The Amateur Footballer 2025 - Week 8

SEASON 2025 - May 31

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There has been a lot of media talk recently about whether the AFL should bring back state of origin football to showcase their best players competing on the one stage.

No doubt the continued rivalry with the NRL who have established their State of Origin series between NSW and Qld as the pinnacle of their game, has led to the AFL considering re-introducing the concept.

It has been interesting to see that all the current day AFL players who were interviewed about the idea were in full support, yet it remains to be seen whether the Clubs would be willing to accommodate the game. The last AFL state of origin representative game was played between in 1999.

Meanwhile the VAFA have been proudly fielding Big V representative teams annually since the first Senior Men’s game against South Australia at the MCG in 1925. The only breaks from this were 1940-46 and 2020-22 due to the impact of the Second World War and COVID. In addition to the Senior Men’s teams, we have had Big V representatives first take the field in our Senior Women’s (2017), Under 23 Men’s (2004), Men’s Premier BDivision 4 (1981) and Under 19 Men’s (1945).

Throughout that period, our records show that the Amateurs have had representatives from over 140 different Clubs, some of whom have since folded, merged or moved on to other Leagues.

Alphington, Banyule, Bulleen Templestowe, Fawkner, Old Paradians, Thomastown, are just some of the Clubs that have all had numerous players represent the Big V with honour. We are currently working to get the message out to those Big V Players to join us at the upcoming Big V Centenary Gala event to be held at Centrepiece on Thursday 10 th July.

Jason ReddickCEO

It is truly an honour for these players to be chosen to don the Big V and represent our competition. To be selected from over 12,000 players and follow in the footsteps of 100 years of successful history, I’m sure will not be lost on those selected.

The deadlines for Clubs to nominate players closed on 29 th May and training squads will be announced on June 4th.

Saturday 12th July will see senior Men’s and Women’s teams lock battle with Perth Football League at Elsternwick Park. Our Senior Men, being led by Daniel Harford this year, will be looking to redeem themselves after suffering a 23-point loss over in Perth last year.

It is truly an honour for these players to be chosen to don the Big V

This Centenary Event is our competition’s first opportunity to bring together representatives from all our Clubs, past and present, and it is pleasing that we are receiving terrific support from all our existing Clubs in connecting with their own Big V Representatives to be present for the occasion.

This night promises to be a once in a lifetime occasion, celebrating the wonderful and successful history of all the Big V Representative teams and all those players, coaches, support staff, and umpires that have been involved and I encourage everyone connected to our competition to book at:

https://www.intix.com.au/event/big-v-gala-dinner/information

The 2025 Big V players from our Men’s, Women’s, Under 19’s and Prem B - Div 3 Men’s teams will all be invited to the event and receive their Big V guernseys on stage, which will be a big thrill for them, their family and the Club, and there will no doubt be many proud connections on hand to witness those special moments.

This year’s game will be a twilight match, commencing at 3:30pm and finishing under the new lights at Elsternwick Park.

The Women, coached again by Paul Groves, will take to the field at 1:00pm, aiming to keep their unbeaten record intact, having only just pipped the Perth women by a point in the thrilling game in WA last year.

The following day, Sunday 13th July, our Premier B – Division 3 Men’s rep side coached again by Luke Mahoney, together with our Under 19 Men’s team guided by Paul Carrigan, will travel north to take on the Bendigo Football League’s best.

Luke superbly led our B-D3 team to a stirring victory against Bendigo at Elsternwick Park in 2024. That has certainly lit a fire under the Bendigo League, who have invested heavily in their representative program this year in their aim to reverse that result when they host us on their home deck at QE Oval. A big challenge awaits!

For the Under 19’s , it is the first time they are coming together as a group, with many having featured in the North v South Under 19 exhibition game in 2024. The level of skill on display that day has us excited about what this team can do in 2025.

As always, all the Big V Representative games represent an exciting opportunity for all participants to showcase their best and we encourage our Amateur community to come out in force to show their support. We have a great tradition to uphold, and, on behalf of our Association, we wish them every success this year.

Go the Big V!

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER

Jason Bennett

Bloods make history & announce themselves as a ‘genuine contender’

Old Haileybury made history (and a big statement) with their firstever senior win at TH King Oval as they hung on against St Kevin’s The Bloods dominated territory in the first term and booted the last 3 goals to lead by 15 points at the first break.

When Harrison Jones added another in the opening minute of the second quarter, the hosts needed to respond – and they did. Sam Barnett booted 2 goals in 2 minutes, then Sam Cameron added another midway through time-on to close within 2 points, before Andreas Stefanakis made it an 8-point half-time lead for the visitors.

Josh Docking slotted the only major of the third term to give the Bloods a handy 18-point lead, which could have been more but for Old Haileybury’s 1.5 to 0.1.

SKOB were never going down without a fight, and Patrick Kerr’s goal in the opening minute reduced the margin to 2 goals. Sam Critchley brought them within 5 points at the 9-minute mark, before a critical Harrison Jones goal 3 minutes later gave the Bloods breathing room.

However, Sam Cameron responded 90 seconds later before a piece of Stefanakis magic saw him finish from the pocket for a 13-point lead, which Mitch Kirkwood-Scott subsequently extended. The Bloods posting a huge win for their ladder position, confidence and belief.

Daniel Ward (Old Haileybury): “Important win for our footy club against a team that we respect greatly and have been the benchmark for a long time. “Being up by 18 points at three-quarter time, we knew SKevs would take some risks and be proactive. “Pleasingly, we managed to respond, kicking 3 for the term ourselves. Overall, it gives our group great belief in what’s possible if we play the way we want to.”

Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “I was really impressed by Old Haileybury, I thought they were very well drilled and played an incredibly efficient game. “The work Wardy has put in over a number of years is clearly reaping dividends for them - they are a genuine contender based on what I saw Saturday. “On the flip side, I was really disappointed with our game. We lacked intensity and composure and went away from the brand of footy that has proven to be successful for us.”

The afternoon’s other thriller was at Melbourne University Oval as Old Xaverians again found a way to pinch a late win, this time over University Blues. The teams went goal-for-goal in the opening term, despite the Blues having the upper hand on the inside but then repeatedly turning it over.

Charlie Cotter’s goal at the 23-minute mark handed them a 2-point quarter-time lead before they seized the initiative in the second quarter, booting 4 of the next 5 goals to open up a handy 20-point break. Stirling Phipps-Parsons trimmed that back to 13 points with an important late long-range set-shot goal after the siren that steadied the ship for Xavs.

Cotter added two more goals in the opening 10 minutes of the third term before Phipps-Parsons and Spralja goaled in time-on to breathe life into Xavs, who trailed by just a kick at the last break.

The Blues had a few chances early in the last but couldn’t find the middle, with the first goal eventually going the other way when Charlie MacIsaac walked into an open goal to make it a 3-point game at the 9-minute mark. The next goal took another 13 minutes and went against the flow of play as Nick Guiney slotted his third to put Xavs in front for the first time since time-on in the opening term.

Campbell Lane gave the visitors breathing room before James Stewart snapped a clever goal at the 30-minute mark to give the Blues life. However, a clutch mark to Alex Trigar in the dying seconds would deny the hosts - Xavs pulling off another late heist to protect second spot.

Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “Blues had the better of the second and half of the third quarter to get out to a deserved 4-goal lead. “We were getting beaten at the contest and clearance, so that was the area we focused on, and slowly but surely ground our way back into the contest. “In a game that could’ve easily gone against us, we found a way late, some terrific one on one marks by Alex Trigar and Tommy Dunne down back, and then one of the marks of the year by Charlie MacIsaac which resulted in a goal helped give us the edge late and we held on for a gritty win.”

Matt Smith (Uni Blues): “A hugely disappointing result, one that I really feel for the players as well. They played such a good brand of footy for a long time and just weren’t able to reward themselves at critical times of the game to ultimately secure the win. “1.5 in the last quarter (two of which hit the post) proved costly. “We should take a lot of confidence from the match, and hopefully carry the form through to this week.”

Old Brighton continued their perfect season with a comfortable victory over Collegians at Harry Trott. The Tonners rocketed out of the gates to lead 7.3 to 1.0 at the first change, thanks largely to their intercept game. From there, the Lions chased the game and narrowly won the second term, then held the Tonners goalless in the third. But 5 goals to 1 saw Old Brighton ultimately run away to a 51-point win.

Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “The boys brought great energy and took advantage of some good opportunities inside 50. “But the second and third quarters were completely different. Collegians lifted their workrate and absolutely got on top at stoppage, and some quick ball movement into their Forward 50 generated scores. “In the last quarter, our mids got on top around stoppage, and our defenders were much more active and effective either marking or winning 50/50s and helping start our offence. “Really happy the way we finished, given Collegians’ dominance throughout much of the game.”

Jordie McKenzie (Collegians): “The second and third quarters were quite strong. We were able to play the majority of the game in our forward half and gradually peg back the lead. “Brighton once again showed why they are the best team in the comp in the last quarter. They stemmed the flow and then were able to open the floodgates late in the game to blow the lead out.”

Old Scotch’s premiership defence roared back to life with a thumping win over St Bernard’s at the Snake Pit. The reigning champs dominated from the get-go, with James Tarrant returning from VFL duties and combining powerfully with Will Clark as the Cards rocketed to a commanding 51-point quarter-time lead. The Snowdogs evened the game up in general play in the second quarter, but another 4 turnover goals proved costly – the Dogs going at just 37% by foot for the term to trail by 69 points at the major break.

Steve Alessio’s team finally got control on the inside in the third term, but more inefficient ball use continued to hamper them and, in the end, it was an eye-catching 80-point win to the 2024 premiers, who close within a game and percentage of the Top 4.

Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “It was great for our boys to get some reward for effort in what was an even team performance. “Our work rate and cohesion in team defence was much improved. We were then able to create turnovers and move the ball with speed, connecting efficiently with our forwards.”

Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “Very disappointing game for us against the current premiers. We went against everything we have been trying to implement this year as a team. “It also shows why Premier VAFA is such a good competition and how you need to be playing your best each week to survive.”

The final game of Round 7 was at Waverley Oval as University Blacks won back-to-back games for the first time this season, defeating De La Salle by 70 points. De La held Blacks goalless to lead by 16 points at the first change. But the scoreboard swung savagely from there as Blacks took complete control, booting 16 goals to 2 after quarter-time. 6 goals to 1 in the second term saw the visitors hit the front and lead by 14 points at the major break, before De La stabilised somewhat in the third, holding Blacks to 3 goals while finding one themselves.

But the floodgates swung open in the last term as Dale Bower’s men rammed on 7 unanswered goals to score a vital, percentage-boosting win that lifts them from 9 th to 7th, a game clear of the drop zone and only one game out of the Top 4.

Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “We put 4 good quarters of footy together. Our effort was at a high level all day. “Stoppage, contest and pressure was very good all afternoon. We will keep looking to get better.”

Nick Hyland (De La Salle): “Really competitive first half in very blustery conditions. We probably didn’t maximise the wind advantage we had in the first quarter, but to Uni Blacks’ credit, I thought they pressured and defended the ground quite well. “The second half was extremely poor from us. Blacks upped the contest game, and their tackling pressure was excellent. We just couldn’t seem to gain any ascendancy or momentum at any stage. “It was a really disappointing second half from us. Despite being a few rotations down, we expect a better effort across the board.” ROUND

ROUND 7 RESULTS

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S

St Bernard’s:

Old Scotch:

GOALS: St Bernard’s: M. Watson 5, D. Sullivan 1, F. Shannon 1, L. Papley 1

GOALS: Old Scotch: J. Tarrant 5, W. Clark 5, A. Jones 2, J. McCorkell 2, A. Jelbart 1, F. Morrisby 1, B. Easton 1, H. Brown 1, A. Symons 1, A. Franetic 1

BEST: St Bernard’s: K. Bharathi, H. Schumann, L. Said, M. Watson, F. McNicol, N. Conlan

BEST: Old Scotch: A. Jones, C. Cormack, A. Symons, M. Suttle, J. Torney, J. Tarrant

St Kevin’s:

Old Haileybury:

GOALS: St Kevin’s: S. Barnett 2, S. Critchley 2, S. Cameron 2, P. Kerr 1, O. Gill 1

GOALS: Old Haileybury: h. jones 3, J. Docking 2, A. Stefanakis 2, L. Giliam 1, M. KirkwoodScott 1

BEST: St Kevin’s: J. Mahony, A. Seaton, L. Gunson, J. Andriske, S. Cameron, L. Winter

BEST: Old Haileybury: W. Paul, D. Seccull, C. Riley, B. Seccull, h. jones, H. Nosiara De La Salle:

GOALS: De La Salle: L. Healy 3, S. Dimachki 1, R. O’Meara 1

GOALS: University Blacks: M. Grocott 4, T. St Clair 4, L. Vescio 4, C. Moorfield 2, S. AcklandEvans 1, H. Driscoll 1

BEST: De La Salle: S. Karvellas, T. Deane-Johns, N. Bufalo, L. Healy, R. O’Meara, T. Filipovic

BEST: University Blacks: Z. Dakis, T. St Clair, X. Chalkley, A. Rana, M. Grocott, H. Robertson

GOALS: University Blues: J. Stewart 3, C. Cotter 3, S. Grimley 2, D. Chirgwin 1, J. Goddard 1

GOALS: Old Xaverians: N. Guiney 3, S. Phipps-Parsons 2, C. MacIsaac 2, C. Westcott 1, C. Lane 1, A. Spralja 1, D. Symeopoulos 1

BEST: University Blues: M. Crocker, N. Conway, W. Carrington, C. Cotter, D. Chirgwin, J. Whitehead

BEST: Old Xaverians: A. Trigar, T. Dunne, S. Fisher, M. Stavrou, C. Lane, D. Symeopoulos

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GOALS: Collegians: B. Fleming 2, W. Pewtress 2, J. McGuiness 1, L. Smith 1, M. Stobie 1

GOALS: Old Brighton: B. Pryor 3, A. Edgar 2, J. Segar 2, S. Flockart 2, H. Dick 2, J. Hope 2, Z. Travers 1

BEST: Collegians: M. Pinchbeck, W. Mayhood, J. Davy, S. Beilby, B. Van Twest, J. Walker

BEST: Old Brighton: C. Tweedie, F. Campigli, B. Pryor, J. Segar, M. Benier, A. Edgar

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S RESERVE

University Blues:

Old Xaverians:

GOALS: University Blues: J. White 3, J. Lloyd 2, T. McKinnis 2, J. Harrington 1, G. McCulloch 1, A. Dowsley 1

GOALS: Old Xaverians: H. Troiani 2, H. Basset 2, J. Gangi 1, M. Exell 1, L. Danielis-Morley 1, E. Kennedy 1, H. Bell 1, O. Duncan 1

BEST: University Blues: J. Lloyd, T. Cossar, O. Sleiman, T. O’Brien, J. Muhor, J. Fulton

BEST: Old Xaverians: H. Basset, O. Duncan, c. Whitehead, C. Dunne, J. Gangi, H. Troiani

Collegians:

Brighton:

GOALS: Collegians: W. D’Amico 3, A. Walker 1, Z. Bowes 1, J. Meacham 1, L. Payne 1

GOALS: Old Brighton: Z. Bowen 2, J. Munnings 1, M. Hofmann 1, P. Olivier 1, T. Marriott 1, N. Murray 1

BEST: Collegians: J. Howard, L. Heriot, J. Meacham, A. Nolan, A. Mackay, W. D’Amico

BEST: Old Brighton: P. Olivier, B. Branson, T. Skewes, M. Speirs, J. Munnings, M. Freeman

De La Salle:

(100) University Blacks:

GOALS: De La Salle: S. McNidder 3, M. Hill 3, D. Kaminaris 2, L. Liakakos 2, B. Boscacci 2, K. Rossiter 1, D. Ford 1, J. Tyquin 1

GOALS: University Blacks: W. Trompf 2, T. Palmer 1, S. Henning 1, J. Drummond 1, H. Bultitude 1

BEST: De La Salle: M. Hill, J. Brooker, T. Itter, E. Bowden, J. Tyquin, S. McNidder

BEST: University Blacks: J. Kennedy, H. Bultitude, T. Palmer, S. Cleary, J. Hansen, J. Drummond

St Bernard’s:

GOALS: St Bernard’s: D. Colaco 4, D. Barker 3, S. Miceli 2, N. Vinecombe 1, L. Chillura 1

GOALS: Old Scotch: C. Jackson 3, H. Kemp 3, J. Davies 2, S. Skinner 1, T. Chandler 1, C. Loveridge 1, H. Japp 1

BEST: St Bernard’s: H. Fuller, S. O’Keeffe, D. Colaco, M. Eid, M. Bateman, D. Barker

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BEST: Old Scotch: C. Jackson, H. Byrne-Jones, J. Braddy, S. Woods, C. Schilling, M. Vacirca

Kevin’s:

Haileybury:

GOALS: St Kevin’s: J.

Ball 4, M. Canning 4, T. Davidson 3, H. Lefoe 2, L. Mazzeo 1, B. Mansfield 1, W. Coates 1, J. Romanin 1, n. dachs 1, G. Delimitrou 1, T. Pirola 1

GOALS: Old Haileybury: W. Barrie 1, S. Stefanakis 1, B. Oakes 1, B. Yates 1

BEST: St Kevin’s: T. Davidson, B. Mansfield, W. Coates, M. Canning, L. Merrett, A. Butler

BEST: Old Haileybury: A. Williamson, P. Gleadhill, B. Yates, S. Connolly, W. Barrie, J. Black

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER WOMEN’S

Sharks and Roy’s provide fitting tribute in inaugural Holly & Bianca match

In a fantastic weekend of William Buck Premier Women’s football, Caulfield Grammarians continued their dream start to the season with a hard earnt victory away from home. The VAFA community joined in arms to celebrate the lives of Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones with the inaugural ‘Shining Bright for Holly & Bianca’ match between Beaumaris and Fitzroy.

In a moment much bigger than football, Fitzroy made the drive down to Banksia Reserve to face Beaumaris in the ‘Shining Bright for Holly & Bianca’ game.

The match itself resulted in a Fitzroy 6.3 (39) victory over Beaumaris 4.4 (28), with the Roys capitalising on a dominant first quarter and held on to notch their fourth win of the season.

Beaumaris Coach Sam Calogero was predictably unfazed by the loss and was grateful for the support provided by Fitzroy to participate in the special game. “A huge thank you to Fitzroy who were so amazing in their support throughout the week.”

Fitzroy Coach Nathan Jumeau was similarly pleased with his club’s participation in the special day and praised several of his players’ performances in the result. “Lauren Atkinson was great down back continuously winning the footy back for us and Chloe Haritopoulos was lively in the forward line.”

The inaugural Shining Bright for Holly & Bianca weekend was a resounding success. Beaumaris football club extended their heartfelt thanks to everyone who played a part. “Words cannot do justice to reflect how appreciative and supported the Bowles & Jones families have felt. Similarly, the Beaumaris Football Club extends its thanks to the Fitzroy Football Club and the wider VAFA community for their support.”

As a tribute, all players wore pink armbands as a symbolic reminder of Holly & Bianca; two strong, young, and freespirited women. Their light lives on in every joyful moment shared. A brilliant weekend that will be remembered for some time.

Caulfield Grammarians travelled to Camberwell Sportsground to face reigning premiers Old Scotch in a battle of one v two on the ladder. It was the Fields who were able to keep their perfect start to the season alive with a gutsy four-point win 5.4 (34) to 4.6 (30). The triumph moves them to 7 wins without a loss and stamps them as the benchmark side in the competition.

Fields Coach Danielle Distefano was proud of her team’s efforts and felt that the key to winning was converting from their opportunities and consistently maintaining scoreboard pressure against an experienced side like the Cardinals.

Despite the result, Distefano has her eye on the coming weeks and months of the 2025 season and ensuring consistent development. “We want to keep improving every week to put ourselves in the best position going into the bye rounds,” she said.

Old Scotch Coach Dean Anderson was elated with the display between both sides and spoke highly of the opposition. “It was a great demonstration of Premier Womens football, played in great spirit between both clubs. They (Caulfield) are playing a wonderful brand of football and are difficult to manage in offence.”

St Kevin’s looked to build upon their strong start to the season when they hosted Old Geelong who have themselves enjoyed a fruitful beginning to their first season in Premier Womens. A dominant third quarter from St Kevin’s was the key to a 7.5 (47) defeat of the OG’s 5.4 (34)

Hannah Smith and Kate Stanton were the standouts with two goals apiece in Lucy Watkin’s 100 th game.

Saints Coach Tom Purcell commended his sides’ performance but focused on the long-term outlook of the victory and the scope for potential improvements. “A really hard-fought game and really pleased the girls got the win. We will continue to work on skills and ball movement in the coming weeks.”

Old Geelong Coach Jack Crameri felt as though it was a game of moments, and the more battled hardened Saints were up to the task. “They (St Kevin’s) just had the better

Cooper Watkins

of us in a few moments throughout the day particularly at the end of the third quarter and that was the real separator on the day.”

This win propels the SKOB Saints up into second place on the ladder after seven rounds: one game clear of close rivals Scotch Stars.

In the final game of the Round, Williamstown CYMS attempted to put a tough loss in Round 6 behind them with an away matchup against Kew

It was a tight affair with neither side giving an inch all day.

