Dean Towers Was Named As the of Our Premier Competitions

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Welcome to Grand Final Day THE culmination of the preseason, home and away rounds and three weeks of ﬁ nals are reached today with the Grand Finals

FIRSTLY, and very importantly, coaches: Nick Stevens has taken Vic Country both performed well at welcome and thanks to all Gippsland through a season where the NAB AFL U18 Championships supporters of the Peter Jackson they lost just three games while with Vic Metro winning the title. VFL and TAC Cup competitions Justin Wenke has handled well the It was the 17th time in the past for attending our Grand Finals complexities of school commitments 21 years a Victorian team has today and the many football fans to have Oakleigh advance from an triumphed, an extraordinary result. who have attended games during Elimination Final. Underscoring this achievement, the 2012 season. The Peter Jackson VFL Grand Final nine Victorians were named to the Like you, AFL Victoria looks to pits together two of our oldest, All Australian U18 team. today with much expectation and most traditional, proudest and Gippsland Power’s Nick Graham anticipation. successful clubs – Geelong and won the Morrish Medal; Werribee’s The twin-billing feature of the Peter Port Melbourne – coached by two of Ben Ross capped a splendid Jackson VFL and TAC Cup Grand the game’s highly decorated players comeback season to win the J.J. Finals is the climax of what have Gary Ayres and Matthew Knights. Liston trophy and North Ballarat’s been outstanding seasons for both Ayres and Knights both won Dean Towers was named as the of our premier competitions. best and fairests at Hawthorn Fothergill Round medallist for the The TAC Cup Grand Final will and Richmond respectively, both most promising U23 VFL player. showcase some of the fi nest, most captained their club, both made the Underpinning all these marvellous exciting young men in the TAC Cup club’s Team Of The Century and on fi eld achievements has been a competition, some who are on the have coached in the AFL. hard-working, energetic band of cusp of joining the game’s elite in Geelong entered the then Victorian volunteers that keep football Clubs the AFL. Football Association in 1877, Port ticking over. AFL Victoria is certainly The Peter Jackson VFL Grand Melbourne followed nine years appreciative of their passion and Final highlights a standalone VFL later. Not long after they would take commitment. Club going head-to-head with different, but hugely successful Once again, AFL Victoria has a standalone AFL team, for the football journeys only to renew been fortunate to have the support cherished prize of the premiership acquaintances in the 2002 VFL of many valued partners. The cup. The lead-up games in the Grand Final. partnerships we have with the TAC, Peter Jackson VFL Final series Now, a decade later these two now in its 21st year and recently which have been powered by MILK great clubs are again foes on one extended for a further three years, have been outstanding. of Victorian football’s biggest days, Peter Jackson Melbourne, Dairy The TAC Cup Grand Final brings both seeking to add another chapter Australia, Ford and ABC TV are very together a country versus city to their rich history. much appreciated. match-up with Gippsland Power Already, we have celebrated many We hope you enjoy what promises squaring off against Oakleigh stunning team and individual to be a memorable day of Australian Chargers in their fi rst ever Grand success stories. Football. Final meeting. Victoria’s talented player pathway Certainly, it is a credit to fi rst-year again shone brightly. Vic Metro and - Grant Williams General Manager

VFL & TAC CUP, GRAND FINALS HEADQUARTERS. CONTENTS. SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2012 Media Coverage 4 Geelong Cats Profi les 34 Visy Park Grand Final Preview 5 Umpire Profi les 38 Gate 3 Royal Parade Media Predictions 11 Grant Williams 41 Carlton Nth VIC 3054 Fothergill Round Medallist 13 TAC 21st Anniversary Team 47 GPO Box 4337 Development League Review 14 TAC Cup Team of the Year 52 MELBOURNE VIC 3001 PJ VFL Team of the Year 17 Gippsland Power Profi les 54 Phone: (03) 8341 6000 Season to Remember 21 TAC Cup Team Lists 56 Fax: (03) 9380 1076 Port Melbourne Profi les 30 Oakleigh Chargers Profi les 58 Website: www.afl vic.com.au VFL Team Lists 32 AFL Victoria Development 62

www.vﬂ .com.au | 3 MEDIA COVERAGE

Media Coverage

ABC TV Sunday September 23: Port Melbourne vs Geelong from 2pm Replay: 2:30am Wednesdays ABC TV

SEN/VFL RADIO Sunday September 23: Port Melbourne vs Geelong from 1pm Live on SEN, Digital Radio via Aussie, Red Time Sport and SEN I-Phone Apps or online via vﬂ .com.au or sen.com.au

3WBC Sunday September 23: Port Melbourne vs Geelong from 1pm Listen to 94.1 FM or online at www.3wbc.org.au

SEN Thursday September 27 The Peter Jackson VFL Show 8pm – 8:30pm

K-Rock Sunday September 23: Port Melbourne vs Geelong from 1pm 95.5fm or www.krock.com.au

ABC Radio Sunday September 23: Port Melbourne vs Geelong from 1pm 774am

Footy Online Keep up with the latest VFL news online via: www.vﬂ .com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/vﬂ footy Twitter: @VFLnews #PJVFL.

COVER CONTRIBUTORS

VFL: Grand Final coaches Port Melbourne’s Editor: Anthony Stanguts Gary Ayres (left) and Geelong’s Matthew anthony.stanguts@aﬂ vic.com.au Knights Contributors: Adrian Dunn, Kate Gurney, Matt Lee, TAC Cup: Grand Final coaches Gippsland Leon Harris, Anton Grbac, Power’s Nick Stevens (right) and Oakleigh Anthony Stanguts. Chargers Justin Wenke Design & Print: Red Onion Creative (03) 5221 4408 Photos: AFL Photos (unless otherwise credited)

4 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au GRAND FINAL PREVIEW Grand Final Preview Port Melbourne vs Geelong Cats

The Grand Final captains and coaches (left to right) John Baird, Gary Ayres, Matthew Knights and Troy Selwood.

