport you play. The players know what’s on the line and there’s a real sense of occasion amongst the spectators, especially when you have the possibility of promotion.

For club culture and prosperity, it’s hard to quantify how valuable a promotion can be, particularly in the Premier Sections. From the first bounce it was clear both Marcellin and Caulfield Grammarians were hell bent on securing a spot in Premier B and not letting their opponent get on top early. The first five minutes was riddled with tackles, smothers and stoppages and scarcely entered into either sides forward 50. The willingness to work overtime defensively was typified by two acts in the first quarter: a huge smother at the two-minute mark by Caulfield’s Jack Presnell who sprinted 20 metres to dive in front of a Marcellin kick out of defence and ultimately cause the stoppage; And secondly, six-minutes into the quarter, there was a game-defining chase down tackle by Caulfield’s Jack Wallace, who worked his way from the wing to lay a tackle on a Marcellin player who was about to take a shot on goal. It was acts like these that set the tone early for Caulfield, acts that they were lacking in their loss to Old Haileybury in week one of finals.

Despite Caulfield’s best defensive efforts, however, Marcellin did manage to get the first few scoring shots, though they were scarcely uncontested. The Eagles first three attempts at goal were behinds. In fact, such was the intensity and pressure of the game that it took until the 14th minute mark of the first quarter before the first goal was kicked, which came courtesy of some clever roving off a forward 50 stoppage by Marcellin’s Patrick Howe.

After resetting for another centre bounce, Caulfield managed to stem Marcellin’s attack and controlled the play for the remainder of the first quarter. The Fielders kicked the next three goals of the quarter thanks to Tom Green, Nicholas Fallu and Will Osborn who were each looking active up forward. At quarter time, Caulfield held a handy 11 point lead.

In the second quarter, Caulfield’s dominance carried on as they managed to stifle all of Marcellin’s run out of defence with their intense pressure. As it was MarcelVAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

lin’s defensive running that worked so well against Williamstown CYMS in their first semi final victory and it was Old Haileybury’s slingshotting out of defence that got the better of Caulfield in their second semi final loss, pressure inside their forward 50 and around the ground was crucial to Caulfield’s dominance in the first two quarters.

The Fielders managed to pile on five goals to two in the second quarter and by halftime they had extended their lead out to a nice 32 point buffer.

After the main break and with a breeze behind them, the Eagles were able to reset and came out firing. They managed to wrestle back some momentum early and got their outside runners involved. Five goals to two in the third term from the Eagles had the game back in the balance.

Up by just 11 points with one quarter to play, no doubt the Caulfield players would’ve had the previous week’s second semi loss and memories of last year’s straight sets finals losses in the back of their minds - and from the first minute of the final quarter Caulfield quickly showed why many believe they can win it all next week.

To put it simply, they dominated. The Fields almost doubled their score from the first three quarters in the last term as they piled on eight goals to Marcellin’s one to power away from the Eagles and record a crushing 59-point win.

Tom Green was the Grammarians most dangerous in front of goals, ending the day with four to his name, while Nick Baltas and Sam Dorevitch both slotted three, Dorevitch claiming best on ground. For the out of 12

luck Eagles, Pat Howe continued his good form kicking two goals and being named their best.

The win is a massive one for the Fielders, as they have been in poll position for the past two seasons to gain promotion into Premier B. And while winning a preliminary final and gaining promotion is a huge boost for the club and its culture, now the ultimate prize in on the line: a premiership!

Can Caulfield go one further and enjoy the spoils of a flag?

Based on their season and dominant performance in the preliminary final, we definitely know Caulfield are more than capable of going all the way; However, they’ll need to be at their formidable best once again as they’re coming up against the fresh legs of Old Haileybury.

Last time the two teams met was in the second semi final when Old Haileybury comfortably accounted for Caulfield by 25 points. In fact, the Fielders have only lost three games for the year with two of those losses coming against Old Haileybury (including the second semi), so Old Haileybury hold the wood over Caulfield this season. Additionally, the Bloods have had one or two key players returning for finals, including VFL listed player Shane Valenti, so it won’t be an easy task for the Fielders and a victory to the Bloods wouldn’t surprise; certainly not as much as their win did two weeks ago in the second semi final. Having said all this, I’m tipping Caulfield to exact redemption and win by the skin of their teeth.

Old Haileybury v Caulfield Grammarians — 2:20pm Saturday 23 September — CASEY FIELDS

No.

OLD HAILEYBURIANS

CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS

Senior Coach: Daniel Ward

Senior Coach: Simon Williams Sen Asst Coach: Stuart Wigney / Marcel Bruin

Name

1

Adam Schofield

2

James Paul (C)

3

Jack Munro

4

Alex Woltering

5

Peter Shakallis (VC)

6

John Nicolopoulos

7

Lachie Nash

8

Nick Gooda

9

Peter Gleadhill (VC)

10

Ben White

11

Jordan Donnelly

12

Corey Connelly

13

Aaron Toy

15

Shane Valenti

17

Mitch Rafferty

18

Jarrod Plymin (VC)

19

Jordan Toy

20

Jackson Arthur

22

Tim Witherow

23

Lachlan Treverton

25

Scott Ellis

26

Nathan Waite

27

Adam Budge

31

Brodie Steele

32

Ed Limon

33

Corey Rich

40

Nicholas Garrett

47

Ben O'Leary

54

Sam Hall

1st Qtr

Goals

Behinds

No. 1 2 3 4 4R 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

Name

1st Qtr

4th Qtr

Goals

Goals

Behinds

Behinds

13

Goals

Keegan Stewart Lloyd Everett Nick Silvestro Will Barker Aiden Clarke Jordan Stewart Matt Neratzoglou Tim Nixon (Co Capt) Tom Rothel Tom Small (Co Capt) Jesse Toniolo Charlie Logan Dan Meddings Jack Woodman Ryan Harris Luke Thwaites Andre Lister Declan Reilly Will Kingwill Drew Dickson Tom Smith Jackson Small James Small Nick Tonkin John Nankervis Finn McEvoy Harrison Mills Hayden Parker Dominic O'Keefe Alex Young Will Osborn James Anderson Damien Simic Ben Carboni Hugo Gates

35R 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 68 70 74 2nd Qtr

Behinds

Andrew Spittal Lachlan Gallop Jack Belkin Aya Fujiwara Adrian Bednarek Lachie Kellock Harry Schaffer Tom Green Jack Presnell Connor Mengler-Francis Damien Hay (RC) Joe McClelland Nick Fallu Jerome Stewart Hamish Marshall Xavier Jordan Lachlan Nixon Robbie Handel (RC) Theo Thompson Connor Wilson James Easton Ryan Lewis Jack Wallace Hugh Goodfellow Matthew Wood Jules Cougan Tom Tonkin Sam Dorevitch Andrew Clark Will Kedmenec Callum Ernikiolis Callum Hogan Nick Baltas Ollie Gagiero Darcy Levin 3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

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LEAGUE BEST AND FAIREST WINNERS On Monday night, VAFA held their annual Woodrow Medal & VAFA Awards Night. While the night was centralised around the William Buck Premier Woodrow Medal vote count, all league best and fairests, outstanding umpires and rising stars came together to collect their awards. Many VAFA legends and life members, both young and old, were in attendance to celebrate yet another successful year of amateur football and a mutual love for the game. Congratulations to all who were recognised for their efforts, particularly Bede McMahon, captain of the University Blacks, who took out the 2017 Woodrow Medal in one of the tightest counts in VAFA history. A full list of award winners from the night can be found below:

Best & Fairest Awards Competition Award William Buck Premier Woodrow Medallist: Premier B GT Moore Medal: Premier C Lou Zachariah Medal: Division 1 LS Pepper Medal: Division 2 Fullerton Medal: Division 3 Hutchinson Medal: Division 4 OJ Meehan Medal: Holmesglen U19 Premier: Holmesglen U19 Premier Reserve: Holmesglen U19 Section 2: Holmesglen U19 Section 3: Holmesglen U19 Section 4: Holmesglen U19 Section 5:

Awardee Bede Mahon (University Blacks) - 17 votes Harry Hill (Old Brighton) - 25 votes Ben Hart (Old Camberwell) - 15 votes Dean Calcedo (Preston Bullants) - 17 votes James Musster (Prahran Assumption) - 33 votes Chris Hudson (Westbourne Grammarians) - 22 votes Adam Baltruweit (Manningham Cobras) - 18 votes Hayden Bruce (Beaumaris) – 16 votes Thomas Andriske (St Kevin’s OB) – 17 votes Tristan Van Driel (Collegians) – 17 votes Dae Szydlik (Ormond) – 23 votes Jesse Maxfield (Old McKinnon/Glen Eira) – 26 votes Connor Shaw (SBMT) – 24 votes

Other Awards Award William Buck Premier Coaches MVP Award 2017 Rising Star Umpire of the Year Most Promising Umpire

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

Awardee Jason Tutt (De La Salle) - 70 votes Lachlan Sullivan (St. Kevins OB) Haydn O’Connor Ben Traplin

16

MILESTONES All milestones to mitch@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

150

Congratulations to JACKSON SLEEMAN on reaching 150 games for the Old Xaverians Football Club. Jackson joined the club from Xavier College in 2008, playing in the 2009 Under 19 Premier Grand Final. In 2010 he advanced to play in the 3rds (Ménages) playing in 4 premierships (201011 and 2013-14). The high flying Jackson again played in Grand Finals in 2015-16 and was an integral part of the Ménages 2017 finals campaign which unfortunately ended last weekend.

Well done on reaching game 150, hopefully many more games in the ‘red and black’ to come.

100

Congratulations to SAM LEES on reaching 100 games for the Old Xaverians Football Club. Sam joined the club from Xavier College in 2009, playing in the Under 19 Premier Grand Final in 2009-10. In 2011 Sam advanced to play in both the reserves and seniors, playing in the Reserves Grand Final in 2011-12. Sam played consistently in the seniors in 2013, being part of the allconquering premiership team. Significant Injury then cruelled Sam’s playing career for the next three years however Sam has returned to regular football in 2017 and part of the reserves premiership assault this weekend. Well done on achieving this milestone, hopefully many more games in the ‘red and black’ to come.

50

Old Brighton Grammarians’ classy defender, TOM LARKWORTHY, has the privilege of playing his 50th game for the Tonners in a Grand Final this week, when he takes on Old Scotch for the fourth time this season. Tom began in the Under 19’s in 2015 and has quickly established himself in the heart of the Tonners’ defence, where his calm presence and superb disposal has added the touch of class that has typified the team’s footy this season. Tom is an outstanding young man and he is understandably popular with all his team-mates. Congratulations, Tom, and all the best for Saturday and the future.