The CY’s held a slender 8-point buffer heading into the final break but were unable to maintain the lead. The Bears roared back to win 7.6 (48) to 6.9 (45) in an enthralling contest.

CY’s Coach Xavier Smith labelled the loss as “one that got away” and felt as though his side “had a good grasp of the game for majority of the four quarters.”

Smith noted however that there were a number of positives throughout the game which will be taken into the future. “We put an emphasis on pressure and contested work this week, so it was pleasing that our midfield in particular were able to win a lot of one-on-ones, or at the very least get stoppages.”

Kew Coach Emily Avery praised the efforts of some of her teams’ leaders in Claire Dyett and Amelia Dawborn with the former booting three goals.

Avery highlighted the Bears struggles behind the ball in the early stages which forced some moving of the magnets.

“We needed more speed in the backline, so we made some positional changes to improve our ability to contest.”

The win is the third of Kew’s 2025 campaign and the Bears are a side to watch over the next few weeks as they bounce out of their bye in Round 6.

At the completion of Round 7 Caulfield Grammarians, St Kevin’s, Old Scotch and Beaumaris round out the top four.

Round 8 looks to be an entertaining weekend of football with West Brunswick returning off their bye to face Old Geelong, Williamstown CYMS host St Kevin’s, Beaumaris make the trek to Kew, Caulfield Grammarians lock horns with Fitzroy and Old Scotch have the week off after their narrow loss over the weekend.

ROUND 8 TIPS

KewV Beaumaris

Caulfield GrammariansV Fitzroy

Williamstown CYMS V St Kevin’s Old GeelongV West Brunswick

Old Scotch – Bye

ROUND 7 RESULTS

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER WOMEN’S

St Kevin’s:

Old Geelong:

GOALS: St Kevin’s: H. Smith 2, K. Stanton 2, I. Worth 1, B. Rees 1, L. Watkin 1

GOALS: Old Geelong: S. Rothfield 1, M. Passon 1, T. Longden 1, J. Gleeson 1, C. Mackenzie 1

BEST: St Kevin’s: J. Joyce, K. Stanton, E. Condon, B. Woolcock, B. Rees, C. Russell

BEST: Old Geelong: S. Davis, S. Rothfield, C. Sexton, C. Taylor, A. Halaby, M. Passon

GOALS: Beaumaris: S. McLean 2, R. Byrne 1, C. Weiss 1

GOALS: Fitzroy: C. Haritopoulos 4, T. Lind 1, N. Cooney Hunt 1

BEST: Beaumaris: S. Shipton, J. Shepherd, J. boyd, S. Hollingsworth, S. Tedde, L. Parsons

BEST: Fitzroy: L. Atkinson, C. Haritopoulos, s. Brisbane, S. Pitt, J. Nelson, G. Murphy

Old Scotch: J. Wise 2, K. Kerr 1, Z. Fodor 1

GOALS: Caulfield Grammarians: S. Kenny 2, M. Katerelos 1, O. Rundle 1, L. Aruci 1

BEST: Old Scotch: I. Tuttle, K. Hunter-Scott, G. Fraser-Smith, J. Wise, G. Johnson, E. Tassiopoulos

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians: E. Baxter, C. McDonald, J. Baxter, A. Myers, O. Rundle, E. Cleland

GOALS: Kew: C. Dyett 3, T. Christensen 1, J. Hillas 1, V. Murphy 1, E. Rayment 1

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS: A. Acquaro 2, A. West 1, M. Russell 1, S. Georgas 1, C. Snow 1

BEST: Kew: C. Dyett, A. Dawborn, V. Murphy, T. Christensen, E. Cafolla, G. Wyett

BEST: Williamstown CYMS: M. Russell, M. Ciavarella, E. Pawlowski, Z. attard, A. Acquaro, E. McMahon

PREMIER WOMEN’S RESERVE

GOALS: Beaumaris: I. Allan 1

GOALS: Fitzroy: T. Young 2, M. Tancred 1, N. Conte 1

BEST: Beaumaris: N. Fitzgerald, S. Keogh, P. Barrow, L. Barker, L. Kappa, N. Stainforth

BEST: Fitzroy: A. Wagner, T. Young, C. Bigwood, A. Madden, E. Campbell, C. Taylor

Geelong:

GOALS: St Kevin’s: S. Cameron 4, G. Happell 1

GOALS: Old Geelong:

BEST: St Kevin’s: B. Gray, C. McDonough, H. Cook, Z. Kritikides, G. Happell, S. Cameron

BEST: Old Geelong: A. Allsopp, M. Naylor, E. Hoban, H. Conheady, D. Willows, K. Campbell

GOALS: Kew: K. Shaw 2, G. Rawlings 1, M. McFarlane 1

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS: T. Conway 4, J. Eteuati 3, A. Cowan 2, S. Martin 2, t. williamsz 1

BEST: Kew: y. vinycomb, M. Haeusler, K. Cook, I. Yze, K. Shaw, G. Rawlings

BEST: Williamstown CYMS: J. Eteuati, C. Perrett, I. Iannacone, T. Conway, P. Kalka, A. Schmidt

Old Scotch:

Caulfield Grammarians:

GOALS: Old Scotch: L. Morley 1

GOALS: Caulfield Grammarians: H. Grange 2, D. Hadwin 1, A. Mills 1, L. Wenk 1

BEST: Old Scotch: E. Rosenow, G. Kerr, Z. Kemp, L. Das, O. Arundel, C. Conheady

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians: W. Sweeney Johnston, B. Wolhuter, T. Heath, G. Casey, H. Grange, L. Wenk

(6)

(39)

PREMIER B MEN’S

Paddy Grindlay

Hoers with room to breathe, Fields win three on the trot

Old Ivanhoe has some breathing space inside the top two after seven weeks of Premier B football, outlasting Old Geelong in a high-quality contest at Como Park last Saturday afternoon.

The Hoers, now 6-1 with their only loss coming against Old Camberwell in Round 5, were aided by a sprinkle of fairy dust from their young guns, 19-year-old Rohan McKenzie and 18-yearold Tyson Nagel, in the final minutes to come away with the four points.

First McKenzie, faced with a challenging set shot from the paint of 50 into the wind, feigned a typical approach on goal before he played on, wove his way around the man on the mark, and nailed an audacious running checkside in the dying sunlight.

Minutes later, Archie Franklin found Nagel with a bouncing kick to centre half forward, isolated in a one-on-one. Favoured initially by a high, floating bounce, Nagel pushed off his opponent, gathered the ball, swerved away onto his right, and drilled a goal from just inside 50 to seal the deal for the Hoers.

The 12.14 (86) to 11.11 (77) victory has Old Ivanhoe a game clear of Old Trinity in second, and perhaps most crucially two games clear of the swelling chasing pack, five sides on 4-3 battling for just two places inside the top four.

“Both teams played a full, four-quarter game - the contest didn’t stop until the final siren, which was great,” said Old Ivanhoe coach Jarrod Gieschen on Sunday.

The battle between Herculean ruckmen Jack Sheridan (15 disposals, 11 clearances and 23 hitouts) and Alex Mirkov (19 disposals, 7 clearances and 50 hitouts) was described by Old Geelong coach Nick Dixon as “good as anything you’ll see at local level”.

Dixon, while disappointed with the loss, was quick to praise the quality of the game.

“(It) seemed like it was a goal the difference either way the whole day,” he said.

“Obviously a disappointing result for us as we had chances to go ahead late in the game. However I was really pleased with our overall performance, particularly with the amount of injuries at the moment.”

Going into Round Eight last year, Williamstown CYMS was in ninth place, and with just the one win mulling over how to escape the relegation zone, with a two-game gap to Beaumaris in eighth.

This time around, Con Terzoglou’s squad is 4-3 and fresh off a 42-point victory over Old Carey at home, screaming home with 11 second-half goals to five to win 12.19 (91) to 6.13 (49).

Only two goals were kicked in the first half, the CYs leading 15-12, and kicking into a breeze that advantaged the Williamstown Botanic Gardens end of the ground in the third quarter.

Employing a “rugby-league style” approach, with numbers stacked around the footy and handballs aplenty, the CYs piled on eight goals in the third to the Panthers’ two, stunning onlookers at the Fearon Reserve - including the coach.

“To kick eight goals into the breeze was beyond my wildest imagination. We were happy to take a nil-nil,” said Terzoglou.

Panthers coach Luke Giles is one of a few coaches hanging out for the bye and some reinforcements on-field - which should be coming for Old Carey very soon.

“We just got sliced up in the third quarter through clearance and their spread,” said Giles on Monday.

“Although we were severely depleted, I was really impressed with Williamstown - I think they are a massive danger side if they have their full list available.”

Paul Satterley’s Caulfield Grammarians have made the most of a three-week home stand, going three-for-three and crashing into the chase for the finals-playing positions.

Having edged Old Melburnians in Round Five and held off Williamstown CYMS in Round Six, the Fields motored away from Old Camberwell late at Glen Huntly Reserve, 11.17 (83) to 8.9 (57) victors.

“All the wins have been a real grind,” coach Paul Satterley said on Monday morning.

“I thought it was a really mature win. We typically like to get on the move and play a real quick brand of footy - but it was nothing like that on Saturday,” he said of the high-stoppage, contested game against the Wellers.

“It was one of those days where you couldn’t take too many risks.”

“The bottom line at Caulfield is if you don’t utilise the breeze when you have it they will make you pay when they have it,” said Old Camberwell coach Neil Connell.

“We had the breeze in the first and failed to use it.”

Connell praised the Fields’ ability to play to the conditions at Glen Huntly Park - particularly Caulfield’s ability to control the game when kicking into the wind.

“‘Satts’ is doing a great job with this group, and they have great balance all over the ground. One of the more impressive teams we have played so far this year,” Connell said.

Old Trinity enjoyed a wire-to-wire win over Fitzroy at Brunswick Street Oval, 68-point winners in response to a loss to Old Geelong two weekends ago.

Assistant coaches Jack James and Scott Duthie took the reins in the 18.11 (119) to 7.9 (51) victory, with senior coach Donald McDonald tracking the scores at home, recuperating after a knee replacement.

“Against Old Geelong, there were some real standout areas we needed to look at if we wanted to be super competitive,” Donald McDonald.

“From our end, it’s pretty simple. A lot of it starts around contest … (and) the continued development of our players, and getting players in roles they’re really comfortable with”.

Hugh Beasley’s seven majors saw him take a healthy lead atop the goalkicking table, up to 28 on the season ahead of Old Camberwell pair Liam Thomas (22) and Harry Laukens (22).

It’ll be a reunion of sorts for McDonald next week against the Field, having coached Paul Satterley in his time at Werribee

“He’s a real competitive fella, and an unbelievably experienced VAFA coach. I know he’ll be preparing his boys to the minute,” McDonald said.

Nathan Ligris (36 disposals), Laird Ramshaw (28 disposals and 13 tackles) and Charlie Roberts (22 disposals and ten clearances) led the way for the Roys, who are ninth, two games back from the OMs.

The Old Melburnians have got their season going after a tricky opening five weeks, securing back-to-back wins with a 42-point defeat of the Hampton Rovers.

Hampton’s three-goals-to-none second term gave the Old Melburnians a worry at half time, but Nathan Brown’s team was able to wrest control early in the second half and hold the Rovers at bat, winning 11.18 (84) to 6.6 (42).

“Credit to Hampton, they were really spirited all day, right to the end. It was a hard-fought match,” said Brown, who moves up to 3-4 after a 1-4 start to his second stint at the OMs.

The focus for Brown now is conversion in front of goal - the OMs have kicked 30.41 over the last three weeks.

Chris Perkins has been superb in a tough season so far for Hampton and continued to stuff the stat sheet, racking up a game-high 37 disposals along with 17 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 10 rebound 50s and a goal.

The Rovers visit Old Ivanhoe at Chelsworth Park next week and the OMs host Williamstown CYMS, while Old Camberwell face Old Geelong and Fitzroy play Old Carey.

Old Trinity and the Caulfield Grammarians round out the first phase of the Premier B season, with the competition to take a week’s break over the King’s Birthday long weekend.

ROUND 8 TIPS

Old TrinityV Caulfield Grammarians

Old CamberwellV Old Geelong Fitzroy V Old Carey

Old MelburniansV Williamstown CYMS

Old IvanhoeV Hampton Rovers

ROUND 7 RESULTS

PREMIER B MEN’S

Caulfield Grammarians:

Old Camberwell:

(83)

(57)

GOALS: Caulfield Grammarians: A. Loughnan 3, C. Cooke 3, J. Webster 1, S. Mcinerney 1, J. Dobosz 1, S. Hankin 1, J. Iverson 1

Old Camberwell: J. Blew 2, B. Hart 2, D. Augustes 1, L. Thomas 1, C. Finlayson 1, H. Laukens 1

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians: J. Dobosz, A. Loughnan, C. Cooke, R. Pietsch, S. Mcinerney, J. Iverson

Old Camberwell: L. Powell, L. Thomas, J. Blew, R. Hopkins, J. Harker, S. Veitch

Old Geelong:

Old Ivanhoe:

GOALS: Old Geelong: M. Nicholls 3, S. Anderson 3, J. Colgrave 2, L. Dunell 1, O. Grodski 1, J. Adams 1

(77)

(86)

Old Ivanhoe: T. Nagel 2, R. McKenzie 2, N. Hill 2, R. Mantello 2, M. Mitris 1, H. Reid 1, N. Reeves-Smyth 1, L. Scuderi 1

BEST: Old Geelong: J. Adams, J. Sheridan, H. Kol, M. Bird, T. Breadmore, S. Anderson

Old Ivanhoe: W. Murphy, R. Mantello, A. Franklin, T. Nagel, J. Harper, T. McKenzie

Williamstown CYMS:

Old Carey:

(91)

(49)

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS: Z. Provest 5, W. Smyth 3, D. Cutajar 1, J. Busuttil 1, N. Sayers 1, H. Tambourine 1

Old Carey: E. King 2, J. Alexander 1, L. Godden 1, T. Warren 1, I. Ellwood 1

BEST: Williamstown CYMS: H. Tambourine, Z. Provest, J. Busuttil, W. Smyth, L. Conway, W. Bokma

Old Carey: T. Newton, C. Ogilvie, J. Alexander, E. King, M. Wooffindin, T. McCarthy

Hampton Rovers: 1.2

Old Melburnians:

GOALS: Hampton Rovers: O. Horigan 1, L. O’Driscoll 1, B. Jensen-Muir 1, C. Perkins 1, Z. Ziesing 1, W. Crawford 1

(42)

(84)

Old Melburnians: L. Haysman 2, A. Richardson 2, C. Rose 2, O. Hanisch 1, B. Jackson 1, M. Payne 1, A. Rush 1, A. Brown 1

BEST: Hampton Rovers: J. Prosser, H. Crisp, O. Bater, C. Perkins, L. O’Driscoll, L. Costello

Old Melburnians: N. Christian, J. a’Beckett, J. Spargo, B. HAYSMAN, C. Long, C. Rose

GOALS: Fitzroy: T. Kewell 1, j. turner 1, S. Jordan 1, L. Hodder 1, C. Lester 1, S. Suarez 1, S. Roberts-Lovell 1

Old Trinity: H. Beasley 7, E. Chard 4, J. Jenkins 2, T. Ferrier 1, J. Heath 1, G. Belcher 1, N. Gill 1, B. Curtain 1

BEST: Fitzroy: M. Davie, j. watson, L. Vlassopoulos, D. Lowrie, J. Hart, C. McAuliffe

Old Trinity: E. Chard, L. Davidson, H. Beasley, H. McGlashan, B. Curtain, N. Gill

PREMIER B MEN’S RESERVES

Caulfield Grammarians:

Old Camberwell:

(68)

5.9 (39)

GOALS: Caulfield Grammarians: C. Hankin 3, T. Williams 1, J. Harrison 1, J. Wallace 1, F. Ellis 1, J. Hill 1, M. Kaufman 1

Old Camberwell: N. Latsas 1, B. Joy 1, T. Heavey 1, S. Boyce 1, T. Beechey 1

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians: C. Pietsch, M. Kaufman, J. Harrison, C. Hankin, H. Neave, J. Hill

Old Camberwell: S. Boyce, W. Allsop, T. Oliver, C. Smith, N. Latsas, B. Joy

Fitzroy:

Old Trinity: 4.3

(66)

10.7 (67)

GOALS: Fitzroy: W. Roberts 3, L. Brunt 2, N. Collins 2, L. Sekhon 1, D. Bakes 1, K. Ramshaw 1

Old Trinity: O. Manton 2, w. Noumertzis 2, B. Smith 2, O. Galbally 1, A. Emery 1, J. Cooper 1, H. Taylor 1

BEST: Fitzroy: A. Evans, T. Strachan, A. Ritchie, N. Stephens, R. Kelly, T. McKay

Old Trinity: B. Smith, T. Rasdell, F. Hall, L. Chiaramonte, H. Taylor, L. Milner

Williamstown CYMS: 2.4

Old Carey: 3.1

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS: j. raymond 4, A. Battisti 2, S. Shepherd 1, J. Neville 1

Old Carey: T. Bucknell 2, J. Taylor 2, H. Patel 2, Z. Dempsey 1, S. Morarty 1

BEST: Williamstown CYMS: j. raymond, C. Vicino, N. Hannaford, A. Fernandes, J. Neville, P. Farrell

(61)

(58)

Old Carey: M. Vandersteen, N. Valentine, R. Turner, S. Morarty, Z. Dempsey, J. Athanasopoulos Old Geelong:

Ivanhoe:

GOALS: Old Geelong: E. O’Malley 2, D. Morgan 1

Old Ivanhoe: T. Kellock 4, F. Knight 3, J. Bradley 1, D. Davies 1, N. Stratov 1, A. Stratov 1, S. Daniel 1

BEST: Old Geelong: H. McDonald, S. Jess, J. Green, D. Morgan, E. O’Malley, J. Mitchell

Old Ivanhoe: L. Smithers, F. Knight, S. Daniel, M. Gurrisi, E. Worsam, D. Davies

Hampton Rovers:

(46) Old Melburnians:

GOALS: Hampton Rovers: C. Kilburn 2, R. Leslie 1, j. ilias 1, M. Labib 1, S. Ebbott 1

Old Melburnians: O. Hurley 4, A. Howitt 1, C. Higgins 1, X. Mclean 1, t. donnelly 1, W. Welsh 1

BEST: Hampton Rovers: S. Ebbott, J. Scanlon, T. Goldsmith, L. Nixon-Smith, O. Donald, D. Lyon

Old Melburnians: O. Hurley, L. Swaney, W. Dixon, W. Welsh, J. Hope, t. donnelly

PREMIER B WOMEN’S

Lauren Atkinson

Round 7 of Premier B Women’s delivered another weekend of compelling footy, with dominant displays, milestone moments, and a gritty comeback that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Old Brighton remains the team to beat, extending their undefeated run with a commanding 13.11 (89) to 3.5 (23) win over Old Yarra Cobras at Brighton Beach Oval. The day was made even more special as Sophie Grant became the first women’s player to notch 100 games for the Tonners – a milestone celebrated in style.

Old Brighton was relentless from the outset, with India Tait, Charley Hodgson and Katie Grant leading the charge. A third-quarter blitz saw them pile on six goals to put the result beyond doubt.

Despite the loss, Old Yarra managed to register their highest score of the season – an encouraging sign that should provide the Cobras with confidence moving forward.

Old Brighton coach Andrew Grant praised his side’s midfield dominance, acknowledging, “They had some good forwards, but we did not let the ball get down there through the tireless work of our midfield.”

Grant was also pleased by his team’s adaptability, noting their ability to excel in both offence and defence, depending on which was required in the moment.

In terms of individual shout-outs, Grant gave kudos to the work of Bridgette Hagan, “Once again rock solid in defence”.

For the Cobras, AFLW premiership player Sarah Perkins slotted a goal in her debut, while Belinda Wriedt and Erin Woodford received the coach’s votes for their performances.

After a narrow loss the previous week, Old Melburnians bounced back in emphatic fashion, dismantling Marcellin 11.9 (75) to 0.4 (4) at Elsternwick Park.

The Omlettes were switched on from the first bounce, kicking three early goals to set the tone for the day. They showed no signs of complacency, extending their lead at each change to win by 71 points.

Coach Nic Stephens credited the win to a renewed focus on team-first footy. “We’ve been working on playing more as a cohesive unit rather than trying to rely on individual brilliance to win contests and win games, so it was great as a coach to see the girls buy in and see them get the rewards for the work they’ve put in.”

While not wanting to focus on individual performances, it would be remiss not to mention the best-on-ground performance of Ellen Williams, which included three goals and countless moments of determination and leadership.

Olive McLean was also dynamic up forward, finishing with three goals, while Caitlyn Bayley was outstanding in defence, keeping star forward Zoe Glascott goalless.

Marcellin, meanwhile, struggled to find their rhythm but were well served by Alana Pane and Georgina Robertson.

In the round’s most dramatic finish, St Bedes/ Mentone Tigers overturned a 14-point three-quarter time deficit to snatch a 3.3 (21) to 1.8 (14) win over Westbourne Grammarians at Mentone Reserve.

