Sam Pleming Rowan Andrews myles sewell

Victorian football league Record

triple treat Berry, Gallagher and Summers reach 100 games

Round 16 august 2-3, 2008 $ inc EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE 3 gst Congratulations to NEIL WINTERTON (Frankston)

This week’s winner of the Ford “Best on Ground” Ute Visit theoval.com.au for more information. theoval.com.au editorial

One of the unique aspects of the VFL is it allows for genuine Superstars AFL stars to play at any time during a season. add lustre In recent years, we have seen Brownlow medallist and VFL welcomes its AFL Cousins Collingwood captain play for Williamstown and Richmond’s Matthew Richardson In this issue (pages 22-23), Meanwhile, the AFL Second- run out with the Coburg Tigers. experienced coaches Gary Ayres, Tier Review Recommendations This season, we have seen St Greg Hutchison and Brad Gotch report, under the guidance of Kilda stars , Nick all say the involvement of AFL Grant Williams, continues its Dal Santo and stars at VFL clubs is a positive for consultation process. play with the Casey Scorpions, everyone concerned. Already, TAC Cup region while North ’s Nathan The impact of AFL stars managers and VFL clubs have Thompson recently pulled on the playing in the VFL is far reaching. been consulted on the proposed Werribee Tigers’ guernsey. They boost crowd attendances regional changes and we are As the 2008 finals race and gatetakings, spark media currently reviewing submissions. intensifies it’s also likely Western attention and greater interest in The report is close to finalising Bulldog star will return the competition. the talent region boundaries, from injury via Williamstown. While the VFL provides an while all VFL club presidents Speculation also continues increasingly high standard of and general managers and TAC that former West Coast captain football and a defined pathway for Cup region managers are being and Brownlow medallist Ben all aspiring players, appearances canvassed on the best model for Cousins will train with Port by the likes of Buckley, Richardson integrated VFL-TAC Cup teams. Melbourne, and Geelong and Dal Santo add an intangible Throughout this process, premiership player Nathan Ablett quality to the competition. Williams and AFL CEO will resume playing with the Cats It allows VFL players an Peter Schwab have regularly in the VFL. opportunity to witness these presented development reports It’s been suggested the greats of the game up close, to the AFL. presence of such superstars can offering an insight into what has be an unwarranted distraction for taken them to the top. John Hook their aligned VFL club but that is Surely, this is something to Football Operations Manager, a particularly negative view. be savoured. AFL Victoria

AFL Victoria Chief Executive Officer: Round 16 Peter Schwab CONTENTS august 2-3, 2008 Football Operations Manager: John Hook Young Gun: Sam Pleming 5 COVER: Frankston’s Justin Statistics: Sam Coen Manager Director, Geoff Slattery Publishing: Rowan Andrews 6 Berry and Sandringham’s David Geoff Slattery Editor: Nick Bowen Myles Sewell 7 Gallagher and Peter Summers Designer: Karl Chandler all celebrate their 100th VFL Photo Manager: Natalie Boccassini Round 16 preview 8 Photography: Getty Images (02) 9004 2250 games this round. Advertising: Jennifer Pryor (03) 8663 3007 AFL stars in the VFL 22-23 Printed by: Condor Printing Address correspondence: The Editor, GPO Ryan Breese 26 Box 4337, Melbourne, 3001. Phone: (03) 8663 3000 Dean Limbach 27

VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 3 community radio

come rain, hail or shine, a committed band of volunteer Voices of the VFL community radio broadcasters trek around the state to bring community callers’ love of the game. VFL action live to the fans, whether at the ground, in their By travis Parnaby living rooms or on the other side of the globe. Double X’ s Casey 3SER has been a VFL commentary team broadcast partner since 1993, call the action at a Double X joined the fold last year recent VFL game. to give the competition a boost in exposure and Whitehorse-based 3WBC calls Box Hill home games. Casey 3SER football director Kain Pollard’s Saturday starts bright and early as he presents the VFL Footy Show. From the show’s finish at 10.30am, Pollard and technician Jim Hines jump in the car for the mad dash from Casey 3SER’s Cranbourne studios to a VFL ground for the first bounce. Getting the broadcast to air presents a real challenge. and being boundary rider I’ve Pollard, who invests at least 18 “At Frankston, we used to certainly copped the brunt of that hours every weekend into Casey run (the phone line) up through big gush of wind coming off the 3SER’s VFL coverage, agrees. the back of a church at the beach,” Lee, 28, says. “I actually love the VFL back of the old grandstand,” competition, that’s the thing about Pollard recalls. VFL on air it. I used to be an AFL head. “We once blew the digital Now my passion’s with the VFL,” Casey 3SER 97.7FM equipment up at Windy Hill and Pollard, 26, says. 3ser.org.au then the car broke down. “At -Collingwood – “Sometimes it’s all on song and 1611am Double X 90-point margin, eight degrees sometimes something could throw doublex.com.au in the box – yeah, it makes you us off but that’s community radio 3WBC 94.1FM think if it’s all worth it but then at its best.” 3wbc.org.au someone might send you an email Then there is the challenge of saying, ‘Good call, thanks for the elements – rain, heavy winds “You do it because you love it broadcasting it’. and sun in the eyes. Double X and you want to do it, that’s the “You meet the community on boundary rider Matt “Spider” Lee motivating force behind it. a different level, the characters of knows such adversities all too well. “The good thing is that we’re the VFL come out and that’s all “We have had a couple of cold all good mates who do it and we part of it, the people you meet and afternoons down at Williamstown know how each other works.” the relationships you build.”

4 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au young gun: sam pleming

“At Port it’s more like the At home country club back home. It’s all your mates and we spend a lot of time together off the field and in the that closeness brings you closer together on the field.” Borough Pleming has witnessed Port Melbourne’s evolution pleming lauds as a stand-alone club first hand, having joined the camaraderie at port Borough in its first year going it alone, 2006. in many ways port melbourne Then, the club was could not be further removed the whipping boy of the from maffra, the hometown competition, winning just of Borough defender three games to finish at the sam pleming. foot of the ladder. But for all their differences, But Port regrouped to play Pleming says the towns share in a semi-final last season. And one striking similarity and that this year it has recaptured some similarity is a large reason why the of its best form since its halcyon Borough is a strong chance to end days in the mid ’70s-early ’80s, its 26-year premiership drought recently going on an eight-game this year. winning streak. After spending a couple of While Port’s player depth has seasons as a Carlton rookie and gradually improved, Pleming playing for the Northern Bullants, says the confidence and self- Pleming, 22, said the spirit at belief among the playing group TEAC Oval this season reminded this season has been equally him of playing football back home. important in its success. Pleming says for all the Pleming says most of the positives aligned clubs derive from group have now been together for their involvement with AFL players two-three years and are focused they do not match the camaraderie on what they want to achieve. stand-alone clubs enjoy. “When I talk about the belief the Maffra boy “We know we are the ones that players have got in one another, Sam Fleming have to do the job,” Pleming says. there’s no doubt that Gary Ayres is is loving life in the big smoke “We are the ones that are a big part in that,” Pleming says. as he helps there training every night, we are “The belief he has instilled in Port Melbourne the ones that have been there the young boys who were not sure shoot for its first premiership in since November. You have that whether they good enough to play 26 years. continuity all the time. at the level has been great.” “I played a couple of years at And to make Pleming feel even the Bullants and you notice with more at home in the Borough, the alignment it’s very hard. Ayres, like him, is a country boy.

VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 55 rowan andrews

pre-season training in an effort to first time in longer than he cares Rowan’s play for the Devils in 2008. to remember. Asked why he rolled the dice Andrews would love Tasmania again, Andrews simply replied: to post some more wins before rotten run “I just love playing football. I just the curtain falls on 2008, but wanted to keep playing football.” already he’s excited about what Tassie ruckman Not that Andrews was ever season 2009 holds. finally rises looking for any sympathy cards. “I never thought of myself as above injuries unlucky,” he said. “There are a lot of people that when you consider rowan are worse off than me. I thought andrews has played four times I want to make the most of it while as many games this season I could still play. as he has in the past four, you “I always wanted to play at know he’s had a hard run. the highest level possible and, And, the big Tasmanian so, it’s been good to string a few ruckman – he stands 197cm games together.” and tips the scales at 91kg – has Andrews has racked up 12 carried some heavy baggage games this season and, more along that testing journey. importantly, held his own Even before Andrews joined against the likes of Melbourne the Devils in 2006, he’d had a veteran Jeff history of serious injury, having White and spent significant time on the St Kilda’s sidelines one season after tearing Michael an adductor muscle. Gardiner. Then, in his first year in the VFL, The shoulder surgery would restrict challenge Andrews to three games. of pitting If he thought he was over the himself worst of his injuries, Andrews was against such wrong. At the start of last season proven AFL he seriously injured a knee, wiping players, and learning out his entire 2007 season. from them, really Ask Andrews about that injury appeals to Andrews. in any depth and you quickly “You take away bits realise it’s something he’d and pieces from various rather forget. players. It just helps your “I don’t really know, I can’t game improve,” he says. remember what it was. I did it in While the Devils’ season has Ruckman Rowan the pre-season,” Andrews said. not reached the lofty heights many Andrews’ injury- While he may have erased such expected, there has been one free run in 2008 has been one of details from his mind, he didn’t positive, Andrews has played a the positives for the lose the desire to front up again to full season – touch wood – for the Devils this season.

6 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au MYLES SEWELL

It seemed a perfect fi t and so Rebel now it’s proved so far this season. Sewell, 22, has played every game with North Ballarat and a Rooster been a mainstay in its surge to the top of the table. Sewell thriving back Though comfortable with his move, Sewell has no hard feelings at North Ballarat to anyone at the Coburg Tigers. As he notes: “It’s just the way it Myles Sewell headed to works in the VFL.” Melbourne last year to “If you are not an (AFL) listed begin his tertiary studies, guy, you know there will be listed but also in the hope he guys coming back each week and would be given a lifeline they will be getting a game before by an AFL club. VFL guys. Sewell, the North Ballarat “You really just have to put up Rebels captain and best and with it. Talking to the Coburg guys fairest winner in 2006, would this year, with Richmond having so eventually join the VFL and few injuries a lot of the guys who the Coburg Tigers. played in Coburg’s (senior) Grand But his entry into the Final team last year are playing VFL didn’t pan out as Sewell reserves this year.” had hoped. But North Ballarat has only With Coburg’s affi liate a partial alignment with North Richmond enjoying an injury- Melbourne meaning the infl ux of free run, Sewell found it diffi cult AFL players each week is halved, to hold a regular spot with a a much more accommodating busload of Richmond players situation for its VFL players. regularly returning to the VFL. Sewell believes the Kangaroo He managed just seven players add “the cream” to a games and although he was formidable North Ballarat outfi t among the Coburg Tigers’ best in that is chasing a historic fi rst its reserves’ premiership victory, VFL premiership. Sewell decided to leave to pursue “I knew we would be around more senior opportunities. the mark when I went back. We After a trying season Although still based in didn’t lose anyone and we picked with the Coburg Melbourne, Sewell decided to play up some pretty useful players,” Tigers, former North Ballarat Rebels with North Ballarat, a club that Sewell says. captain Myles Sewell featured so many of the players he And FitzGerald has no is fl ying with the came through the Rebels with. hesitation in nominating Sewell Roosters. And, Gerard FitzGerald, who at the top of that list, highlighting coached the Rebels during Sewell’s the “fantastic” shut-down job he tenure in the TAC Cup, had returned did on Geelong captain James as Roosters coach. Byrne recently.

VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 7 preview

dropped their past two games Finals spots and Box Hill has the players to trouble them. Williamstown will prove too on the line strong for Tasmania, while Collingwood, coming off its Bullants and Zebras vie for top eight biggest win for the season, should post back-to-back wins for the first time this season at This Sunday’s Northern Werribee is riding a five-game the expense of Geelong. Bullants-Sandringham game winning streak and has moved to at will be within a game of the fourth-placed season-defining for both sides. Casey Scorpions, while Port has a The winner will find themselves further game in hand. in the eight, the loser will not. While Werribee has looked For the Bullants, whose formidable in recent weeks, Port’s percentage is miserable, form has been hard to fault. victory is essential. Its loss to Frankston was no Defeat will put them a game great surprise given most teams and considerable percentage have trouble at the sardine tin- behind the Zebras with just four shaped Frankston Oval. Look for rounds remaining. the Borough, undefeated at TEAC It’s hard to get a read on just Oval this season, to rebound. where the Bullants stand. Ladder-leaders North Ballarat As good as they were defeating host the inconsistent Coburg North Ballarat by seven goals, Tigers. The Roosters’ bid for their they were just as bad in their past first VFL premiership continues two games against the Bendigo to gather momentum and at Bombers and Box Hill Hawks. AUSTAR Arena, where they have Sandringham finally emerged won all eight of their games this from its longest losing-streak season, it’s hard to see Coburg in the past decade with a upsetting them. comprehensive win against Frankston should aid its cause Tasmania. And in its defence its to stay in the eight by defeating five-match losing streak came the Bendigo Bombers at its against the top-five teams. Peninsula headquarters, where it The Zebras, with Gallagher, has lost just one game all season. Liddell, Summers and Sautner Bendigo is coming off a all playing well, look to have too 90-point loss to Collingwood, not much class for the Bullants. good form to take on the longest With its eight-game winning road trip in the competition. streak broken, Port Melbourne The Casey Scorpions need Sandringham’s hosts a surging Werribee to defeat the Box Hill Hawks to Chad Liddell and his side face a must-win in a match that has top-four consolidate their top-four position, game against the ramifications. but are vulnerable. They’ve Northern Bullants.

8 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au TIPSTERS VFL tipsters

Paul Amy Ross Booth Phil Cleary Leader Newspapers ABC-TV ABC-TV Collingwood 16pts Collingwood 35pts Geelong 20pts Casey Scorpions 22pts Casey Scorpions 15pts Casey Scorpions 11pts Port Melbourne 17pts Werribee Tigers 5pts Port Melbourne 15pts Williamstown 6pts Williamstown 25pts Williamstown 25pts North Ballarat 20pts North Ballarat 10pts North Ballarat 30pts Frankston 25pts Frankston 40pts Frankston 18pts Sandringham 7pts Sandringham 20pts Northern Bullants 10pts

LAST ROUND: 3 LAST ROUND: 2 LAST ROUND: 2

Scott Cummings Adrian Dunn John Hook 3AW Herald Sun Football Operations Manager, AFL Victoria Geelong 3pts Geelong 12pts Casey Scorpions 49pts Casey Scorpions 16pts Geelong 5pts Port Melbourne 5pts Port Melbourne 2pts Casey Scorpions 15pts Williamstown 13pts Williamstown 25pts Port Melbourne 10pts North Ballarat 33pts North Ballarat 10pts Williamstown 20pts Frankston 18pts Frankston 7pts North Ballarat 16pts Northern Bullants 1pt Sandringham 14pts Frankston 5pts Northern Bullants 23pts LAST ROUND: 3 LAST ROUND: 2 LAST ROUND: 2