50

Congratulations to MATT PERIC on reaching 50 games for the Old Xaverians Football Club.

Matt joined the club from Old Scotch in 2015, after playing 64 games there. Matt has played predominantly in the reserves however made his senior debut in 2015 vs Old Trinity. Matt played in the 2016 Reserves Grand Final and was an integral part of the Ménages 2017 finals campaign which unfortunately ended last weekend. Well done on achieving this milestone, hopefully many more games in the ‘red and black’ to come.

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MEET SOME OF OUR FEMALE PRACTITIONERS AT LIFECARE! Anna de Araugo

| APA SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Lifecare Malvern Sports Medicine 91 Wattletree Road, Armadale 3143 | ph. 9509 8844

FINALS SCHEDULE

•

Masters degree in Sports Physiotherapy

•

Previous VAFA team physiotherapist roles with Old Carey, Old Camberwell & Old Caulfield Grammarians as well as Box Hill soccer club

Saturday 23 September

•

Has traveled extensively internationally and nationally in role as team physiotherapist for the national wheelchair basketball team

•

Keen sports person in particular running, triathlon and basketball

•

Particular rehabilitation of sports injuries, back2:20pm and neck pain andOval shoulder Premier Binterest in Grand Final Old Brighton Old treating Scotch Trevor Barker injuries

COMPETITION

FINAL

HOME TEAM

Premier B Reserve Grand Final

Old Scotch

Emma Poynton

Premier C

AWAY TEAM

Old Brighton

| PODIATRIST

TIME

VENUE

11:40am Trevor Barker Oval

Caulfield 2:20pm Casey Fields Grammarians Lifecare Ashburton, Malvern & Bundoora Sports Medicine

Grand Final

Old Haileybury

330Final HighCaulfield Street,Grammarians Ashburton 3147 | ph. 9885 11:40am 8961 Casey Fields Premier C Reserve Grand Marcellin email. ep500@bigpond.net.au

•

Masters in Health Specialisation (Podiatry) & Bachelor of Podiatry

•

Podiatrist to Western Bulldogs in AFL, AFLW and VFL

Sunday 24 September

•

Podiatrist to the AFL NAB Women’s National Development Academy

•

Special interest in biomechanics and sports footwear

•

Consultant in women’s footy boots and master fitter for ski boots

•

Premier with general Grand Finalpain St Kevin's OB nail surgery, Collegians 2:30pm and Trevor Barker Oval Expertise foot including skin/nail ailments heel pain

COMPETITION

FINAL

HOME TEAM

Premier Reserve

Grand Final

Old Xaverians

Premier Thirds

Grand Final

St Kevin's OB Gold

Lisa Middleton

AWAY TEAM

TIME

VENUE

St Kevin's OB

11:45am Trevor Barker Oval

Old Xaverians Red

9:15am

| ADVANCED SPORTS DIETITIAN

Lifecare Ashburton Sports Medicine

Trevor Barker Oval

330 High Street, Ashburton 3147 | ph. 9885 8961 web. www.lisamiddleton.com.au

•

Masters in Nutrition & Dietetics, Accredited/Advanced Sports Dietitian

•

Currently working with Melbourne United Basketball Club in the NBL, plus individual athletes at Lifecare Ashburton including junior AFL, pre-draft elite AFL, VAFA and VFL

•

Previously Sports Dietitian for AFL teams St Kilda Football Club, Hawthorn Football Club, Essendon Football Club and VFL club Port Melbourne during finalist and premiership years

•

Worked with Melbourne Victory Football Club, Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club, Melbourne Vixens netball club and with various sports at the VIS

•

Provides individual nutrition assessment and advice based on personal goals

•

Main area of expertise is improving sports performance through nutrition

•

Author of ‘Eat For Your Life’ and has a new book due for release in 2017 with a performance nutrition focus 19

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017 www.lifecare.com.au

TUTT NAMED 2017 PREMIER COACHES MVP Jason Tutt has completed an outstanding first season in the VAFA by taking out the 2017 Premier Coaches MVP Award at the recent Woodrow Medal & VAFA Awards Night.

Tutt, who played 40 AFL games for Carlton and the Western Bulldogs between 2010-2016, polled 70 votes to claim the award ahead of 2015 winner Ross Young (Blues) and St Kevin’s midfielder Gerard Gleeson on 65 each. Old Melburnians skipper, Thomas Paule, came in fourth spot on 63 votes while three-time runner-up Tom Humphrey (DLS) came fifth with 54.

Tutt, who provided elite run and carry from De La’s defence and played a leading hand in their finals appearance, polled the maximum 10 votes just twice throughout the year but consistency was the key as the star defender polled in 12 of the 16 games he played.

St Kevin’s midfielder Nick Wood shot out to the front in the first four rounds on 26 votes before going down with injury. Tutt took the lead after polling eight votes in Round 8 and never lost the mantle, sitting atop the leaderboard for the last 10 weeks of the year. Tutt follows in the footsteps of previous winners, Tom Penberthy (Coll), Young and Harry Tinney (Trinity). Check out the top 5 vote getters for 2017 below.

PREMIER COACHES MVP LEADERBOARD: Jason Tutt (DLS) Gerard Gleeson (SKOB) Ross Young (Blues) Thomas Paule (OM) Tom Humphrey (DLS)

70 65 65 63 54

2017 RISING STAR WINNER: LACHLAN SULLIVAN On Monday night during the Woodrow Medal & VAFA Awards Night, St Kevin’s Old Boys young gun, Lachlan Sullivan, was crowned the VAFA Rising Star for season 2017. Lachlan was nominated for Rising Star in Round 1 of season 2017 after kicking three goals in SKOB’s 42-point victory over University Blues.

Lachie is a hard-nosed midfielder/forward who originally played First XVIII football at St Kevin’s College in 2013 while in Year 10.

He later went on to win the B&F Award in 2015. Lachie made the move to SKOBs in 2016 as an U19 player, however, while Lachie is still qualified to play U19s football he is yet to play in the Under 19s side due to his success at senior level! In 2016, he played 10 Senior games and 4 Reserve games, while this year, Lachie has played 18 Senior games. To add a little cherry on top of an already successful year, Lachie was recently named in the 2017 VAFA Premier Team of the Year. We’re sure he’ll also poll well in SKOB’s Jack Douglas Best & Fairest Medal too. Congratulations on a fantastic year, Lachlan!

WHAT THE CLUB SAID: “ Lachlan first started playing at St Kevin’s when he was a student at the college in 2010 and played for the school’s first U18 football team from year 10 through to year 12. He commenced his career at SKOB’s in 2016 having also played with Port Melbourne in that year.”

“ Lachlan plays a lot like Jack Ziebell with his attack on the ball and has many strengths; including, being a tough inside mid providing options up forward, skillful with the football and he is renowned for loving his leftovers at St Kevin’s.” “ Lachlan has a great work ethic and trains very well in every session. Senior coach, Shannon Grant, describes Lachlan as having a good attitude for a young guy and that is one of the main reasons Lachlan has started so well.”

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

20

MAHON OF THE HOUR CLAIMS 2017 WOODROW MEDAL Three votes in the last match of the season between University Blacks and St Kevin’s capped off a stunning 2017 Woodrow Medal count with Bede Mahon saluting on the VAFA’s night of nights at Crown’s River Room.

Sitting equal-first with Mitch Brown (SKOB), Ross Young (Blues) and an ineligible Matt Thomas (OMs) on 14 votes at the end of Round 17, Mahon polled the maximum votes in the Blacks’ loss to SKOB to win the award three votes clear of the chasing pack.

The Blacks’ skipper took five rounds to poll his first lot of votes with a best-on-ground performance against St Bedes/Mentone Tigers in Round 5 before going quiet again until Round 9. However, the star midfielder stormed home with nine votes in the last four rounds, drawing level with a three-vote performance in Round 17 and repeating the effort in the final match of the season.

Brown, Young and Thomas each sat equalsecond on 14 votes, while Lachlan Ferguson (Coll) and Jason Tutt (DLS) were equal-fifth on 12. Ferguson led the count after polling maximum votes four times in the first 10 rounds but injury curtailed the remainder of his home and away season.

SKOB and Blues boast the highest number of vote-getters in the 2017 count with 16 individual players polling at least one vote each, while Old Xaverians was next with 15 players polling.

Mahon is the first University Blacks player to win the coveted award since H.A. Meredith in 1952.

21

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

Brinley Duggan

A GRAND FINAL MIRACLE AS PEGS CLAIM DIVISION 1 FLAG Regardless of age, sport, or level of competition, there is not a more electrifying experience than playing in a Grand Final. Every Grand Final, regardless of result, is typified by the big moments; the split second decisions that illustrate the character of those involved, ultimately inspiring the people around them to follow suit.

A face-off between the two best sides of 2017, both of which are stacked with Division 1 guns, was always going to be littered with these “defining moments”.

With Manny Dolan and Dan Ryan at one end and Adrian Romanyk and Trent Skurrie at the other, fans were in for a treat.

The men in green tasked with the contest were Jackson Gillespie, Hamish McCartney, Marcus Middleton, Luke Ross-Smith, Kevin Segota, Dominic Napoli and Matthew Gough. What a great job they’ve done all year!

The battle of the acronyms started with SMS kicking with the breeze. The Saints were playing in their first Grand Final since 2014, and they were out to make a amends for that day - and make a statement they did! Within four minutes, they had their first through Dan Ryan; Then Luke Dykes added three of his own ... in a row. SMS were on fire and PEGS were struggling to get their hands on the ball. Midfield bull, Tim Dudgeon, was restricting any PEGS clearance work with his ferocious tackling and he was finding the ball with ease.

Add two more miraculous goals, another from Dykes and one from Charlie Angley, and it did not seem like the Bombers day. The dangerous Adrian Romanyk was being well held by Jacob Kenyon and what forward entries PEGS did have were being rebounded with aplomb, setting up countless counter attacks. At quarter time, SMS had flown out of the gates to open up a 49-point lead. The spectators at Box Hill City Oval were shell shocked.

Kicking with the breeze in the second quarter, PEGS had a mountain of work ahead of them. One of their stars, Cam Livori, was rubbed out mid-week while fellow gun, Tylar Vujanic, went down in the third minute of the second quarter.