The Tigers were held goalless for three quarters, sitting on just two points at three-quarter time, but came alive in the final term, with Isabella Gietzmann kicking two clutch goals to lift her side over the line. Maddi Wilson and Paris Xerri were also instrumental in the comeback,

For Westbourne, it was a disappointing finish after leading all day. Temeika Cathery was again among the best, kicking their only goal, while Roxana Sefton and Alesha Ibrahim impressed with their work rate and drive.

Port Melbourne Chargers returned to their winning ways with a dominant 12.14 (86) to 0.0 (0) win over a luckless Melbourne University Women’s outfit.

ROUND 7 RESULTS

PREMIER B WOMEN’S

St Bedes/Mentone:

Westbourne:

GOALS: St Bedes/Mentone: I. Gietzmann 2, N. Pasnin 1

GOALS: Westbourne: T. Cathery 1

BEST: St Bedes/Mentone: M. Wilson, p. xerri, I. Gietzmann, T. McAlroy, B. Ousley, M. Tilley

(14)

BEST: Westbourne: T. Cathery, R. Sefton, A. Ibrahim, J. Desira, P. Trajkovski, H. McMahon

Old Melburnians:

Marcellin:

GOALS: Old Melburnians: O. Mclean 3, E. Williams 3, . 1, S. Peers 1, E. Bennetts 1, S. Fraser 1, Z. Mildenhall 1

(4)

The Chargers were clinical from start to finish, adding three goals to their tally each term, while not allowing Melbourne University any sniffs at goal.

Mia-Rae Clifford (4 goals) and Georgia Harris (2 goals) led the way up forward again, taking them to equal first place in the league goal kicking tally on 21 goals apiece.

Coach Harriet Cooper praised her side’s defensive drive and mental resilience.

“Our group’s ability to stick together through adversity really stood out. That’s what drives us as a team to be united, and our shared experiences have driven this group all season. That kind of spirit is incredibly hard to play against and it’s what sets us apart.,” she said.

Captain Maegan Harrison was immense, while Claire Highfield and Tess Maloney were standouts in a team performance that showcased the Chargers’ depth and cohesion.

For Melbourne University, Mickey Gostencnik and Jolyn Collins battled hard.

After a week off with the bye, Old Xaverians will be keen to return to action when they face a tough challenge in Port Melbourne Chargers next week. Meanwhile, the two winless sides—Old Yarra Cobras and Melbourne University—are set to meet, with one team poised to break their drought. In addition, St Bedes/Mentone Tigers and Old Melburnians will compete for third place on the ladder, while Marcellin will be out for revenge against Old Brighton in the Grand Final rematch. Finally, Westbourne will get the chance to reset with a bye.

ROUND 8 TIPS

Old Yarra Cobrasv Melbourne University

Port Melb Chargersv Old Xaverians

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers v Old Melburnians

Marcellin v Old Brighton

GOALS: Marcellin:

BEST: Old Melburnians:

BEST: Marcellin: A. Pane, G. Robertson, C. van der Vlies, B. Harvey, T. Carpinteri, M. Rush Old Brighton:

(89) Old Yarra Cobras:

(23)

GOALS: Old Brighton: S. Courtney 2, C. OBrien 2, I. Tait 2, K. Grant 2, m. ellin 1, S. Hodgkinson 1, T. Aker 1, J. Tait 1, A. Day 1

GOALS: Old Yarra Cobras: S. Perkins 1, L. Moussa 1, A. Murray 1

BEST: Old Brighton: I. Tait, C. Hodgson, B. Hagan, K. Grant, S. McLoughlin, S. Grant

BEST: Old Yarra Cobras: B. Wriedt, E. Woodford, S. Fell, e. watson, C. McClure, S. Cox

Melbourne Chargers:

GOALS: MUWFC:

GOALS: Port Melbourne Chargers: M. Clifford 4, A. Kamberis 2, T. Maloney 2, G. Harris 2, N.

Atkin 1, C. Pritchard 1

BEST: MUWFC: M. Gostencnik, J. Collins, B. Hudson, I. Moller, G. McDonald, A. Price

BEST: Port Melbourne Chargers: C. Highfield, T. Maloney, M. Harrison, J. Stolz, m. sublet, M. Clifford

PREMIER C MEN’S

Harrison McIlwaine

Someone’s

‘0’ has got to go! AJAX and Parkdale victories increase the magnitude of this Saturday’s collision

Premier C Men’s pacesetters in AJAX and Parkdale Vultures continued their undefeated starts to the season in Round 7, ensuring their rendezvous at Gerry Green Reserve this Saturday, is perfectly poised.

AJAX came out in a mood, adapting well to challenging conditions, generating a significant buffer heading into first break. This 32-point deficit only grew in the second quarter, with Glen Eira/Old McKinnon, who saw the effectiveness of their talismanic talls handicapped by the considerable wind, unable to match it with Lachlan Buszard’s table-toppers.

The match ended 16.10 (106) to 7.6 (48), with Nick Lewis winding back the clock for the Jackas, and Sean Bass making it eight goals in the last fortnight for the Gryphons, after kicking three majors. Toby Lipton and Elliot Debinski also drew Buszard’s praise, while all three Carey brothers received nods in Guy Martyn’s bests, alongside usual suspects Lachlan Mirams and Nick Mavropolous, whose seasons continue to impress, despite the Gryphon’s lowly ladder position.

A professional final quarter in Glen Waverley saw the Parkdale Vultures pull away from Mazenod. The Nodders fought gamely in the third, halving the halftime deficit, but the weight of territory in the last proved too much, with Owen Lalor’s side kicking five of the contest’s final six goals. The final score reads 12.11 (83) to 6.5 (41), ensuring the Vultures trail AJAX on the ladder by percentage only.

Peter Banfield’s Nodders are in the midst of a tricky month of fixtures. May has so far seen the side play three of the top four, with the fourth, in St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, awaiting them on Saturday. Banfield, never one to shirk the realities of the coaching caper, offered that his side ‘have lots of work to do to recapture some form’, and lamented the continued absence of last year’s Premier C Best and Fairest, and team co-captain, Matt Fewings.

Keeping pressure on the top two with a sixth victory from their first seven games is St Bedes/Mentone Tigers

The 11.18 (84) to 5.10 (40) win away at Parkside was another performance powered by the efforts of leaders Matt Lehpamer and Lachlan Palfrey, according to secondyear coach, Brad Berry.

“Palfrey is really growing into leadership,” Berry said. “He’s displaying good old-fashioned captaincy – he does whatever the team needs, whether it be relief ruck work or providing timely goals.”

“Lehpamer and (Jake) Ryder are adding offensive and defensive elements to their games, which have been previously built on purely in-and-under prowess, which is also pleasing,” he added. Mitch Rowe’s ability to ‘find another gear’ in the last quarter saw him round out Berry’s bests.

With the game delicately poised at 33-30 at halftime, the Tigers recorded seven of the eight second-half majors to run out victorious, with Devils coach Rick Frost crediting the opposition’s ball movement for this run. “They did very well to cut us through the middle of the ground,” Frost said.

Devils livewire Matt Holden continues to raise the eyebrows of opposition coaches, and his own, with his performances, with Michael Romano, Harry Dehne and Josh Moylan also afford mentions in Frost’s wash up. However, Moylan’s concussion in the fixture provides another selection challenge for Frost to navigate.

In Windy Hill, PEGS mixed it with Beaumaris early, before the Sharks midfield gained the ascendancy, against an undermanned Bombers engine room. The match finished 16.13 (109) to 8.2 (50) in Beaumaris’ favour, although the margin doesn’t reflect the tight nature of the contest.

A decision made by PEGS coach Rob Kerr to swing a midfielder behind the ball to start the second half kept the game the attritional, with both sides registering a solitary goal apiece in the third quarter. 20 minutes into the last, Beaumaris had added just one point to their halftime advantage, before three goals in five minutes, inside timeon, inflated the margin.

Sharks coach Josh Bourke often praises his side’s fitness, and this late flurry adds credence to his notion that his side ‘runs games out really well’. In-form midfielders Riley Mihailovic and Riley Virtue, and utility Jai Florent continued their strong seasons, while first-year commodities Harvey Backman and Angus Marcombe continued their solid starts to life as senior footballers, combining for three goals and impressing around the ground.

Oscar Bales ‘held down the fort’ for Kerr, taking several strong intercept marks, while defender Sahand Ghasimzadeh impressed in his second game back from cricket commitments, finding himself in the bests. “He will help our youngsters a lot with his smarts and talk,” said Kerr. Ruckman Ade Akintola played his third game for the year, after the St Albans recruit injured his hamstring in Round 1.

“Like a few other teams, we need to get a few back to challenge that top bracket for longer,” mused Kerr, no doubt pleased to have this experienced pair easing their way back into senior football.

Elsewhere, Marcellin recorded their first victory on the road for the year, trouncing Prahran at Toorak Park, in what head coach Bernie Dineen described as ‘really good reward for effort’. Dineen was at pains to mention the competitiveness of his charges across the last six weeks, despite registering just the one win in that period. Finally getting some nourishment, in the form of a 14.16 (100) to 8.3 (51) victory, pleased Dineen greatly.

“The statement made by our leaders was indicative of their character, and I’m proud of that,” he said. These leaders (the likes of Adam Tomaro, Matthew Capetola, Shaun Tyquin, and Patrick Howe) again found themselves in the bests, with Dineen describing their contributions to the year as ‘enormous’.

“We invested in leadership heavily during the pre-season – how does it look across our whole program? Training, reviews, recovery, and obviously gameday. These boys are driving us forward,” he added.

The victory moves Marcellin into a logjam of sides sitting 2-5 on the year, while Prahran remain winless, and in 10th, with their next chance to register a breakthrough victory coming in the form of a trip to 9th-placed Glen Eira, this Saturday.

In the last weekend of fixtures before the King’s Birthday bye, 1st-placed AJAX visit 2nd-placed Parkdale Vultures in the match of the round, while 9th plays 10th when Glen Eira/Old McKinnon host Prahran in Carnegie. Marcellin test themselves with a visit to Beaumaris, PEGS host Parkside and St Bedes/Mentone Tigers journey to Glen Waverley, where Mazenod await.

ROUND 8 TIPS

Parkdale Vulturesv AJAX

Glen Eira/Old McKinnonv Prahran

Beaumarisv Marcellin

PEGSv Parkside

Mazenod v St Bedes/Mentone Tigers

ROUND 7 RESULTS

PREMIER C MEN’S

GOALS: Mazenod: J. Murdock 2, J. Sullivan 1, J. Raffa 1, J. Boyle 1, H. Boyce 1

Parkdale Vultures: K. Day 3, J. Hesline 2, L. Castle 2, N. Petty 2, K. Colella 1, M. Phillips 1, N. Sullivan 1

BEST: Mazenod: D. Byrne, M. D’Angelo, J. Sullivan, F. Ford, J. Boyle, J. Murdock

Parkdale Vultures: L. Marshall, N. Petty, N. Sullivan, O. Green, D. Brown, M. Emmanouil

Glen Eira / Old McKinnon:

GOALS: AJAX: J. Vogel 3, B. Nussbaum 2, B. Efron 2, A. Caplan 2, N. Pike 2, N. Lewis 1, T. Sheezel 1, B. Krongold 1, M. Chrapot 1, R. Israel 1

Glen Eira / Old McKinnon: S. Bass 3, C. Kadish 1, N. Mavropoulos 1, L. Mirams 1, t. noonan 1

BEST: AJAX: T. Lipton, N. Lewis, E. Debinski, N. Pike, M. Herzel, B. Krongold

Glen Eira / Old McKinnon: A. Carey, J. Carey, J. Chilcott, S. Carey, N. Mavropoulos, L. Mirams

Prahran:

Marcellin:

GOALS: Prahran: R. Brodie 3, T. Bamford 1, J. Stefanutti 1, J. Partridge 1, M. Mayne 1, P. Marks 1

(51)

Marcellin: Z. Tolley 4, S. Tyquin 3, J. Daniel 3, L. Rush 2, J. McArdle 1, J. Robertson 1

BEST: Prahran: J. Simonetta, J. Williams, R. Brodie, M. Mayne, R. Hogan, P. Marks

Marcellin: P. Howe, M. Capetola, S. Tyquin, Z. Tolley, T. Dennis, A. Tomaro

PEGS:

Beaumaris:

GOALS: PEGS: M. Baker-West 2, D. Flaherty 2, J. Mckernan 1, J. Young 1, M. Barake 1, J. Fenner 1

(50)

Beaumaris: J. Florent 3, J. Failla 3, T. Spencer 3, A. Marcombe 2, R. Mihailovic 2, H. Backman 1, J. Trew 1, C. Heath 1

BEST: PEGS: O. Bales, J. Mckernan, S. ghasimzadeh, R. Stathis, K. Burke, C. LawlorMcNamara

Beaumaris: J. Florent, H. Backman, C. Heath, A. Marcombe, R. Mihailovic, R. Virtue Parkside:

GOALS: Parkside: L. Grist 1, M. Lawson 1, M. Romano 1, J. Woods 1, J. Moylan 1

St Bedes/Mentone: L. Hanson 2, L. Palfrey 2, L. Bowles 1, B. Murphy 1, J. Ryder 1, C. Donnellan 1, S. Barca 1, M. Rowe 1, D. Fountain 1

BEST: Parkside: N. Moylan, L. Logozzo, M. Lawson, J. Woods, J. Stevens, M. Balassone

St Bedes/Mentone: M. Rowe, D. Fountain, M. Lehpamer, L. Palfrey, J. Harding, S. Barca

PREMIER C MEN’S RESERVES

Parkside:

St Bedes/Mentone: 2.4

GOALS: Parkside: H. Dietrich 2, A. Wells 1, L. Triscari 1, M. Johnstone 1, P. Vlahos 1, J. Bennett 1, A. Bianchi 1

St Bedes/Mentone: A. Barba 5, T. Grech 2, J. Cain 2, E. Hale 2, K. Chandler 2, M. Ford 2, T. Aughterson 2, S. Beasley 1, H. Cox 1

BEST: Parkside: R. Williams, J. Bennett, A. Bianchi, H. Dietrich, P. Vlahos, A. Balassone

St Bedes/Mentone: K. Chandler, A. Barba, C. McFarlane-Squires, M. Arthur, R. Kennedy, B. Goodchild

(40)

(84)

(50)

Prahran: 9-8-62

Marcellin: 7-10-52

GOALS: Prahran: M. Hughes 2, O. LANGTRY-KIERCE 2, M. Juricic 2, P. Pavlou 1, K. Scott 1, W. Axford-Wood 1

Marcellin: J. Corbo 2, N. Watty 1, M. Ellway 1, F. paonessa 1, W. Campitelli 1, S. Bartholomeusz 1

BEST: Prahran: P. Ahern, O. LANGTRY-KIERCE, T. Loomes, K. Scott, M. Woods, M. Hughes

Marcellin: P. Bourke, N. Whelan, L. Johnston, H. May, S. Bartholomeusz, J. Keenan

PEGS: 2.0

Beaumaris:

GOALS: PEGS: B. Murphy 3, l. leeds 1, J. Rizzo 1, L. Weber 1, L. Flaherty 1

Beaumaris: L. Daniels 5, R. Whitehouse 2, N. Beveridge 2, M. Kornberg 2, Z. Gorsuch 2, B. Young 1, A. Baruhas 1, F. Martin 1, B. Forster 1, B. Hughes 1, R. Smith 1

BEST: PEGS: L. Nimorakiotakis, A. Young, D. Cooke, B. Murphy, L. Weber, l. leeds

Beaumaris: P. Evans, B. Forster, R. Smith, R. Whitehouse, L. Daniels, A. Baruhas AJAX:

Eira / Old McKinnon:

(50)

(124)

GOALS: AJAX: O. Sormann 2, B. Mond 1, O. Black 1, H. De Bortoli 1, T. Marabel-Whitburn 1, C. Efron 1, C. Chrapot 1

Glen Eira / Old McKinnon: T. Obrien 1, T. Shalev 1, A. Chilcott 1, H. MacLeod-Smith 1

BEST: AJAX: J. Tonkin, C. Chrapot, D. Rothschild, J. Machlin, C. Wasbutzki, C. Efron

Glen Eira / Old McKinnon: T. Clayson, B. Howells, O. Krivaci, T. Obrien, T. Shalev, E. Lovett

Parkdale Vultures:

GOALS: Mazenod: N. Montano 2, J. Mucha 1, J. Smith 1, A. Palleschi 1, A. Cappello 1

(39)

Parkdale Vultures: M. Hart 4, A. Kenny 2, B. Dillon 2, D. Williamson 1, S. Sargeant 1, L. Matic 1, C. Williamson 1, J. Hardeman 1, N. Farnbach 1, J. Day 1

BEST: Mazenod: Parkdale Vultures: A. Kenny, B. Macdermid, L. Farnbach, A. Stefanec, L. Matic, M. Hart

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

Eley Park FC Reserves break drought

Eley Park’s Reserves team’s win on the weekend against Chadstone was the first win for the side in 1394 days. It was an emotional day as it was Xavier Bacash, the Reserves playing coach, 50th club game. Xavier has been a loyal reserves coach for the last three years. Which is arguably one of the most difficult coaching jobs in the VAFA.

After scoring a goal, Xavier celebrated in honour of the club’s trainer Alex Beveridge who passed away earlier this year. “Every day we miss Al very much at the club as a personality and his abilities as trainer. He was an always a great support to Xavier and I during our times at the club.”

It is with deep sadness that the Albert Park Football Club acknowledges the passing of club legend, life member and our greatest supporter, Bill Jackson.

The Jet was truly one of a kind. Playing over 350 games with the ANZ/Albert Park Football Club, Bill remains the games record holder for the club. He attained his nickname from the electrifying pace he showed on the wing throughout his glittering career.

Bill was also a former President of the club, a captain and coach of the Reserves’ side, and worked tirelessly to help document the history of our club.

Life at the Falcons was also a family affair for Bill, with his late wife, Bev, a massive contributor to the Falcons for nearly 50 years as a volunteer and supporter, helping to run the canteen and organise countless events over the years.

50th year of Goal Umpiring

The VAFA wishes to acknowledge the significant contribution of Campbell McDonald who this week celebrates his 50 th year of umpiring.

Campbell has been involved in umpiring from his teenage years and has officiated in many different competitions throughout the years. Campbell has goal umpired over 200 games in the VAFA competition and enjoys umpiring with his wife Jeanine and son Aiden. Well done to Campbell on this milestone.

Vale Albert Park FC Legend, Bill Jackson

FOR

Beaumaris shining bright for Holly and Bianca

In a moment much bigger than football, the VAFA community joined in arms to celebrate the lives of Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones with the inaugural ‘Shining Bright for Holly & Bianca’ match between Beaumaris and Fitzroy. As a tribute, all players wore pink armbands as a symbolic reminder of Holly & Bianca; two strong, young, and freespirited women. Their light lives on in every joyful moment shared. A brilliant weekend that will be remembered for some time.

The inaugural Shining Bright for Holly & Bianca weekend was a resounding success. Beaumaris football club extended their heartfelt thanks to everyone who played a part. “Words cannot do justice to reflect how appreciative and supported the Bowles & Jones families have felt. Similarly, the Beaumaris Football Club extends its thanks to the Fitzroy Football Club and the wider VAFA community for their support.”

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

Zahra Clavarino (Old Haileybury)

Women’s Rising Star Nominee

The VAFA congratulates Zahra Clavarino from Old Haileybury Amateur Football Club who has been nominated as the Round 7 Anytime Fitness Women’s Rising Star. Zahra has come through Berwick and the Dandy Stingrays and has impressed in her first season in the VAFA for the Bloods. Zahra is only just 20 years old and has featured in the best players in five of seven games this year.

What the club said:

Zahra Clavarino is a proud Old Haileybury graduate from the class of 2023 and has quickly become a cornerstone of the club’s future.

Her versatility is a major asset—whether rucking with finesse, providing a strong target up forward, locking down in defence, or even rolling through the midfield, Zahra’s football IQ and skillset are beyond her years. Off the field, she brings humility, positivity, and a relentless desire to improve. The club couldn’t be more excited about the way she’s started her senior footy journey and can’t wait to see her continue to grow in the maroon and blue.

Coach’s David Lappage said: “Zahra gives our midfielders first use more often than not, and that’s massive in helping us win the stoppage battle. She competes with heart, has great hands, and her ability to adapt to different roles makes her incredibly valuable to this team. She’s only just beginning, and already she’s showing signs of being a real leader for the future.”

Matt Mayes (Old Scotch)

Men’s Rising Star Nominee

The VAFA congratulates Matt Mayes from Old Scotch Football Club who has been nominated as the Round 7 Anytime Fitness Men’s Rising Star. Matt has polled votes in the best in 7/7 matches and is the only player in Holmesglen Under 19 Premier Men’s to have done so this season.

What the club said:

Matt is an 185cm running/intercept defender and the archetypical quiet achiever. In 2024 he regularly played for the U19s and was a key member of the team that made it through to the preliminary final, as well as finishing 3rd in the club Best and Fairest.

From the coach Mackenzie Morgan:

“Tough and skilled are the two words that come to mind when people are asked about Matt Mayes as a teammate. Over the last 18 months, Mayesy has been a pivotal member of our 19’s program. His ability to defend his opponent, whilst also put his team in attacking positions with his one-on-one marking and foot skills has been a big reason Old Scotch 19s have been competitive at the top of the ladder over the last year and a half. We love Mayesy at Old Scotch, and he has a huge future ahead of him — we can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.”