Michael Sharkey Lady Luck Tony Leonard The Age 3AW Collingwood 18pts Geelong 13pts Geelong 13pts Casey Scorpions 48pts Casey Scorpions 12pts Box Hill Hawks 11pts Port Melbourne 56pts Port Melbourne 15pts Port Melbourne 24pts Williamstown 9pts Williamstown 30pts Williamstown 25pts North Ballarat 35pts North Ballarat 35pts North Ballarat 28pts Frankston 24pts Frankston 29pts Frankston 49pts Sandringham 68pts Sandringham 12pts Sandringham 14pts

LAST ROUND: 3 LAST ROUND: 3 LAST ROUND: 4

Chris Mitchell Peter Schwab LEADERBOARD Herald Sun AFL Victoria CEO Ross Booth 73 Chris Mitchell 66 Geelong 3pts Geelong 12pts Casey Scorpions 32pts Casey Scorpions 10pts Lady Luck 73 Michael Sharkey 63 Port Melbourne 25pts Port Melbourne 14pts Phil Cleary 71 Adrian Dunn 62 Williamstown 30pts Williamstown 20pts North Ballarat 39pts North Ballarat 23pts Peter Schwab 69 Tony Leonard 59 Frankston 29pts Frankston 18pts Paul Amy 69 58 Sandringham 22pts Sandringham 3pts John Hook 68 LAST ROUND: 2 LAST ROUND: 2

For all the latest VFL results and competition details, log on to www.victorianfootballleague.com.au

VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 99 CLUB NOTES VFL club notes

Casey Scorpions on October 4. More information: Tickets are limited to 120; cost Firstly, a big thank 9741 6688. $90 all-inclusive (three-course you to the Scorpions If you are interested in club meal with beer, wine and soft players, team offi cials, sponsors, merchandise, please visit drink). For bookings ring the club supporters and families, who werribeefc.com.au and follow offi ce on 9646 2094 or email supported our Gala Ball and the links. [email protected]. Visit our Auction Night on July 25. website for the latest information: A fantastic night was had by all. North Ballarat pmfc.com.au. Go Boroughs! Our next home game is Savings & Loans Sunday, August 10 and we will be Credit Union family Box Hill Hawks celebrating the 10-year anniversary friendly areas: Savings & Loans Welcome to today’s of the 1998 premiership. Past Credit Union are again proud to match-day partner, players and offi cials are invited to support the family friendly areas Alpha Services. Alpha’s services lunch along with current members at each of our home games at include a specialist nursing and supporters. AUSTAR Arena. Support the agency, dental and fi rst aid, Red, White and Blue tickets Roosters in a relaxed, safe and while it has offi ces in East Keilor, are on sale now. Only $25 for your fun environment, where there the city, Burwood East and chance to win fi rst prize of $3000. is plenty for the kids to do. An Heidelberg West. Alpha employs RWB Day is Sunday, October 5 at area offering activities such as a full variety of nurses to service the club and your ticket includes colouring in and games will be places like the Box Hill Hospital a barbecue lunch and drinks set up in the sports club bistro and Epworth Eastern. Their fi rst from 12-2pm. Club: 5996 1111. from 2.30pm today. We thank aid division provides qualifi ed Website: scorpions.com.au. Savings & Loans Credit Union fi rst-aiders to charity and for their support of these commercial events. Werribee Tigers areas and hope you enjoy Dinner Auction, Friday, The Deputy Prime utilising them. August 29 at Box Hill Town Hall. Minister Julia Gillard, Tickets $80, include a three- Getaway presenter Port Melbourne course meal, beverages and Catriona Rowntree and club Throughout the season entertainment. Plenty of items vice president Martin Carter will we encourage everyone on offer. Call 9890 9442 for be headlining the club’s fi nal to buy the VFL Record to keep up bookings or to donate an item. president’s luncheon on August to date with what is happening at 16. Cost is $40 a person, which the Borough. Sandringham includes a two-course meal and Annual Presentation/Trophy The Sandringham drinks between noon-2pm. Please Night to be held on Friday, Football Club would contact the club for bookings. October 17 at The International like to thank everyone who The club’s presentation night Receptions, Bay Street, Brighton supported our Gala Auction is on at the Werribee Racecourse from 7pm. Night last Saturday night.

Watch out for V TV each week on Ford’s theoval.com.au. The show features all the latest VFL news, with hosts Dwayne Russell and Nigel Carmody previewing the coming matches.

10 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au CLUB NOTES

The night was a huge success please contact the club on Paul Shelton and could not have been possible 9598 8629. (right) and without the generous donations Nick Carnell celebrate and valuable support from Coburg Tigers a Coburg everyone who attended. President’s luncheon: Tigers’ goal. The club would also like to come and join us congratulate Pete Summers and for a delicious carvery and salad David Gallagher on playing 100 plus dessert for only $25. Book VFL games. You are both valuable with Tracey on 9354 8228 by the members of our club and we hope Wednesday prior to home games. to have you both in the yellow, The next luncheon is on Saturday, black and blue for many years August 9 ahead of the Northern to come. Bullants game. And fi nally the coterie lunch Website: to fi nd out about what on August 8 with Stuart Bateson is happening around the club from the Purana Taskforce has log onto coburgtigers.com.au. sold out. For an emailed weekly newsletter, Stay tuned for more lunches contact Tracey at tgoss@ to come. For more information coburgtigers.com.au.

VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 1111 statistics VFL statistics

Round 15 seniors Geelong 3.0 4.3 5.5 7.10 (52) North Ballarat 9.3 17.6 22.9 29.10 (184) AFTER ROUND 15 P W L D F A % PTS GOALS: Geelong - Barnes 4, Byrnes, Davenport, Djerrkura. North Ballarat 15 12 3 0 1692 1217 139.03 48 North Ballarat - Jo. Smith 7, McMahon 5, Wundke 4, Sansbury 3, Chester 3, Williamstown 15 12 3 0 1783 1414 126.10 48 Spolding 2, Grima 2, Sewell, Driscoll, Garlett. Port Melbourne 15 11 4 0 1724 1328 129.82 44 BEST: Geelong - D. Johnson, Barnes, Byrnes, Mumford, Donohue, Djerrkura. North Ballarat - Roach, Sansbury, Smith, Sewell, Grima, McMahon. Casey Scorpions 15 10 5 0 1611 1288 125.08 40 Werribee Tigers 15 9 6 0 1480 1515 97.69 36 Northern Bullants 1.1 5.10 6.10 7.14 (56) Coburg Tigers 15 8 7 0 1567 1442 108.67 32 Box Hill Hawks 6.4 7.6 10.12 13.14 (92) GOALS: Northern Bullants - Lappin 2, Ja. Bannister 2, Gianfagna, Ellard, Sandringham 15 7 8 0 1652 1355 121.92 28 Teague. Frankston 15 7 8 0 1448 1382 104.78 28 Box Hill Hawks - Dowler 3, Neil 2, Clarke, Neville, Dawson, Grima, Pedersen, Smithwick, Marcius, Hunter. Northern Bullants 15 7 8 0 1260 1423 88.55 28 BEST: Northern Bullants - Browne, Blackwell, Jacobs, J. Vansittart, Geelong 15 6 9 0 1439 1621 88.77 24 Gianfagna, Pfeiffer. Bendigo Bombers 15 5 10 0 1317 1658 79.43 20 Box Hill Hawks - Markovic, Dowler, Dawson, Stokes, Clarke, McQueen- Miscamble. Collingwood 15 4 11 0 1143 1548 73.84 16 Tasmania 15 4 11 0 1296 1778 72.89 16 Werribee Tigers 9.4 14.6 18.8 20.11 (131) Box Hill Hawks 15 3 12 0 1217 1660 73.31 12 Casey Scorpions 3.1 6.6 9.9 13.12 (90) GOALS: Werribee Tigers - N. Thompson 6, Podsiadly 4, Barlow 3, Gleeson 2, Riggio, Sharp, Obst, Greenwood, Sheringham. 2008 VFL Goalkickers (ProgressivE) Casey Scorpions - Geary 4, L. Fisher 2, C. Gardiner 2, McEvoy 2, Birss, Howard, Parker. Nicholas Sautner Sandringham 60 (7) BEST: Werribee Tigers - Brown, Gleeson, Howard, S. Thompson, N. Werribee Tigers 53 (4) Thompson, Saker. Adrian Bonaddio Port Melbourne 40 (2) Casey Scorpions - Matthews, Geary, Howard, Steven, M. Gardiner, Birss.