Trent Skurrie snared their first goal not long after to ease some pressure and pain and Hugh Schiavello soccered one off the ground in the square five minutes later, controversially patting his opponent on the head after, but the disappointment was still palpable. Despite a good PEGS start, St Mary’s snared three goals in a row and blew their lead out to 57 points with 18 minutes played in the second quarter.

A fizzer was on the cards. Dudgeon continued to dominate, Manny Dolan was his usual superstar self and Juan Perriam VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

was getting his fingerprints all over this one. Though, PEGS continued to battle through and were kept in it by the tireless work of gun ruckman, Robert Baddeley, and silky smooth leader Brad Jones. Down but not out, the Bombers refused to give in. Jones, assisted by two Tom Black goals and tireless defensive efforts from Andrew Khallouf chipped away at the Saints lead, and dominance, to bring the score to a somewhat manageable 35-points entering the main break.

The 2014 Grand Final that SMS played in saw their opponents race out to a six goal lead at quarter time to kick just one goal for the rest of the game, the Saints came all day but eventually lost that one by 11 points. Perhaps this was playing on their minds as PEGS snared the first of the third to reduce the lead to 29. The belief for PEGS was now palpable and SMS began to falter. Dudgeon was still throwing his body at every stoppage or loose ball, Kenyon continued to hold Romanyk down and Charlie Angley had leather poisoning.

But SMS had too few contributors. PEGS were on top in the middle with Baddeley winning most hit outs convincingly and their own Dan Ryan getting clearance after clearance. PEGS snagged their second after four minutes and this game was up in the air. Another goal two minutes later made it three in a row and the PEGS crowd was in raptures. Despite leading, SMS were on the back foot and without Manny Dolan they would’ve been in bigger trouble. He managed two goals in a row to give the Saints some breathing space but a late PEGS goal had their belief at its peak. The siren sounded with the score reading; SMS 14.6- 90 to PEGS 12.7- 79.

Kicking with the wind in the last, PEGS were going to take some stopping. A difficult task considering the impenetrability of backline duo Andrew Khallouf and James Lenhart. They thwarted the early Saints assault and pushed their side forward for the first goal of the quarter, cutting the lead 22

to four. The next 18 minutes of the game were tight and tense. Dudgeon continued his contested ball assault but he was matched by PEGS hard man, Jarryd Rogers.

The Bombers continually threatened the goal face but SMS stood strong on the backs of Harry Angley, Alex Bussell and Kyle Duerden. Then, the deadlock was broken through a long range Schiavello goal. PEGS finally jumped out to a onegoal lead after peppering the scoreboard without a major. SMS fought as hard as they could but they were shattered by the Baddeley and Khallouf dominance. Brad Jones and Dan Ryan stopped the Saints from getting too much of the ball and when Jones topped off his outstanding performance with a goal that put the Bombers 13 points up, the cheers rang loud and true. SMS were done and PEGS had completed a 70-point turn around to pull off one of the most miraculous Grand Final comebacks in VAFA history.

Heartbreak for the Saints who were gallant in defeat, but they clearly fired their shots too early. PEGS never gave up and left nothing on the field in victory. Robert Baddeley was rightfully awarded the J.W. Manton Medal as the best player on the field after an outstanding finals series. A brilliant game topping off an exceptional and exciting Division 1 season.

Looking on to next season now, and we wish PEGS and SMS all the best in Premier C - a huge step for both clubs. We also bid farewell to the two relegated sides, Whitefriars and St John’s, who we’ll be seeing back in Division 1 soon enough, I’m sure. 2018 in Division 1 will also welcome in four new clubs: Hampton Rovers and Kew AFC, who are coming down from Premier C, and Prahran Assumption and West Brunswick, coming up from Division 2. It’s sure to be another competitive and entertaining year, so make sure you stay involved and up to date. Until then, thank you for being an excellent audience and enjoy the off-season!

Angus Archibald

TWO FROM TWO BY THE TWO BLUES IN DIVISION 2

Sportscover Arena wind as they piled on six goals in the first term to lead by 39 points at the first break. They kept the Magpies scoreless and with a lot to do in the second term if they were to bring the margin back into reach for the second half. However, another strong performance by the Two Blues held the Magpies at bay, restricting them to only one goal with the wind, maintaining a 33-point lead at the major break.

After a goalless second term, Prahran Assumption were out to put the game to rest in the premiership quarter, and that they did. The Two Blues added three more goals in the third term, with the Magpies missing their opportunities into the wind to go into the final break 51 points behind.

Prahran Assumption took out the major prize in Division 2 seniors and reserves on Saturday in what was a fantastic day of celebration for their football club. It started with the reserves who defeated West Brunswick by eight points in a low-scoring affair. The main event followed where Prahran again were too strong for the Magpies, running away 25-point winners.

Prahran took full advantage of the famous

West Brunswick produced a gallant effort in the final term as they attempted to do the impossible and pull off one of the greatest comebacks of all time. They managed to kick six goals to bring the final margin back to 25 points, but the Two Blues continued the trend for their 2017 season and were far too strong. They were the dominant force all season and Saturday’s result proved nothing less than that.

Timothy Maya and Eric Kuret saved their best for the biggest game of all with two goals each, whilst James Musster finished off a fantastic week for him claiming the A.R. Fellows Medal for best on ground the same week he was selected as captain of the Di23

vision 2 Team of the Year and recognised as the Division 2 League Best & Fairest medallist.

There were multiple singular goal kickers for the Magpies, with Bill Irving kicking one to finish his season with 39 goals. Craig Mitchell tried his best to will the magpies over the line and was named as West Brunswick’s best.

So both Prahran and West Brunswick will make the leap up to Division 1 next year, a just reward for both clubs after their fantastic seasons. Glen Eira and Hawthorn AFC will be playing in Division 3 in 2018 and will be hoping to make a quick return to the higher grades with a solid preseason and a strong recruitment drive to add to their current crop of players.

After successfully claiming promotion in Division 3, UHS-VU and Powerhouse will join Division 2 in season 2018 while Whitefriars and St Johns will also add to the crop of Division 2 teams next season after they were both relegated from Division 1.

That wraps up what has been a massive season in the VAFA and Division 2 in particular.

Congratulations to all players and coaches who were involved, but most importantly to all the volunteers who without their support football clubs would simply not function. Good luck with your pre-seasons and I look forward to a bigger and better season in 2018.

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

Mitch op’t Hoog

VICTORIOUS VULTURES CLAIM THE CUP In the Division 3 decider, it came down to the two most-consistent and deserving teams of 2017, UHS-VU and Power House. With both teams locking in a top two spot weeks before the season had come to an end, a large portion of the home and away season, UHS and Power House had been battling it out for top spot on the ladder. The difference between the two so tight that it came down to the last round to have the minor premiership confirmed for Power House. It’s fitting that both earned the chance to fight it out for the Division 3 flag against each other.

The last time these teams met was in the second semi final when the Vultures were able to account for Power House by a comfortable margin of 44 points. However, throughout the season, the two teams played each other twice and claimed one win apiece. In Round 15, Power House managed to come from five goals down to run over the top of the Vultures; while earlier in the year, UHS-VU gave the House a ten-goal touch up. Given previous results, the Vultures were favourites heading into the Grand Final despite Power House claiming the minor premiership.

Given what’s on the line, most premierships in the VAFA start on even terms before one team kicks away later in the game - the Division 3 Grand Final, however, did not follow the usual script. The week off had obviously kept the Vultures fresh and they raced out of the blocks leading by 27-points at quarter time. While the Vultures kicked five unanswered goals with a slight breeze at Sportscover Arena, Power House did let a few opportunities go begging early as they kicked five straight behinds in the opening term. Despite their dominance on the scoreboard, the game was pretty evenly contested between the arcs. Brandon Jackson for the Vultures was getting on the end of some tough inside work and was able to break the game open at times with his run. As for Power House, they were grinding away relentlessly, Ben Circosta leading from the front and filling the void that gun midfielder Sam Confait has left in their team after falling victim to a season-ending knee injury.

The challenge had been handed down to Power House in the first and how they responded in the second was going to determine how the rest of the day played out for them. To their credit, they were able to bounce back and harness the two-goal breeze to kick four goals and reduce the margin. Again, however, inaccuracy cost them dearly and they added a further five points to their tally. At half time, the Vultures maintained a 13-point advantage, though it was still anyone’s game.

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

The signs were good for the Vultures, though, as they had managed to contain Power House’s gun forward Nicholas Nagel to just one goal for the half. Successfully restricting his supply from the midfield and forcing the House to kick long to the contest on too many occasions. Without the wind in the third, the House would need to work hard defensively to limit the Vultures ability to score and keep themselves in with a chance coming home with the wind.

Forget defense, however, the second half got off to a perfect start for Power House as Adam Collett kicked the first goals of the premiership quarter just three minutes into play. However, their joy was short lived as the Vultures began to spread their wings and open up the play from then on. Brandon Jackson and Mitch Sweeney were each able to kick their third goal for the day, respectively, while Sam McSweeney and Myles Legudi made it four UHS-VU goals for the quarter. The outside run and spread of the Vultures cut the game wide open and their rebound out of defence was almost unstoppable. Power House were not only left to rue missed opportunities up forward but they were made to pay for them as the Vultures constantly converted going coast to coast.

UHS-VU were beginning to soar as the House were left with a mammoth task ahead of them if they were going to claim the cup trailing the Vultures by 35 points.

The House decided to roll the dice in the last quarter and isolate their big men up forward.

Get the ball into their 50 thick and fast was the idea and back their boys in to do the rest. For a while, their strategy was working and they were making a late charge for a come-from24

behind victory as the Vultures scrambled to shut them down. Nicholas Nagel started to have an impact on the game as he kicked two in the last to keep his team in with a sniff. Late in the last, Nagel was unable to hold onto a difficult lunging mark that had he been able to convert would’ve put the House within ten points; As Grand Finals go, however, this defining moment for Power House was not to be and UHS-VU once again were able to rebound and run out of defence to establish a fastpaced attack and convert at the other end for a two-goal turnaround. To their credit, the House kept fighting until the bitter end but their slow start and inaccuracy ended up hurting them.

The final score for the day was 9.17 - 71 to 13.14 - 92.

UHS-VU proved too strong for Power House in the end and were able to keep them at arm’s length for the whole day, despite momentum favouring Power House at times.