And, while its winning A far different scenario faces sequence, which stretched Port Melbourne than last year from 21 to a competition recent when it met Williamstown, which record 28 games, was snapped had a mix of VFL players and earlier in the season, Port Western Bulldog players. FROM a far it is your Melbourne has won 15 of its 20 Geelong will ﬁ eld as few as quintessential David versus games this season. three or four VFL players, but Goliath stoush: a team of Included in that number was those players – captain Troy part-timers against the might a 22-point victory against Selwood, former Werribee of professional footballers. Geelong in the Qualifying Final captain and dual best and But, there’s a twist to this David/ earlier in the month. fairest winner Dominic Gleeson Goliath battle that will unfold But, that match was at the and Andrew McLean – are pure today between Port Melbourne cosy conﬁ nes of the North Port quality. and Geelong – David is Oval where Port Melbourne So, the stage is set for an favoured by many before the has built a fortress during enthralling Grand Final. Can contest begins. the Gary Ayres-coached era. Geelong reverse the Qualifying For all the apparent lopsided The Borough has won 22 of a Final result to deny Port appearance, what must be possible 22 games at home in Melbourne its back-to-back considered is several things, the past two seasons. premiership? none the least that Port With the Peter Jackson VFL The VFL Cats have given its Melbourne is an extremely Grand Final at Etihad Stadium supporters, coach Matthew gifted team. it presents a vastly different Knights and his staff plenty of That’s not an understatement. dynamic. It was supposed to worrying moments along the The Borough went through the be Port Melbourne’s Achilles route. 2011 season undefeated on last season, but the Borough It took Geelong until deep into route to an historic premiership relished the challenge to the last quarter to overhaul Box win. emerge victorious. Hill Hawks then they nearly

www.vﬂ .com.au | 5 SECTIONGRAND FINAL HEADER PREVIEW

coughed up an eight goal lead Geelong’s Shane Kersten. against Werribee to scrape home by fi ve points in the Preliminary Final. What has been the most impressive aspect about Geelong is that it has the capacity to score in rapid fi re succession. It did so several times against Port Melbourne in the Qualifying Final, again late in the Semi Final against Box Hill Hawks as well as against Werribee. In fact, Geelong’s four-goal burst in as many minutes in the second quarter and three in as many minutes in the third quarter effectively won the Cats the Preliminary Final. Clearly, the Cats’ ability to blow the opposition out of the water with its run, carry and break the lines is something that Port Melbourne must combat against. But as Box Hill Hawks and Werribee discovered it’s nigh on impossible to stop once Geelong gets rolling. Port Melbourne is more an industrious, blue collar team that likes to close down the game and play it on its own terms. Captain John Baird, enjoying his best ever season, dual Liston trophy winner Shane Valenti and hard-nosed midfi elder Toby Pinwill will impact signifi cantly on the Borough’s chances to add the 2012 premiership to the one they won last year. All three were outstanding as Port Melbourne overcame arch rival Williamstown in the Preliminary Final. Clearly, the ruck battle of

6 | www.afl vic.com.au GRAND FINAL PREVIEW the Wayde Skipper/Adrian Bonaddio tandem against Orren Stephenson/Dawson Simpson will prove pivotal to the outcome. Stephenson is no stranger to the VFL Grand Final. He played in all three of North Ballarat’s premierships and won the Norm Goss Medal in 2009. Last week Stephenson set up Geelong’s win by providing his midfi elders with an arm chair ride and if that wasn’t enough he pushed forward to kick two goals. Skipper was also very good against Williamstown. He, too, can cover the ground like Stephenson and his disposal skills are good. Geelong’s defence, led by McLean, Tom Gillies and Ryan Bathie will need to close down Port Melbourne’s multi-pronged attack led by Dean Galea, this year’s Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller medallist. Galea has been relatively subdued during the fi nal series, but the Cats’ should not be lured into any false sense of Port Melbourne’s Chris Cain. security. He is a proven big game player as evidenced Jordan Murdoch will be among the past few VFL Teams of the by his six goals in last year’s the youngest players on the Year, has fl uctuated between Grand Final. ground, but is also one of attack and defence in recent Chris Cain and Billy Burstin the most exciting. He also is weeks. He and Port Melbourne have combined to kick 70 goals extremely quick and with his look far more formidable when this season. They’re elusive penetrating left foot he has the he is marshalling the troops in types who capitalise when potential to set up play coming defence. given a centimetre more than out of defence. Port Melbourne play a can be afforded. Geelong’s Josh Walker, Mitch passionate, heart-on-the-sleeve It will be interesting to see who Brown and Shane Kersten all style that all its players have David Wojcinski, the three-time have their careers in front of bought into and one which has AFL premiership player, picks them, but this young triumvirate produced stunning results. up. Wojcinski’s explosive speed have displayed enough to Geelong, which defeated Port and ability to rebound quickly suggest they have the ability Melbourne earlier in the season could expose Port Melbourne, to create headaches for Port at Simonds Stadium, may have especially at Etihad Stadium, in Melbourne’s defence. the key to halt the Borough’s his fi nal game before retirement. Sam Pleming, a 170-game VFL march on another fl ag. veteran who has been named in

www.vﬂ .com.au | 7 TRIVIA Spider’s trivia Test your knowledge of the VFL in Matt ‘Spider’ Lee’s 10 question trivia quiz.

1 Which team won the VFL development premiership last weekend? 2 Who won the 2009 Morrish Medal? 3 In what year was the ﬁ rst season the Norm Goss Medal was ﬁ rst awarded for best player on ground in VFA/VFL Grand Final? 4 Who was named ruck in the Port Melbourne team of the century? 5 Who won the 2011 TAC CUP Premiership? 6 Who was the only Collingwood player named in the 2012 VFL Team of the Year? 7 Who is the Leading goal kicker in the TAC Cup 2012? 8 Which VFA club was known as the Mustangs? 9 Who won the 1962 J.J.Liston trophy playing for Sandringham?

10 Which Geelong 2011 AFL premiership players played in Geelong’s 2002 VFL premiership team? 10. Steve Johnson, James Kelly, Jimmy Bartel, Paul Chapman Paul Bartel, Jimmy Kelly, James Johnson, Steve 10.

7. Thomas Boyd Eastern Ranges 44, 8. Box Hill, 9. Keith Burns, Burns, Keith 9. Hill, Box 8. 44, Ranges Eastern Boyd Thomas 7. Matt ‘Spider’ Lee is a VFL

5. Sandringham Dragons, 6. Kris Pendlebury, Pendlebury, Kris 6. Dragons, Sandringham 5. commentator & producer of Evenings

1. Coburg Tigers, 2. Anton Woods, 3. 1983, 4. Frank Johnson Snr, Snr, Johnson Frank 4. 1983, 3. Woods, Anton 2. Tigers, Coburg 1. with Mark Fine on 1116 SEN Answers

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8 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au DEAN GALEA ‘Frosty’ Miller Medallist records another milestone