Callum Farquhar

Kings in the clutch: Cellar-dwelling Caulfield stun ladder-leaders Scotch in another boilover victory

At the beginning of Round 7, the Caulfield Grammarians sat in the place of wooden spooners, despite a thrilling Round 6 victory to shift their record to 2-4 after starting the season 0-3.

Momentum in their season was silently beginning to shift, but to the casual viewer, the Fields’ lowly percentage suggested they were a long way from the competition’s best.

On Saturday, their greatest challenge yet awaited them. Old Scotch, who were the only side to sit undefeated with six wins, had commanded a minor premiership position, and had defeated Caulfield Grammarians by 95 points in Round 1.

To most, another thrashing result, let alone the win, was expected for the Cardinals.

But the Fields had come to play.

Caulfield got underway with a two-goal advantage at quarter-time, but Old Scotch managed to square the ledger again at the main break, 43-apiece.

A term of just five behinds to 17 points saw Caulfield extend the margin back out to two goals by the final quarter’s start, but the ladder leaders were always going to fire again.

The Cardinals charged home to kick another 20 points, but the Fields took the most of their opportunities in the fourth period to maintain their three-quarter-time advantage and produce a stunning boilover by five points at the final siren.

It seemed a David versus Goliath effort for the bottomplaced Caulfield to pull off an away victory against the top of the table Scotch, but this momentum shift in their season has been brewing across the month of May. Caulfield have defeated De La Salle and Old Xaverians in the last three weeks, but the combined margin of all three wins this year is just 13 points.

The Fields now move up to fifth on the ladder, and sit just a game behind University for an entry into the top four, however their percentage is at just 46.1.

That doesn’t faze Caulfield coach Cooper Rule however, who is buoyed by the sharp turn in form and the Fields’ upset on the weekend.

“A proud day for our team and the club,” Rule said, as Caulfield Grammarians won all eight fixtures across their respective teams and programs.

“It was a high quality contest and a great game to watch, with both sides playing that fast and attacking footy.

“It felt like we owned the match for most of it, but credit to Scotch, every time we looked to pull away, they found a way to respond.

“Our intercept work stood out and gave us real drive off half back, which set up our forward entries nicely. Plenty to like, and lots to build on.”

Quinn Cooper’s three goals deemed him Caulfield’s best afield, while Tom Farrer’s two for Old Scotch were of equal importance.

With Scotch suffering their first defeat, a new ladder leader has risen, as St Kevin’s defeated Old Xaverians by 69 points.

It was SKOBS’ defence that stood up yet again, forcing low percentage shots from the Xavs which resulted in an inaccurate scoreline of just two goals but 10 behinds.

Meanwhile St Kevin’s were contrastingly efficient, especially early on, tallying five goals and one behind in the first quarter to kick a score ultimately greater than what Old Xaverians achieved in the entire contest.

Mark O’Mahony was St Kevin’s’ best on ground while Lucas May has increased his buffer on top of the league’s goalkicking tally after another bag of four. Henry Lasscock, Tommy Trist, and Alby Hewitt were some of the best for Old Xaverians.

Old Brighton have also jumped up a rung on the ladder as they continue an unblemished start to the season with a 76-point win over De La Salle

De La Salle were within just a couple of goals at quarter time but a ruthless second term from the Tonners saw the lead extend to nearly 50 points by the main break. De La tightened up in the third term and matched it with their opponent, but another blitz in the fourth quarter left little in doubt about the result, as well as the Tonners’ premiership credentials.

Old Brighton coach Travis O’Donohue praised De La’s initial defence but was proud his players could overcome the challenge.

“We knew De La Salle would be hard to beat on their home deck and they defended the ground really well in the first quarter and didn’t allow us to have any fast ball movement,” O’Donohue said.

“Our midfield, led by Cooper Dowe, started to get on top in the second quarter and managed to break the game open. Bailey McKenzie was exceptional up forward again.”

Joshua Murray and Samuel Cross were commendable for De La Salle, with the former kicking four of the club’s eight goals.

The University Blues have grinded out a 22-point win against a plucky St Bedes/Mentone Tigers outfit, maintaining their position inside the top four.

The Tigers were never out of the contest, always within touching distance at the end of each quarter, but the Blues kept gradually increasing their advantage each time.

Inaccuracy in the first half played a major factor in keeping SBMT alive as University converted just four of their first 14 scoring shots, while the Tigers had just half of those opportunities, yet only trailed by two goals at the main break.

University sharpened up in the next half however, and that turn in scoring prowess paid dividends by the final siren.

Charlie Summerfield, Will Vavallo, and Grant Walker were the Blues’ best on, while Keanu Nadji, Archer Duke, and Rhett Fernando found themselves in the best for SBMT.

In Round 8, Old Brighton look to continue their winning ways against Old Xaverians, while SBMT and De La Salle will be duelling to avoid a claim on the wooden spoon heading into the King’s Birthday weekend bye.

Caulfield’s next upset challenge comes against Uni Blues, with a win meaning their win-loss records even up and would place the Fields just percentage outside the top four despite their 0-3 start to the season, nearly completing a stunning 180 degree turn on their year.

Old Scotch will look to avenge their first season defeat and top ladder position against the new leaders St Kevin’s, who are still yet to record an official loss on the season.

ROUND 8 TIPS

ROUND 7 RESULTS

HOLMESGLEN U19 PREMIER MEN’S

Caulfield Grammarians:

GOALS: Old Scotch: T. Farrer 2, A. Sellers 2, E. Fox 1, K. Greville 1, T. Meggitt 1, M. Mayes 1, S. Hunter 1

GOALS: Caulfield Grammarians: j. fountain 3, Q. Cooper 3, W. Allen 2, A. Tamaressis 1, L. Turner 1

BEST: Old Scotch: T. Farrer, D. Swan, Z. Phillips, L. Macneil, W. Verge, M. Mayes

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians: Q. Cooper, H. Appel, W. Allen, E. Gibb, H. Dawson, O. Sail

De La Salle:

Old Brighton:

GOALS: De La Salle: J. Murray 4, P. Russell 2, M. Higginbotham 1, W. Hynes 1

GOALS: Old Brighton: B. McKenzie 6, l. robinson 4, O. Goodger 3, A. Langworthy 3, O. Di Crosta 1, T. Keyte 1, C. Dowe 1, J. Kilgour 1

BEST: De La Salle: J. Murray, S. Cross, E. Ganas, H. Sheedy, P. Russell, L. Mahimarajan

(58)

BEST: Old Brighton: C. Dowe, B. McKenzie, O. Howell, l. robinson, C. Richardson, R. Hamson

Blues:

GOALS: University Blues: G. Wicks 2, J. Robinson 2, W. Furphy 2, C. Summerfield 1, S. de Steiger 1, A. Hayden 1, S. Lucardie 1

(66)

GOALS: St Bedes/Mentone: O. Moodie 2, j. noorbergen 2, J. Pugsley 1, R. Wilson 1

BEST: University Blues: C. Summerfield, W. Vavallo, G. Walker, D. Bermingham, W. Furphy, W. Hawker

BEST: St Bedes/Mentone: K. Nadji, A. Duke, R. Fernando, L. Napier, C. Howe, J. Trumble

Xaverians:

(22) St Kevin’s:

GOALS: Old Xaverians: T. Hansen 1, A. Hewitt 1

(91)

GOALS: St Kevin’s: L. May 4, G. Saunders 3, T. Conlan 2, T. Fernandes 1, M. O’Mahony 1, B. Palmer 1, T. Bromhead 1

BEST: Old Xaverians: H. Lasscock, T. Trist, A. Hewitt, T. Hansen, N. Rogers, A. Rizzo

BEST: St Kevin’s: M. O’Mahony, T. Conlan, J. Kerr, M. Redenbach, B. Palmer, L. May

VAFA PODCASTS

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DIVISION 1 MEN’S

Raj Johnston

Close encounters highlight an epic weekend of Division 1

Round 7 produced nail-biters aplenty in Division 1 with an average winning margin of 14 points across the section.

The Monash Blues broke their drought with their first of the season, whilst Ormond continued their unbeaten run, sitting one game clear on top of the ladder.

Ormond have firmly established themselves as the team to beat, overcoming Oakleigh at home by 9-points in a high scoring affair.

Both sides have been damaging in front of goal this year with Oakleigh’s Luke Ashen and Ormond’s Samuel Bailey amongst this section’s leading goal-kickers, so it was no surprise that one team cracked the triple digits in this match and the other wasn’t far behind.

Ormond started on top with the opening four goals to send an early message that they will be hard to beat at home. The Krushers found two late goals to be trailing by just 12 points at quarter-time and carried this momentum into the second quarter to make the most of opportunities inside 50 and edged ahead to be leading by 6-points at half-time.

A thrilling start to the third quarter saw back and forth goals as both sides brought pressure and intensity to each contest. However, it was Ormond who got ahead in the final stages of the term with three consecutive goals to lead by a narrow 12-points at three quarter time.

The game was still up for grabs heading into the fourth quarter; enter Oakleigh’s Luke Ashen who found three back-to-back goals to put his side in front, however Ormond retaliated and defended well to score five of the last seven goals to get over the line and claim the four points. The final scoreboard reading 16.8 (104) to 13.17 (95) going the way of Ormond.

On a high-scoring day, Luke Ashen impressed with six goals for Oakleigh whilst Ormond’s Thomas Nicholls kicked five majors.

UHS-VU recorded their third win of season 2025 in a nailbiting 2-point victory over Therry Penola.

UHS-VU burst out of the blocks early with a dominant first quarter to lead by 24-points at quarter time, but Therry Penola responded swiftly with six goals to six different players in the second term to turn their deficit into a lead of 3-points at the main break.

Unfortunately for Therry Penola, they stagnated in the third term only managing two behinds as UHS-VU took full advantage of what could be deemed the ‘scoring end’ with four more goals - so at the end of the third quarter, those particular goal posts had thirteen of the seventeen goals kicked through them.

Ultimately, UHS-VU’s lead of 23-points at three quarter time proved to be enough as whilst Therry Penola managed three more goals in the final quarter, they fell agonisingly short by 2 points.

Brandon Jackson impressed with four goals for the victorious UHS side, whilst Jack Pelosi, Jack Viola and Nicholas Castaldi were amongst the best players for Therry Penola.

This game has massive ladder ramifications for Therry Penola who have dropped down to 9th after Monash’s first win, whilst UHS-VU are a game and percentage out of the four.

After the Preston Bullants lead for the majority of the day, a crushing final quarter by Old Peninsula saw them return home 34-point winners.

The Bullants virtually silenced the Pirates in the opening stages of this game with the first five goals going their way and by the time quarter-time arrived, they lead by 21-points. The Pirates clawed back some ground in the second quarter to be trailing by just 16-points at half-time, but both sides could’ve been further ahead if not for inaccuracy in front of goal.

Both sides kept each other accountable in a very even third quarter with ebbs and flows for both teams. The last quarter was shaping up to be intriguing with the game well and truly open for either side. The Bullants kicked the opening goal to give them some breathing room, but things quickly turned from there as the Pirates piled on the pain with the next eight consecutive goals to put this game to bed and comfortably claim victory.

Tom Hill starred up forward for Preston with three goals whilst George Fletcher, Max Kleverkamp and Jaycob Johnson were some of the key players for Old Peninsula.

After starting the season so well, Kew lost their second match in a 9-point defeat to a resurgent Brunswick side.

On their home deck at Gillon Oval, Brunswick started off in style with a strong forward display in the first quarter as Kew were let down by inaccuracy in front of goal. Brunswick

continued to surge in the second quarter, but the Bears weren’t far behind, trailing by 16-points at the main break.

To Kew’s credit, they didn’t give up and kept finding ways to stay involved in contests, but Brunswick were a step ahead of them in the third term to increase their lead to 29-points at three-quarter time.

A remarkable swing in momentum happened in the fourth quarter which saw Kew pounce on opportunities at centre and inside 50 to kick three goals and limit Brunswick to just two behinds, but it wasn’t enough as Brunswick were rewarded for their first three quarters and claimed the four points.

Thomas Wilson kicked four goals for the winning Brunswick, whilst Regan Smith, Ned Ward and Ned Waters each contributed two majors for Kew.

After winning their Round 1 match, Brunswick went on to lose their next three but have since won three on the trot and are deservedly placing themselves as a side to keep a watch on since being promoted from Division 2.

The Monash Blues recorded their first win of 2025 with a 14-point victory over Elsternwick are still searching for their first four points in Division 1.

After seven behinds started off proceedings in the first quarter, Monash improved that with two goals and banked a 15-point lead at quarter-time. Both sides were equal on the scoreboard in the second quarter as Elsternwick kept themselves within striking distance.

Monash began to break away in the third quarter with their goals coming in both the immediate and latter stages of this term. Elsternwick will be ruing missed opportunities in the fourth quarter as they kicked two goals and nine behinds which resulted in them falling 14-points short in a game they could’ve won.

Both King brothers, Charles and Mitchell, stood out for Monash, whilst despite the tough loss, Elsternwick had a number of players stand up for their team including Jack Kirkham, Paul Sanderson, and Daniel Marchese with two goals.

Round 8 sees UHS-VU (7th) hosting the Monash Blues (8th), Kew (3rd) hosting the undefeated Ormond (1st), the Preston Bullants (4th) taking on a red-hot Brunswick (5th) side, Oakleigh (6th) meeting with Therry Penola (9th), and Elsternwick (10th) playing the ever-reliable Old Peninsula (2nd).

ROUND 8 TIPS

UHS-VU v Monash Blues

Kew v Ormond

Preston Bullantsv Brunswick

Oakleighv Therry Penola

Elsternwick vOld Peninsula

ROUND 7 RESULTS

DIVISION 1 MEN’S

GOALS: Preston Bullants: T. Hill 3, A. Johnston 2, b. michaelides 2, J. Martorana 1, D. Calcedo 1, S. Mariani 1, D. Douglas 1, S. Logozzo 1

GOALS: Old Peninsula: B. Williamson 2, W. Crowder 2, B. Payze 2, T. Feldgen 2, J. Johnson 1, B. Dunne 1, N. Holland 1, L. Baczyk 1, K. Thiele 1, j. bravo 1, E. Evans-Brumby 1, M. Kleverkamp 1, G. Fletcher 1

BEST: Preston Bullants: D. Calcedo, T. Beck, T. Hill, D. Douglas, L. Green, b. michaelides

BEST: Old Peninsula: G. Fletcher, M. Kleverkamp, J. Johnson, T. Feldgen, J. Lovett, K. Thiele

Ormond:

Oakleigh:

(104)

(95)

GOALS: Ormond: T. Nicholls 5, L. Crnogorac 2, S. Bailey 2, J. Hille 2, B. Williams 1, J. Toouli 1, E. Konstanty 1, J. Mason 1, J. Simon 1

GOALS: Oakleigh: L. Ashen 6, R. Kitts 1, E. Black 1, T. Gillard 1, N. Clifton 1, L. Park 1

BEST: Ormond: A. Taylor, J. Hille, T. Nicholls, M. Oaten, J. Bridges, F. O’Toole

BEST: Oakleigh: P. Ioannidis, L. Ashen, L. Heverin, M. Morton, T. Gillard, N. Torpey

Elsternwick:

(68) Monash Blues:

GOALS: Elsternwick: D. Marchese 2, J. Yeatman 1, J. Kirkham 1, M. Harvey 1, R. Main 1, L. Thornton 1, H. Toogood 1

(82)

GOALS: Monash Blues: M. King 3, O. Armstrong 2, A. Headberry 2, F. Bennett 2, J. Baring 1, H. Frischke 1, F. Thompson 1

BEST: Elsternwick: J. Kirkham, P. Sanderson, j. wiley, D. Marchese, B. Pantas, R. Main

BEST: Monash Blues: J. Walker, F. Thompson, J. Baring, H. Frischke, M. King, O. Armstrong

GOALS: Brunswick: T. Wilson 4, O. Watt 3, J. Gale 2, R. Hogenbirk 1, L. Pearson 1, A. Jaycock 1

GOALS: Kew: N. Ward 2, N. Waters 2, R. Smith 2, L. Hazeldine 1, J. Seaton-NICHOL 1, F. Davis 1, J. Maccarrone 1

BEST: Brunswick: G. Banova, T. Wilson, M. Foti, W. Kempt, R. Hogenbirk, W. McKenzie

BEST: Kew: F. Davis, S. Thomson, M. Waters, L. Hazeldine, R. Smith, H. Brown

GOALS: Therry Penola: N. Castaldi 2, J. Egglestone 2, r. gauci 1, N. Turner 1, C. Kilbane 1, S. Callander 1, J. Viola 1, F. Harvey 1

GOALS: UHS-VU: B. Jackson 4, P. Brookes 2, N. Couper-Johnston 2, R. Harrington 1, F. Campbell 1

BEST: Therry Penola: J. Pelosi, J. Viola, N. Castaldi, S. Callander, C. Wrigglesworth, C. Kilbane

BEST: UHS-VU: F. Campbell, T. Cracknell, L. Starzer, B. Jackson, J. Hunt, j. fox

DIVISION 1 MEN’S RESERVES

Preston Bullants:

Old Peninsula:

GOALS: Preston Bullants: P. Taylor 3, o. Taylor 3, j. janezic 1, T. Hill 1, J. Kane 1, J. Beker 1

(67)

(44)

GOALS: Old Peninsula: T. Davis 1, B. Pulsford 1, Z. Evansbrumby 1, A. Hochegger 1, R. Gowans 1, J. Clark 1

BEST: Preston Bullants: o. Taylor, J. Wilkes, N. Douglas, R. Stevens, j. janezic, P. Taylor

BEST: Old Peninsula: T. De Haas, W. White, A. Hochegger, J. McLean, L. Gibbs, J. Taylor

Therry Penola: 1.0 1.4 1.4

GOALS: Therry Penola: L. Scutella 2, J. Ivers 1, S. Di Lizio 1

GOALS: UHS-VU: M. Mallia 2, R. Hajj 1, A. Ley 1, M. Couper-Johnston 1

BEST: Therry Penola: S. Di Lizio, S. Bye, S. Skapetis, J. Ivers, C. Lyons, J. Piccione

BEST: UHS-VU: J. Best, X. Ellingham, D. Baker, A. Ley, S. Bigwood, N. Cheyne

Elsternwick: 4.2

Monash Blues:

GOALS: Elsternwick: T. Ramsay 4, N. Zuker 3, N. Materia 2, Q. De Luca 2, J. Biviano 1, M. Quint 1

(85)

(79)

GOALS: Monash Blues: B. Fellows 4, Z. Watson 2, C. Gibb 2, H. Wrigglesworth 1, R. Lord 1

BEST: Elsternwick: A. Michael, S. Michael, T. Ramsay, B. Wallace, N. Zuker, Q. De Luca

BEST: Monash Blues: R. Lord, W. Kennedy, G. Hayden, Z. Watson, B. Fellows, F. Hymas Brunswick:

GOALS: Brunswick: D. Gilbert 3, D. Heenan 2, P. Scamporlino 2, D. Oswald 2, B. Daly 1

GOALS: Kew: G. Wood 1, B. Hosemans 1, R. Streader 1, T. Harbrow 1, F. Pike 1, G. Smart 1, J. Davis 1

BEST: Brunswick: C. Watts, D. Heenan, D. Oswald, B. Griffin, P. Scamporlino, A. Bevanda

BEST: Kew: B. Hosemans, G. Wood, D. Allen, J. Davis, B. Healey, A. Lawrence

Ormond:

GOALS: Ormond: T. Natsikas 2, L. Yaksich 2, K. Dompietro 1, H. Penhall 1, M. Horrigan 1, T. Isaacs 1

GOALS: Oakleigh: C. Grant 1

BEST: Ormond: A. Hatchuel, L. Beaves, N. Lane, M. Horrigan, H. Penhall, L. Walsh

BEST: Oakleigh: C. Pinney, J. Gorman, B. May, C. Mercuri, J. Dubois-conte, z. thiessens

(68)

(53)

(59)

(22)

DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S

Annie Ireland

All go down to the wire as Div 1 Women’s heats up

It was a footy lover’s dream on the weekend, with all five games of the Div 1 Women’s Comp decided by 11 points or less, with two of those coming down to a goal or less.

Therry Penola moved up to equal fourth, just behind the Rovers on percentage after a narrow one goal win over Richmond Central. The loss leaves Richmond with just one win for the season to date, now sitting in ninth on the ladder.

Tenille Moselen, Iso Rennie and Erin Eldon were best on for a much-improved Richmond team. Eliza German was once again impressive for Therry and continues to mount her case for a spot in team of the year, whilst Gemma Macgregor was also impressive. Ruby O’Halloran had a strong week and is another who pushes her case for a spot in team of the year.

Richmond will face a tough match up against Oakleigh on Saturday morning, whilst the Lions will also host top of the table Glen Eira as they hope to move further up the ladder.

Old Haileybury recorded their second win of the season, their first one since Round 3, defeating Power House by a narrow three points. It was a stirring victory, coming from behind the entire game, with a crucial last quarter goal seeing the Bloods snatch victory. They held Power House scoreless in the last quarter in what was a neversay-die team win.

Joanne Down starred for Power House, kicking four goals whilst Grace Read and Rebecca Foley also had a good day out. For Old Haileybury, Mia Zielinski was their best with two goals, whilst Serene Vudiniabola and Ella Gown were also strong.