Michael Wundke North Ballarat 38 (-) Williamstown 4.3 6.6 10.11 13.14 (92) Aaron Murray Frankston 36 (3) Coburg Tigers 3.6 5.8 9.11 16.14 (110) Justin Berry Frankston 36 (2) GOALS: Williamstown - Rose 3, Cloke 2, O’Keefe 2, Bre. Johnson 2, Lockwood, Galea, Little, Boumann. Josh Smith North Ballarat 34 (-) Coburg Tigers - Tivendale 4, Shelton 2, Carnell 2, Cartledge 2, Putt 2, Collins, Port Melbourne 34 (1) Gazzo, Graham, Hyde. Patrick Rose Williamstown 33 (3) BEST: Williamstown - Bre. Johnson, Higgins, Street, Jolley, Rose, Hill. Coburg Tigers - Jackson, Oakley-Nicholls, Cartledge, Tivendale, Howat, Meyer. Justin Hardy Tasmania 30 (1) Dean Galea Williamstown 29 (1) Sandringham 4.5 12.13 18.17 24.19 (163) Tasmania 2.3 4.6 7.7 11.10 (76) Paul McMahon North Ballarat 28 (-) GOALS: Sandringham - Sautner 7, Holland 4, C. Liddell 3, White 2, Martyn 2, Geelong 27 (-) Yze 2, Summers, M. Johnston, Crowe, Maric. Tasmania - Taylor 2, Richter 2, Cornelius 2, A. Bielski, T. Plummer, Robinson, Shackleton, Hardy. BEST: Sandringham - Carroll, Sautner, Holland, Crowe, Biddlecombe, Bode. Tasmania - Andrews, Richter, Setchell, Robinson, Koulouriotis, Shackleton. VFL action Frankston 5.1 8.11 10.12 13.14 (92) on ABC-TV Port Melbourne 1.3 2.8 5.10 9.12 (66) GOALS: Frankston - Murray 3, Dickson 2, Berry 2, Proctor 2, Lourey, Keely, ROUND 17 ROUND 18 Magner, Kennedy. Saturday, August 9 Saturday, August 16 Port Melbourne - Bonaddio 2, Pitt 2, Mullins, Nahas, Fanning, Cain, Robbins. BEST: Frankston - Winterton, Marigliani, Oliver, Dickson, Kennedy, Port Melbourne v North Ballarat v Lombardozzi. Williamstown Northern Bullants Port Melbourne - Livingston, Pleming, Robbins, Hassett, Baird, S. Brewer.

ROUND 19 ROUND 20 Collingwood 4.9 7.12 11.14 20.16 (136) Saturday, August 23 Saturday, August 30 Bendigo Bombers 2.1 2.3 4.8 6.10 (46) Casey Scorpions v Port Melbourne v GOALS: Collingwood - Dawes 3, McCarthy 3, Licuria 3, Macaffer 3, Holland 2, Coburg Tigers Northern Bullants Casey-Leigh, Egan, Crow, Lonie, Fraser, Barham. Bendigo Bombers - Weekes 5, Bellchambers. BEST: Collingwood - Dawes, Stanley, Carmody, McCarthy, Iles, Lonie. Bendigo Bombers - Weekes, Hooker, Dempsey, Holmes, Flaherty, Young.

12 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au statistics

Round 14 reserves Northern Bullants 4.5 7.6 13.11 14.12 (96) Box Hill Hawks 1.1 7.4 9.5 11.8 (74) AFTER ROUND 14 P W L D B F A % PTS GOALS: Northern Bullants - Colbert 5, Robertson 2, Mercuri 2, Barraclough, Coburg Tigers 12 12 0 0 2 1742 747 233.20 48 Totino, Perry, Benjamin, Taylor. Box Hill Hawks - Sinclair 3, Hoegel 2, Bayliss 2, Hogan, Sandilands, Kelleher, Williamstown 13 12 1 0 1 1848 804 229.85 48 Hatton. BEST: Northern Bullants - Colbert, Z. Vansittart, Totino, Luzza, Williams, Sandringham 13 8 5 0 1 1347 1060 127.08 32 Taylor. Box Hill Hawks - Bayliss, Hill, Tomkins, Conyers, Sandilands, Angelopoulos. North Ballarat 13 8 5 0 1 1280 1135 112.78 32 Sandringham 1.3 6.10 8.11 10.19 (79) Box Hill Hawks 12 6 6 0 2 1173 1127 104.08 24 North Ballarat 3.3 8.6 12.10 13.13 (91) GOALS: Sandringham - Zomer 2, Gilchrist, Weetra, Hardiman, Gilder, Northern Bullants 12 6 6 0 2 1125 1090 103.21 24 Monaghan, Lockwood, Hine, Kondarovskis. North Ballarat - Faure 3, Luke 2, Taylor 2, Caldow, Gregg, Tickner, George, Frankston 12 6 6 0 2 1112 1212 91.75 24 Orvis, Tarrant. BEST: Sandringham - Monaghan, Gilchrist, Gribbin, Waller, Fleming, Port Melbourne 13 6 7 0 1 1090 1371 79.50 24 Hardiman. North Ballarat - George, Peace, Caldow, Peters, Luke, Tickner. Casey Scorpions 12 3 9 0 2 1047 1464 71.52 12