DEAN Galea today plays his thrust, front and square, as the 100th VFL match, but for the main forward opposition clubs hard-nosed full forward such have targeted. a milestone will pale into The 27-year-old has kicked at insignifi cance unless Port least one goal in every game Melbourne emerge with the except one – the fi nal home premiership. and away match against North Galea is more interested in Ballarat. team success than personal Five times Galea has kicked milestones – they’re something fi ve goals or more in a game, he can refl ect upon when his including a season high seven playing days are done. goals against Casey Scorpions The 26-year-old has rejuvenated and Geelong. his game since he crossed from Since crossing to Port Melbourne Williamstown to Port Melbourne at the start of the 2010 season, three seasons ago. Galea has fi nished third, second While he doesn’t cut an and now fi rst in the ‘Frosty’ Miller imposing fi gure, Galea’s record medal. is outstanding and he’s been competition record - and its It’s a credit to Galea’s able to step up whenever the 11th individual winner, also a consistency, durability and ability occasion has called. competition-best. to continually kick goals. He’s He possesses a vice-like pair Fred Cook, the leviathan full kicked 198 goals in 55 games of hands, he’s hard to shift in forward of the 1970s and early at an average of 3.61 goals one-on-one contests and his 80s, won the goal kicking per game since crossing from conversion rate is good. six times one more than Bob arch-rival Williamstown, where he Apart from his 100th game, Bonnett, the club’s champion kicked 80 goals in 44 games. Galea is also the winner of goal kicker of the late 1950s, Dean Galea thoroughly deserves this year’s Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller early 60s. his ascension to the Jim ‘Frosty’ Medal, named in honour of Galea equaled a personal record Miller medal. the legendary Dandenong in the Preliminary Final with full forward who won a record his one goal. Last season he FAST FACTS six goal kicking titles in seven kicked 71 goals from 20 games, DEAN GALEA seasons with the Redlegs including a match-high six in the between 1968-74. Grand Final. Age: 26 Victory in the ‘Frosty’ Miller Medal The one goal last week took his Clubs: Williamstown, gave Galea his fi rst goal kicking season’s tally to 71, a number he Port Melbourne honour and Port Melbourne’s its hopes to considerably infl ate in Games: 99 second successive winner. the Grand Final. Goals: 288 Galea’s mate Patrick Rose took He played 20 games last season Highlights: Port Melbourne the honour last season with for a return of 3.55 goals per premiership player 2011; 67 goals while Galea fi nished game while he’s averaged 3.6 Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller medallist runner-up behind his mate. goals this season, an outstanding 2012; VFL Team of The Year It provided Port Melbourne with achievement especially given the 2011-12, VFL State Team its 22nd leading goal kicker – a absence Rose and he has been 2012

www.vﬂ .com.au | 9 IN CINEMAS EARLY 2013

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Check the Classification www.blinderthemovie.com MEDIA PREDICTIONS Media Predictions

IN the lead up to the 2012 headed by Toby Pinwill, Shane the crucial fi nal quarter. BOG: Peter Jackson VFL Grand Valenti and John Baird will be John Baird – Port Final, we asked various the key. Norm Goss Medal for Peter Holden (3WBC): Port media people who they the second consecutive VFL Melbourne by 29 points. Why thought would win, and who grand fi nal: Toby Pinwill. Port Melbourne will win? Quite would be awarded the best David Rhys Jones (ABCTV): simply, Port Melbourne are on ground award – the Norm Geelong to win by 14 points. the kings of stoppages. Those Goss Medal. I think their fi tness and speed who win the stoppages, win Jonno Nash (Herald Sun): will worry Port Melbourne at the game. Concerned also Port Melbourne 11 points. Etihad Stadium. For the Norm about Geelong’s last quarter It’s a fl ip of a coin decision. Goss medal I will tip Orren fade out against Werribee. What a story it would be for Stephenson. Norm Goss Medallist: Mitch Matthew Knights and his Kane Hunkin (AFL Victoria Wooffi ndin - Been having a star-studded Geelong side. Media): Geelong by 7 points. great fi nals series and should But Port Melbourne is primed It’s a bold call as they’ll start be taken in the draft. for the big stage and I want as heavy underdogs, but 11 Nigel Carmody (VFL Radio): its romance story to continue. wins from their past 13 games Port Melbourne by 7 points. BOG: Shannon Byrnes is perfect form and Etihad These sides are so evenly Jarrod Potter (Star News): Port Stadium will suit the Cats’ run. matched – it will be an arm Melbourne by 25. They’re far Norm Goss Medal: George wrestle between’s Port’s too experience at this stage of Horlin-Smith (Geelong). experience and the Cats the season to let it fall away. Brent Diamond (The Age): young brigade. The extra John Baird will grab the best Port Melbourne by 24-points. day’s break coming off their on ground award to cap of a Geelong will start strong but direct passage through the brilliant season. can’t see it keeping up with Preliminary Final says to me Paul Hooper (3WBC): Port Port’s seasoned bodies in Port will have just enough Melbourne by 4-points in a the clinches. Stephenson juice in their legs when it thriller. Geelong have had a and Wojcinski aren’t 100 per counts. Norm Goss - Shane tough fi nals campaign being cent heading into clash which Valenti beaten by Port and they only hurts. Norm Goss Medal Paul Amy (Leader): Take a just defeated both Box Hill winner: Toby Pinwill - won it coin. Heads for Port, tails for and Werribee. Port Melbourne last year and history suggests Geelong, and see how it falls. were great against Geelong, he is the best fi nals performer Spinning, spinning....it’s Port. had a week’s break and did at the club. An unsung hero. Christopher Cain to take the it easily over Williamstown. Ross Booth (ABCTV): Port Norm Goss Medal as best- Heath O’Farrell to win the Melbourne by 10 points. Port afi eld in a classic grand fi nal. Norm Goss Medal Melbourne has shown so far Howard Leigh (Sunday Herald to have the experience and VERDICT: Sun): Port Melbourne, 11 mental capacity to withstand Port Melbourne 9 points. Port’s tough as teak against the momentum of stoppages midfi eld crew opposition sides especially in Geelong 2

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www.buffalosports.com.au FOTHERGILL ROUND MEDALLIST Fothergill Round Medallist - Dean Towers

DEAN Towers entered the who set Fremantle and the 2012 Peter Jackson season football world alight in his ﬁ rst with high hopes, but with the AFL season. reality that he boasted just Scroll down the honour roll and two VFL games to his credit there’s plenty of familiar names from his debut season with – Robin Nahas, Shane Valenti, North Ballarat. Jason Davenport, Aaron Davey Towers was hoping he would and Michael Firrito to name but make more of an impact in his a few Fothergill round medallist second season after being who have left a mark on the AFL. recruited from Colac. Little did Towers was named in the VFL he realise how big an impact he Team Of The Year and, to cap off would make. Towers head-spinning season he The VFL season hadn’t reached was invited to next month’s AFL double digits when Towers found Draft combine. Dean Towers. himself pulling on the Big V for North Ballarat coach Gerard PREVIOUS FORTHERGILL the State representative match FitzGerald believes Towers has against Tasmania at Bellerive. ROUND MEDALLISTS – much upside to his career and, 2000 – 2012 It gave new meaning to meteoric therefore, much more to offer, 2012 Dean Towers rise, but Towers displayed all especially given the opportunity (North Ballarat) the natural talent and speed that in an AFL environment. 2011 Ahmed Saad justiﬁ ed his selection and, just as FitzGerald said Tower’s (Northern Bullants) importantly, put him on the radar athleticism, explosive speed of many AFL clubs. and his unbridled attack on the 2010 Michael Hibberd Fast forward to the end of the contest are attributes that make (Frankston) season and the 22-year-old is him so exciting. 2009 Michael Barlow (Werribee) named as the Fothergill Round “Dean’s ability to reach top 2008 Robin Nahas for the most exciting talent in the speed very quickly is noteworthy. (Port Melbourne) competition under the age of 23 Also, as a character, he’s a who has the potential to take his 2007 Shane Valenti very, very good learner and (Sandringham) game further. a disciplined boy,” Fitzgerald 2006 Jason Davenport Certainly, recent winners of the told The Herald Sun during the (Geelong) Fothergill Round Medal, named season. 2005 Jackson Barling after Des Fothergill and Barry The North Ballarat coach likened (Williamstown) Round the only players to win the Towers to Isaac Smith, who Brownlow Medal and JJ Liston burst into the club’s team during 2004 Adam Fisher Trophy, have shone on the AFL the 2010 season, played in the (Sandringham) stage. Roosters’ 2010 team before 2003 Aaron Davey Last season’s Fothergill Round Hawthorn snapped him up with (Port Melbourne) medallist was Ahmed Saad who an early Draft selection. 2002 Michael Firrito made a stunning start to his AFL At 189 cm and 83 kg, coupled (Box Hill Hawks) career with St Kilda. with his explosive speed – 2001 Kristian De Pasquale Two years ago it was Michael something that appeals to all AFL (Coburg Tigers) Hibberd, who has become a recruiters – Dean Towers shapes 2000 Michael Swan regular with Essendon; before as the next Fothergill Round (Port Melbourne) Hibberd it was Michael Barlow, medallist to make his mark.