The final margin of 21 points was largely thanks to the VB Zanin Medallist, Brandon Jackson, who kicked four goals in an elite display of football. With the win, The Vultures break a nine-year drought, claiming their first senior premiership since 2007. Darren Baker fought valiantly for the House and both Patrick Healey and Nick Nagel snagged three goals to keep their team in it throughout the day.

Despite falling short on the day, it’s not all bad for Power House who’ll join the Vultures in Division 2 for season 2018 - a tremendous and well-deserved effort from both clubs.

Congratulations to UHS-VU on claiming the flag and to all teams who competed in what has been a great season of Division 3 football. See you all again next year!

Jason Bast

BLOODS OUTLAST COBRAS IN DIV 4 GF AQUINAS 14.10-94 DEF MANNINGHAM COBRAS AFC 10.9-69 change, it would come down to cool heads and wise decision making; While Baltruweit continued to assert himself on the game, it was Aquinas who proved themselves as the better team in Division 4. The Bloods came out of the gates firing on all cylinders and for the first time they were able to break free of the Cobras pressure.

Andy Brownbill After 18 rounds of regular season football and three weeks of hard-fought finals we officially have our Division 4 Premiers: Aquinas Bloods. A deserving win it was, as they’ve been the best team all year, claiming the minor premiership, too.

The Bloods season started by flying out of the gates with a 96-point victory in the opening round, which set the tone for the season ahead. They dropped their first match of the year in Round 3 to North Brunswick but came back from that with a huge 175-point win the week after. They remonstrated with North Brunswick in Round 14, giving them their 10th win on the trot and 12th for the season. The Bloods didn’t lose another match until the final round of the home and away season, falling to Manningham by 45 points. By that stage, however, the minor premiership had already been locked up.

They finished the season with the best winloss record and an astounding percentage of 275.33%, going on to smash the Bulls in their first final to book a spot in the season decider against their eventual challengers, the Manningham Cobras.

The Cobras, to their credit, also had a great season before falling short at the final hurdle. They kicked things off with the first three wins of the year before going down to the Bulls, just as every team did at some point in the season. They dropped a close game to the Rams the week later to slide a spot on the ladder; However, they fired back with the next two wins before being beaten by Aquinas to the tune of 64 points in Round 9. Following that loss, the Cobras then went on to win their final eight games of the home and away season and claim third place on the ladder. Come finals time, they were hitting their straps - and it showed in their first semi final against Mt Lilydale who they demolished by 113 points. The following week in the prelim, the Cobras proved they weren’t simply making up numbers and fought tooth and nail to eventually get over the line against the formidable Bulls to earn a deserving spot in the

Division 4 Grand Final.

Despite the Cobras good run of form, you’d have to say Aquinas entered this game as favourites, and it was their’s to lose after such an impressive season.

A tense atmosphere during the National Anthem kicked off proceedings and the big game started as you’d expect any Grand Final to start, a hot footy and a whole lot of tackling. Both teams came to win and there was a tremendous amount of endeavour and courage on display with players putting their head over the footy at every opportunity.

The tight contest on the field translated to the scoreboard and the two teams could only be separated by two points at the first break. Kane Maghamez and Jason Stephens kicked the first and last goals of the term for Manningham while Sam Williams and Phillip Jurkovsky kicked the two in the middle for the Bloods.

There was no relief for the players (or the spectators) in the second term and the footy remained hotly contested. Both teams managed to hit the scoreboard on a number of occasions, claiming four goals each for the quarter. The margin at half time remained at just two points in favour of the Bloods.

The 2017 OJ Meehan Medallist, Adam Baltruweit, was throwing his weight around at every contest for the Cobras but even he struggled to find time and space. It really felt as though if one team could get on top of the contested ball and start dishing it out cleanly, this game could break wide open, but neither team were willing to give an inch to their opponents. Even into the third term, the contest remained fierce and it looked as though this game would be going down to the wire. For the first time of the afternoon, however, Aquinas managed to earn a bit of breathing space on the scoreboard, though it wasn’t much, and heading into the final term the Bloods led by a slender margin of seven points.

With the game still up for grabs at the final 25

The midfield stepped up and started to win the contested ball, the Bloods forwards were all-of-sudden spoilt with opportunities. Aquinas managed to snag the first three goals of the final term to create a handy buffer. However, while Aquinas had one hand on the premiership cup already, Manningham managed to get their backs off the wall and fight their way back into the game courtesy of two hard-fought goals. The Cobras’ resistance was short-lived, however, and Aquinas again stepped it up when required. Sam Williams booted through his fourth and fifth goals, respectively, to firmly plant both hands on the Premiership Cup for the Bloods.

Nick Morrison-Storey had an exceptional game for the Bloods and was rightfully awarded the A.K. White Medal for best on ground. However, it wasn’t just Nick who stood up in one of the Bloods hardestfought wins for the year and Ash Naulty and Michael O’Malley dutifully supported Morrison-Storey on a memorable day for the club. Up forward, it was Sam Williams who did most of the damage on the scoreboard with five majors.

For the Cobras, the aforementioned Adam Baltruweit backed up his stellar season with an admirable performance while Kane Maghamez, Michael Muller and Michael Parkes each finished with two goals apiece.

The Cobras were sensational in the second half of the year as they claimed nine consecutive wins prior to their Grand Final loss and I’m sure they’ll threaten when promoted to Division 3 next year. As for Aquinas, if they can continue to develop and grow as a club I have no doubt they’ll continue to climb further up through the Divisions in years to come!

It was a fitting way to end the Division 4 season with a tight match between two deserving teams. In the end, the better team taking the cake. While it’s sad to see the season’s end, we can now start looking forward to 2018 and what I’m sure will be another cracking season of Division 4 football. Thanks for following along with me this year. Enjoy the cricket season and the time off, and I’ll see

you all again next year!

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

26

James Mottershead

U19 PREMIER Old Xaverians claimed the U19 Premier flag in a thriller at Box Hill City Oval, defeating Beaumaris by 10 points. Old Xaverians started strongly in the first half and lead at both quarter time and half time. However, it wasn’t all easy for the Xavs boys as Beaumaris turned it on the the premiership quarter to snatch back the lead at the last break.

Heading into the final stanza, the Sharks led by four points having had four more scoring shots. Embracing the challenge of trailing so late in the game, Xavs left nothing out on the field and piled on the pressure in the fourth, which ultimately caused the goals to come.

That’s not to say the Sharks didn’t have their chances and it truly looked as though they might snatch it right up until the bitter end. A couple of Xavs guns in Lucas Soccio and Alex Trigar had other ideas, though, and led their team to a four-goal-to-two final term and ultimately the premiership flag, snatch victory from the jaws of defeat! Soccio kicked four goals for the Xavs while Trigar was rightfully awarded BOG. For the heartbroken Sharks, Joel Cusack did the greatest damage on the scoreboard, ending the day with four to his name, while Lewis Diggins was their best.

U19 PREMIER RESERVE De La Salle and St Kevin’s fought out a tight first three quarters in the Under 19 Premier Reserve Grand Final before SKOB blew the contest to shreds in the last. Leading by 16 points going into the last quarter, St Kevin’s had the premiership within touching distance and weren’t about to let it get away.

Knowing what was at stake, they put their foot down in a fourth quarter onslaught, piling on nine goals to two in a relentless display of football. Eventually the margin blew out to more than ten goals, allowing celebrations to start before the final siren had even sounded. Ben Pearce was lethal up forward for SKOB, bagging five majors, while Harry Hopkins continued his good finals series and was named best on ground. Despite the disappointing results, Riccardo Rando was impressive throughout the day for De La and can hold his head.

27

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

U19 SECTION 2 The two best teams all season locked horns in the Under 19 Section 2 Grand Final at Trevor Barker Oval on Saturday as the Collegians Lions took on the Old Carey Panthers. In the battle of the felines, Collegians pounced to race out to an early lead, and from there they never looked back. The Lions extended their lead at the quarter, half and three quarter time breaks before a more even contest in the last saw the margin locked at 27-points by the time the final siren had sounded. The Lions’ early attack stunned the Panthers and their inability to wrestle back the momentum ended up being costly. Ultimately, the better team won, and in what can only be described as a dominant display from the Lions, Nick Punter and Cameron Tennant led the way with three goals each; while Sam Walker, who kicked two of his own, played a starring role and was awarded BOG. As for the Panthers, Danyon Reinbold was valiant in defeat and fought hard all day for his side as Wade Brusnahan proved potent around the big sticks and kicked three for the Panthers.

U19 SECTION 3 Old Haileybury looked as though they’d be a tough nut to crack at quarter time in their Under 19 Section 3 Grand Final against Old Ivanhoe. But things went downhill quickly from there. Haileybury only managed another four goals for the game as Old Ivanhoe jumped into the driver’s seat, slamming on 15 goals in the last three quarters to run away with what turned out to be a comfortable 54-point win. Max Jones slotted four majors for the Hoers and Seamus Gibbs popped up for one himself in a best on ground performance.

Despite the loss, Spencer Ward was outstanding for Old Haileybury as he capped off an extremely impressive finals series and season.

Old Mentonians Football Club

VAFA Premier C club, Old Mentonians’ Football Club, is seeking applications for the following coaching positions in 2018:

- Under 19’s Coach All applications are accepted in strict confidence.

The Club boasts great facilities, with a home ground located in Keysborough and access to outstanding training and gymnasium facilities.

Please forward applications or expressions of interest to: omfc.coach@gmail.com For any queries contact Club President, Tim Appel, on 0419 525 221

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

28

B2260313 VAFA HoT 145x210 FP Ad.indd 1

29/3/17 3:43 pm

U19 SECTION 4 Mazenod proved too strong in the end in Under 19 Section 4 and they ended up dominating their Grand Final against PEGS just had they done to many teams throughout the regular season. Having said that, PEGS put up a valiant fight, particularly in the first quarter, which was a tight tussle. At quarter time, the scores were lock at 14 apiece, with PEGS hopeful they could pull of an upset.

Unfortunately, however, beyond the first quarter, Mazenod were never really troubled on their way to a resounding 48-point win. The second quarter saw Mazenod kick away to 34-lead before PEGS harnessed the wind and outscored Mazenod in the third, though the Bombers were always kept at arm’s length. Aiden Brand-Oliver was everywhere for the Nodders, finishing with four goals in a best on ground performance. He was ably assisted by Tom Riley who chimed in with three goals of his own. Nick Senserrick was an important player for PEGS and impressed onlookers. The result was just rewards for Mazenod who finished three and a half games clear on top of the ladder during the season.