Werribee Tigers 12 1 11 0 2 915 1439 63.59 4 Williamstown 2.0 5.6 6.8 11.11 (77) Coburg Tigers 8.0 11.2 15.11 19.14 (128) Bendigo Bombers 12 0 12 0 2 639 1869 34.19 0 GOALS: Williamstown - Urch 3, Lyons 2, M. Boyd 2, O’Shea 2, Shaw, Smith. Coburg Tigers - Collard 3, Currie 2, N. Caruso 2, Jones 2, Lynch 2, Dulic 2, Rayson, Davis, Simpson, Liddle, Corr, Carrick. 2008 VFL RESERVE Goalkickers (ProgressivE) BEST: Williamstown - M. Boyd, Barling, Urch, Shaw, Tanner, Langlands. Coburg Tigers - Carrick, Riddle, N. Caruso, Corr, Liddle, Foster. Jonathon Mercuri Northern Bullants 28 (2) Werribee Tigers 6.3 10.7 11.8 18.12 (120) Joseph Gazzo Coburg Tigers 26 (-) Casey Scorpions 5.2 7.3 14.12 20.14 (134) Paul O’Shea Williamstown 26 (2) GOALS: Werribee Tigers - Butty 4, Fletcher 3, Kennedy-Hunt 3, Mather 2, Clayton Collard Coburg Tigers 23 (3) Magnabosco, Eddy, Hardy, L. Thompson, Cordy, Barrett. Casey Scorpions - Williams 4, Leung 3, Fraser 2, McGrath 2, Salter 2, Waite, Trent Zomer Sandringham 23 (2) Fridman, MacLeod, Arezzolo, Haretuku, McDonald, Galvin. Jake De Sousa Coburg Tigers 21 (-) BEST: Werribee Tigers - Magnabosco, Eddy, Butty, Kennedy-Hunt, Mather, Robbie Gregg North Ballarat 20 (1) Fletcher. Casey Scorpions - Leung, MacLeod, Mohr, Chivers, Waite, McGrath. Simon Seddon North Ballarat 20 (-) Guy Martyn Sandringham 19 (-) Frankston 3.1 5.2 10.4 10.5 (65) Port Melbourne 6.1 10.4 14.6 19.10 (124) Paul Currie Coburg Tigers 19 (2) GOALS: Frankston - Dore 3, Barker 3, Rebeschini, Degenhardt, Collie, Timothy Jenkins Williamstown 18 (-) Krakouer. Jonathan Mullins Port Melbourne 18 (-) Port Melbourne - Sheldon 8, Dare 3, Kennedy 2, Paule 2, Livingstone 2, W. deBruin, Downes. Nick Meese Northern Bullants 18 (-) BEST: Frankston - Willis, Raso, Collie, Dore, Degenhardt, Drake. Derick Micallef North Ballarat 18 (-) Port Melbourne - Kennedy, Pearce, Sutcliffe, Dillon, Sheldon, Dalton.

VFL Senior field umpires 2008 VFL action on radio Beard, Dan...... 1 Hoskins, Wayne...... 14 ROUND 16 Pannell, Troy...... 2 Bannister, Ben (Tas)...... 15 Saturday, August 2 Donat, Matthew...... 3 Leppard, Matthew...... 16 Port Melbourne v Werribee Tigers Jennings, Michael...... 4 Ritchie, Brett...... 17 Sunday, August 3 Mitchell, Andrew...... 5 Denison, Greg...... 18 Findlay, Robert...... 6 Bromley, Ashley...... 20 Frankston v Bendigo Bombers Pawley, Brent...... 7 Mills, Richard...... 21 Oakley, Matthew...... 8 Capell, Clinton...... 22 ROUND 16 Saunders, Tim...... 9 Ralph, Stuart (Tas)...... 23 Saturday, August 2 Mackie, Simon...... 10 Burgess, Tristan...... 24 Port Melbourne v Werribee Tigers Brown, Matthew...... 11 Gleeson, Shaun (Tas)...... 32 Sunday, August 3 McCarthy, Troy...... 12 Lehner, Ben (Tas)...... 36 Grindal, Jamie...... 13 Note: AFL Umpires will wear 30, 31, 34, 38, 39, 40 Northern Bullants v Sandringham ROUND 16 Saturday, August 2 Box Hill Hawks v Casey Scorpions

VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 13 AFL VICTORIA COMMUNITY NEWS

AFL Victoria ?????? community news VOLUNTEERS OF THE WEEK TREVOR AND JOANNE CROWE

Wanganui Park Junior Football Club Trevor Crowe As most football clubs can To nominate for Volunteer of attest, one dedicated volunteer the Week and Club of the Week Joanne Crowe is worth his or her weight in awards, email Darryl Collings at gold but the Wanganui Park darryl.collings@afl vic.com.au. Junior Football Club in the The Volunteer of the Year Shepparton and District Junior and Community Club of the Year Football League is fortunate will be will selected from the enough to have a double act weekly winner and announced among its dedicated helpers. at AFL Victoria’s members Trevor and Joanne Crowe have dinner in February 2009. been involved with the club for 15 The Community Club of the years, their association beginning Year also receives $1500 when their only son Hayden from AFL Victoria, so get your commenced playing football. nominations in now! During their time at the club Trevor and Jo have performed a number of duties from coaching to serving on the committee, marking the ground before each game and sewing numbers I reckon I’m a pretty good judge of character. I mean, on jumpers. ??????? ????????you’ve got to be ????????willing to hear both sides ??????? of the story. While their son Hayden is no longer playing with the club, ???????? ????????I think I’ve had my fair??????? share of challenges ???????? and I know Trevor and Jo continue their ???????? ???????when life throws ????????you an unexpected situation, ???????? it takes association. This year, Trevor is coaching the under-16 Division 2 life experience and teamwork to get you through. team with Jo in the role as trainer and assistant team manager. I think I will be a good Prison Officer. AFL Victoria would like to congratulate Trevor and Joanne Crowe on their ongoing Apply at www.cvcareers.com.au contribution to the Wanganui careers in corrections Park Junior Football Club.

14 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au FIXTURE VFL fixture 2008