www.vﬂ .com.au | 13 AFL VICTORIA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE GRAND FINAL

AFL Victoria Development League Premiers - Coburg Tigers.

14 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au AFL VICTORIA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE GRAND FINAL Coburg end Hawks reign

THE Coburg Tigers left premiers some breathing space their best till last in the AFL with a 19 point lead. Victoria Development League Coburg then went about Grand Final, kicking fi ve of dismantling the Hawks the last six goals of the game premiership hopes as they to claim the 2012 premiership. gained the momentum and The close contest saw the lead went on a four goal run in just never progress past 19 points over 5 minutes. Goals to Uysal, throughout the afternoon, and it Nick Maric, Rhett Jordan and was the Box Hill Hawks – aiming a lead stealing goal from Maric for their fourth Development with his second placed doubt League premiership in a row – in the Hawks mind of another that held the lead for the majority premiership fl ag. The doubt of the second half. However was intensifi ed when best on they were unable to contain ground Uysal started engraving the Tigers late in the fi nal term his name on the medal with his as they saw a 19 point lead fourth to give Coburg a 12 point 13 minutes into the fi nal term Fred Hill Medallist (best on ground): lead 29 minutes into the fi nal eroded into a seven point defi cit Ozgur Uysal - Coburg Tigers. term. and premiership defeat. The game seemed over, but the Coburg drew fi rst blood in the Coburg to the lead, but Box time clocked opened another Grand Final in a low scoring Hill went into half time with a 17 opportunity for the Hawsk as fi rst term. Only three goals were point lead, fi nishing the term they reduced the margin to just scored in the opening stanza as with their second three goal run seven points at the 35 minute the Tigers led at quarter time by of the game. mark, but the siren would soon six points. The third term went goal for goal sound, and Coburg would The second term was in total early until the Coburg forwards be announced the 2012 AFL contrast to the fi rst, with 12 goals start showing their marking Victoria Development League scored for the quarter, as both prowess, with Hore adding his premiers. teams shared the lead. Despite fourth and Uysal adding his Coburg Tigers Box Hill levelling the scores early second to reduce the margin to 2.3 6.6 10.10 16.12 (108) in the term through Sam Cust, just one straight kick 14 minutes into the quarter. Late goals to Box Hill Hawks the Tigers quickly raced to an 18 1.3 9.5 12.11 15.11 (101) point lead as eventual Fred Hill Max Otten and Cooper ensured Medallist Ozgur Uysal kicked his the Hawks would go into the GOALS: fi rst, followed by two goals to the fi nal term with a 14 point lead, Coburg Tigers: Hore 5 Uysal 4 Development League leading and their fourth premiership in a Younan 3 Maric 2 Jordan Linton goal kicker Rowan Hore. row was within their reach. Box Hill Hawks: Cooper 3 Cust Just as quickly as quickly as the But Coburg had other thoughts, 2 Otten 2 Salopek 2 Graham 2 Tigers took the lead, they soon and Hore quickly added his Monkhorst Johnson Grimley found themselves trailing for the fi fth to get his side within seven Johns fi rst time in the game as Box Hill points. For the next 10 minutes BEST: made the most of pushing the the game went into lock down, Coburg Tigers: Uysal Hore ball forward with goals to Ben as neither team could fi nd the Cartelli Jordan Maric Bamblett Monkhurst, Daniel Cooper and goals. It took till the 12 minute mark for Jason Salopek to kick Box Hill Hawks: Wood Graham Dalton Graham, and 11 minutes Wilsen Miles Post Lawlor in they were up by a point. the Hawks fi rst of the term, and he followed it up soon after with Fred Hill Medallist: Hore wasted no time in returning his second to give the reigning Ozgur Uysal (Coburg Tigers)