U19 SECTION 5 Melbourne High School Old Boys’ remarkable finals run came to an abrupt end in Under-19 Section 5 at the hands of Old Camberwell. The Wellers’ miserly defence was again on show and kept the Unicorns completely scoreless in the first quarter while they bagged seven scoring shots of their own.

The second quarter was more of an even contest, though the Wellers still managed to

contain the Unicorns to just two goals while kicking three of their own. After half time, however, the game broke wide open and Old Camberwell took full advantage. Six second half goals to one sealed the deal for the Wellers as they run away with a resounding 55-point victory. In true grand final fashion, it was the premiership quarter where the game was won and lost, the Wellers kick-

29

ing five of their 11 goals for the game while again holding MHSOB completely scoreless.

By three quarter time, the result was never in doubt. Lachie Powell and Harrison Veitch kicked three goals each for Camberwell, while Josh Holding was dominant in a best on ground effort.

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

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30

Geoff Reilley

5 YEARS AGO – 2011 It was the completion of the 111th season of the VAFA and President, Bruno Conti paid tribute ‘to the thousands of volunteers who had contributed so selflessly to the running of their clubs and the association’ and he congratulated Collegians on winning back to back premierships in a thrilling grand final against Old Xaverians after coming back via the preliminary final. It was described by Andrew Leonard as a ‘pulsating contest and to be remembered by all who were there for the ferocity, skill and courage on display’.

In a low scoring contest Collegians led by 5 points at quarter time, had increased their lead to 16 points at half time before the Xavs came storming back to lead by a solitary point at the final break. It certainly was a thrilling last quarter with Collegians strong enough to hit the front and hang on to win 10.11 to 9.10. Best - Tardif, Blumfield, Scott, Kondarovski, Corp, Ries (Collegians) and Wynne, Carey, Ball, Tiernan, Dynon, Agius (Old Xavs). Collegians’ Andrew Scott was named the Jock Nelson Medallist for his best on ground display.

In Premier B Uni Blacks were too strong for Beaumaris in the Grand final having already guaranteed their rise to Premier A section for 2012 by winning the second semi final. In the grand final the Blacks had control of the match by half time when they led by 6 goals and although Beaumaris fought out the final quarter, the Blacks won 15.12 to 11.9. Best - Weekley, Willingham, Delahunty, Mahon, Foster (5), Richardson (Uni Blacks) and Carroll, Buckley, Braithwaite (3), Dean, Barnes, Ensor (Beaumaris). Charlie Richardson was adjudged the Ian Cordner Medallist.

In Premier C, Parkdale Vultures did not have it all their own way before defeating Fitzroy, 15.16 to 13.10. Best - Oakley (3), M Ryan, M Boland (4), Robbins, Groves, Hampton (Parkdale) and Borland (4), Ablett, Parkinson, Meakin, Vansittart, Kyroussis (Fitzroy). Matthew Ryan (Parkdale) was the Michael Ritterman Medallist.

10 YEARS AGO – 2007 Old Xaverians achieved their tenth A Section premiership with a powerful display against Old Brighton 18.15 to 10.16. Following a stunning 8.8 to 1.2 in the first quarter, Old Brighton never recovered. Best - Fleming, Beardsley, Serafini, Bye, Handley (3), Scanlon (Old Xavs) and Dawes, B Gadsden, Hendra, Hughes, Clark (3), Oliver (Old Brighton). This had been Old Brighton’s highest finish in A Section. The field empires were Russell Davidson and Tim Sutcliffe. The Old Xaverians made it a double celebration with their Reserves team also defeating Old Brighton 11.12 to 9.22).

St Bedes/Mentone trailed at each break against Uni Blacks in B Section but played a great last quarter to win 12.11 to 10.10 to take the title.

Best - L Wintle, Anstey, Hellier, Maddocks, Hecker (5), Scafidi (St Bedes Mentone). The field umpires were Albie firley and Sacha Koffman.

Old Camberwell had a great win in C Section over Old Carey, 15.14 to 13.10 with Carey fighting back after being down by 7 goals at half time.

Best - Tempone (3), Loats (5), Kelly, Mcguigan, Durling, Heffernan (Old Camberwell) and Kent, Wigney, Heppell, Howgate, Tiras, McQueen-Miscamble (Old Carey). Field umpires were Cameron Davidson and Grant Wardrop.

20 YEARS AGO – 1997 VAFA Chairman of the Executive, Andrew Langford-Jones made mention of the return of interstate representative games being a welcome addition during the season and he congratulated Old Xaverians on winning their third straight A Section premiership, defeating Old Scotch in a close, entertaining game by one goal. Scotch had led by a couple of points at half time and in the relatively low scoring match, the old Xavs finals’ experience shone through in the final term. Best - Blood, Hunter, Richardson, Bowen M Bourke (3), Hawkins (Old Xavs) and Collins, Wilson, Steele, Smith, Price, Holt (Old Scotch).

Old Brighton celebrated the B Section premiership after running away from St Kevin’s Old Boys in the final term for a final score of 16.20 to 11.17.

Best - Pryor, Fitzgerald, Perry, Dennis, Rickarby, McLachlan (OB) and Garvey, Keighran, Olive (3), Bossong, Farquharson, Gross (St Kevins).

Marcellin Old Collegians defeated North Old Boys in the C Section grand final 15.21 to 12.9.

Marcellin had taken charge in the second quarter to win their second C Section premiership, the previous one being in 1974 against Old Haileybury. Best - O’Flynn, Cox, Slattery, Caffry (3), Dinneen, Rowe (Marcellin) and Boyle (4), Smith, Tonkin, Forbes, Curry, Mannassa (NOBS).

Old Xaverians, Old Brighton and North Old Boys had won the A Section, B Section and C Section Reserves flags respectively.

30 YEARS AGO – 1987 Ormond faced up to Old Xaverians in the A Section grand final and in a terrific final won their second A Section pennant in three seasons. The respective coaches were Mike McArthur-Allen (Ormond) and Danny Corcoran (Old Xavs) and the respective captain Russell Barnes and Peter Curtain. After what was a tight tussle all day Ormond came out victors 15.11 to 12.12 and this was to be the first of four successive flags for the Monds. Best – Phil Mehrten, Taylor, Cox, Hille, Nankervis, Young (Ormond) and Ryan, J Curtain, Beattie, Peter Curtain, Varco, Greetham (Xavs).

St Bernard’s defeated Marcellin Old Collegians 19.10 to 12.20 in the B Section grand final for only their second B Section flag (1984). Best - J Klaaysen, K Mahady, Comito, Fraser, R Purcell (3), Federico (St Bernards) and Sheehan, Cooper, Slattery, Lennox, Paatsch, Ebert (Marcellin).

Monash Blues 13.18 defeated Kew 10.11 in the C Section grand final for their highest finish in the VAFA and Old Ivanhoe 21.10 defeated St Kevins Old Boys (19.12) in a high standard game in the D Section grand final. Best - Sturgess, Hipwell, Gill, Carman, Culvenor, McGregor (Monash Blues) and Griffiths, Busittil, Kalac, Burden, Schober, Bria (Kew).

40 YEARS AGO – 1977 In A Section, De La Salle won a thrilling grand final for their first senior flag in A Section. It had been close all day but De La continued to keep their nose in front before their final winning score of 9.20 to 11.5.

(University High School Old Boys), D Section – P O’Dwyer (Assumption Old collegians), E Section – G Towan (ANZ Bank), F Section – G Myers (Commonwealth Bank), Junior Section 1 – W Morris (Ormond) and Junior Section 2 – M Thompson (Hampton Rovers).

50 YEARS AGO – 1967 Caulfield Grammarians faced up to the powerful Old Paradians’ combination in the A Section Grand Final. Caulfield had been through the process of first and preliminary finals and understandably, Paradians would start favourites. All square at quarter time gave an indication that it would not be all that easy for the Parade boys but they played well to grab a three goal lead at half time. Caulfield Grammarians came back into contention and held the lead at three quarter time but in a great final quarter, Paradians kicked six goals to Caulfield’s three to run our worthy premiers, 16.15 to 13.15. This was Paradians fifth A Section flag in six seasons and their amazingly successful run had only been punctuated by University Blacks in 1965.

Uni Blues easily took out the B Section premiership against North Melbourne CBCOB 23.12 to 9.16 and in C Section, Alphington accounted for Monash University 9.18 to 6.17.

The VAFA Best & Fairest winners were A Section – J Fisher (Kew), B Section – P Hoy (St Kilda CBCOC), C Section – G McKay (Alphington), D Section – H Jolson (AJAX), E Section – M O’Dwyer (ES&A Bank), Junior Section 1 – L McIvor (University) and Junior Section 2 – A Tesoriero (St Kilda CBCOB).

60 YEARS AGO – 1957 Collegians totally outclassed University Blues in the A Section Grand Final . Uni Blues were to rue the loss of their star forward, Peter Woodhouse, early in the game with a dislocated collar bone.

Collegians’ dominant centre line, strong defence, superior pace and aerial ruck supremacy made life very difficult for the Blues. After Woodhouse’s misfortune in the first few minutes the Blues had no coordination up forward. Although the Blues continued to work hard Collegians had a stranglehold on the game by half time. The final score was 13.12 to 2.12. This was Collegians’ second successive premiership having won the B Section flag in the previous season, the first time this had been achieved in the VAFA. It was also Collegians’ ninth A Section pennant to go one ahead of rivals, Old Scotch Collegians and two behind University Blacks. Best players – Mansfield, R Daff, McDonald, L Hibbins, Thompson, Gellie, Scott, McKeown (Collegians) and Hayes, Jones, O’Dwyer, Froomes, Hiscock, Brown, Dahlenburg, Macmillan (Uni Blues).

Old Scotch easily won the B Section premiership 13.22 to Ivanhoe 7.16 and Fawkner prevailed in C Section over Parkside, 20.21 to 17.10.

In B Section, Alphington recorded an easy win over Old Xaverians 8.11 to 3.12 and in C Section Old Geelong Grammarians were too strong for ES&A Bank 11.10 to 8.9.

VAFA Best & Fairest awards went to A Section – P Aughton (St Bernards), B Section – R Shepherd (Reservoir Old Boys), C Section – A Flavel

A sincere thank you to all who have taken the time to read this column and also to those who provided feedback throughout the season – GR.