Power House face a tough challenge in Round 8, playing the Monash Blues at Frearson Oval whilst Old Haileybury will hope to notch consecutive wins for the first time this season when they host Whitefriars.

Glen Eira/Old McKinnon continued their dominant run of form on the weekend to stay on top of the ladder, defeating Hampton Rovers by 11 points. It was a very even first half, and whilst the Rovers were scoreless at the quarter time break, they got their jets on in the second and went into the main break with a two-point advantage. It was a tough slog between the two teams in the second half, however the Gryphs’ three goals to the Rovers’ one made all the difference in the end.

Cecilia McIntosh was impressive with two goals for the Gryphs, along with Eleni Nicholls who recorded one goal. Polly Gemell was the best on ground for the day. Millie Smith was the best on for the Rovers, whilst Bryanna Arnold, Grace Bonanno and Madeline Pearson all had a goal apiece.

Next up, the Gryphons will travel to John Pascoe Reserve to take on Therry Penola, whilst the Rovers will play the winless Parkdale.

Monash Blues got back to their winning ways against Oakleigh, defeating them by nine points in a tough contest. This game was high stakes, with the winner to move to second on the ladder. It was a close first half, with both teams missing chances in front of goal as the Blues took a one-point lead into half time.

However, as they have done so many times this season, it was the Blues that came out swinging on the other side of half time. The Blues kicked 2.2 to see out the game and through strong defensive pressure held Oakleigh to just the one additional goal, with the final scoreboard reading 3.5 (23) to 2.2. (14).

Ainslee Elliott had two goals for the Blues and was a big contributor to their victory, with Tiarna Jericho and Alice McGinty. Ruby Ford continued her highly impressive season, being named amongst the best for the seventh consecutive week and is yet to have a round where she is not named. Ford has definitely mounted a strong case for a team of the year nomination.

ROUND 7 RESULTS

DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S

Monash Blues:

Oakleigh:

GOALS: Monash Blues: A. Elliott 2, T. Jericho 1

GOALS: Oakleigh: R. Ford 1, K. Sidopoulos 1

BEST: Monash Blues: T. Jericho, A. McGinty, T. Byrnes, R. Rosas, E. Conroy, S. Rose

BEST: Oakleigh: J. Bethune, R. Ford, S. Bernardo, L. Firth, E. Cashman, K. Sidopoulos

Glen Eira / Old McKinnon:

Hampton Rovers:

GOALS: Glen Eira / Old McKinnon: C. McIntosh 2, E. Nicholls 1, Z. Rossiter 1, R. Bureta 1

GOALS: Hampton Rovers: B. Arnold 1, M. Pearson 1, G. Bonanno 1

BEST: Glen Eira / Old McKinnon: P. Gemmell, E. Nicholls, C. McIntosh, R. Bureta, C. Georgiadis, G. Curran

(14)

Monash will host Power House on Saturday afternoon, whilst Oakleigh will play Richmond at Kevin Bartlett on Saturday morning.

Although the Parkdale Vultures are still searching for their first four points of 2025, they looked a much-improved side in Round 7, falling to Whitefriars by nine points. Scoring was pretty hard to come by in the first half, with both teams failing to register a score in the second quarter. Whitefriars had chances to put the game away in the third, with Parkdale kicking 1.1 to stay in it. However, it was the two quick goals from Whitefriars in the final term which saw them run out victorious: 30-21.

Andrea Belmonte and Annalise Vine were both impressive for Whitefriars, kicking two goals apiece. Captain Breanna Allen was strong for Parkdale, whilst Chloe Phillips and Breanon Di Giovambattista were also good.

The victory marked Whitefriars third win of the season, sitting behind Power House on the ladder on percentage alone. They will play Old Haileybury next weekend as they look to continue their climb up the ladder. It doesn’t get any easier for the Vultures, who will play the Rovers and will look to continue their improved form.

ROUND 8 TIPS

Richmond Central v Oakleigh

Therry Penola v Glen Eira

Old Haileybury v Whitefriars

Parkdale v Hampton

Monash Bluesv Power house

(23)

BEST: Hampton Rovers: M. Smith, T. Annear, S. Raywood, H. Brodribb, G. Bracken, S. Ockerby

Richmond Central:

Therry Penola:

GOALS: Richmond Central: E. Eldon 1, M. Bergamin 1, J. Toms-Wedge 1

GOALS: Therry Penola: R. O’Halloran 1, E. German 1, M. Halton 1, R. Vaina 1

3-4-22

4-4-28

BEST: Richmond Central: T. Moselen, i. Rennie, E. Eldon, J. Toms-Wedge, L. Quinton, L. Allen

BEST: Therry Penola: G. Macgregor, E. German, R. O’Halloran, M. Colussa, B. Kennedy, M. Halton

GOALS: Power House: J. Down 4, G. McHolmes 1

GOALS: Old Haileybury: J. Bettess 2, M. Zielinski 2, K. Langford-Jones 1, S. Vudiniabola 1

BEST: Power House: G. Read, R. Foley, A. Jones, J. Down, L. McCombs, O. Reynolds

BEST: Old Haileybury: M. Zielinski, S. Vudiniabola, E. Gown, S. Phillips, Z. Clavarino, G. Vanderwaal

GOALS: Whitefriars: A. Vine 2, A. Belmonte 2

GOALS: Parkdale Vultures:

BEST: Whitefriars: A. Belmonte, A. Vine, R. Smith, B. Whitehead, L. Mimmo, S. Smith

BEST: Parkdale Vultures: C. Phillips, B. Di-Giovambattista, B. Allen,

E. Wilson, G. Collinson, S. McLennan

DIVISION 2 MEN’S

Lincoln Tracy

Access

Aquinas snap nine-game losing streak

All 10 teams in the Division 2 Men’s competition have now chalked up at least one win in season 2025.

After six consecutive defeats with an average losing margin of just under 90 points, Aquinas registered their first win of the year with a 12-point victory over Canterbury

The Bloods kicked the opening four goals of the match to jump out to a 17-point lead at quarter time before the Cobras turned the tables on the home side, kicking six goals to none in the second to lead by 20 points at the main break.

Aquinas responded strongly after half time with three of the first four goals for the term and took a one-point lead into the final change. The two teams traded goals to start the fourth quarter, but the Bloods ultimately proved too strong on their way to their first home victory in nearly 300 days.

Bloods coach Craig Glennie was pleased with the effort, particularly late when the game was on the line.

“Once we got a bit of a sniff, the amount of guys that stood up and lifted across the whole group [was amazing]. It was a fantastic last quarter. We were very physical with our tackling, then opened them up the other way with our leg speed. It was really satisfying.”

Whitefriars bounced back from last week’s big loss on the road with a 70-point home win over Hawthorn

The Friars led from start to finish as Noah Sealey, Tim Angus, and James Perrin combined for 14 of the sides’ 21 goals on the day. But their defence also held steady, allowing the Hawks to kick back-to-back goals just once all game.

Friars coach Lucas Matthews felt it was probably the most complete performance from his side to date in 2025, and was pleased with the pressure the Friars were able to put on their opponents. However, Matthews identified there was still room for improvement.

“We’re still not switching the ball enough, we’re still very much going up and down the line too often… [and] we’ve still got to work on our transition game,” he said.

Hawks coach Mark Murray said that his young side had struggled to perform consistently throughout matches this season, but was hopeful that the team would regain some more experienced players either side of the mid-season bye.

Old Yarra Cobras remain undefeated at home this season after seeing off a spirited MHSOB side to win by 15 points.

The Unicorns got the jump on the ladder-leading Cobras early with a five goal to two first quarter, before the home side found some momentum after quarter time with six unanswered goals to turn a 17-point deficit into a 19-point lead at half time.

The arm wrestle continued in the second half as MHSOB went on their own scoring run, kicking 5.1 to 0.2 to start the third quarter before Jack Hall got one back for Old Yarra. The visitors took a three-point lead into three quarter time and kicked the first of the final term, but then David Tokatliyan took over for the Cobras, kicking four unanswered goals to keep his side undefeated in 2025.

Cobras coach Nathan Monaco said a seven- to eightgoal breeze at one end of the ground contributed to the momentum swings throughout the match.

“[We focused on] adapting in transition and making sure that when we were setting up, we needed to be 15 or 20 metres back further than where we usually would… I think we adjusted better than what they did. [But] it was a really good game of footy, and both teams had a crack.”

St Mary’s Salesian handed West Brunswick their second defeat in as many weeks as the Saints ran out 31-point winners on the back of a season-high five goals to Hamish Macmillan.

A tight first half saw the Magpies hold a one-point lead going into half time, with Saints coach Clay Tait describing the opening two quarters as “a very hotly contested and fast-moving game”.

“Pretty much whoever won the contest went down and kicked a goal, there weren’t a lot of stoppages,” Tait said.

But the Saints came out of the sheds with an aim to dictate the pace of the game in the second half, an approach they executed incredibly well. An eight goal to two quarter saw St Mary’s turn the smallest of deficits into a 38-point lead at the final change.

“We weren’t fully in control, but were able ton take their pace off the ball where we could create turnovers higher up the ground and then put pace on the ball,” the Saints’ coach reflected.

The Saints kicked the first two of the last to stretch the lead beyond 50 points, before West Brunswick pulled three goals back to make the margin slightly more flattering.

Magpies coach Regan Tait conceded his side struggled to stop St Mary’s momentum once they got on a roll.

“We did not respond quick enough, and then all of a sudden they’ve kicked a few goals and we’re chasing our tails… once they get that big run on, it’s hard to catch up,” he said.

South Melbourne Districts continued their climb up the ladder with their third win on the bounce, defeating St John’s by 52 points at the Lindsay Hasset Oval.

The Bloods had 11 scoring shots to two in the first quarter but only led by 19 points at the first break courtesy of poor finishing. However, South Melbourne didn’t let the early stumbles get to them, kicking seven of the next nine goals across quarters two and three to lead by 30 at the half and 53 at three quarter time.

South Melbourne coach Nick Abbott: “Belief is growing, which is exciting for this relatively new squad.”

JOC’s coach Tim Edwards said South Melbourne handled the windy conditions better, outplaying his side in all areas of the game.

Round 8 action sees the Friars welcome MHSOB to Whitefriars College, while Canterbury faces off against St John’s and Hawthorn play West Brunswick – with all four sides looking to get back on the winner’s list. Old Yarra travels to Ferndale Park to play St Mary’s in a top of the table clash, and Aquinas will look to back up their breakthrough victory from Round 7 against South Melbourne.

ROUND 8 TIPS

Whitefriarsv MHSOB

Canterbury v St John’s

Hawthorn v West Brunswick

St Mary’s Salesian v Old Yarra Cobras

Aquinas vSouth Melb Districts

ROUND 7 RESULTS

DIVISION 2 MEN’S

GOALS: Aquinas: D. Malvaso 7, S. Glennie 3, J. Reid 1, J.

1, G. Box 1, S. Cosham 1, C. Pedretti 1

Canterbury: J. Boarotto 4, R. Di Roberto 2, J. Smith 2, J. Collins 1, P. Robertson 1, C. Deacon 1, O. Millward 1, r. walmsley 1

BEST: Aquinas: D. Malvaso, H. Flack, S. Glennie, G. Box, J. Costello, J. Clinton

Canterbury: J. Boarotto, M. Topp, S. Gotch, R. Di Roberto, J. Collins, N. Beacom

Whitefriars:

Hawthorn:

GOALS: Whitefriars: N. Sealey 6, J. Perrin 4, T. Angus 4, M. Nitas 3, M. Holland 1, J. Sacco 1, N. Hee 1, J. Berry 1

Hawthorn: J. Kenny 3, E. McLaren 2, B. Whitfort 1, E. Avery 1, S. Poole 1, C. Fraser 1, S. Dicintio 1

BEST: Whitefriars: F. Ward, T. Angus, M. Holland, B. Galtieri, . , C. Hayes

Hawthorn: B. Whitfort, B. Hannam, B. O’Leary, T. Matheson, J. Kenny, W. Fleming

South Melbourne:

St John’s:

GOALS: South Melbourne: B. Bajram 3, H. Twigg 3, Z. Smith 2, C. Brugeaud 1, J. Tims 1, Z. Howson 1, V. Armenia 1, A. Dinler 1

(93)

(41)

St John’s: J. Mourant 3, H. Emery 1, B. Ash 1, M. Ashman 1

BEST: South Melbourne: V. Armenia, E. Dixon, A. Dinler, B. Bajram, Z. Smith, C. Jacoby

St John’s: K. Khodr, M. Ashman, B. Ash, J. Day, B. Ayache, d. cattolico

Old Yarra Cobras:

GOALS: Old Yarra Cobras: J. Hall 6, D. Tokatliyan 5, J. King 1, A. Raso 1, N. Zappala 1

MHSOB: W. Hellier 2, A. Mourtikas 2, M. Pereira 2, Y. Gunawardena 1, T. Golz 1, C. Witt 1, N. McKinnon 1, B. Field-Pimm 1, J. Lees 1

BEST: Old Yarra Cobras: J. Hall, R. Chipman, D. Tokatliyan, C. Johnston, E. Hanrahan, S. Hooper

MHSOB: N. McKinnon, B. Swenson, A. Clarke, S. LESTER, B. Field-Pimm, W. Hellier

St Mary’s Salesian:

(119) West Brunswick: 3.2

13.10 (88)

GOALS: St Mary’s Salesian: H. Macmillan 5, J. Contencin 4, J. McElroy 2, H. Ryan 2, L. Moulday 1, C. Tait 1, N. Dekas 1, M. Baysinger 1, M. Rao 1

West Brunswick: B. Irving 2, T. Christakis 2, T. Laity 2, B. Ablett 2, T. Cottrell 1, H. Fithall 1, J. Cross 1, B. Ward 1, I. Rossi 1

BEST: St Mary’s Salesian: J. Contencin, J. Salloum, L. Moulday, N. Evans, L. McKay, H. Ryan West Brunswick: N. Schade, B. Ablett, A. Mackenzie, C. Ralph, T. Laity, J. Hyslop

DIVISION 2 MEN’S RESERVES

Old Yarra Cobras:

GOALS: Old Yarra Cobras: C. Robinson 2, W. Ponsford 1, S. Brown 1

MHSOB: B. Gunn 3, J. Lake 3, N. Anaan 2, N. Campbell 2, M. Fennessy-Kent 2, A. Stikoltzik 1, R. Rae 1, L. Stone 1

BEST: Old Yarra Cobras: E. Fleming, C. Robinson, S. Brown, D. Esdaile, J. Allsop, W. Elsworth

MHSOB: B. Gunn, O. Sargeant, G. Beet, A. Nair, R. Rae, M. McLean

GOALS: Aquinas: A. Cochrane 3, B. Lawrence 2, A. Kinghorn 2, H. Judge 1, B. Gommers 1, T. Kinghorn 1

Canterbury: S. Woodward 4, J. Cutts 4, J. Pisani 2

BEST: Aquinas: A. Cochrane, D. Knox, M. Allwood, S. Dignam, J. Miles, I. Campbell

Canterbury: J. Cutts, O. Treloar, S. Woodward, C. Newport, J. Pisani, C. Fall-Jablonka

St Mary’s Salesian:

(33) West Brunswick:

GOALS: St Mary’s Salesian: L. Spinazzola 1, R. Arians 1, J. Reeve 1, M. Herbert-Morgan 1

(77)

West Brunswick: S. Pritchard 2, M. Hofstein 2, P. Sawaya 2, C. Naldrett 2, R. Wandel 1, R. Jansen 1

BEST: St Mary’s Salesian: L. Turnbull, M. Herbert-Morgan, M. Douglas, P. Flynn, L. Turner, N. Hinder

West Brunswick: G. Makabory, C. Naldrett, S. Pritchard, P. Sawaya, J. Parini, A. Tilley

South Melbourne:

St John’s:

GOALS: South Melbourne: C. Clancy 3, H. Watson-Hann 2, J. Bradley 2, D. Carston 2, M. Bambino 1, J. Brown 1, N. Wilson 1, S. Weidenhofer 1, C. Geason 1

(101)

(42)

St John’s: K. Seing 1, K. Newland 1, D. Clark 1, J. Rudd 1, t. tomich 1, J. Coutts 1

BEST: South Melbourne: C. Clancy, D. Carston, J. Bradley, H. Watson-Hann, J. Doyle, O. Edwards

St John’s: W. Taylor, D. Clark, J. Rudd, J. Proctor, S. Gaitely, k. haynes

Whitefriars: 3.2 9.6

(96) Hawthorn:

5.6 (36)

GOALS: Whitefriars: L. Stanborough 5, C. Spencer 3, K. Perrin 2, N. Geilman 2, L. Garlick 1, C. Skien 1

Hawthorn: M. Zavarella 2, C. Goldstraw 1, E. Tran 1, B. Lewis 1

BEST: Whitefriars: D. Massarotti, V. Midolo, M. Willoughby, C. Spencer, L. Stanborough, M. Scutella

Hawthorn: P. Lehman, B. Lewis, B. Stefani, C. Hicks, B. McKenzie, A. Iser

DIVISION 2 WOMEN’S

Lachie Moir

Old Carey storm into to top spot

Old Carey recorded a dominant away win at Beaumaris Secondary College to claim top spot from De La Salle, who suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Hawthorn who delivered the upset of the round.

Old Carey was commanding as they stormed to a 27-point victory against MCC. Leading at every break, Old Carey never looked like they were going to lose, with inform forward Amy McCormack booting four goals.

Fantastic performances from Kellie McLeod and Lisa Walshe also helped steer Old Carey to a great win away from home. Meanwhile, Nikita Rogers starred as the leading goal scorer for MCC for the morning and was aptly named best afield.

The Panthers have been prominent scorers so far this season, often recording more than 40 points in the majority of their games. Their only loss so far this season came against ladder-rivals De La Salle in Round 2. They will be looking to turn the tables on them next week, as they travel to Waverley Oval to face them.

It was a scrappy affair, says La Trobe University coach Samantha Greene, after her team narrowly held on to beat Aquinas. With La Trobe kicking all their goals in the first term, they did well to hang in there and grind out a win.

Greene was happy with her side’s efforts, considering they were depleted and only had one player on the bench after halftime. “It was a great test of our depth, a good chance for players to step up and also explore a few magnets changes we hadn’t tried,” Greene said.

Molly Licciardi kicked a goal for Aquinas late on in the third term to keep them within touching distance, but it just wasn’t to be for Aquinas in the end, who couldn’t quite get there. Natasha Derksen and Asher De Klijn impressed in a tough contest for the Bloods.

Handy result overall for La Trobe, who now head into a double bye, keen to gear themselves up for the next part of the season.

UHS-VU rallied in the second half to record a thirtynine-point win over Box Hill North at Brens Oval. Coach Alex Henry felt as if his side were the better team in the first half but were just unable to put the goals on the board due to a great display of defence from Box Hill North.

However, the game opened up for them in the second half, booting six goals and grinding their opposition into the ground. “I was particularly impressed with our stoppage work, where we were dominant the whole day”, said Henry.

Emma Boeck and Holli Brindle combined for four goals, with fellow teammates Hannah Greaves and Phoebe Skeels also booting a goal each. Having not dropped a game since Round 1, Box Hill North was searching for five wins on the bounce. They will be looking to return to the winner’s circle in two weeks’ time, as they miss action in Round 8 with a bye.

Hawthorn took a major scalp at home, beating undefeated De La Salle by seven points. Inaccurate goal kicking severely hampered De La Salle, with threegoals-ten not enough to ascend any form of scoreboard pressure.

Credit to Hawthorn, who were able to capitalise on their chances and break De La’s undefeated streak. Rachel Tan kicked two goals for the Hawks and put in an inspirational performance. After coming into the division three weeks ago following the regrading period, Hawthorn is finding their stride and starting to put together a handy record, winning two of their first three games in their new competition.

ROUND 7 RESULTS

DIVISION 2 WOMEN’S

Carey:

GOALS: MCC: N. Rogers 2, A. Harris 1, E. Robertson 1

GOALS: Old Carey: A. McCormack 4, K. McLeod 1, L. Walshe 1, A. Forrest 1

BEST: MCC: N. Rogers, A. Harris, E. Robertson, S. Gribble, I. Jeffrey, L. Scally-Leprevost

BEST: Old Carey: K. McLeod, L. Walshe, L. Kelvie, A. Forrest, P. Spillman, C. Grisinski

GOALS: Hawthorn: R. Tan 2, E. Johnson 1, L. Hutchinson 1, T. Bodin 1

GOALS: De La Salle: E. Jones 2, S. Walker 1

BEST: Hawthorn: R. Tan, C. Miller, P. Miller, E. Johnson, M. Mathias, J. Norton

BEST: De La Salle: A. Ten Harkel, J. Luth, G. Martin, S. Walker, M. Bamert, E. Jones

De La Salle definitely loses no admirers following another gallant performance. They will rest and regroup, preparing for a first vs second clash against Old Carey next weekend.

Parkside was able to get back on the winners list as they downed Brunswick by 42 points. Martina Zeevaarder was instrumental for the home side, kicking four goals and setting her side up for a stunning victory.

Parkside definitely reaped the benefits of Zeevaarder’s performance, kicking their biggest score of the season. Scoring has certainly not been a problem for the Devils this season, often notching up large totals and having multiple goal kickers.