www.vﬂ .com.au | 15

PETER JACKSON VFL TEAM OF THE YEAR Peter Jackson VFL Team of the Year

THERE is a compelling mix of EVAN PANOZZA (Casey coming drafts. First TOTY selection. fresh new faces to compliment Scorpions): Celebrated fi rst season CENTRES the proven, seasoned players in as co-captain of the Scorpions this year’s VFL Team of the Year. with a break-out year. Played all ADAM MARCON (Northern Blues): Son of former Preston premiership Six Port Melbourne players, 20 games this season for Casey and his defensive work was one of player Adrian, who has made a including VFL captain John Baird, name for himself in his two seasons dominate the team, which includes the key reasons why the Scorpions fi nished on top of the ladder at the in the VFL. Gained VFL selection 13 players who’ve gained their fi rst earlier in the year, awarded a place TOTY selection. end of the home and away season. Like all good leaders, he led from in the AFL Victoria VFL Academy Liston trophy winners Shane Valenti the front. First TOTY selection. and capped off a fi ne season by and Myles Sewell and 2010 Jim winning the Ford VFL Coaches ‘Frosty’ Miller medallist Matthew HALF BACKS Player of the Year award, voted on Little are all named for the fourth BRETT GOODES (Williamstown): by opposition coaches after each time. Seasoned campaigner who gained match. Added the ability to run, Former Sandringham, Frankston a second TOTY selection to go with carry and kick goals to his strong, and Northern Blues full forward Nick the one he won in 2008 at North contested possession game. First Sautner holds the record with nine Ballarat. Quality, versatile player TOTY selection. TOTY selections. whose ability to read the play and SHANE VALENTI (Port Melbourne): quickly sum up situations has Every club except Box Hill Hawks, Dual Liston Trophy winner who had been a trademark from the time he another top six Liston fi nish – his Coburg Tigers and Sandringham entered the competition playing have a player in the team that has fourth – in another stellar season. for the Roosters. Thanks to his Extremely industrious midfi elder Casey Scorpions’ Brett Lovett as consistently good second half of the coach. whose ability to get to so many season, Williamstown was able to contests and importantly win the Here is a pocket profi le of the 2012 regroup when it appeared a fi nal’s football has made him one of the Peter Jackson VFL Team of the berth was vulnerable. best players in the competition. Year. SAM PLEMING (Port Melbourne): Quality playmaker who has played BACKS Most reliable key position player every this season. This is his fourth MICHAEL SEARL (North Ballarat): in the competition as evidenced TOTY honour, stretching back to his Outstanding return from the North by this his third successive TOTY time at Sandringham. Ballarat defender who missed the honour. Pleming has been the BEN ROSS (Werribee): Former past two seasons while travelling general of the Borough defence for North Melbourne player who overseas. Slotted back into the much of his 170 VFL games. VFL decided to stick with Werribee this Rooster’s defence as if he had representative who has won the season after he had been delisted. not missed a match and, just as past two best and fairests at Port Responded with a stunning season, importantly, quickly adjusted to the Melbourne and his consistently which saw him win the Liston VFL tempo. Played every match. good form is likely to see him feature Trophy. Member of the VFL team Looks main danger to Myles Sewell prominently again at the end of the that defeated Tasmania and one in club best and fairest. First Team season. Plays percentages, reads of the planks of Werribee’s strong of the Year selection. the play particularly well and sets up season. Good speed, creates his down-the-fi eld teammates. KRIS PENDLEBURY (Collingwood): space, wins plenty of the ball and Collingwood VFL captain who was LEIGH OSBORNE (Frankston): able to break the lines with his rewarded for yet another most Surprised many with his selection in ability to run and carry. First TOTY consistent season. Represented the the VFL representative team against selection. VFL against Tasmania, the second Tasmania earlier in the season, HALF FORWARDS time he’s won State honours. Held but this former Eastern Ranges’ graduate quickly established KYLE MARTIN (Frankston): the Magpies defence together, Recruited from Noble Park to a great effort given the ball was himself as a quality player who was not out of place at State Frankston this season and quickly in the opposition forward zone established himself as a bona fi de for the majority of games. Played representative level. Played 16 games for the Dolphins in his fi rst VFL player with his ability to win 15 games, closing in on 100 VFL contested possession, use the ball games. First TOTY selection. VFL season. Likely to attract interest of AFL recruiting scouts at the up- to advantage and play a variety of

www.vfl .com.au | 17 PETER JACKSON VFL TEAM OF THE YEAR roles. Young player with plenty of match up on given his speed, ability many won clearances. Used his upside. First TOTY selection. to fi nd space and deliver ball with AFL experience to advantage as he KHAN HARETUKU (Frankston): precision. Played every match with provided great on-fi eld leadership One-time St Kilda rookie player who Port Melbourne for the second from the young Geelong list. First has matured into one of the best key straight season. TOTY selection. position players in the VFL. Strong FOLLOWERS LUKE TYNAN (Casey Scorpions): marking forward whose 199cm NICK MEESE (Northern Blues): Break out season for the young frame also allows him to have a run Much improved ruckman who Scorpion who went from playing in the ruck. Represented the VFL enjoyed career season with three senior games three years ago in State match against Tasmania. Northern Blues. Played 17 games to six last year to playing all 20 this Kicked 30 goals to top the Dolphins this season and impressed with season. Won the plaudits of all his goal kicking. Aged 22 there is still his ability to get hands fi rst on the teammates with his ferocity at the plenty of upside his game. First ball and direct it to a teammate. contest and ability to win and deliver TOTY selection. Good work around the ground the football. First TOTY honour. SAM DWYER (Port Melbourne): complimented his work at the LACHLAN DELAHUNTY Quality forward/midfi elder who stoppages. First TOTY selection. (Frankston): Returned to the VFL gained his third TOTY selection. JOHN BAIRD (Port Melbourne): after being recruited from Noble Finished equal sixth in the Liston Port Melbourne and VFL captain Park to Frankston where he played after missing the last fi ve games who enjoyed perhaps his best all 18 games. Previously played with with a broken leg. Pacy, elusive ever season, aged 31. And, that’s Bendigo Bombers. Much improved player with silky skills. Key member after he won a Norm Goss for Box player who can play a variety of in Port Melbourne’s premiership Hill in the 2001 VFL Grand Final. roles. First TOTY selection. last season. Enjoyed as good if not Repeatedly won possession at the DEAN TOWERS (North Ballarat): better year this season. stoppages with his tireless hard Made dramatic improvement from FORWARDS work, selfl ess and inspirational play, playing just two games with North MATTHEW LITTLE (Bendigo): which brought his teammates into Ballarat last season to playing 14 Another productive season from the the game. Collects a third TOTY this season. Represented the VFL 2010 Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller Medallist honour to go with the ones he against Tasmania and named as where he ended the season with 52 received in 2007 & 2008. Fothergill Round Medallist earlier goals, second behind Dean Galea BEN JOLLEY (Williamstown): this month. Dashing defender/ on the goal kicking ladder. It is the First year Williamstown captain wingman who is sure to attract fourth consecutive season where whose courageous play and strong much interest at the AFL Drafts. First Little has gained TOTY honours leadership took the club again into TOTY selection. as he closes in on 400 VFL goals. the fi nals. Prolifi c possession winner MYKE COOK (Sandringham): Powerful mark, accurate kick, who is always bringing teammates Standout season for the new Zebras whose presence kept Bendigo in into the game. Played his 150th VFL recruit in 2012. Provided his team the fi nal’s race. game during the season. This is his with fi rst use of the football in the DEAN GALEA (Port Melbourne): third successive TOTY honour. midfi eld all season. Receive State Second successive season INTERCHANGE team honours in May, the only Zebra to gain selection in the fi nal side. that Galea has earned TOTY MYLES SEWELL (North Ballarat): recognition, but the fi rst as the Will be in a battle with fellow recruit 2009 Liston Trophy winner Adam Cockie for Sandringham best designated full forward. Last year who continues to be one of he was named in the forward pocket and fairest honours in 2012. First the competition’s best players. TOTY selection. alongside Patrick Rose, but took Favourite to win North Ballarat’s over as Port Melbourne spearhead best and fairest for a third time. COACH when Rose chose to play country Played his 100th game during BRETT LOVETT (Casey football. Strong contested mark the season for the Roosters. Scorpions): Long standing VFL who plays well above his size, good Hard-working midfi elder with an coach who rejuvenated Casey conversion rate. Kicked 70 plus incredible capacity to rack up Scorpions in his fi rst season at the goals past two seasons. possessions and generate drive club as he took them to the top of CHRIS CAIN (Port Melbourne): for his teammates. This is his fourth the ladder at the end of the home Quality forward who returns for successive TOTY honour. and away season. It was a stunning second successive season in the TROY SELWOOD (Geelong): effort given the quality players the TOTY. Extremely dangerous near Second season as Geelong’s VFL club lost over pre-season. Coached goal as evidenced by the fact that captain. Strong at the stoppages his 150th VFL game during the he kicked 40 plus goals. Hard to where his work ethic produced season.