31

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

PREMIER C

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER St Kevins University Blues Collegians De La Salle Old Xaverians Old Melburnians Old Trinity Gr St Bedes / Mentone Tigers University Blacks Beaumaris

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

W 16 13 12 11 9 8 6 4 4 3

L 2 4 4 7 8 9 12 13 14 13

D 0 1 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 2

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1896 1562 1511 1367 1428 1389 1257 1174 1402 1214

Agst 1152 1212 1249 1311 1379 1359 1443 1702 1624 1769

% 164.58 128.88 120.98 104.27 103.55 102.21 87.11 68.98 86.33 68.63

PTS 64 54 52 44 38 34 24 18 16 16

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

W 17 16 12 11 11 7 6 4 3 3

L 1 2 6 7 7 11 12 14 15 15

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1563 1668 1523 1313 1230 1217 1248 998 730 744

Agst 821 877 1103 1030 1063 1030 1396 1297 1683 1934

% 190.38 190.19 138.08 127.48 115.71 118.16 89.4 76.95 43.37 38.47

PTS 68 64 48 44 44 28 24 16 12 12

St Kevins OB Gold Old Xaverians Red Old Xaverians Black St Kevins OB Green St Bernards University Blacks University Blues Old Melburnians Beaumaris Collegians

W 15 14 12 13 8 7 7 5 4 2

L 3 3 4 5 9 11 11 11 14 16

D 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1617 1507 1298 1293 1202 1082 1041 798 853 625

Agst 628 791 922 952 1330 1108 1087 1545 1427 1694

% 257.48 190.52 140.78 135.82 90.38 97.65 95.77 51.65 59.78 36.89

PTS 60 60 54 52 34 28 28 20 16 8

PREMIER B Old Brighton Gr Old Scotch St Bernards Monash Blues Ajax Mazenod Old Carey Parkdale Vultures Fitzroy Peninsula

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

W 16 15 12 10 9 8 6 5 5 3

L 1 2 6 8 9 10 12 13 13 15

D 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1748 1885 1748 1374 1335 1029 1359 1107 1111 1020

Agst 898 1082 1266 1213 1299 1460 1461 1612 1625 1856

% 194.65 174.21 138.07 113.27 102.77 70.48 93.02 68.67 68.37 54.96

PTS 66 62 48 40 36 32 24 20 20 12

PREMIER B RESERVES Old Scotch Old Brighton Gr St Bernards Old Carey Monash Blues Mazenod Fitzroy Ajax Parkdale Vultures Peninsula

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

W 17 14 12 11 10 9 6 6 4 1

L 1 4 6 7 8 9 12 12 14 17

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1747 1375 1508 1295 1067 1039 1151 897 1031 526

Agst 671 716 981 1133 874 1062 1465 1242 1193 2299

% 260.36 192.04 153.72 114.3 122.08 97.83 78.57 72.22 86.42 22.88

PTS 68 56 48 44 40 36 24 24 16 4

PREMIER B THIRDS Old Scotch De La Salle AJAX Fitzroy Monash Blues Old Trinity Parkdale Vultures Old Carey Gr

P 16 16 16 16 16 15 15 16

W 15 12 12 8 8 5 2 1

L 2 7 7 9 9 9 10 10 12 15

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1918 1682 1791 1780 1460 1538 1374 1261 1134 1060

Agst 1146 1241 1349 1520 1365 1639 1663 1533 1586 1956

% 167.36 135.54 132.77 117.11 106.96 93.84 82.62 82.26 71.5 54.19

PTS 64 44 44 36 36 36 32 32 24 12

Caulfield Gr Marcellin OC Old Geelong Old Camberwell Gr Hampton Rovers Old Haileyburians Williamstown CYMS Kew Old Ivanhoe Gr Old Mentonians

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

W 16 15 12 12 8 8 6 5 3 3

L 2 2 5 6 9 10 11 13 15 15

D 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0

L 1 4 4 8 8 10 13 15

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

For 1696 1543 1334 1354 1069 952 595 671

Agst 729 810 814 1060 990 1167 1871 1855

VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

% 232.65 190.49 163.88 127.74 107.98 81.58 31.8 36.17

PTS 60 48 48 32 32 24 8 4

Williamstown CYMS Caulfield Gr West Brunswick PEGS Marcellin Ormond Old Geelong Therry Penola OB St Mary's Salesian Kew

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1687 1792 1508 1343 1205 1272 987 932 922 769

Agst 680 634 832 1101 1195 1439 1342 1595 1674 1925

% PTS 248.09 64 282.65 62 181.25 50 121.98 48 100.84 34 88.39 32 73.55 26 58.43 20 55.08 12 39.95 12

P W L D B FF 14 13 1 15 12 2 16 10 5 16 9 6 16 9 7 16 7 8 16 6 10 15 5 10 15 3 12 16 2 14

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

W 15 14 14 12 11 8 6 5 3 2

L 3 4 4 6 7 10 12 13 15 16

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

Hawthorn Old Xaverians South Mornington Prahran Assumption Richmond Central MHSOB Brunswick NOBSPC Chadstone

P 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15

P 14 13 15 15 15 13 14 15

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 2001 1591 1507 1402 1476 1450 1449 1327 1414 1023

Agst 951 1203 1221 1368 1487 1594 1488 1390 1560 2378

% 210.41 132.25 123.42 102.49 99.26 90.97 97.38 95.47 90.64 43.02

PTS 64 56 44 40 36 36 28 28 28 0

Prahran Assumption West Brunswick Mhsob Eltham Collegians Yarra Old Gr Glen Eira Hawthorn Bulleen Templestowe Emmaus St Leos Old Paradians

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

W 17 16 15 10 9 6 5 4 4 2

L 1 2 3 8 8 11 12 13 14 16

D 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 2198 2033 1927 1048 1287 1002 860 628 802 673

Agst 583 484 766 1391 1119 1335 1541 1732 1856 1651

% 377.02 420.04 251.57 75.34 115.01 75.06 55.81 36.26 43.21 40.76

PTS 68 64 60 40 38 26 22 18 16 8

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

W 16 15 11 11 10 8 8 7 4 0

L 2 3 7 7 8 10 10 11 14 18

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1870 1871 1734 1595 1674 1480 1533 1321 1357 820

Agst 1341 1062 1408 1354 1396 1427 1487 1622 1802 2356

% 139.45 176.18 123.15 117.8 119.91 103.71 103.09 81.44 75.31 34.8

PTS 64 60 44 44 40 32 32 28 16 0

For

Agst

%

PTS

2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1599 1351 1373 1129 1128 1072 996 906 639 688

653 598 838 889 993 1050 1144 1540 1654 1673

244.87 225.92 163.84 127 113.6 102.1 87.06 58.83 38.63 41.12

60 54 42 38 36 30 24 20 12 8

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1926 1901 1797 1829 1513 1566 1509 1317 1276 1302

Agst 1295 1288 1248 1487 1388 1701 1783 1774 2005 1967

% 148.73 147.59 143.99 123 109.01 92.06 84.63 74.24 63.64 66.19

PTS 60 56 56 48 44 32 24 20 12 8

DIVISION THREE RESERVES

DIVISION FOUR

W 18 16 14 10 8 8 7 5 4 0

L 0 2 4 8 10 10 11 13 14 18

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 2440 1869 1809 1474 1116 1180 1107 855 887 637

Agst 612 568 1047 1348 1233 1395 1335 1757 1795 2327

% 398.69 329.05 172.78 109.35 90.51 84.59 82.92 48.66 49.42 27.37

PTS 72 64 56 40 32 32 28 20 16 0

W 12 11 8 7 7 5 5 1

L 2 2 4 6 8 10 10 14

D 1 2 3 2 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1423 1124 998 849 833 751 550 543

Agst 578 677 727 815 907 1044 955 1389

% 246.19 166.03 137.28 104.17 91.84 71.93 57.59 39.09

PTS 50 48 38 32 28 20 20 4

W 13 10 12 8 7 5 2 0

L 1 3 3 7 8 8 12 15

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1311 1071 1071 818 832 696 431 421

Agst 583 504 533 748 844 1057 1100 1344

% 224.87 212.5 200.94 109.36 98.58 65.85 39.18 31.32

PTS 56 48 48 32 28 20 8 0

Power House Uhs-Vu Swinburne University Westbourne Gr Canterbury La Trobe University Richmond Central Point Cook Albert Park South Melbourne Dist

Uhs-Vu Richmond Central La Trobe University Swinburne University Westbourne Gr Power House South Melbourne Dist Point Cook Canterbury Albert Park

Aquinas North Brunswick Manningham Cobras Mt Lilydale OC Eley Park Sharks Elsternwick Parkside Masala St Francis Xavier OC

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

P 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16

W 18 14 11 11 9 7 7 6 3 2

W 14 14 13 7 7 7 5 2 2

L 0 4 7 7 8 11 11 11 14 15

D 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1947 1583 1521 1404 1216 1001 833 975 888 813

Agst 545 752 988 1048 1187 1477 1646 1220 1695 1623

% 357.25 210.51 153.95 133.97 102.44 67.77 50.61 79.92 52.39 50.09

PTS 72 56 44 44 38 28 28 26 14 10

L 2 2 3 8 9 9 11 13 14

D 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0

B 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 2065 1716 1652 1160 1384 1196 957 1016 991

Agst 750 859 971 1443 1588 1427 1491 1819 1871

% 275.33 199.77 170.13 80.39 87.15 83.81 64.19 55.85 52.97

PTS 64 64 60 38 36 36 28 18 16

For 2647 1579 1596 1510 1240 976 984 728 432

Agst 265 1121 795 993 1209 1456 1486 1798 2613

% 998.87 140.86 200.75 152.06 102.56 67.03 66.22 40.49 16.53

PTS 72 56 52 52 44 30 30 12 12

DIVISION FOUR RESERVES

CLUB XVIII (2) C Box Hill North CHADSTONE Uhs-Vu Monash Blues West Brunswick Monash Gryphons Westbourne Gr Swinburne University

L 2 4 7 8 9 9 11 11 11 18

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

CLUB XVIII (1) C

W 16 14 11 10 9 9 7 7 7 0

0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0

DIVISION ONE RESERVES Ormond PEGS St Mary's Salesian Ivanhoe Preston Bullants Therry Penola OB Brunswick NOBSPC Oakleigh Whitefriars OC St Johns

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

DIVISION THREE

DIVISION ONE St Mary's Salesian Ormond PEGS Oakleigh Preston Bullants Therry Penola OB Ivanhoe Brunswick NOBSPC St Johns Whitefriars OC