Round 1 SUNDAY, MAY 18 Round 14 SATURDAY, MARCH 29 Frankston 22.16 (148) vs. Werribee Tigers 6.16 (52) SATURDAY, JULY 12 Northern Bullants 16.9 (105) vs. North Ballarat 9.9 (63) Coburg Tigers 27.16 (178) vs. Geelong 16.7 (103) Geelong 20.11 (131) vs. Box Hill Hawks 11.15 (81) Box Hill Hawks 13.14 (92) vs. Port Melbourne 21.14 (140) Bendigo Bombers 18.11 (119) vs. Tasmania 13.12 (90) Werribee Tigers 16.12 (108) vs. Frankston 15.13 (103) Bendigo Bombers 13.12 (90) vs. Williamstown 19.13 (127) Collingwood 12.15 (87) vs. Port Melbourne 11.8 (74) Casey Scorpions 20.17 (137) vs. Tasmania 15.7 (97) Sandringham 15.15 (105) vs. Williamstown 18.11 (119) North Ballarat 19.12 (126) vs. Box Hill Hawks 8.8 (56) Round 8 Coburg Tigers 8.10 (58) vs. Port Melbourne 19.19 (133) Werribee Tigers 10.13 (73) vs. Williamstown 19.15 (129) SATURDAY, MAY 24 SUNDAY, JULY 13 SUNDAY, MARCH 30 Williamstown 23.15 (153) vs. Box Hill Hawks 13.12 (90) Bendigo Bombers 14.14 (98) vs. Northern Bullants 9.12 (66) Frankston 14.13 (97) vs. Northern Bullants 11.15 (81) Port Melbourne 16.10 (106) vs. Casey Scorpions 10.16 (76) Collingwood 6.10 (46) vs. North Ballarat 19.11 (125) Sandringham 18.11 (119) vs. Casey Scorpions 11.16 (82) Werribee Tigers 18.18 (126) vs. Collingwood 10.11 (71) Round 15 SUNDAY, MAY 25 Round 2 - Rivalry Round SATURDAY, JULY 19 SATURDAY, APRIL 5 North Ballarat 17.15 (117) vs. Geelong 12.14 (86) Geelong 7.10 (52) vs. North Ballarat 29.10 (184) Coburg Tigers 22.13 (145) vs. Bendigo Bombers 13.16 (94) North Ballarat 16.16 (112) vs. Bendigo Bombers 9.6 (60) Northern Bullants 7.14 (56) vs. Box Hill Hawks 13.14 (92) Frankston 23.23 (161) vs. Tasmania 15.5 (95) Williamstown 25.12 (162) vs. Collingwood 14.10 (94) SUNDAY, JULY 20 Sandringham 15.15 (105) vs. Northern Bullants 8.12 (60) Port Melbourne 17.7 (109) vs. Sandringham 16.12 (108) Werribee Tigers 20.11 (131) vs. Casey Scorpions 13.12 (90) Casey Scorpions 16.14 (110) vs. Frankston 9.18 (72) SANFL vs. VFL - State Representative Match Williamstown 13.14 (92) vs. Coburg Tigers 16.14 (110) Sandringham 24.19 (163) vs. Tasmania 11.10 (76) SUNDAY, APRIL 6 SANFL 25.11 (161) vs. VFL 14.12 (96) Geelong 22.8 (140) vs. Werribee Tigers 11.21 (87) SATURDAY, JULY 26 Frankston 13.14 (92) vs. Port Melbourne 9.12 (66) Box Hill Hawks 12.13 (85) vs. Tasmania 13.10 (88) Round 9 Northern Bullants 16.11 (107) vs. Coburg Tigers 15.14 (104) SUNDAY, JULY 27 SATURDAY, JUNE 7 Collingwood 20.16 (136) vs. Bendigo Bombers 6.10 (46) Round 3 North Ballarat 20.9 (129) vs. Frankston 14.9 (93) Northern Bullants 10.9 (69) vs. Williamstown 17.13 (115) Round 16 SATURDAY, APRIL 12 Tasmania 17.10 (112) vs. Port Melbourne 18.7 (115) SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 Tasmania 18.17 (125) vs. Geelong 15.11 (101) Geelong vs. Collingwood Skilled Stadium (ABC TV) 1:10pm Williamstown 24.7 (151) vs. Port Melbourne 17.12 (114) SUNDAY, JUNE 8 Casey Scorpions 18.9 (117) vs. Geelong 11.12 (78) Box Hill Hawks vs. Casey Scorpions Box Hill City Oval 2pm Northern Bullants 20.8 (128) vs. Collingwood 12.5 (77) Port Melbourne vs. Werribee Tigers TEAC Oval 2pm Sandringham 11.13 (79) vs. Collingwood 6.13 (49) Coburg Tigers 13.13 (91) vs. North Ballarat 13.14 (92) Tasmania vs. Williamstown 2pm Werribee Tigers 10.6 (66) vs. Coburg Tigers 14.19 (103) Casey Scorpions 18.14 (122) vs. Box Hill Hawks 13.11 (89) SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 SUNDAY, APRIL 13 MONDAY, JUNE 9 North Ballarat vs. Coburg Tigers AUSTAR Arena 2pm Sandringham 13.12 (90) vs. Frankston 15.12 (102) Box Hill Hawks 12.12 (84) vs. Bendigo Bombers 18.11 (119) Frankston vs. Bendigo Bombers Frankston Oval 2pm Northern Bullants vs. Sandringham Princes Park 2pm Werribee Tigers 17.13 (115) vs. Bendigo Bombers 14.11 (95) Round 10 Round 4 SATURDAY, JUNE 14 Round 17 SATURDAY, APRIL 19 Casey Scorpions 14.7 (91) vs. Sandringham 8.11 (59) SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 Tasmania vs. Frankston Aurora Stadium (AFL C/R) 10:15am Geelong 16.16 (112) vs. Williamstown 12.8 (80) Collingwood 6.6 (42) vs. Northern Bullants 18.9 (117) Collingwood vs. Werribee Tigers Princes Park 1pm Northern Bullants 11.18 (84) vs. Tasmania 10.14 (74) Tasmania 15.11 (101) vs. Coburg Tigers 13.17 (95) Port Melbourne 16.12 (108) vs. North Ballarat 13.9 (87) Port Melbourne vs. Williamstown TEAC Oval (ABC TV) Port Melbourne 24.11 (155) vs. Coburg Tigers 15.17 (107) 1:10pm SUNDAY, APRIL 20 SUNDAY, JUNE 15 Bendigo Bombers vs. Box Hill Hawks QE Oval 2pm Frankston 12.11 (83) vs. Collingwood 15.10 (100) Williamstown 18.13 (121) vs. Frankston 16.11 (107) Coburg Tigers vs. Northern Bullants ABD Group Stadium 2pm North Ballarat 19.9 (123) vs. Werribee Tigers 13.16 (94) Box Hill Hawks 13.12 (90) vs. Werribee Tigers 11.16 (82) SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 Box Hill Hawks 11.10 (76) vs. Sandringham 25.14 (164) Bendigo Bombers 16.21 (117) vs. Geelong 10.9 (69) Casey Scorpions vs. North Ballarat 2pm Sandringham vs. Geelong Trevor Barker Beach Oval 2pm Bendigo Bombers 14.8 (92) vs. Casey Scorpions 20.13 (133) Round 11 Round 5 SATURDAY, JUNE 21 Round 18 FRIDAY, APRIL 25 (ANZAC DAY) Tasmania 7.14 (56) vs. Werribee Tigers 17.19 (121) SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 North Ballarat vs. Northern Bullants AUSTAR Arena (ABC Coburg Tigers 11.13 (79) vs. Box Hill Hawks 10.7 (67) Collingwood 10.8 (68) vs. Williamstown 14.18 (102) Bendigo Bombers 14.15 (99) vs. North Ballarat 18.4 (112) TV) 1:10pm Tasmania 17.9 (111) vs. Casey Scorpions 13.14 (92) Coburg Tigers vs. Sandringham ABD Group Stadium 2pm SATURDAY, APRIL 26 SUNDAY, JUNE 22 Collingwood vs. Tasmania Princes Park 2pm Sandringham 24.15 (159) vs. Bendigo Bombers 13.11 (89) Sandringham 11.9 (75) vs. Port Melbourne 21.16 (142) Werribee Tigers vs. Box Hill Hawks Bartercard Oval 2pm Frankston 9.8 (62) vs. Box Hill Hawks 10.9 (69) Williamstown vs. Bendigo Bombers Burbank Oval 2pm SUNDAY, APRIL 27 Coburg Tigers 14.14 (98) vs. Casey Scorpions 23.13 (151) Williamstown 17.21 (123) vs. North Ballarat 15.16 (106) SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 Geelong 15.10 (100) vs. Northern Bullants 17.9 (111) Geelong vs. Port Melbourne Skilled Stadium 1pm Northern Bullants 12.15 (87) vs. Werribee Tigers 15.13 (103) Frankston vs. Casey Scorpions Frankston Oval 2pm SATURDAY, MAY 3 Round 12 Port Melbourne 15.19 (109) vs. Frankston 7.9 (51) SATURDAY, JUNE 28 Round 19 SUNDAY, MAY 4 Geelong 14.12 (96) vs. Tasmania 9.14 (68) SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 Collingwood 10.7 (67) vs. Geelong 19.9 (123) Box Hill Hawks 13.8 (86) vs. Collingwood 17.10 (112) Port Melbourne vs. Collingwood TEAC Oval 1pm North Ballarat 17.13 (115) vs. Williamstown 9.14 (68) Casey Scorpions vs. Coburg Tigers Casey Fields (ABC TV) Round 6 1:10pm SUNDAY, JUNE 29 Box Hill Hawks vs. Williamstown Box Hill City Oval 2pm SATURDAY, MAY 10 Frankston 13.14 (92) vs. Coburg Tigers 11.5 (71) Frankston vs. Sandringham Frankston Oval 2pm Coburg Tigers 17.19 (121) vs. Collingwood 10.8 (68) Casey Scorpions 11.14 (80) vs. Bendigo Bombers 7.9 (51) Northern Bullants vs. Geelong NAB Oval 2pm Box Hill Hawks 13.12 (90) vs. Geelong 16.8 (104) Northern Bullants 7.10 (52) vs. Port Melbourne 15.13 (103) Tasmania vs. North Ballarat Bellerive Oval 2pm North Ballarat 18.7 (115) vs. Tasmania 9.12 (66) Werribee Tigers 13.15 (93) vs. Sandringham 13.9 (87) Bendigo Bombers vs. Werribee Tigers QE Oval 2pm Werribee Tigers 16.19 (115) vs. Port Melbourne 15.10 (100) Round 20 Bendigo Bombers 12.11 (83) vs. Frankston 11.14 (80) Round 13 SUNDAY, MAY 11 SATURDAY, JULY 5 SATURDAY, AUGUST 30 Port Melbourne 23.12 (150) vs. Bendigo Bombers 8.17 (65) Geelong vs. Frankston Skilled Stadium (AFL C/R) 10:40am Williamstown 19.16 (130) vs. Sandringham 9.12 (66) Port Melbourne vs. Northern Bullants TEAC Oval (ABC TV) Casey Scorpions 25.14 (164) vs. Northern Bullants 6.10 (46) SUNDAY, JULY 6 1:10pm North Ballarat 12.14 (86) vs. Sandringham 10.10 (70) Round 7 Bendigo Bombers vs. Coburg Tigers Windy Hill 2pm Collingwood 15.8 (98) vs. Frankston 16.9 (105) Collingwood vs. Casey Scorpions Princes Park 2pm SATURDAY, MAY 17 Williamstown 15.21 (111) vs. Casey Scorpions 14.11 (95) Sandringham vs. North Ballarat Trevor Barker Beach Oval 2pm Tasmania 7.9 (51) vs. Sandringham 31.17 (203) Box Hill Hawks 9.16 (70) vs. Coburg Tigers 18.14 (122) Williamstown vs. Werribee Tigers Burbank Oval 2pm Geelong 6.15 (51) vs. Coburg Tigers 11.19 (85) Tasmania 12.14 (86) vs. Northern Bullants 13.13 (91) SUNDAY, AUGUST 31 Casey Scorpions 10.11 (71) vs. Collingwood 3.10 (28) Werribee Tigers 16.18 (114) vs. Geelong 13.15 (93) Tasmania vs. Box Hill Hawks Bellerive Oval 2pm

VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 15 ProudProud SponsorSponsor of VFLVFL SeasonSeason 20082005

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A.V. VIDEO PRODUCTIONS Ph: 9583 8307 Mob. 0411 122 237 • Corporate Official • Training Videographers • Seminars of the VFL since 1996. • Weddings • Special Events CALL US FOR ALL YOUR • Sports VIDEO PRODUCTION NEEDS players in the vfl AFL superstars: a distraction or inspiration? port embraces Cousins’ involvement

as Williamstown neared the The Buckley anecdote is end of their pre-match warm a perfect backdrop given the up in the visitors’ rooms at possible appearance of Ben port Melbourne, coach Brad Cousins, the former West Coast Gotch called forward one of captain and Brownlow medallist, his new players. at Port Melbourne. Gotch asked him to tell his Cousins has registered with teammates what he wanted to Port Melbourne as he seeks achieve in the match. to rebuild a career derailed by The player said he was glad substance abuse, though he has to be back, excited to be playing said he is more likely to train than with his teammates, nominated play with the Borough. is considering his desire to lay a in the first Given the massive interest in training with Port Melbourne as part situation that arose and build his Cousins and the media circus of his bid to return game from there. that seems to accompany his to the AFL. And not long after the opening every move, the question raised bounce the player laid a perfect, is will Cousins – should he commit Livingston – who said it wouldn’t bone-crunching tackle, just as he to training with the Borough – be a be an issue. said he would. distraction to Port as it aims to end “They just said, ‘We will keep That player? Collingwood a 26-year premiership drought. doing what we have been doing legend Nathan Buckley. Port Melbourne coach Gary for the past six months and that’s Gotch said the Port match from Ayres, for one, believes the very much worrying about what last year would forever be etched positives of Cousins training we can control’,” Ayres said. in his memory. with the club would far outweigh “I think they are very keen to “At the first bounce, ‘Bucks’ any negatives. take as many positives as they nailed someone with a great Ayres discussed Cousins’ can out of it rather than dwell on tackle and everyone said, potential involvement with the the negatives, which would be the ‘Wow, that’s what he said he club’s leadership group – captain media circus that is going to go was going to do’. Luke Cotchett, vice-captains with it. “It inspires everyone when a John Baird and Ryan McMahon “They are committed to the genuine superstar delivers on and deputy vice-captains David cause and very committed to what he says he’s going to do.” Spriggs, Cory McGrath and Luke remain as normal as they can.”

22 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au afl players in the vfl

“Just to see how hard a guy like Ben Cousins trains would give our guys an insight into what it takes to reach such a level.” In the unlikely event Cousins decides to play in the VFL, a Port Melbourne player will have to be omitted, but Ayres says the leadership group believes this will still be a positive for the club. Ayres says that if Cousins decides to train but not play with the club, then he would not be involved in training during Nathan Buckley starred for the finals. Williamstown in a one-off VFL match last season. “I would simply say, ‘Ben, thanks for being involved’, but Casey Scorpions coach attend the match in their Casey if he has no intention of playing Greg Hutchison, who has had gear and to go to the club’s then to train during the Fraser Gehrig, after-match function. finals isn’t really and Stephen Milne play with the Hutchison also notes it is in an worthwhile.” Scorpions during the season, says AFL player’s interest to play well the appearance of genuine stars in the VFL or his stay there will not sends a buzz around the club. be a one-off. Hutchison says some of “Sure, AFL players have got the younger players may get egos, but they realise they have intimidated, but for the vast to put those egos in their back majority there is a sense of pocket and get back to reality,” excitement and expectation. Hutchison says. “When Milne and Dal Santo Ayres acknowledges Cousins came back our players were presents a different scenario from rapt to see them turn up, present AFL stars playing with an aligned themselves and be ready to play. club, but says everyone at Port And the professional way they Melbourne views his possible handled it made an impression involvement as a significant on everyone at the club,” opportunity to see how an Hutchison said. extremely gifted athlete trains. “I’ve got no doubt it gave a lift “Our average age is 21.5 to the players and how we played.” (years). You can imagine how Hutchison doubts if there is many guys would never get the a distraction factor given the opportunity to rub shoulders with Matthew Richardson professional approach of players a guy who is an AFL premiership played a cameo for these days. He adds all the St player, Brownlow medallist, Coburg after he was dropped from Richmond Kilda players selected in the multiple winner,” for disciplinary reasons Scorpions team are expected to Ayres says. in 2002.

2323 round 15 action VFL Round 15 action

Ben Jolley Fortunato was one of Caruso breaks Williamstown’s clear against best players Williamstown against the last round. Coburg Tigers.

Coburg Tiger Joe Gazzo was among his side’s goalkickers in its 18-point win against Williamstown.