It was a win Parkside needed in the end, with the Devils still sitting two games off the top four.

Round 8 shapes up to be another outstanding round of footy, with a top-of-the-table clash upon us between De La Salle and Old Carey. Inform Hawthorn also takes on big winners Parkside in a twilight matchup that is shaping up to be exciting football. Elsewhere, UHS-VU are taking on Coburg at home, while Aquinas come up against MCC at JW Manson Reserve. Box Hill North sit this one out with the BYE.

GOALS: Aquinas: H. Kenna 1, M. Licciardi 1

GOALS: La Trobe University: S. Tucker 1, C. Wilson 1

BEST: Aquinas: N. Derksen, A. De Klijn, E. Box, M. Edwards, A. Broderick, M. Licciardi

BEST: La Trobe University: J. Lowry, S. Castagnini, M. D’Angelo, C. Croome, K. Ritchie, C. Wilson

UHS-VU:

GOALS: UHS-VU: E. Boeck 2, H. Brindle 2, H. Greaves 1, P. Skeels 1

GOALS: Box Hill North: L. Griffiths 1

BEST: UHS-VU: A. Gilchrist, E. Murray-White, A. Menard, H. Brindle, A. Edwards, S. Singh

BEST: Box Hill North: O. Lawrie, G. Krienke, N. Halford, G. McLaughlin, S. Pikos, M. Toscano

GOALS: Parkside: M. Zeevaarder 4, M. Welsh 1, K. Dyer 1, G. Wood 1, A. Hamilton 1, S. Bolt 1

GOALS: Brunswick: S. Elstub 1, A. Snowdon 1, E. Goode 1

BEST: Parkside:

BEST: Brunswick: E. Collins, E. Mactaggart, K. Pearce, R. Poata, A. Snowdon

ROUND 8 TIPS

De La Sallev Old Carey

UHS-VUv Coburg

Aquinasv MCC

Hawthorn v Parkside

DIVISION 3 MEN’S

Nick Quinlan

Synners storm home: Chadstone overcomes 30-point deficit for first win of 2025

From a top of the table showdown between the undefeated, to a scoring shootout of the winless vying for their first four points, Round 7 in the Division 3 Men’s competition had a little bit of everything.

Power House prevailed in the clash of the undefeated having beaten Wattle Park by 28 points on their home deck to keep their winning streak intact.

Power House were off to a strong start as they managed to lead by 20 points by quarter time.

From there, they were able to keep Wattle Park at arm’s length with the margin hovering between four to seven goals throughout the match. This was despite the Animals getting within three goals towards the end of the second quarter.

Power House coach Nick Cox was impressed by his team’s physicality around the ball and move it to the outside.

Despite Wattle Park suffering their first loss for the season, they are nowhere near panic stations.

Once again, coach Glenn Hopkins is confident in the Animals’ game plan and that it is good enough to beat the best sides in the competition.

Chadstone achieved their first win for 2025 as they fended off Eley Park by 29 points in a high scoring affair

At the start of the game, it did not look like it would be the Synners’ day, facing an uphill battle and a 30-point deficit at quarter time.

This would lead coach Ian Ledder to give a stern talk to his players at the first break to reinforce their game plan and get them to chain up possessions.

For a coach who does not yell, Ledder’s message was loud and clear to his players and seemed to do the trick. Chadstone would make the match competitive as Eley Park’s lead would be reduced to nine points at half-time.

It wouldn’t be until the fourth quarter that Chadstone secured the result as they scored 46 points to the Sharks’ seven points in a dominant display.

This win should hold the Synners in good stead for the season and provide more confidence in their playing ability.

While the Sharks would be disappointed to lose, they were admirable in defeat and showed promise, particularly in that first quarter.

Albert Park has made it three wins in their last four games with Box Hill North becoming their latest scalp as they move up the ladder.

In their first home game at Bob Woodfull Oval this season, the Falcons beat the Demons by 22 points with the game becoming a shootout.

As a result, this would see Albert Park score above 100 points for the first time this season.

Player-coach of the Falcons, Jack Amies noted the potency of his forward line saying that they looked far more settled compared to previous games. This would be evident with the likes of Will Zaghis and Jack Lee kicking five and four goals respectively.

The result would mean a lot to the Falcons considering the unfortunate passing of club legend and the all-time games record holder at Albert Park Bill Jackson who will be greatly missed.

Despite the loss, the Demons showed that they too can kick a high score which had often been an issue this season. In their previous losses for 2025, they had only averaged 60 points per game.

Richmond Central registered a 64-point defeat over Swinburne University and now have a two-game buffer on 5th-placed Box Hill North.

The Snakes put on a strong four-quarter performance to get this result which included keeping the Razorbacks scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Coach Michael Motta was most pleased by the team’s defensive efforts. In fact, he believed that was as well as they had defended this season.

But as usual, their focus remains on being able to replicate these performances against their top four opponents.

For Swinburne coach Johnny Andrinopoulos, it was a case of the Razorbacks needing to be more clinical with their inside 50 entries and being better at defending the ball and getting out of the contest.

North Brunswick continued their winning ways with a 13-point victory over La Trobe University ; their fifth win in a row as they now sit in second place.

Having scored 100+ points in their last three games, the Bulls had to adjust their game plan as despite scoring 4.7.31 in the first quarter, they would only manage to score another 24 points across the remaining three quarters.

But their experience and quality would shine through despite the nervy finish which saw North Brunswick concede 13 of the last 15 scoring shots.

ROUND 7 RESULTS

DIVISION 3 MEN’S

Albert Park:

Box Hill North:

(119)

(97)

GOALS: Albert Park: W. Zaghis 5, J. Lee 4, D. Donaldson 3, T. Wilson 2, T. Moore 1, E. Aridis 1, L. Parker 1, J. Amies 1

Box Hill North: B. Williams 4, W. Schmidt 2, C. Christopoulos 2, A. Ceh 2, J. Alderson 2, M. Newman 1, L. Stevens 1

BEST: Albert Park: D. Donaldson, J. Amies, H. Miller, W. Zaghis, H. Fyfe

Box Hill North: R. Keane, C. Christopoulos, L. Stevens, A. Ceh, M. Newman, B. Williams

North Brunswick:

La Trobe University:

GOALS: North Brunswick: A. Ramzy 2, C. Lee 1, D. Burns 1, M. Iannuzzi 1, J. Ombiga 1, N. Trewhella 1

(55)

(42)

This sentiment would be echoed by Bulls’ coach Domenic Fontana saying, “Every team in the comp has an ugly win through the first seven rounds. This was ours. Not pretty, but we got it done.”

For the Trobers, a 2.8 final quarter leaves them wondering what could have been had they been slightly more accurate. Especially considering that they held the Bulls to just one point during that quarter.

But speaking post-game, La Trobe coach Andy Castles was pleased with the way in which his back six defended for the entire match which kept North Brunswick to their lowest score this season.

If they can replicate this sort of performance for the remainder of the season, they’ll prove to be a more competitive outfit.

With the mid-season bye on the horizon, all ten teams will be hoping that they can get another win on the board to enjoy the King’s Birthday long weekend that little bit more.

For the second week in a row, there will be a battle between 1st and 2nd place. Ladder leaders Power House will travel to Allard Park to play North Brunswick with the Bulls hoping to halt Power House’s continued breakaway from the remaining nine teams in the competition.

La Trobe and Swinburne are hoping to find their third win for the season this week when they face one another at Tony Sheehan Oval.

Having both come off losses last week, Box Hill North and Wattle Park will be determined to avoid making two losses in a row when they clash at Elgar Park.

Richmond Central comes up against Eley Park at home to cement their spot in the top four.

And with a win on the board, Chadstone is hoping to double their win total when they play host to Albert Park to finish up Round 8.

ROUND 8 TIPS

Box Hill North v Wattle Park

Chadstone v Albert Park

Richmond Centralv Eley Park

La Trobev Swinburne

North Brunswick vPower House

La Trobe University: T. Hillman 1, J. Randall 1, T. Spiteri 1, H. O’Callaghan 1, M. Collins 1

BEST: North Brunswick: Z. Dicianni, A. Tsardakis, L. Russell, D. Marcantonio, N. Trewhella, S. Zahra

La Trobe University: J. Miller, H. O’Callaghan, J. Randall, T. Hillman, L. Vaughan, C. McCredden

Power House:

Wattle Park:

GOALS: Power House: H. Officer 5, M. Timmons 4, B. Circosta 2, C. Doherty 1, B. Carr 1, R. Dyer 1

(92)

(64)

Wattle Park: T. Ferguson 2, N. Bird 1, H. Yaxley 1, M. Lamb 1, J. Rippon 1, H. Davis 1, K. Mair 1, W. McDonell 1

BEST: Power House: K. Mangan, H. Officer, C. Officer, S. Scotland, B. Circosta, R. Dyer

Wattle Park: H. Davis, N. Bird, T. Major, M. Lamb, M. Hill, S. Howard Richmond Central: 5.6

Swinburne University:

GOALS: Richmond Central: J. Bilson 5, M. Gleeson 4, B. Foster 3, J. HIGGINS 1, T. Tulett 1

(97)

Swinburne University: T. Roberts 2, N. ferguson 2, B. Murphy 1

BEST: Richmond Central: J. Bilson, Z. Southern, T. Tulett, M. Gleeson, N. Poole, A. Adams

Swinburne University: B. Field, O. Mitchell, H. Walsh, N. ferguson, R. Boyd, L. Brunton

Eley Park:

GOALS: Eley Park: T. Johnston 4, Z. Hayes 2, B. Field 2, B. Bowyer 1, J. Kennedy 1, G. Fowler 1, T. Draffin 1, D. Wood 1

Chadstone: A. Brown 5, J. Peacock 2, Z. Talbot 2, B. Leong 2, E. Robbins 2, L. Schoemaker 1, H. Millaras 1, I. Guiney-White 1

BEST: Eley Park: A. Williams, I. Leung, J. Kennedy, Z. Hayes, B. Field, A. Penkethman

Chadstone: J. Schelling, A. Letzing, B. Leong, D. Marquison, H. Millaras, A. Brown

DIVISION 3 MEN’S RESERVES

Richmond Central:

Swinburne University:

GOALS: Richmond Central: J. Dillon 5, M. Motta 5, S. Bugeja 2, T. Waite 2, D. Pratt 1, B. Young 1, R. Lemke 1, S. Hartmann 1, J. Guest 1, J. Thomas 1

Swinburne University:

BEST: Richmond Central: S. Bugeja, D. Dignam, J. Guest, R. Lemke, T. Waite, J. Thomas

Swinburne University: N. Scordalides, C. O’Bree, A. Baker, R. Brice, S. Cameron, E. Twyford

Albert Park:

Box Hill North:

GOALS: Albert Park: T. Wills 4, l. hutchins 4, C. McClure 2, Z. Freeman 2, K. MCKAY 1, J. Lehmann 1, B. Aggiss 1

(99)

(52)

Box Hill North: r. ball 2, C. Liston 2, J. Chirgwin 1, T. Shaw 1, J. Williams 1, A. Mafrici 1

BEST: Albert Park: l. hutchins, M. Bullard, T. Antonie, K. MCKAY, J. Mackay, B. Aggiss

Box Hill North: J. Chirgwin, B. Cameron, J. Williams, T. Shaw, C. Liston, A. Mafrici

Eley Park:

Chadstone:

(103)

(49)

GOALS: Eley Park: J. Lamb 4, M. Buchanan 3, M. Contessotto 1, X. Bacash 1, S. Bakker 1, A. Davies 1, Z. Arbab 1, j. beck 1, J. Newton 1

Chadstone: B. Loughnan 1, Q. Letzing 1, F. Minu Rojas 1, S. Smith 1, W. Scott Mackereth 1, A. Moody 1

BEST: Eley Park: M. Alford, C. Roberts, M. Buchanan, J. Lamb, S. Bakker, A. Davies

Chadstone: B. Dennison, J. King, A. Smith, S. Smith, J. Veal, W. Mendes

North Brunswick:

(40) La Trobe University:

GOALS: North Brunswick: K. Yamasaki 1, A. Abou-Eid 1, L. Brouwer 1, A. Zahra 1

La Trobe University: J. Horder 5, A. Bennett 4, M. Wallace 2, R. Cottee 2, I. Fan 1

BEST: North Brunswick: A. Abou-Eid, M. Ambrose, K. Yamasaki, L. Sproul, P. FRENCH, O. Chitale

La Trobe University: N. Uren, R. Cottee, J. Horder, C. Marcroft, N. Simons, M. Wallace

Power House:

Power House: J. Robinson 3, B. Taylor 3, H. Morgan 3, D. Nannery 2, T. DentonGillespie 2, T. Sly

(93)

1, D. Sexton 1, S. Madsen 1, T. Stack 1

Wattle Park: M. Price 1, J. Adams 1, J. Greaves 1

BEST: Power House: S. Crowley, T. Sly, J. Robinson, S. Sheldrick, Z. Westbrook, H. Morgan

Wattle Park: M. Price, G. Hansen, L. Hicks, A. Smith, J. Adams, J. Webb

DIVISION 3 WOMEN’S

Elly Kirlis

Ormond continue to surge in top spot, but top five race is wide open

Ormond recorded a comprehensive win on the road at Elsternwick Park to maintain top spot, whilst Elsternwick continue searching for their first win of the season in Division 3 Women’s.

Ormond started the match strongly, kicking two firstquarter goals. Their scoreboard dominance continued in the second term, with a further three goals added to extend the margin to 37 points at the main break.

Ormond were efficient with their ball movement, applying the pressure in the defensive 50 and not allowing any easy options for Elsternwick, although the Wickers looked to put in their best efforts possible.

Whilst Ormond kicked three goals in the third quarter, Elsternwick should be credited for their last quarter efforts and strong finish, keeping Ormond goalless whilst booting a major of their own to finish the match strong.

Indiana Harrison had a fantastic game keeping up her brilliant form, booting three goals for the game.

St Mary’s Salesian continued their surge towards the top two, beating fellow top four contenders Mazenod by 67 points away from home at Central Reserve.

Brianna Burt was on song for St Mary’s, kicking five goals and setting the tone for a statement victory. St Mary’s benefited from Burt’s performance, registering their third best score of the season.

Inaccuracy proved a difference, kicking 9.15, in what could have been an opportunity to boost their percentage more as they surge for a top two finish on the ladder. Skye Bakic was best on for the Saints.

Albert Park extended their winning streak to three on the trot, beating a resilient Prahran side by 16 points at Bill Woodful Oval.

Credit to Prahran, who were competitive in the first half and challenged Albert Park finding any easy access in the forward 50.

Inaccurate goal kicking hampered Albert Park in the last quarter, with three-goals to 11, having opportunities to extend the margin. All in all a competitive match that sees Albert Park stand alone on 4-wins 3-losses in the middle of the table as we approach the half way mark of the season.

North Brunswick is another side that has found some recent form, winning 3 of their past 4 matches after a lackluster 0-3 start to the season. They have found some momentum in the competition and are most certainly not looking to slow down as they ascend the Div 3 ladder, with their match up against Wattle Park their most recent victory.

It was a nail-biting first quarter, with Ruby- Rose Gibson-Haywood hitting the scoreboard with an early margin, helping her side taking a four-point advantage at quarter time (6-2).

The second term opened up the scoring for North Brunswick, booting three goals for the quarter. A 4.1 quarter put the home side in control of the contest, with Chloe Hoskinson and Ruby- Rose GibsonHaywood going to work and playing key roles.

The match between Old Camberwell and the South Melbourne Districts unfortunately resulted in a forfeit, with Old Camberwell taking the points.

ROUND 7 RESULTS

DIVISION 3 WOMEN’S

St Mary’s Salesian:

GOALS: Mazenod:

GOALS: St Mary’s Salesian: B. Burt 5, H. Wilson 2, E. Wedrien 1, S. Bakic 1

BEST: Mazenod:

BEST: St Mary’s Salesian: S. Bakic, E. Wallace, B. Burt, H. Wilson, S. Kaur, E. Wedrien

Old Camberwell:

South Melbourne:

GOALS: Old Camberwell:

GOALS: South Melbourne: BEST: Old Camberwell: BEST: South Melbourne:

Round 8 promises to be another fantastic round of must watch action around the grounds. With both sides on the up and finding themselves in a bout of form, Albert Park and North Brunswick face off in a mouthwatering fifth v sixth matchup.

Elsewhere, Elsternwick take on Old Camberwell at home, and South Melbourne take on St Mary’s. Wattle Park host Mazenod and Ormond look to continue their undefeated streak when they come up against Prahran.

Elsternwick:

GOALS: Elsternwick: L. Leary 1

GOALS: Ormond: I. Harrison 3, C. Fisher 1, I. Di Lecce 1, H. Foran 1, E. Harel 1, T. Engelander 1

BEST: Elsternwick: J. Berto, M. Riddle, B. Lane, A. McBennett, E. Horsfall, C. Doherty

BEST: Ormond: H. Foran, I. Di Lecce, I. Harrison, C. Gaze-Persson, M. Di Lecce, P. Southwick

Park:

GOALS: North Brunswick: C. Hoskinson 2, R. Gibson-Haywood 2, C. Butcher 1

GOALS: Wattle Park:

BEST: North Brunswick: M. Ntalianis, S. Ulcoq, D. Adams, M. Bentley, R. Gibson-Haywood, I. Szumer

BEST: Wattle Park:

GOALS: Albert Park: E. Sullivan 1, A. Wilson 1, E. Larkin 1

GOALS: Prahran:

BEST: Albert Park: B. Grining, M. Donaldson, E. Larkin, A. Wilson, D. Faqihah, Z. Dragoi

BEST: Prahran: L. Edwards, P. Stevenson, T. Blaydon, K. Perree, A. Meich

ROUND 8 TIPS

Wattle Park vMazenod

DIVISION 4 WOMEN’S

Sebastian Tehan

Late Division 4 entrants continue to make a splash!

Canterbury have registered their second win for the season in impressive style, defeating St Kevin’s by 23 points at the TH King Oval. After being humbled by Caufield Grammarians in their most previous outing, it was important for Canterbury to start well. Indeed, there was early signs of a response booting 3 firstquarter goals to a scoreless St Kevin’s.

This scoreboard dominance continued in the second term, with a further three goals added to extend the margin to 39 points at the main break. Canterbury was able to effectively thread the ball through the St Kevin’s defensive line, almost finding a new target every time.

Not to lower their colours in the second half, St Kevin’s responded with three rapid-fire goals courtesy of Jamie Tucker and Holly Kerr, who were decisive in St Kevin’s winning the third term. St Kevin’s second half surge continued in the fourth quarter with plenty of entries inside their forward arc but failed to make a meaningful impact on the scoreboard. The four St Kevin’s behinds in the final term summed up a day of what could have been.

Canterbury’s win was typified by 7 individual goalkickers. Some feat!

Second placed Fitzroy were scheduled to take on eleventh placed Oakleigh, however, the match was unfortunately determined by forfeit. The four points were handed to Fitzroy meaning their season reads 5 wins and 2 losses. Contrastingly, Oakleigh have the one victory to show for.

Caufield Grammarians are looking the goods in Season 2025 after a delayed entry into the Division 4 competition as Saturday morning’s performance enhanced their reputation as one of the teams to beat this year.

Fresh off the bye, Preston Bullants were undoubtedly up for the fight in the first quarter matching Caufield’s intensity at the coalface which coincided with a lowscoring opening term for both sides. Caufield’s second term was seized by young ruck Millie Randall, providing excellent tap-work for her mids in addition to floating forward to take some pack marks.

Caufield coach Lachlan Worthy also praised the tireless efforts of his captain Kate wicks and forward Ava Wolf. “Captain Kate Wicks led the young and enthusiastic defensive unit and Ava Wolf up forward was able to take some strong marks and convert accurately,” he credited. These efforts were reflected on the scoreboard as Caufield pulled away to lead by 15 points at the main break.

The Bullants were able to string together some passages of play that posed a genuine threat to the Caufield lead in the third quarter. However, Caufield’s “engine room” of Ruby Hong and Alannah O’Carroll kept the scoreboard ticking over in order for the Grammarians to dispose of a gritty Preston outfit by 32 points.

High flying Westbourne Grammarians were struck down by a rampant Port Melbourne Chargers at Andrew Park Pavillion by 18 points.

From the outset, it was a see-sawing contest that put both sides’ in form midfield to work. Westbourne’s Emilia King hit the scoreboard with an early major, but it was Port Melbourne who took an early 2-point advantage at the quarter time siren, leading 9-7.

The second term was largely uneventful on the scoring front with Port Melbourne’s Maegan Harrison booting the game’s only goal for the quarter. Another 1.3 goal quarter put Port Melbourne firmly in charge of the contest with Mili Ledgerwood, Jemima Ross, Alexandra Gurr, Kirk Segond and Emma Meggs – all playing significant roles. A Westbourne goal at the 9 th minute mark threatened to swing momentum back Westbourne’s way, yet the damage was already done.