Prahran Assumption West Brunswick Mhsob Old Paradians Yarra Old Gr Emmaus St Leos Bulleen Templestowe Eltham Collegians Glen Eira Hawthorn

DIVISION TWO RESERVES

PREMIER C THIRDS

PREMIER THIRDS P 18 17 17 18 18 18 18 16 18 18

W 16 11 11 9 9 9 8 8 6 3

PREMIER C RESERVES

PREMIER RESERVES University Blues Old Xaverians St Kevins Old Melburnians Beaumaris Collegians Old Trinity Gr University Blacks De La Salle St Bedes / Mentone Tigers

Caulfield Gr Old Haileyburians Marcellin OC Williamstown CYMS Old Geelong Old Mentonians Old Camberwell Gr Old Ivanhoe Gr Hampton Rovers Kew

DIVISION TWO P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

32

Aquinas Eley Park Sharks Manningham Cobras North Brunswick Mt Lilydale OC Elsternwick St Francis Xavier OC Parkside Masala

P 16 16 16 16 15 16 16 15 16

W 16 12 11 11 8 5 5 1 1

L 0 4 5 5 7 10 10 14 15

D 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0

B 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

FF 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

WILLIAM BUCK WOMEN’S PREMIER P W L D B FF

For

Agst

%

PTS

St Kevins

14 13

1

0

0

0

742

148

501.35

52

Fitzroy

14 12

2

0

0

0

479

202

237.13

48

Marcellin OC

14 10

4

0

0

0

404

334

120.96

40

Old Trinity

14

9

5

0

0

0

404

303

133.33

36

Caulfield Gr

14

8

6

0

0

0

309

466

66.31

32

Brunswick Renegades

14

5

9

0

0

0

233

364

64.01

20

Old Xaverians

14

5

9

0

0

0

218

439

49.66

20

Melbourne University

14

3

11

0

0

0

114

647

17.62

12

HOLMESGLEN U19 PREMIER Beaumaris Old Xaverians De La Salle St Kevins Old Scotch Caulfield Gr Parkdale Vultures St Bernards

P 17 18 18 18 18 18 18 17

W 13 13 13 12 7 5 5 3

L 4 5 5 6 11 13 13 14

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1647 1701 1597 1434 1022 1173 1076 907

HOLMESGLEN U19 SECTION 2 Agst 1167 1203 1138 1080 1303 1397 1438 1854

% 141.13 141.4 140.33 132.78 78.43 83.97 74.83 48.92

PTS 56 52 52 48 28 20 20 12

HOLMESGLEN U19 PREMIER RESERVE St Kevins De La Salle Old Xaverians St Bernards Old Scotch Beaumaris St Kevins OB (3)

P 17 16 16 17 16 17 17

W 13 11 10 10 7 5 1

L 4 4 6 7 8 12 16

D 0 1 0 0 1 0 0

B 1 2 2 1 2 1 1

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1547 1352 1385 1219 1180 964 563

Agst 842 886 1160 901 1004 1499 2192

% 183.73 152.6 119.4 135.29 117.53 64.31 25.68

P Collegians 18 Old Carey Gr 18 St Bedes / Mentone Tigers 18 Old Melburnians 18 Williamstown CYMS 18 University Blues 18 Fitzroy 18 University Blacks 18

W 13 13 12 12 11 7 4 0

L 5 5 6 6 7 11 14 18

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1620 1374 1569 1356 1348 1242 1136 583

HOLMESGLEN U19 SECTION 4 Agst 1042 1176 926 1046 888 1398 1347 2405

% 155.47 116.84 169.44 129.64 151.8 88.84 84.34 24.24

PTS 52 52 48 48 44 28 16 0

Agst 987 908 1051 1138 1177 1392 1261 1810

% 165.05 162.67 119.12 131.37 121.24 87.5 92.47 59.94

PTS 56 56 52 44 36 24 20 12

HOLMESGLEN U19 SECTION 3 PTS 56 54 48 44 38 24 8

Old Ivanhoe Gr Old Haileybury Marcellin OC Ormond Old Brighton Old Trinity Gr Hampton Rovers Old Geelong

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

W 14 14 13 11 9 6 5 3

L 4 4 5 7 9 12 13 15

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1629 1477 1252 1495 1427 1218 1166 1085

Mazenod Monash Blues PEGS Old McKinnon/Glen Eira Whitefriars Preston Bullants Parkside Therry Penola OB

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

W 15 12 11 13 10 8 6 1

L 2 6 6 5 8 10 12 17

D 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

For 1473 1290 1262 1007 1238 1108 1223 879

Agst 892 850 887 949 1166 1208 1350 1695

% 165.13 151.76 142.28 106.11 106.17 91.72 90.59 51.86

PTS 62 48 46 44 40 32 24 4

Agst 690 753 989 994 877 1069 1095 1124 1438 1596 1564 1975

% 233.62 187.38 137.82 125.05 124.29 109.82 94.34 97.42 70.86 60.21 40.15 25.16

PTS 56 56 52 48 44 36 36 28 28 12 12 8

HOLMESGLEN U19 SECTION 5

SHARPSHOOTERS

P 18 16 17 17 16 18 16 18 18 18 14 15

W 14 12 12 11 9 9 7 7 7 3 3 1

L 4 4 5 6 7 9 9 11 11 15 11 14

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FF 0 2 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

For 1612 1411 1363 1243 1090 1174 1033 1095 1019 961 628 497

William Buck Premier Tim Geappen Matthew Handley Kieran Harper Jay Schulz

University Blues Old Xaverians University Blues St Kevins OB

LR Total 4 44 6 44 0 42 0 40

Division 1 Reserve Nicholas Houghton Raymond Steer Josh Abela Matthew Oaten

Ormond AFC Therry Penola OB Oakleigh AFC Ormond AFC

Premier Reserve James Forrest James Regan Andrew Clough Jack Wood

Old Xaverians Old Melburnians St Kevins OB University Blues

LR Total 7 61 3 47 0 33 3 32

Division 2 Kristian Cherbakof Brent Gutterson Nicholas Chamberlain Danny Nolan

LR Total Bulleen Templestowe AFC 3 49 Eltham Collegians AFC 3 45 Yarra Old Gr Football Club 4 43 Old Paradians 0 41

Premier Thirds Troy McMaster Harrison Kelly Matt Owen Julian Gambaro

St Kevins OB Old Xaverians Old Xaverians St Kevins OB

LR Total 1 32 0 25 0 25 2 23

Division 2 Reserve Rick Ellis Evan Scicluna Kyle Oppelaar Thomas Birkett

Prahran Assumption AFC Prahran Assumption AFC West Brunswick AFC Emmaus St Leos OC AFC

Premier B Jake Lew AJAX Afc Alessandro Mastromanno Old Brighton Gr Michael Karayannis Old Brighton Gr Jonathan Daggian Old Scotch

LR Total 1 46 1 41 1 39 2 37

Division 3 Jake Munro Nicholas Nagel Mitchell Sweeney Ben Higgins

LR Total Richmond Central AFC 2 73 Power House AFC 0 68 Uhs-Vu Afc 3 58 Swinburne University AFC 5 56

Premier B Reserve Edward Furey James Young William Stewart Darren Colaco

Old Scotch Monash Blues Old Scotch St Bernards

LR Total 2 43 2 31 2 30 0 30

Division 3 Reserve Marek Pietrzak David Fazakerley Joel Dwyer Patrick Arnold

LR Total Richmond Central AFC 5 53 Uhs-Vu Afc 5 52 Swinburne University AFC 7 47 Power House AFC 0 28

Premier B Thirds Simon Heather Fitzroy FC Thomas MacReady - Bryan Old Carey Gr Ned Walmsley Old Scotch Daniel Pendergast De La Salle OC

LR Total 11 57 1 36 2 33 2 32

Division 4 Jake George Liam Whelan Patrick Mahon Kane Maghamez

North Brunswick AFC Aquinas OC Aquinas OC Manningham Cobras AFC

LR Total 6 65 0 52 4 51 1 49

William Buck Women’s Premier Georgie Lupson St Kevins OB Sarah Cameron St Kevins OB Chiara Moretta Marcellin OC Georgia Fleiter Old Trinity Gr

LR Total 3 29 3 27 0 25 0 19

Premier C Declan Reilly Nathan Waite Andrew Kay Jack Davis

Caulfield Gr Old Haileyburians Marcellin OC Old Mentonians

LR Total 0 53 5 53 2 46 5 45

Division 4 Reserve Michael Salloum Donny Manoukian Drew Crawford Nicholas Spencer

North Brunswick AFC North Brunswick AFC Eley Park Sharks Aquinas OC

LR Total 6 55 4 52 2 51 1 48

Women’s Development Division 1 Laura Jago West Brunswick AFC Molly McFarlane Monash Blues Thea Brown Beaumaris FC Mietta McDonald Old Haileyburians

LR Total 2 27 1 23 1 23 3 21

Premier C Reserve Scott Kaiser Benjamin Oakes Ashley Fisher Will Kingwill

Old Camberwell Gr Old Haileyburians Hampton Rovers AFC Caulfield Gr

LR Total 2 46 2 43 0 42 1 35

Holmesglen U19 Premier Matt Ball Caulfield Gr Xavier Morgan De La Salle OC Harrison Edwards Beaumaris FC Christian Masson Moyle St Kevins OB

LR Total 4 51 3 44 3 34 0 34

Women’s Development Division 2 Eloise Defina Old Camberwell Gr Ashley Sturrock Old Camberwell Gr Madeline Hince Uhs-Vu Afc Rhiannon Green Old Camberwell Gr

LR Total 0 36 0 22 0 18 1 17

Premier C Thirds Josh Archer Aaron Thompson Beau Coyle Ben Shepherd

Old Geelong West Brunswick AFC Williamstown CYMS West Brunswick AFC

LR Total 5 46 3 38 0 32 2 29

Holmesglen U19 Premier Reserve Joshua Lyon Old Xaverians Liam Manakis De La Salle OC Benjamin Pearce St Kevins OB Michael Lo Monaco St Bernards

LR Total 2 43 4 42 3 36 4 34

Women’s Development Division 3 Belinda Griffiths Old Mentonians Maya Glikfeld AJAX Afc Toni Hamilton AJAX Afc Monique Maitland Old Mentonians