Seagull Matthew Little tries to spark his side during its surprise loss to the Coburg Tigers.

VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 2121 3%. &2 2.$ 6&,PDF0-

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+ 5 SENsational GAMES Friday, 1st August Collingwood v Hawthorn, MCG (6.00pm)

Saturday, 2nd August Adelaide v Carlton, AAMI (1.00pm) North Melbourne v , Carrara(6.00pm)

Sunday, 3rd August v , Manuka Stadium (11.00am) Freemantle v , ,Subiaco (4.00pm)

visit: aflvic.com.au 150 years

game that erupted five minutes The Port into the second quarter when champion Borough goalkicker Fred Cook lay motionless on powerhouse the ground after kicking a goal. Next to Cook stood New book revisits the Dandenong full-back Alan Borough’s glory days Harper. The incident sparked fights all over the ground. Keenan reports rugged Port Melbourne Port Melbourne was an defender George Allen emerging power in the VFa immediately turned to opponent when World War II struck, Pat Flaherty, muttered, ‘Sorry, but no club would be more Pat, but it’s dog-eat-dog’, dominant in the 40 years then decked Flaherty with following the war. a single punch. Port was synonymous with A Different Breed also finals series, contesting 29 in captures the Borough’s that 40-year period, netting continued premiership success in 10 premierships and finishing the early 1980s when it won three runner-up a further 10 times. successive flags, but Keenan It’s this dominant period that’s doesn’t gloss over the club’s captured by Terry Keenan in decline in the ensuing years. A Different Breed, the third In Keenan’s view, Port’s fall volume of the Port Melbourne from power can be traced back to Football Club’s history. the cultural change in suburban Keenan vividly captures life Port Melbourne. It’s not just a

in Port Melbourne during that Fred Cook whimsical view. Keenan supports era, which largely mirrored what his case with a raft of evidence played out on the football field. that shows when the Borough He takes us behind the scenes The game erupted in the was at its strongest most of its to examine the power base of second quarter when players – and gun players at that Norm Goss, the architect of the champion Borough – lived in the suburb. club’s success and ethos. goalkicker Fred Cook Sadly, he notes, few do these There’s a telling insight into lay motionless. days and the unmistakable how Goss used the Record, connection between the Port the official voice of the VFA, to the Grand Final with an 11-game Melbourne community and deliver messages to his players, winning streak. football club is no longer. sometimes seeking to inspire Readers are also taken inside Like Kicking Into The Wind and them and at other times to issue one of the most sensational Unduly Rough Play, A Different a wake-up call. Keenan recalls Grand Finals in VFL history, the Breed is a must, not only for the how Goss used this ‘technique’ 1976 Port Melbourne-Dandenong Port Melbourne faithful but for more than once early in the 1976 premiership decider. all football fans. season and it obviously had the More than 32,000 were at the It’s on sale for $30 at the Port desired effect – Port entered that day to see a .

25 VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 2525 Ryan bReese

“I’ve had a pretty shocking Like everyone else at the club, Life’s a run with injuries,” Breese says. Breese had visions at the start “I haven’t played a full season in of the season of playing finals a long time.” and was, naturally, disappointed Breese In fact, Breese needs to play Box Hill’s season didn’t get off three more games this season the tarmac. again to reach a career-high 12 games But Breese says the Hawks (combined seniors/reserves) in can still salvage something from Hawks’ wings the one season at Box Hill. season 2008, by winning as many finally unclipped It’s something his elder games as possible and, hopefully, brother can empathise with and seeing some of their players do in 2008 something Breese puts down to enough to be selected at the the “Breese knees” syndrome. NAB AFL and Rookie drafts. several weeks ago box Hill Despite regular visits to the Hawks coach barry Mitchell medico’s room, Breese has mistook Ryan breese for his enjoyed a break-through season sibling Daniel. this year, albeit one that The humour of the moment didn’t gather momentum aside, the brothers Breese have until round four. much in common – a passion Apart from being healthy for football and wretched luck and relatively injury free, Breese with injury. says the backdrop of playing, Daniel Breese, drafted by albeit infrequently, in the VFL Melbourne in 2000, endured a coupled with growing maturity frustrating run with injury that and understanding has helped. grounded his AFL career before it While he’s played mainly in ever really took off. When delisted the midfield, Mitchell has also by Melbourne, he returned to the given Breese several run-with Box Hill Hawks, where he was, roles, which he has carried out again, ravaged by injury. very effectively. Ryan, who, like Daniel, played “He has been a very good with TAC Cup Eastern Ranges player for us since he came in,” before moving to Box Hill at Mitchell says. the start of the 2006 season, “He’s a really hard type, he’s tells a similar tale of woe. Not a great tackler and he goes in long after he arrived at Box Hill, really hard. Ryan is a really Ryan required arthroscopic valued member around surgery, then a knee the club.” reconstruction then, at the start of this season, more arthroscopic surgery. Add some niggles and stress Like elder brother Daniel, fractures, and it’s clear why Ryan Ryan Breese has suffered a horror run with injuries Breese has managed just 20 but looks to be finally games in three VFL seasons. putting that behind him.

26 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au dean limbach Dropped Dolphin resurfaces limbach working hard on defence no one, least of all someone for the year. You try to impress who has been on an aFl list, on young blokes that they can likes being dropped to the get themselves into the game reserves. dean limbach, who by applying defensive was on Richmond’s list in 2006, pressure and all of a is no exception. sudden opportunities But that was his fate recently present themselves.” when Frankston coach Brett Limbach, 22, Lovett reacted to a couple acknowledged he of losses. can “get a little bit lazy If Limbach’s axing was meant at times” and said he as a wake-up call, it worked. realised he needed to Limbach went back to the apply defensive pressure did everything reserves and showed the talent when the opposition had I could to help that convinced Richmond to draft the ball in attack. the reserves. him. It earned him an immediate Limbach said You go back recall to the seniors, where he it wasn’t the first time with the right kicked a season-high six goals. he had attitude and don’t It was not enough to earn been dropped. muck around. Frankston the win, however, as “It happened when “Of course, the Dolphins, again, coughed I was at Richmond I didn’t like it, it’s up a last-quarter lead to lose to and it happened really disappointing. Werribee by five points. when I was at It is a kick in the guts If there was to be a positive to Williamstown,” when it happens.” come out of the game for Lovett it he said. Limbach, who chose was Limbach’s strong return. “I just made to play with Frankston this Lovett said Limbach’s sure I went back, season because he was “sick goalkicking had never been a kicked a bag of playing in aligned sides”, concern, just his ability to apply and realises it is now crunch time defensive pressure. for him and his teammates if “We had been working on the Frankston is to be defensive side of Dean’s game part of the finals. and he knew where he needed to To get there improve,” Lovett said. Dean Limbach has Limbach knows “While he kicked six goals returned from a stint in he has to kick against Werribee, I thought it was Frankston’s reserves goals and apply determined to apply more his best defensive game defensive pressure. defensive pressure.

VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 2727 ?????

?????? BEING AROUND A LONG TIME HAS ITS ADVANTAGES

LIKE HAVING THE WISDOM THAT COMES WITH AGE ????? With over 35 years of knowledge in the print and graphics arts industry, we know experience counts.????? Getting professional results on a budget can be achievable if you have the??????? winning team. ???????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ????????

EXPERIENCE COUNTS CONDOR $%3)'.s)-!').'s!$6%24)3).'s02).4).' Tel. 613 9329 2999 Fax. 613 9329 2911

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