18 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au PETER JACKSON VFL TEAM OF THE YEAR

COACHCOAACCH: BRETT LOVETTLOVVETTT CASEYC SCSCORPIONSORPIONS

MICHAELMICHAE SEARL EVAN PANOZZA NorthNorth BBallarat Casey Scorpions 50 KRISBACKSBBA PENDLEBURYACCKKS Collingwood 50

LEIGH OSBORNE BRETT GOODES Frankston Williamstown

SAM PLEMING Port Melbourne

ADAM MARCON BEN ROSS Northern Blues SHANE VALENTI Port Melbourne Werribee Tigers

KHAN HARETUKU Frankston

KYLE MARTIN 50 SAM DWYER

Frankston Port Melbourne FORWARDSFORWRWARDS 50

MATT LITTLE CHRIS CAIN Bendigo Gold Port Melbourne

DEAN GALEA FOLLOWERS Port Melbourne INTERCHANGE

NICK MEESE JOHN BAIRD BEN JOLLEY MYLES SEWELL MYKE COOK LUKE TYNAN TROY SELWOOD LACHLAN DELAHUNTY DEAN TOWERS Northern Blues Port Melbourne Williamstown North Ballarat Sandringham Casey Scorpions Geelong Frankston North Ballarat Proud Sponsor of VFL Season 2012 SEASON IN REVIEW Season in Review

IT was the season that Collingwood were the side to bring Port Melbourne’s started with a streak and 28 game winning streak to an end ended with… The fi nal chapter of the 2012 season will be penned this afternoon when Port Melbourne and Geelong fi ght out the Peter Jackson VFL Grand Final. It’s an enthralling end to a season that as we mentioned began with Port Melbourne searching to add further to a winning sequence that saw them create all sorts of records during its premiership 2011 season. Port Melbourne certainly held focus for the early part of the 2012 season as it set chase after the recent record held by the Preston Football Club, which won 23 games during the 1984-85 season. The Borough began the season with 21 successive wins and pushed the extraordinary number to 28 before the streak came to an unexpected end when Collingwood, which boasted just the one win from its previous fi ve games, snapped it with a 21-point win at Victoria Park. While Port Melbourne did not help its cause with a 10.20 Quite apart from putting an biggest surprise, especially scoreline, the bottom line was exclamation point next to the given they lost Brendan that the seemingly invincible longest ever winning streak in Fevola, Tim Mohr, James Wall Borough was no longer the modern history of the VFL/ and Michael Stockdale from invincible. VFA, what Collingwood did the previous season. Certainly, it’s extremely was prove that Port Melbourne New coach Brett Lovett, unlikely that any club, could be beaten. who, during the season, especially a stand-alone VFL In fact, it was Casey would coach his 150th VFL club will match or indeed Scorpions, a club most people game after time at Frankston better that mark in the did not have in their fi nal’s and Sandringham, moulded foreseeable future if at all. calculations who caused the together a young team who

www.vﬂ .com.au | 21 SEASON IN REVIEW

believed and backed one another and landed on top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season. The biggest winning streak of the season belonged to Geelong, which won nine in a row from Round 11 to Round 21 before Williamstown defeated them by four points. Early in the season, the VFL representative team, coached by Gary Ayres, highlighted its strength as it easily defeated Tasmania at Bellerive Oval. While the success may not have been unexpected, what the win did highlight was the depth of the talent, especially with so many young players like Adam Marcon, Dean Towers, Leigh Osborne and Khan Haretuku, who stepped up to play pivotal roles in their fi rst State match. The VFL was superbly led by John Baird, the Port Melbourne premiership captain, who during the home and away season played his 150th VFL game. Baird has racked up many honours during his time in the VFL including the 2001 Norm Goss Medal, a best and fairest at Port Melbourne, the club he has captained so inspirationally for the past four seasons. Marc Greig, a former VFL representative, played his 200th VFL game for North Ballarat, the fi rst player to reach such a milestone in the Rooster’s VFL history. Greig, a member of the club’s three successive premierships from 2008-10, played his fi nal game for the club. Fittingly, Werribee’s Ben Ross won the Liston Trophy in 2012. the curtain fell on Greig’s stellar 209 game career with

22 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au SEASON IN REVIEW

Casey Scorpions coach Brett Lovett was named VFL Coach of the Year.

North Ballarat defeating Port Dean Galea became the 11th players selected at one of Melbourne by one point. Port Melbourne player to win the various AFL drafts to Joining in the milestones for the Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller medal play AFL during the season. club captain was Werribee and it was the 22nd time Ahmed Saad, winner of last skipper Robbie Castello, who the club has taken out the season’s Fothergill Round became the first player in the honour. Medal, played 16 games and club’s 47-year history to play Ben Ross took significant kicked 28 goals. 150 VFL games. steps to resurrecting his Dean Towers, who entered It has been a big year for AFL career as he enjoyed the ’12 season with the grand Castello as he was named a break-out season with total of two games, earned captain of the club and he Werribee to claim the J.J. State representative honours passed the club games Liston Trophy. and at the end of the season record held by close friend Ross defeated Tom Couch, was named the Fothergill Dominic Gleeson. son of former Brownlow Round Medallist. Ayres coached his 100th Medallist Paul, who began Towers follows in some big game with Port Melbourne, the season as a Melbourne footsteps. Ahmed Saad which saw him join Tommy rookie listed player, but was (2011), Michael Hibberd Lahiff, Norm Brown and Gary upgraded to the primary list (2010), Michael Barlow Brice as the only coaches to late in the season and made (2009) and Robin Nahas coach the Borough to 100 his AFL debut. (2008) all progressed from plus games. Couch was one of 12 VFL winning the Fothergill Round Medal to play AFL.

www.vﬂ .com.au | 23 PRELIMINARY FINAL 1 REVIEW Preliminary Final 1 Review Port Melbourne 12.15.87 def Williamstown 7.11.53