LR Total 5 16 0 14 2 12 2 10

Division 1 Michael Dolan Aaron Cloke Aaron Thornton Adrian Romanyk

St Mary’s Salesian Oakleigh AFC St Johns OC PEGS Football Club

LR Total 3 72 8 69 6 55 4 50

Holmesglen U19 Section 2 LR Edward Greene Collegians 1 Liam Maiden University Blues 1 Brandon De Zilva St Bedes / Mentone Tigers AFC Henry Chapman Old Carey Gr 4 33

LR Total 5 59 5 57 5 42 3 39

Old Camberwell Gr De La Salle Oakleigh MHSOB St Bedes / Mentone Tigers Hampton Rovers WIlliamstown CYMS Aquinas OC Old Paradians Peninsula OB La Trobe University Fitzroy

LR Total 0 62 0 48 0 46 0 28

Total 56 39 0 37 28

Holmesglen U19 Sectiion 3 Durras Seccull Old Haileyburians William Nagel Old Ivanhoe Gr Isaac Nolan Marcellin OC Luke Scuderi Old Ivanhoe Gr

LR Total 1 81 4 48 2 40 2 39

Holmesglen U19 Section 4 LR Total Thomas Saggio PEGS Football Club 3 45 Riley Attard Whitefriars Football Club 4 40 Sam McLay Monash Blues 5 36 Aiden Brand-Oliver Mazenod OC 2 32 Holmesglen U19 Section 5 LR Total Mike Schumann Old Camberwell Gr 3 51 Lachie Powell Old Camberwell Gr 0 49 Dylan Goodwill Oakleigh AFC 2 36 Durham McNamara Melbourne High School Old Boys 3 34 Harry Dwyer Aquinas OC 0 28 Club XVIII (1) Adrian Gileno David Landrigan Louis Meyer John Farah

LR Total Hawthorn AFC 5 63 Old Xaverians 11 61 Melbourne High School Old Boys 3 29 Hawthorn AFC 4 28

Club XVIII (2) Adam Kinniburgh Daniel Penny Matthew M Mallia Patrick Lithgow

Chadstone AFC Box Hill North AFC Uhs-Vu Afc Monash Gryphons

LR Total 5 45 0 32 2 31 0 26

Women’s Development Division 4 LR Total Hayley Wurfel Swinburne University AFC 7 26 Nicole Aldridge St Kevins OB 2 20 Penny Brown Hawthorn AFC 0 20 Madeleine Pattison St Kevins OB 2 13 VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

Hawthorn Amateur Football Club

Hawthorn AFC is seeking applications for the following coaching positions in 2018: - Senior men’s - Assistant senior men’s - Reserves - Reserves Assistant - Women’s assistant coach Playing or non-playing, all applications are accepted in strict confidence.

Oakleigh AFC

Oakleigh AFC is seeking applications for the following coaching positions in 2018: - Senior men’s - Reserves - Senior Women’s - Under 19’s

Please forward applications or expressions of interest to Club President Pat Clancey.

Email: hawthornafc@gmail.com Phone: 0438545520

All applications are accepted in strict confidence.

Please forward applications or expressions of interest to OAFC Coaching Panel.

Email: krusherskomm@gmail.com

Applications close Friday September 29

Applications close September 29th 2017

South Melbourne Districts

South Melbourne Districts is seeking applications for the following coaching positions in 2018: - Head senior men’s - Assistant senior men’s - Reserves - Under 19’s - Development & skills coach All applications are accepted in strict confidence.

Please forward applications or expressions of interest to Tony Pilimon.

Email: smdafc@smdsc.com.au Phone: 0400 354 422

Therry Penola Old Boys FC

Division 1 club, THERRY PENOLA, is seeking applications for Senior, Reserves, u19s, Senior Women’s and Thirds coaching positions for season 2018.

Playing or non-playing.

Please forward applications or enquiries to Club President Rodney Moran.

Email: rodm_66@yahoo.com.au Phone: 0412582985 Applications close 29 September 2017

St Bedes / Mentone Tigers – St Peters

St Bedes / Mentone Tigers – St Peters is seeking applications for the following coaching positions in Women’s Development Division 2 for 2018:

Head senior women’s coach Assistant women’s coach St. Bedes / Mentone Tigers is an equal opportunity club and employer. Please forward applications or expressions of interest to: ray@kpalaw.com.au All applications are accepted in strict confidence.

Applications close Friday September 29.

EMMAUS ST LEO’S OCFC

Emmaus St Leo’s OCFC is seeking applications for the following coaching positions in 2018.

- Senior women’s coach - Senior women’s assistant - Reserves coach - Senior men’s assistant Please forward applications or expressions of interest to club president Nathan Baranello Email: nbaranello88@gmail.com Phone: 0422 356 430

Old Eltham Collegians

Old Eltham Collegians FC is seeking applications for the following VAFA Division 2 coaching positions in 2018 - Senior Coach - Reserves Coach - Assistant Coach All applications are accepted in strict confidence and commence October 2017.

Please forward applications or expressions of interest to John Galvin.

Email: jgalvin.oecfc@gmail.com Applications close September 29th 2017

OLD BRIGHTON GRAMMARIANS FOOTBALL CLUB Would like to acknowledge & express sincere thanks to their 2017 Sponsor Team

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PLAYER SPONSORS

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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Owen Hinson

THANK YOU Firstly, I’d like to thank the VAFA community for making the VAFA such a great place to umpire. We are without doubt the premier community competition, and are privileged to umpire great footy in a welcoming environment. This is in no small part due to great work from all of the clubs, VAFA management and board.

Thank you to all in the VAFA management, especially Brian Woodhead, Brian Goodman, and new recruit Matthew Dervan, for the tireless work they do for us as umpires. We are not always an easy group to manage, and they do it with great humour, and only the occasional minor meltdown.

I’d also like to extend a huge thanks to our coaches, led by Tony Hales, Bernie Jephson and Ryan O’Shea. These gentlemen, along with Mark Gibson, Guy Hexter, Zach Schloeffel, John

Hall and Shane Herbert, Terry Gunn and our match-day observers, provide dedicated service to our umpiring fraternity. Our extensive list of alumni officiating in state league and AFL competition and finals is a testament to the quality of coaching we receive.

We would be hard-pressed to find more dedicated coaching staff. Thank you again for the time you commit to us, and the VAFA.

FIRST GRAND FINAL Every year there is a story that reminds us of why we umpire. I went to watch the Women’s finals at Sportscover Arena, and saw Tony Corr receive his medal.

After getting changed, Tony emerged from the rooms wearing his medal with pride, and with a huge smile on his face.

He revealed that, despite being one of our more ‘mature’ umpires, this was the first grand final he had ever officiated.

Congratulations Tony – a wonderful achievement.

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS With the exciting development of Elsternwick Park now well and truly underway, there will be changes to our

usual pre-season routine. We ask all umpires to make sure that they have registered their email address with the VAFAUA, and encourage all past umpires and friends of the UA to also sign up to our updates. Please check our website, and your emails, for more information about next season over the coming weeks.

While it is probably too early to be poaching players – anyone who thinks they might like to take up the whistle next year, please feel free to also sign up to our website for updates. Umpiring is a great way to stay connected with football, make great friends, always be on the winning team, and get paid for the privilege. And you don’t (usually) come away with bruised ribs. Come and give it a go!

Finally, thank you to everyone for what has been an amazing year. Our umpiring standards are unbelievably high, we have a great vibe amongst the group, and we will no-doubt send a number of our ranks up to the VFL to continue their umpiring careers. What more could we ask for. To those running today, congratulations for being selected to officiate our highest matches. We know you will represent us to the best of your abilities. And to the rest of us – enjoy the break, and I look forward to seeing everyone back for season 2018.

UMPIRE APPOINTMENTS: Who will be in charge of the big games over the weekend?

two Premier Grand Finals since joining the VAFA

Field Umpires to be selected from;

HAYDN O’CONNOR: originally from Southern Umpires Association; has umpired over 50 VFL senior games as well as the 2012 TAC Cup Grand Final; umpired the VAFA v Vic Country in July of this year

JOSH BALL: been umpiring in the VAFA for 6 years; originally from Yarra Juniors; umpired the Under 19 Premier Grand Final in 2014; umpired a Premier C Senior Grand Final 2016 and is the 2017 VAFAUA Golden Whistle award winner OLIVER BELL: previous winner of the VAFA Most Promising Umpire, having umpired the Premier C Grand Final in 2015, has consolidated himself in the top grades this year ANTHONY EDMONDS: originally from Eastern Football League; sixth year umpiring in the VAFA; umpired the 2015 Division 1 Grand Final and the 2016 Premier B Grand Final.

RYAN ROBERTSON: Umpired the VAFA Division 1 Grand Final in 2014. He returns to the VAFA this year after umpiring 2 years at VFL level.

DANIEL SILFO: 2015 saw him named VAFA Umpire of the Year and traveled to Ireland with the VAFA touring party; umpired the 2011 and 2015 Premier Grand Finals BENJAMIN TRAPLIN: joined the VAFA

MICHAEL HOOPER: umpired the Premier Grand Final in 2014 and Premier B Grand Final in 2015, returns after having 2016 off for business reasons.

MATT OAKLEY: has umpired over 100 VFL senior games as well as the 2011 TAC Cup Grand Final; has umpired the last VAFA GRAND FINAL 2017

36

in 2016 from Yarra Juniors, umpiring the Premier Reserves Grand Final and is the recipient of the 2017 VAFA Most Promising Umpire award. Ben also was appointed to umpire this year’s U19 VAFA v Vic Country match at Frankston.

Boundary Umpires - with the Premier Grade having 4 boundary umpires for the first time;

Curtis Ary / Matt Gough / Tom McInerney / Luke Myatt / Daniel Nguyen / Nick Obst / Jack Punshon / Raushan Seychell Goal Umpires - The Grand Final appointments are to be selected from this top 6:

Anthony Damen / Clayton Evans / Chris Kearney / Jake Marnie / Tom Moloney / Jack Stammers

East Malvern Community Bank速 Branch are proud sponsors of Amateur Football.

With every product or service we offer, money goes back into the community to support local clubs, organisations and initiatives like Amateur Football.

As an East Malvern Community Bank速 Branch customer you benefit from competitive products and great service and get the satisfaction of knowing your banking is contributing to your club.

To find out how your club can benefit for each referral made, call into East Malvern Community Bank速 Branch at 300 Waverley Road, East Malvern or phone Branch Manager, George Prodromidis on 9563 6044.

East Malvern Community Bank速 Branch Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 237879. (S51971) (05/15)