ROUND 7 RESULTS

DIVISION 4 WOMEN’S

GOALS: Monash Blues 2: M. Dore 1

GOALS: Old Yarra Cobras 2: M. Forlano 2

BEST: Monash Blues 2: S. Bingham, M. Dore, A. Charles, N. Musk, A. Postlethwaite, K. Bruce BEST: Old Yarra Cobras 2: J. Morton, S. Finch, F. Smith, M. Forlano, A. Bernardo, B. Lawrence

Fitzroy 3:

Oakleigh 2:

GOALS: Fitzroy 3: GOALS: Oakleigh 2: BEST: Fitzroy 3: BEST: Oakleigh 2:

Port Melbourne closed out the game with a couple of late scores to inflict Westbourne’s first loss of Season 2025. All smiles at Port Melbourne with a crucial win over ladderleaders Westbourne!

The round was closed out with a low-scoring thriller as Old Yarra Cobras edged out the Monash Blues by 7 points. A final scoreline of 1.1. (7) to 2.2 (14) highlights how much of a hard-fought contest this match proved to be.

Monash, determined to get back on the winner’s list, started strongly with a first term major handing them the lead at quarter time. It had seemed that Old Yarra were carrying the wounds of a brutal final term against Port Melbourne last week in the first term against Monash.

However, vice-captain April Jones was determined to regain the lead with an inspirational performance from the midfield that saw Old Yarra leading at the main change. Old Yarra’s defense withstood the Monash counterattack keeping them goalless for the remainder of the match.

Despite the narrow loss, Sancia Bingham, Megan Dore, Alli Charles, Nina Musk, Amaya Postlethwaite and Kirrily Bruce all did their part to keep Monash in the game until the final siren.

It’s fair to say Season 2025 continues to deliver some low-scoring thrillers, winning the hearts and minds of the supporters of all sides!

Kevin’s 3:

GOALS: St Kevin’s 3: J. Tucker 1, H. Kerr 1, . 1

GOALS: Canterbury: e. catania 1, B. Thompson 1, J. Gomes 1, B. Roberts 1, M. Conneely 1, S. Langley 1, K. Jebb 1

BEST: St Kevin’s 3: C. Davies, J. Tucker, G. Holden, M. Winayakan, E. Rodrigo-Undugodage, A. McVea

BEST: Canterbury: D. Calvisi, Z. Choo, I. Tipper, S. Topp, e. catania, C. Reiger

GOALS: Westbourne 2: E. King 1, K. Templeton 1

GOALS: Port Melbourne Chargers 2: . 2, C. Millias 1, M. Harrison 1

BEST: Westbourne 2: E. Dickie, c. weston-sirett, R. Walker, g. d’amico, J. Nannup, N. Porter

BEST: Port Melbourne Chargers 2: M. Ledgerwood, . , J. Ross, A. Gurr, K. Segond, E. Meggs

Caulfield Grammarians 3:

Caulfield Grammarians 3: A. Wolf 3, A. Randall 2, . 1, B. Bez 1, M. Duffy 1

GOALS: Preston Bullants: L. Saunders 1, B. Edsell 1, M. Minguez Baird 1

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians 3: A. O Carroll, R. Hong, K. Wicks, A. Randall, A. Taylor, E. Hargreaves

BEST: Preston Bullants: C. O’Brien, L. Magiatzis, M. Braini, W. Huang, L. Trafford, B. Edsell

(23)

HOLMESGLEN U19 RESULTS

HOLMESGLEN U19 DIVISION 1 MEN’S

Williamstown CYMS: 2.0 5.3 7.5 11.7 (73)

Beaumaris: 4.5 9.6 11.10 12.10 (82)

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS: M. Patel 5, R. Cockerell 3, J. Daley 2, L. Taylor 1

Beaumaris: H. Jongen 3, A. Bowd 2, A. McCarthy 1, M. Newman-Morris 1, C. Galvin 1, J. Mathews 1, J. Galbally 1, S. Meredith 1, T. Federici 1

BEST: Williamstown CYMS: B. Tenaglia, A. Martinez, L. Taylor, J. Connors, j. wheeler, R. Cockerell

Beaumaris: J. Stewart, J. Galbally, A. Bowd, B. Newman-Morris, H. Jongen, E. Styles

University Blues 2: 3.3 4.3 7.8 11.12 (78)

Fitzroy: 1.4 4.5 5.6 7.7 (49)

GOALS: University Blues 2: D. Shier 4, C. Skipper 2, T. Rourke 2, T. Hayden 1, C. Roberts 1, L. Gill 1

Fitzroy: F. Cozzo 2, D. Carr 1, J. Oldfield 1, T. Cameron 1, B. Payne 1, F. Culham 1

BEST: University Blues 2: s. fisher, O. Hart, O. Harris, O. Charles, C. Skipper, D. Shier

Fitzroy: K. Scott, D. Carr, J. Margetts, L. Hamilton, T. Cameron, F. Cozzo

St Bernards: 2.4 3.5 4.7 5.7 (37)

Old Carey: 3.2 6.5 11.5 14.8 (92)

GOALS: St Bernards: J. Smith 2, A. Momesso 1, B. Murphy 1, F. Armstrong 1

Old Carey: s. fox 5, B. Morgan 2, W. Alexander 2, H. Giarrusso 1, B. Hilton 1, J. Sharrock 1, F. Deacon 1, K. Ingram 1

BEST: St Bernards: A. Momesso, F. Armstrong, C. Teesdale, B. Sauro, K. Hughes, G. Iermano

Old Carey: L. Wheatley, s. fox, O. Stambe, D. Godden, M. Noble, W. Alexander

Old Camberwell: 1.3 2.7 3.10 5.12 (42)

Parkdale Vultures: 4.2 6.5 9.14 14.21 (105)

GOALS: Old Camberwell: N. Smith 2, M. Gibert 1, J. Day 1, R. Smith 1

Parkdale Vultures: W. Finch 3, b. austin 3, A. Eales 2, N. Groves 1, L. Kinsella 1, L. MacKenzie 1, B. Lamble 1, J. Deng 1, A. Valastro 1

BEST: Old Camberwell: R. Smith, D. Albert, A. Mcneill, B. Booth, h. taylor, W. Joy Parkdale Vultures: J. Burgess, N. Groves, J. White, r. bowles, C. Sells, M. Sullivan

Old Trinity: 2.4 2.4

Old Brighton 2:

GOALS: Old Trinity:

Ivanhoe:

Rovers:

(138)

(26)

GOALS: Old Ivanhoe: F. Cleary 6, A. Watson 2, R. Johns 2, W. Hanlon 2, J. Hopkins 1, Z. Ioannou 1, T. Scardamaglia 1, J. Rogers 1, K. Home 1, K. Papanagiotou 1, J. Tragardh 1, Z. Bennett 1

Hampton Rovers: B. Barnes 1, b. mcgurgan 1, W. Rogacki 1

BEST: Old Ivanhoe: O. Silfverberg, B. Daile, T. McCrae, M. Zappone, R. Johns, K. Papanagiotou

Hampton Rovers: C. Friend, S. Somogyi, A. Steedman, J. Taranto, b. mcgurgan

Oakleigh:

GOALS: Oakleigh: E. Mahoney 1, H. Window 1, B. Robinson 1

University Blacks: S. Litras 8, E. Peucker 4, H. Thornton 2, A. Newman 1, G. Evans 1

BEST: Oakleigh: S. Iverson, B. Robinson, N. Goodman, J. Borg, E. Mahoney, J. Tsitouridis

University Blacks: S. Litras, G. Ingram, E. Vijayasekaran, A. Routson, S. McNamara, H. Murphy

De La Salle 2:

(49)

(83)

Old Brighton 2: H. Richey 3, B. Hope 2, t. farrell 1, L. Lewis 1, X. Mitchell 1, K. Vivian 1, F. Hall 1, N. McCluskey 1, H. Pollock 1

BEST: Old Trinity:

Old Brighton 2: H. Richey, X. Mitchell, L. Lewis, L. St Leger, B. Hope, H. Pollock

Old Melburnians:

Old Haileybury:

(90)

(59)

GOALS: Old Melburnians: H. Hines 2, F. Newing 2, J. Brown 2, F. McIntyre 2, S. Perrott 2, T. Bridger 1, N. Brown 1, F. Warne 1 Old Haileybury: J. Paitaridis 4, E. Jones 2, P. Paleologos 1, R. Caddy 1, t. antonis 1

BEST: Old Melburnians: L. Reid, F. Newing, F. McIntyre, S. Pratten, B. Kam, J. Brown Old Haileybury: E. Jones, O. Tilley, Z. Nosiara, J. Blight, F. Gregor, J. Waring

HOLMESGLEN U19 DIVISION 2 MEN’S

Kew:

Preston Bullants: 2.1 2.4

(88)

(76)

GOALS: Kew: O. Kerford 3, O. Evans 3, A. Hobbs 1, M. Hand 1, O. Di Marzo 1, P. Cain 1, R. Meeuw 1, H. Maccarrone 1, J. Stewart 1

Preston Bullants: T. D’Alessandri Weis 5, J. Wajntraub 1, N. Mu 1, W. Saccone 1, B. Saccone 1, E. Giano 1, I. Wood 1

BEST: Kew: M. Holland, D. Webb, R. Meeuw, T. Carroll, J. Reid, H. Warren

Preston Bullants: T. D’Alessandri Weis, C. Furman, C. Kilic, E. Giano, L. Pappas, A. Parker

Collegians:

(65) Parkside:

(70)

GOALS: Collegians: A. Petracca 3, G. Bowes 3, E. Davies 2, H. Robbins 1 Parkside: C. Alcock 2, H. Pickett 2, H. Hecht 1, T. Kenny 1, W. Pham 1, M. Youssef 1, A. Davis 1

BEST: Collegians: G. Bowes, H. Edwards, A. Petracca, J. Archer, m. cerra, G. Raik-Allen

Parkside: H. Hecht, H. Pickett, D. Edwards, n. anglin, H. Wallace, A. Davis

Ormond:

Old Xaverians 2: 0.5

(64)

1.9 (15)

GOALS: Ormond: H. Brady 2, F. Pacak 2, A. Jobling 1, H. Orfanos 1, N. Fato 1, L. Lockwood 1, G. Stikoltzik 1

Old Xaverians 2:

BEST: Ormond: H. Orfanos, J. Werbik, O. Whitney, T. Whitney, O. Harrison, J. Boag

Old Xaverians 2: W. McNamara, P. Kennedy, M. Sheehan, G. Pick, J. Dalton, M. Lightbody

(57) St Kevin’s 2:

GOALS: De La Salle 2: A. Glover 2, L. Goudie 2, J. Gurrie 1, X. Campbell 1, L. Higginbotham 1, J. Camilleri 1, L. Grey 1

St Kevin’s 2: W. Young 5, A. Kidman 3, J. Quinlan 2, M. Curtain 2, T. McCarthy 1, L. Hoffman 1

BEST: De La Salle 2: J. Bird, W. McCormack, T. Bolton, X. Burns, A. Glover

St Kevin’s 2: r. Ellett, A. Kidman, H. Rimmer, M. Curtain, W. Young, G. Iannarella

HOLMESGLEN U19 DIVISION 3 MEN’S

Beaumaris 2:

(94)

(166) Whitefriars:

GOALS: Beaumaris 2: B. Lauder 5, L. Grant 3, H. Sims 3, O. Lazzari 3, H. Hurlston 2, Z. Oldham 2, c. Dickson 1, A. Thow 1, H. Czarnota 1, T. Vayenas 1, J. McCall 1, J. Lineham 1

Whitefriars: O. Bor 1

BEST: Beaumaris 2: c. Dickson, H. Czarnota, B. Whyte, H. Risvanis, H. Sims, J. Ferguson

Whitefriars: M. Paten, D. Rowland, T. Coombs, J. Apostolopoulos, C. Tassell, N. Fotopoulos

St Mary’s Salesian:

(50) Monash Blues:

GOALS: St Mary’s Salesian: M. Skinner 3, C. Matthews 2, E. Bazley 1, E. Hoy 1

(48)

Monash Blues: L. Mckern 2, j. upton 1, M. Kennedy 1, W. O‚ÄôConnor 1, H. Steele 1 BEST: St Mary’s Salesian: E. Bazley, K. Peck, L. Greening, M. Skinner, A. Trewavas, C. Matthews

Monash Blues: S. McKay, j. upton, h. balcam, W. Broom, W. O’Connor, W. Bowles

UHS-VU:

Caulfield Grammarians 2:

GOALS: UHS-VU: M. Tobin 3, J. Vlachos 2, J. Handbury 1, A. Tsironis 1, g. gebremedhin 1, I. Ali 1

Caulfield Grammarians 2: c. pinnegar 3, L. Emms 2, L. Barton 2, J. McVean 2, T. Martino 2, B. Ford 2, Z. Coplestone 2, J. Jillings 1, L. Crockett 1

BEST: UHS-VU: g. gebremedhin, A. McLeish, M. Tobin, I. Ali, A. Tsatsiadis, J. Vlachos

Caulfield Grammarians 2: J. Jillings, L. Barton, J. Malone, L. Auchettl, T. Martino, Z. Coplestone

St Bedes/Mentone 2:

De La Salle 3:

GOALS: St Bedes/Mentone 2: R. Francis 7, o. gould 2

De La Salle 3: O. Miller 2, A. Meldrum 1, Z. Maillard 1, M. Signorelli 1, T. Eyles 1

(135)

(46)

BEST: St Bedes/Mentone 2: M. Smith, H. Crosby, R. Francis, H. Turner, J. Fraser, R. Jenkins

De La Salle 3: M. Newman, K. Barnes, S. Motyl-Coverdale, O. Miller, M. Signorelli, A. Meldrum

Williamstown CYMS 2:

Parkdale Vultures 2:

(108)

(48)

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS 2: W. Yiannis 3, D. Bennett 3, E. Nyembo 2, C. Refardt 2, D. Phemister 2, J. Kelly 1, D. Raymond 1, A. Horsburgh 1, O. Azzopardi 1, A. Cranage 1, J. Fraser 1

Parkdale Vultures 2: H. Strom 1, W. Reeves 1, P. Rayias 1, T. Scurrah 1, M. Saarinsen 1

BEST: Williamstown CYMS 2: E. Nyembo, O. Dowling, K. Lill, A. Cranage, W. Yiannis, J. Kelly

Parkdale Vultures 2: T. Scurrah, S. Gibson, e. joseph, J. Truscott, H. Dow, A. Simonelli

THIRDS RESULTS

THIRDS PREMIER MEN’S

AJAX:

Old Scotch:

(75)

(78)

GOALS: AJAX: K. Gold 3, A. Meyerowitz 1, A. Katz 1, j. epstein 1, G. Jotkowitz 1, Y. Gottlieb 1, A. Rosenwax 1, E. Herszberg 1

GOALS: Old Scotch: E. Furey 7, S. Townsend 1, C. Loel 1, R. Higgins 1, M. Vidyaratne 1, W. Genovese 1

BEST: AJAX: L. Meyerowitz, A. Segman, E. Potash, E. Herszberg, A. Katz, j. epstein

BEST: Old Scotch: E. Furey, S. Townsend, A. Townsend, J. Stavris, C. Sewell, C. Dixon

Fitzroy:

(22) St Kevin’s:

GOALS: Fitzroy: T. Duffin 1, A. Stewart 1, V. Barker 1

GOALS: St Kevin’s: J. Martin 4, J. Willmott 3, M. Mulcahy 3, L. Mascia 3, M. Naughton 2, H. Mulcahy 2, M. Demathieu 2, J. Ritchie 1, J. Luscombe 1, N. Jackson 1, M. Chuol 1, C. Pammer 1, F. McCallum 1, A. Nguyen 1, D. McCarthy 1, M. Kerr 1

BEST: Fitzroy: R. Buchanan, V. Barker, A. Stewart, T. Duffin, A. Upjohn, C. Guest

BEST: St Kevin’s: M. Mulcahy, M. Demathieu, C. Pammer, C. Kuchel, J. Martin, C. Gill

University Blues: 0.3 3.4

GOALS: University Blues: H. Woolcock 2, G. Dwyer 1, R. Murphy 1, C. Bowker 1

(34)

GOALS: Old Xaverians: W. MacIsaac 6, C. Bourne 3, F. O’Callaghan 2, S. Purcell 1, J. Alexeyeff 1, C. Spears 1, T. Comer 1

BEST: University Blues: G. Dwyer, L. Yeates, P. Sweet, R. Murphy, A. Giusti Peterich, C. Bowker

BEST: Old Xaverians: T. Bourne, N. Honeyman, W. MacIsaac, C. Cranderson, O. Britten-Jones, O. Tehan

Old Xaverians 2: 1.5

St Bernards:

GOALS: Old Xaverians 2: E. Ralph 3, A. MacIsaac 2, W. Bryce 2, C. Connors 1, J. Lowe 1, T. O’Brien 1

(75)

(65)

GOALS: St Bernards: D. Pollock 2, L. Salter 2, Z. Hijazi 1, J. Maddox 1, A. Belci 1, L. Armstrong 1

BEST: Old Xaverians 2: A. Eden Lachowicz, E. Ralph, J. Lowe, W. Bryce, S. Stanley, J. Nelson

BEST: St Bernards: C. Brock, L. Salter, A. Mantello, X. Tigani, E. Russell, J. Maddox

THIRDS

DIVISION 1 MEN’S

Williamstown CYMS:

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS: B. Gray 5, T. Payne 1, H. Barnett 1, C. Richards 1

(59)

(92)

GOALS: Old Brighton: T. Jackett-Simpson 5, D. Caruso 2, S. Ryan 1, B. Cochran 1, M. Gunter 1, B. Rohan 1, M. Blyth 1, A. Tzimas 1, J. Draheim 1

BEST: Williamstown CYMS: B. Gray, J. Mackenzie, T. Payne, J. Gialamatzis, N. Rainone, C. Richards

BEST: Old Brighton: T. Jackett-Simpson, M. Gunter, J. Draheim, S. Murray, D. Caruso, B. Paynter

Old Xaverians 3: 0.0

(45) Old Trinity: 0.0

GOALS: Old Xaverians 3: J. Forrest 4, L. Denton 1, R. Calvert 1

GOALS: Old Trinity: M. Scott 2, H. Gioulekas 1, K. Lennon 1, H. Bowman 1, M. Stephenson 1, Z. Sparg 1, T. Lydon 1, R. Sanders 1, S. Russell 1

BEST: Old Xaverians 3: W. Thomas, N. Nunan, J. Forrest, E. Ponari, J. Kenny, L. Denton

BEST: Old Trinity: Z. Sparg, C. Simondson, H. Beamish, M. Scott, W. Curtin, R. Sanders

University Blacks: 2.0

Old Xaverians 4:

(67)

(42)

GOALS: University Blacks: H. Higgins 3, S. McDougall 1, O. Gale 1, P. Somerville 1

GOALS: Old Xaverians 4: O. Sheehan 2, W. Wrigley 2, W. Troy 2, J. Camilleri 1, L. McCarthy 1, E. Pick 1, A. Ivak 1, S. Stangherlin 1, A. Connors 1, T. Wood 1, C. Hummerston 1, J. Forde 1, E. Paul 1

BEST: University Blacks: C. Smith, H. Higgins, R. Sheldrick, W. Combridge, S. McDougall, L. Bell

(46) St Kevin’s 2:

GOALS: De La Salle: L. Panozzo 2, S. Doree 1, P. Burns 1, T. Deftereos 1, D. Minett 1

GOALS: St Kevin’s 2: W. Cooper 3, T. Briggs 3, A. Parente 1, J. Hill 1, N. Montague 1, J. Chaffey 1

BEST: De La Salle: H. Pietsch, J. Mullaly, j. Zitzen, L. Panozzo, J. Brasher, S. Doree

BEST: St Kevin’s 2: O. Phillips, N. Montague, L. Haig, J. Moore, X. Dietze, C. Lanyon

THIRDS DIVISION 2 MEN’S

Old Carey:

Old Scotch 2:

GOALS: Old Carey: J. Shepherd 4, M. Borland 2, C. Ewin 2, B. Oppy 1, B. Hewitt 1, a. wyer 1, R. Stubbs 1, J. Best 1, A. Azzopardi 1, S. Inlander 1

GOALS: Old Scotch 2: B. Crummy 2, G. Simmons 1, J. Townsend 1, J. Wiseman 1, N. Luth 1

BEST: Old Carey: B. Oppy, D. Wolters, a. wyer, C. Angus, F. Esler, A. Azzopardi

BEST: Old Scotch 2: J. Townsend, G. Simmons, J. Wiseman, T. Kelly, N. Luth, L. Cox

Ivanhoe:

BEST: Old Xaverians 4: O. Smart, A. Ivak, O. Sheehan, E. Paul, L. Santalucia, T. Wood De La Salle:

GOALS: Old Ivanhoe: M. Volpe 1, C. Goodlet 1, N. Kumar 1, M. Harper 1

GOALS: Old Xaverians 5: C. O’Brien 3, B. Sherman 2, J. Mccarthy 2, J. Hynes 1, E. Browne 1, C. Ralph 1, W. Beattie 1, J. Gomezel 1

BEST: Old Ivanhoe: M. Moncrieff, B. Moncrieff, M. Harper, C. Cromb, R. Tucker, W. Gittins

BEST: Old Xaverians 5: W. Beattie, N. Tyrrell, C. Ralph, L. Fares, H. West, C. O’Brien

GOALS: Old Camberwell: M. Barnard-Brown 2, . 2, L. Noack 1, N. Curwen 1

GOALS: Old Geelong: C. McDonnell 2, W. Matthews 2, S. Richardson 1, C. Ward 1, P. Poulter 1, W. Clerk 1