EMOTIONS swirled dramatically as Port Melbourne advanced to defend its premiership crown at the expense of arch rival Williamstown. While some teammates chaired off Adrian Bonaddio in recognition of his 100th game for Port Melbourne, other teammates embraced Myles Pitt, whose fi rst cousin John McCarthy had died tragically earlier in the week. Pitt, who wore McCarthy’s No 35 jumper in recognition for his cousin and close friend, showed remarkable inner strength to not only play, but He attacked each contest goal buffer for much of the to make such a signifi cant like a raging bull and his sure match. contribution to Port Melbourne’s hands whether on the lead , Goals were hard to fi nd, but tough 34-point victory, 12.15.87 in a contest marking situation a free kick to Billy Burstin to 7.11.53. or taking lunging, slips-like on the edge of the 10-metre Borough stalwart Toby Pinwill catches gave Port a lively target square deep into time-on in spoke of the amazing character in attack. the third quarter proved telling. displayed by Pitt, who played While he may not have had his Burstin kicked his second goal with a heavy heart, but also kicking boots on, Bonaddio for the match to extend Port with a steely resolve that ensured that not only did he Melbourne’s lead to 16-points. characterised the Borough win. help the scoreboard tick over, Andrew Hooper, delisted by “We can’t pretend to imagine but also brought into play plenty Western Bulldogs on the eve what he’s gone through,” Pinwill of teammates. of the match, had a chance to told ABC TV after the match. In a match befi tting its reduce the margin to 10-points “He’s been an inspiration to us traditional rivalry, Williamstown six minutes into the last quarter, all.” took up the challenge to Port but his shot hit the post. Melbourne, which for the fi rst So, too, for different reasons It would prove to be the three-quarters were unable to only time that Williamstown Bonaddio, a long-time favourite break free. Seagulls captain at the North Port Oval who would trouble the scoreboard Ben Jolley again underlined attendant in the last quarter. displayed from the opening just what a quality player and moments that he planned to The Seagulls managed just two inspirational leader he is with an more inside 50s for the rest of do everything in his power to outstanding game. take Port Melbourne back to the the match while Port Melbourne Grand Final. Port Melbourne managed had an extraordinary 19. through much hard work, Bonaddio missed last year’s Port Melbourne’s inaccuracy particularly from Michael Dillon, – they kicked 2.7 – stopped Grand Final, but he’ll be part Shane Valenti, captain John of Port Melbourne’s attempt to the scoring blowing out well Baird and fi rst-year player Mitch beyond the eventual 34-points. make it back-to-back fl ags. Wooffi ndin to hold on to a two

24 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au PROGRESSIVE SCORES - ROUND 18 PRELIMINARY FINAL 2 REVIEW Preliminary Final 2 Review Geelong 16.12.108 def Werribee Tigers 15.13.103

GEELONG was always going to win its Preliminary Final, the television commentators told us repeatedly from about the 10-minute of the third quarter. And, they were right, but no one expected the Cats to emerge with just a fi ve-point margin against Werribee, 16.12.108 to 15.13.103. After all, when Mitch Brown kicked his third goal Geelong had taken a seeming stranglehold on the match to skip away with a 48-point lead. Werribee appeared sluggish, undisciplined play was starting to appear and Geelong’s ability After all, Geelong led by listen. Hadn’t they read the to run, carry and break the 29-points and there was just script? lines was tearing apart the VFL one quarter left. Two goals to McKinley and Tigers. That conviction grew stronger another to Gibson, saw The Big O – Orren Stephenson when Simon Hogan goaled Geelong’s lead shrink to - was dominating the ruck; early in the last quarter the Cats 11-points at the 28-minute mark. midfi elders Jesse Stringer had extended its lead to six Suddenly, even the and Shannon Byrnes were goals. commentators changed their showcasing their talent and Goals to Sam Gibson, one of, tune. Could Werribee produce Mitch Brown and Josh Walker if not the best player on the the most amazing come-from- were marking everything. ground, and Robbie Castello, behind victory in a modern day While it was on its knees, playing in his 150th game, cut fi nal? Werribee refused to believe it the defi cit to 19-points, but it The improbable gathered was out of the Preliminary, even seemed nothing more than further momentum when Majak if everyone else did. scoreboard padding. Daw kicked a soaring goal Unanswered goals to Ben And, that appeared to from beyond 50 metres at Warren, Will Martinello, Malcolm be reinforced when Cam the 30-minute mark to leave Lynch and Ben McKinley Pederson, another of Werribee’s Geelong with a tenuous fi ve- seemed to revive Werribee better players, butchered a point lead. as the margin fell from 48 to pass that resulted in George As valiantly as Werribee 23-points. Burbury kicking his second attempted to mount one last goal. But, when Darcy Holden, a top- rally forward and with the ball in up player for Geelong with less Again, the commentators dispute near its 50 metre zone, than double-digit VFL games to reinforced that the game was in the siren sounded. his record, kicked an improbable the book. After all, Geelong led The commentators had got it goal at the 30-minute mark the by 29-points and more than half right, after all. Geelong would game seemed effectively over the last quarter was gone. advance to the Grand Final, but as a contest. Still, Werribee players wouldn’t not without one mighty scare.

www.vﬂ .com.au | 25 PETER JACKSON VFL TIPSTERS-GRAND FINAL Peter Jackson VFL Tipsters

Paul Amy Ross Booth Phil Cleary Brad McGrath Leader Newspapers ABC-TV ABC-TV The Weekly Port Melbourne Port Melbourne Port Melbourne Port Melbourne

Last Rd: Last Rd: Last Rd: Last Rd: 1 2 2 1

John Hook Brent Diamond Adrian Dunn Football Operations The Gospel The Age AFL Victoria Record Manager AFL VIctoria Port Melbourne Geelong Cats Port Melbourne Geelong Cats

Last Rd: Last Rd: Last Rd: Last Rd: 1 1 1 1

Peter Jackson Paul Hooper Sam Landsberger Nigel Carmody Menswear 3WBC Herald Sun VFL Radio Sponsor Port Melbourne Port Melbourne Port Melbourne Port Melbourne PJM

Last Rd: Last Rd: Last Rd: Last Rd: 1 1 2 2

LEADERBOARD Sean R 84 Paul H 77

Adrian D 82 Nigel C 77

Mark Stone Sean Renkema Liam Twomey Brad M 82 Liam T 76 SEN No.1 Footytips.com.au Tipster Star News Group Sam L 81 John H 74 Port Melbourne Port Melbourne Geelong Cats Brent D 80 Ross B 72