BEST: Old Camberwell: N. Curwen, . , C. Frazer, Z. HERBSTREIT, W. Woods, C. Young

BEST: Old Geelong: P. Poulter, D. Wilson, T. Brotchie, G. Orford, C. Ward, C. McDonnell

GOALS: Masala: A. Bou-Karroum 2, C. Healy 2, F. Cassar 1, J. Gurry 1, B. Coldebella 1, M. Foster 1, Z. Pahos 1

GOALS: AJAX 2: C. Schwartz 3

BEST: Masala: F. Cassar, C. Healy, M. Foster, A. Bou-Karroum, J. Gibbon, J. Gurry

BEST: AJAX 2: J. Nissen, T. FLINKIER, B. Waislitz, D. Feldman, J. Mohr, T. Southwick

Fitzroy 2:

Glen Eira / Old McKinnon:

(2)

GOALS: Fitzroy 2: D. O’Connor 5, K. Menzies 4, M. Sweeney 3, E. Greene 1, S. Long 1, N. White 1, O. Salvatore 1

GOALS: Glen Eira / Old McKinnon:

BEST: Fitzroy 2: M. Sweeney, g. hurley wellington, D. Mewes, K. Menzies, D. O’Connor, B. McAdam

BEST: Glen Eira / Old McKinnon: A. Yuen, J. Doran, J. Williams, T. Sitzoukis, J. Rose, D. Entwistle

THIRDS DIVISION 3 MEN’S

Williamstown CYMS 2:

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS 2: D. Cross 4, J. Slee 3, O. Becroft 2, D. Hatzopoulos 2, D. Shuter 2, K. Vassallo 2, T. Ball 1, A. Woolhouse 1, J. Firth 1, H. Chan 1

GOALS: Richmond Central:

BEST: Williamstown CYMS 2: J. Slee, O. Becroft, T. Ball, L. Tester, A. Clarke, D. Cross

BEST: Richmond Central:

GOALS: Beaumaris: E. Murray 3, G. Finnegan 1, M. Barba 1, B. Gathercole 1

GOALS: Ormond: A. Moalem 2, F. Howe 2, A. Savran 2, L. Gordon-Shore 1, A. Seeto-Grossi 1, W. Sayce 1, N. Topakas 1

BEST: Beaumaris: D. Collins, M. Barba, E. Murray, H. Mentiplay, B. Gathercole, L. Rundmann

BEST: Ormond: L. Gordon-Shore, A. Paliatsos, M. Bannan, F. Shaw, C. Northey, N. Fisher

St Bedes/Mentone:

Caulfield Grammarians:

THIRDS RESULTS

GOALS: St Bedes/Mentone: C. Michaud 3, T. Jaensch 2, A. Rosenthal 2, J. Dance 1

GOALS: Caulfield Grammarians: N. van der Linden 5, T. Coleman 2, B. Mullen 1, C. Rule 1

BEST: St Bedes/Mentone: C. Michaud, J. Bolton, J. Miller, A. Rosenthal, J. Patounas, B. Morrow

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians: C. Lord, N. van der Linden, B. Mullen, J. Paterson, J. Pinder, H. Retschko

Kew:

St Bernards 2:

(69)

GOALS: Kew: R. Harding 2, E. O’Donnell 2, S. Razums 2, E. Clinch 1, N. Taylor 1, N. Humphreys 1, J. McCubbin 1, L. Pereira 1

GOALS: St Bernards 2: O. Jones 4, S. Isolani 3, C. Thorley 2, l. chillemi 1, O. Turley 1, S. Juricskay 1, B. Davies 1, P. O’Sullivan 1

BEST: Kew: T. Humphries, S. Britton, S. Razums, L. Pereira, E. Clinch, R. Webb

BEST: St Bernards 2: B. Mather, S. Juricskay, O. Jones, P. O’Sullivan, S. Isolani, J. Munari

Parkdale Vultures:

St Kevin’s 3:

GOALS: Parkdale Vultures: J. Roberts 2, L. Sargeant 1, J. Davis 1, J. Foster 1

GOALS: St Kevin’s 3: R. Smythe 4, M. Marchese 2, A. Smith 1, J. Bayley 1, P. Jones 1

BEST: Parkdale Vultures: J. Davis, S. Hamill, M. Standish, B. Hopcraft, L. Sargeant, E. Marshall

BEST: St Kevin’s 3: L. Hepburn, R. Smythe, A. Smale, A. Posterino, M. Marchese, H. Jones

THIRDS DIVISION 4 MEN’S

GOALS: MHSOB: A. Shulman 2, M. Eshwara 1

GOALS: Marcellin: L. Furci 8, N. James 3, N. Baggio 2, C. Curtin 2, J. Italiano 1, T. Brugliera 1, C. Dimichele-Collins 1, D. Barbuto 1, M. Frost 1, L. Carletti 1, L. Wyatt 1

BEST: MHSOB: L. Blatchford, A. Shulman, A. Kuang, J. Kulasingham, A. Ashton, M. Eshwara

BEST: Marcellin: L. Furci, L. Wyatt, C. Dimichele-Collins, T. Brugliera, M. Frost, N. James

West Brunswick: 6.5 9.11

14.19 (103) Elsternwick: 0.0 1.1 1.2 1.2 (8)

GOALS: West Brunswick: L. McDowell 5, G. Vetma 3, G. Levantis 1, J. Coltish 1, T. Walsh 1, A. Lamming 1, A. Bate 1, W. Vagg 1

GOALS: Elsternwick:

BEST: West Brunswick: L. McDowell, T. Walsh, R. jafari, C. McNulty, T. Forbes, G. Vetma

BEST: Elsternwick:

Parkside: 8-6-54

Collegians: 17-5-107

GOALS: Parkside:

GOALS: Collegians: B. Hyland 3, T. Winneke 3, C. Sharp 2, Q. Schwarz 2, J. Ellis 2, N. Artis 1, √. Mulvihill 1, R. Dell 1, M. Hughes 1, J. Clarke 1

BEST: Parkside: D. Whiffin, T. Mammarella, M. Daminato, W. Pinner, Z. Hilton, F. Maule

BEST: Collegians: B. Hyland, Q. Schwarz, C. Sharp, N. Artis, T. Winneke, L. Jorgensen

Old Melburnians: 3.2

(129) Whitefriars: 3.0 5.1 6.1 6.4

GOALS: Old Melburnians: L. Myer 8, H. Nettlefold 4, F. Guest 3, M. Grosso 2, W. McMurrick 1, M. Grimwade 1

GOALS: Whitefriars: M. Fijan 3, M. Ford 2, B. Fijan 1

BEST: Old Melburnians: L. Myer, H. Nettlefold, T. Mitsikas, M. Grimwade, M. Grosso, A. Tashevski-Beckwith

(60)

GOALS: Hampton Rovers: N. Velten 3, J. Lovig 2, M. Flahive 1, C. Cullis 1, O. Bennett 1, J. Young 1

GOALS: Mazenod OC: C. Chilcott 5, S. Mann 4, S. Ramsay 1, N. Klavins 1, L. de Kretser 1, J. Fitzsimmons 1, J. Holdsworth 1, T. Csuka-Knight 1, l. mcdonald 1, F. Reed 1

BEST: Hampton Rovers: N. Velten, C. Cullis, T. Folino, R. ATKINS, R. Ironmonger

BEST: Mazenod OC: N. Rafton, T. Odrowaz, N. Klavins, C. Chilcott, S. Veltman, D. Ryan

THIRDS DIVISION 5 MEN’S

St Mary’s Salesian:

GOALS: Hawthorn: J. Downie 3, P. Venables 2, H. Kothari 2, A. Downie 1, M. Tingate 1, T. Pengilly 1, H. Goodwin 1, W. Pearce 1, L. Campbell 1, H. Hough 1

GOALS: St Mary’s Salesian: N. Simcocks 1

BEST: Hawthorn: T. Pengilly, D. Upton, W. Sadler, J. Downie, J. Swan, S. Moussi

BEST: St Mary’s Salesian: N. Simcocks, F. Nguyen, O. Mahoney, D. Hammond, B. Mitchell, T. Bellier

UHS-VU: 0.0, 2.6, 3.7, 4.11 (35)

Masala 2: 4.0, 5.0, 9.2, 10.3 (63)

GOALS: UHS-VU:

BEST: Whitefriars: S. Franklin, M. Fijan, J. Moroney, B. Fijan, J. Young, T. Rumble Hampton Rovers:

GOALS: Masala 2: T. Edwards 2, R. Santilli 2, J. Ellis 2, H. Allen 1, A. Markovitch 1, A. Ibrahim 1, H. Ellis 1

BEST: UHS-VU:

BEST: Masala 2: N. Hussain, M. Allen, H. Ellis, N. O’Rourke, J. Pietrosanto, r. sims

South Melbourne: 0.2

(26) MHSOB

GOALS: South Melbourne: K. Martin 1, N. Webber 1, J. Barrington 1

GOALS: MHSOB 2: A. Shipperlee 5, L. Sharrock 4, M. Elfaki 3, L. Judd 2, B. Clarke 1, K. Tailor 1, O. Payne 1, A. Yates 1, L. Roughton 1, B. Gallop 1, A. Claney 1

BEST: South Melbourne: C. Flynn, J. Barrington, J. Musco, R. Tilley, C. Denahy maloney, N. Riegler

BEST: MHSOB 2: M. Haberfield, L. Judd, O. Payne, L. O’Halloran, A. Shipperlee, A. Reynolds

AJAX 3:

(147) Old Yarra Cobras:

GOALS: AJAX 3: Y. Rosenbaum 5, D. Lazar 5, A. Maron 3, L. Davis 2, J. Goldfarb 2, N. Roth 1, R. Tenenbaum 1, L. Slade 1, J. Pat 1, J. Surdut 1

GOALS: Old Yarra Cobras: B. Williams 2, J. Buswell 2, Z. Smedley 2

BEST: AJAX 3: A. Maron, D. Lazar, L. Davis, Y. Rosenbaum, A. Werdiger, J. Landau

BEST: Old Yarra Cobras: A. Peter-Budge, J. Buswell, B. Williams, Z. Smedley, W. Morrison, E. Mueller

Oakleigh: PENDING Preston Bullants: PENDING Monash Blues:

GOALS: Monash Blues: J. Graves 3, B. Egerton 2, J. Hertan 1, M. Peethamparam 1, S. Chapman 1

GOALS: Wattle Park: W. Taylor 5, C. MacDonald 3, E. Stronach-Smith 2, B. Mccaabe 1, C. Dapic 1

BEST: Monash Blues: J. Graves, K. Lieu, B. Egerton, S. Chapman, J. Bryan, M. Madsen

BEST: Wattle Park: W. Taylor, E. Stronach-Smith, A. Singh, J. Cannizzaro, D. Milhe

THE VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO THE

V

Gala Dinner

CENTENARY CELEBRATION

THURSDAY EVENING | 10 JULY 2025

CENTREPIECE AT MELBOURNE PARK

MILESTONES

Ahmed Abou-Eid (North Brunswick)

50

100

100

VAFA congratulates the following players on reaching these incredible milestones. Well done!

Well done to Ahmed on reaching his first senior milestone. Having come through The Bulls junior programme he has established himself as a senior player. Usually playing as a dashing wingman he has also spent time on ball. His power running and attacking flair is great to watch.

100

Daniel Manus (North Brunswick)

Congratulations to Daniel on reaching a great milestone! Now considered a veteran at The Bullpen his main game is as an attacking back man. Always prepared to put his body on the line he is well regarded by all his teammates.

Cameron Marcroft (La Trobe University)

Congratulations to La Trobe’s Cameron Marcroft on reaching 50 games. Suga first joined the ‘Trobers in 2022 as the key ruckman in the Reserves and was a key contributor to the team’s successful season and narrow grand final loss. Consistently featured in the best players, Suga’s best season was 2024 when he finished runner-up in the Best & Fairest. Whilst often outsized by his opponents, he always gives his best and plays with great determination and endeavour for his coach and teammates. Well done Suga on your 50 games in the red & black and may there be many more!

Sophie Grant (Old Brighton)

Congratulations to Sophie Grant who last Saturday was the first Old Brighton Women’s Footballer to play 100 games for the club! Sophie was a member of Old Brighton’s inaugural women’s team in 2017, which was a true family affair. Her dad Peter as coach, uncle Andrew as assistant coach, sister Maddie as Captain and sister Emily and cousin Katie as team mates! Sophie has been part of a core group of players who have taken our women’s football program from strength to strength over the last 9 years. A speedy defender who is often getting back to be our last line of defence, shutting down the opposition and providing great run and drive out of the back half. Sophie has become one of the elite attacking defenders in the competition, and played a massive role in the 2024 premiership

100

Liam Maiden (Old Geelong)

This weekend, Liam Maiden — or as we fondly know him, Iron Maiden, Li Li, Maido — reaches a huge milestone, playing his 100th game for the Old Geelong Football Club. A proud Geelong local and St Joseph’s boy, we were lucky to get him across from University Blues in 2018. A silky winger and half-back flanker, Liam’s trademark left foot has become one of the sharpest weapons in the VAFA, and his knack for drilling long-range goals has thrilled OGs supporters time and again. Not only is he consistent and composed under pressure, but he’s also been impressively durable — playing 100 of a possible 110 games since his debut, barely missing a match over seven seasons!! As Liam runs out for his 100th this weekend, we celebrate not just his on-field achievements, but the great mate, competitor, and clubman he’s been for Old Geelong. Congratulations, Maido — here’s to many more!

Alessio Mantello (St Bernards)

100

Best wishes to Alessio Mantello who is set to line up for his 100th game for the Snowdogs this week. A St Bernards Junior, Alessio progressed through U/19 ranks before performing well in our Thirds and Reserves sides in recent seasons where his versatility and determination have been a feature of his game. We look forward to seeing Alessio adding many more games to his tally.

Nathan Kazuro (St Bernards)

100

Well it’s been a long time coming but good luck to Nathan Kazuro who this week will finally rack up his 100th game for the club. After joining the club from the Northern Bullants Nathan quickly became an important part of our Senior line-up highlighted by his role in our A Grade Premiership team in 2015. After a stint in the EDFL Nathan returned to play Senior footy at ‘the pit’ but after some injuries retired on 99 games in 2023. We look forward to seeing Nathan reach his 100th and maybe add a few more to his tally!

Rhys Ball (Box Hill North)

Rhys Ball will be playing his 300th VAFA game for Box Hill North this Saturday. Rhys “Knackers” Ball first arrived at Box Hill North in 2004 as a 19-year-old with a few mates and over the past 20+ years, he’s become a true pillar of the club. A Life Member, Premiership Player, former Best & Fairest, past Club Captain, and a proud inclusion in multiple Teams of the Decade (2000–2009 and 2010–2019), Rhys has done it all. He began as a crafty, goal-kicking small forward, shifted to the wing, and eventually settled into the backline where his trademark run, and versatility still make him a must-pick at the ripe old age of 40. Thank you, Rhys, for everything you’ve given to the club—on and off the field and congratulations on this incredible achievement!

SHARPSHOOTERS

Jack

Bill

SHARPSHOOTERS

William Buck Premier Men’s

Old Brighton vDe La Salle

Old Scotch vUniversity Blues

Old Haileybury vSt Bernard’s

Old Xaverians vCollegians

University BlacksvSt Kevin’s

William Buck Premier Men’s Reserves

Old Brighton vDe La Salle

Old Scotch vUniversity Blues

Old Haileybury vSt Bernard’s Old Xaverians vCollegians

University BlacksvSt Kevin’s

Premier B Men’s

Old Camberwell vOld Geelong Old Ivanhoe vHampton Rovers

Old Trinity vCaulfield Grammarians

Old Melburnians vWilliamstown CYMS FitzroyvOld

THIS ROUND’S GAMES

Division 3 Men’s Box Hill North vWattle Park

Chadstone vAlbert Park

Richmond Central vEley Park

La Trobe University vSwinburne University

North BrunswickvPower House

Division 3 Men’s Reserves

Box Hill North vWattle Park

Chadstone vAlbert Park

Richmond Central vEley Park

La Trobe University vSwinburne University

North BrunswickvPower House

William Buck Premier Women’s Old Geelong vWest Brunswick Caulfield Grammarians vFitzroy

Williamstown CYMS vSt Kevin’s KewvBeaumaris

William Buck Premier Women’s Reserve Old Geelong vWest Brunswick Caulfield Grammarians vFitzroy

Williamstown CYMS vSt Kevin’s KewvBeaumaris

Premier B Women’s Old Yarra Cobras vMUWFC Port Melbourne Chargers vOld Xaverians

St Bedes/Mentone vOld Melburnians MarcellinvOld Brighton

Division 1 Women’s

Richmond Central vOakleigh Therry Penola vGlen Eira / Old McKinnon

Monash Blues vPower House Old Haileybury vWhitefriars

Parkdale VulturesvHampton Rovers

Division 2 Women’s Hawthorn vParkside UHS-VU vCoburg De

Division 3 Women’s

Division 4 Women’s Preston Bullants vWestbourne 2

Oakleigh 2vCaulfield Grammarians 3

Old Yarra Cobras 2vFitzroy 3

Canterbury vMonash Blues 2 West Brunswick 3vSt Kevin’s 3

Knee

Knee problems

Hip problems

Hip

Shoulder problems

Shoulder

Foot & ankle problems

Foot & ankle

Sports injuries

Arthritis surgery

Arthritis surgery

Trauma & limb reconstruction

Trauma & reconstruction

Hand, wrist & elbow surgery

Hand, wrist & elbow surgery

Fractures & broken bones

Fractures &

Joint replacement surgery

Joint

743001686.44

734001293.79

B MEN’S

RESERVES

UHS-VU 734001292.17

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER WOMEN’S

WILLIAM

633011282.13

624018 115.79

PREMIER B WOMEN’S

DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S

NEXT ROUND’S GAMES

William Buck Premier Men’s

Old Brighton vSt Kevin’s

University Blues vDe La Salle

Old Scotch vOld Xaverians

Collegians vSt Bernard’s Old HaileyburyvUniversity Blacks

William Buck Premier Men’s Reserves

Old Brighton vSt Kevin’s University Blues vDe La Salle

Old Scotch vOld Xaverians

Collegians vSt Bernard’s Old HaileyburyvUniversity Blacks

Premier B Men’s

Old Geelong vHampton Rovers

Old Ivanhoe vWilliamstown CYMS

Old Trinity vOld Melburnians

Old Carey vCaulfield Grammarians FitzroyvOld Camberwell

Premier B Men’s Reserves

Old Geelong vHampton Rovers

Old Ivanhoe vWilliamstown CYMS

Old Trinity vOld Melburnians

Old Carey vCaulfield Grammarians FitzroyvOld Camberwell

Premier C Men’s

Mazenod vAJAX

Parkside vBeaumaris

Glen Eira / Old McKinnon vPEGS Parkdale Vultures vMarcellin

PrahranvSt Bedes/Mentone

Premier C Men’s Reserves

Mazenod vAJAX

Parkside vBeaumaris

Glen Eira / Old McKinnon vPEGS Parkdale Vultures vMarcellin

PrahranvSt Bedes/Mentone

Division 1 Men’s

Ormond vOld Peninsula

UHS-VU vBrunswick Kew vMonash Blues

Preston Bullants vTherry Penola ElsternwickvOakleigh

Division 1 Men’s Reserves

Ormond vOld Peninsula

UHS-VU vBrunswick Kew vMonash Blues

Preston Bullants vTherry Penola

Division 3 Men’s Box Hill North vPower House

Albert Park vSwinburne University

Eley Park vLa Trobe University

Chadstone vNorth Brunswick Richmond CentralvWattle Park

Division 3 Men’s Reserves

Box Hill North vPower House

Albert Park vSwinburne University

Eley Park vLa Trobe University

Chadstone vNorth Brunswick Richmond CentralvWattle Park

William Buck Premier Women’s Old Yarra Cobras vFitzroy West Brunswick vSt Kevin’s Old Scotch vOld Geelong Caulfield Grammarians vKew MUWFCvWilliamstown CYMS

William Buck Premier Women’s Reserve Old Yarra Cobras vFitzroy West Brunswick vSt Kevin’s Old Scotch vOld Geelong Caulfield Grammarians vKew

Premier B Women’s Port Melbourne Chargers vWestbourne Beaumaris vOld Melburnians

Old Xaverians vCoburg

Marcellin vParkdale Vultures

Old BrightonvSt Bedes/Mentone

Division 1 Women’s Richmond Central vHampton Rovers

Therry Penola vWhitefriars

Monash Blues vHawthorn

Old Haileybury vGlen Eira / Old McKinnon OakleighvPower House

Division 2 Women’s

Box Hill North vLa Trobe University Aquinas vDe La Salle Wattle Park vParkside Old Carey vBrunswick MCCvUHS-VU

Division 3 Women’s Canterbury vOld Camberwell Prahran vNorth Brunswick Albert Park vSt Mary’s Salesian Ormond vMazenod ElsternwickvSouth Melbourne

Division 4 Women’s Oakleigh 2vWestbourne 2 Port Melbourne Chargers 2vFitzroy 3 St Kevin’s 3vPreston Bullants Old Xaverians 2vWest Brunswick 3 BeaumarisvMonash Blues 2