Paul A 80 The Gospel 72

PJM 80 Phil C 70 Last Rd: Last Rd: Last Rd: 1 2 0 Mark S 77

26 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au LAST TIME THEY MET Last time they met Grand Final Preview Round 10 Round 6 25.19.169 def Frankston 12.8.80 23.9.147 def Round 11 Bendigo Gold 8.13.61 13.7.85 def by Round 7 Geelong Cats 16.10.106 14.10.94 def by Round 12 Casey Scorpions 22.8.140 PORT MELBOURNE VS 16.18.114 def Round 9 GEELONG CATS Coburg Tigers 10.8.68 15.18.108 def by Head to Head Round 14 Sandringham 16.16.112 Played: 20 18.16.124 def Round 10 Port Melbourne: 14 Sandringham 14.10.94 13.16.94 def by Geelong Cats: 6 Round 15 North Ballarat 18.10.118 Last time they met (2012): 17.7.109 def by Round 11 QF Port Melbourne 20.12.132 def Casey Scorpions 18.10.118 16.10.106 def Geelong Cats 16.14.110 Round 17 Port Melbourne 13.7.85 R11 Geelong Cats 16.10.106 def 18.19.127 def Round 13 Port Melbourne 13.7.85 Northern Blues 8.10.58 9.18.72 def Northern Blues 2.9.21 High/low scores Round 18 Round 14 (vs this week’s opponent) 6.9.45 def by 10.21.81 def Port Melbourne Williamstown 7.14.56 Coburg Tigers 5.5.35 20.12.132 (2012) / 9.10.64 (2002) Round 20 Round 15 Geelong Cats 11.8.74 def 21.13.139 def 23.11.149 (2002) / 6.9.45 (2003) Box Hill Hawks 10.11.71 Box Hill Hawks 13.10.88 SEASON THAT WAS Round 21 Round 16 16.10.106 def 11.18.84 def Collingwood 7.6.48 PORT MELBOURNE Bendigo Gold 8.5.53 Round 18 Round 1 Round 22 18.12.120 def 16.13.109 def Frankston 9.13.67 13.17.95 def by Bendigo Gold 7.11.53 Round 2 North Ballarat 14.12.96 Round 19 22.16.148 def Qualifying Final 7.14.56 def North Ballarat 6.9.45 Werribee Tigers 14.5.89 20.12.132 def Round 20 Round 3 Geelong Cats 16.14.110 16.13.109 def 19.10.124 def Preliminary Final Casey Scorpions 14.11.95 Bendigo Gold 14.12.96 12.15.87 def Williamstown 7.11.53 Round 21 Round 4 11.13.79 def 14.13.97 def GEELONG CATS Coburg Tigers 9.12.66 Box Hill Hawks 8.15.63 Round 2 Round 22 Round 5 14.11.95 def 11.7.73 def by 26.10.166 def Collingwood 11.17.83 Williamstown 11.11.77 North Ballarat 12.10.82 Round 3 Qualifying Final Round 6 11.19.85 def 16.14.110 def by 26.18.174 def Williamstown 11.12.78 Port Melbourne 20.12.132 Northern Blues 7.6.48 Round 4 Semi Final Round 7 17.11.113 def Frankston 12.9.81 11.10.76 def 15.15.105 def Round 5 Box Hill Hawks 9.8.62 Williamstown 3.7.25 10.15.75 def by Preliminary Final Round 8 Werribee Tigers 17.10.112 16.12.108 def 10.20.80 def by Werribee Tigers 15.13.103 Collingwood 15.11.101

www.vﬂ .com.au | 27

VFL CLUB NOTES VFL Club Notes All the latest news, events and match information from inside each VFL club.

PORT MELBOURNE: PMPPA Vote Count/Best & Fairest PORT MELBOURNE GEELONG CATS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY PROUDLY SPONSORED BY Award to be held on Tuesday 25 September in the social rooms @ North Port Oval. Cost: $20.00 (ﬁ nger food) drinks at bar prices. Book early to avoid disappointment numbers are limited. Presentation Night will be held on Friday 5th October @ The International in Brighton with tickets @ $120.00 all inclusive. 150 tickets only available therefore book early to avoid disappointment. Visit our website for the latest information www.pmfc.com.au “Go Boroughs”

www.vﬂ .com.au | 29 PORT MELBOUNRE PLAYER PROFILES Port Melbourne Player Profiles

1 ADAM also good at ground level and stoppages. Leaves nothing in BENTICK: good kick. Playing game 100 the locker room with his take- 2012 games 6/ in Grand Final. no-prisoners style. career total (83); 6 CLAYTON 11 MARC 2012 goals 6/ HINKLEY: JOHNSTON: career total(57): 11/(11); 6 /(6): 19/(69); 1/(4): Former Carlton Former Fremantle Son of legendary player who missed last year’s Docker in his Carlton player premiership through injury fi rst season with Wayne. Missed and only returned to team in the club. Injured last year’s Grand second half of season. Busy early in season, but quickly Final, but played all but one inside player who can also established himself as a key game this season. Attacking play a variety of roles. member of the team with defender who can also close 2 SHANE his pace that allows him to down opponents. Courageous VALENTI: break the lines. Uses ball to player as evidenced when he 20/(143); 17/(119): advantage. rebounded well from heavy Dual Liston Trophy 8 STEPHEN knock in Preliminary Final. winner who again BREWER: 15 JOHN BAIRD: had a stand out 11/128; 1/(10): 20/(161); 9/(61): season. Member Key member of Inspirational of last year’s premiership Port Melbourne’s leader in his team. Prolifi c possession defence. Plays fourth season as winner who not only wins the percentages well, captain. Led the ball, but rarely wastes a touch. strong hands, good negating club to its historic Named for a fourth time in skills and penetrating left premiership last year. VFL Team Of The Year. Pivotal foot kick. Generates plenty of Captained the VFL this year. player who brings others into drive coming out of defence. Won 2001 Norm Goss medal game. Member of last year’s fl ag. when playing for Box Hill 4 HEATH 9 RYAN GALE: Hawks. Proven big game player O’FARRELL: 12/(40); 2/(6): enjoying arguably best ever 12/(20); 12(21): Former Northern season. Enjoying best Blues player in 18 WAYDE season at the club. his fi rst season at SKIPPER: Can play a number Port Melbourne. 20/(139); 10/(123): of roles and can Booming left foot Former Western be dangerous in attack. kick, mobile, athletic tall who can Bulldog/Hawthorn 5 DEAN GALEA: play both ends of the ground as ruckman now in his 20/99; 72/(289): well as pinch-hit in the ruck. second season at Jim ‘Frosty’ 10 TOBY Port Melbourne. Member of last Miller medallist PINWILL: year’s premiership team. Quality who was named 10/(120); 7/(67): ruckman who usually provides for the second Member of last teammates with fi rst use. Mobile consecutive year’s premiership big man whose ability to read the season to the VFL Team Of team, and was play, get to contests and use the The Year. Kicked six goals best on ground. ball effectively makes him a key in Grand Final last season. Strong, aggressive midfi elder player. Plays much taller than height who wins plenty of contested suggests. Strong hands, but possession. Very good at the

30 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au PORT MELBOUNRE PLAYER PROFILES

20 SAM DWYER: 25 ADRIAN VAFA last season to play every 15/(130); 19/(120): BONADDIO: game for Port Melbourne in his fi rst Member of Port 17/(100); 15(154): season at the club. He’s held down Melbourne’s Celebrated his key defensive post all season. premiership team 100th match for the 35 MYLES PITT: last season. club in style as his 18/(36); 16/(44): Member of the uncompromising Missed last year’s VFL Team of the Year. Stylish attack on the ball and ability to premiership after midfi elder/forward whose ability take contested marks was telling. suffering late season to win the ball and fi nish off his Key position forward/ruckman injury. Good hands, work makes him one of the best who leaves nothing in the tank in strong attack on the in the competition. Missed fi ve pursuit of helping his teammates. ball and can swing seamlessly weeks with a broken leg and a 26 MITCH from defence to attack. late withdrawal from last week’s WOOFFINDIN: 36 SAM PLEMING: Preliminary Final. 17/(18); 11/(12): 20/(172); 6/(79): First year player 21 MITCH General of Port just out of the WOODS: Melbourne’s Oakleigh Chargers 9/(13); 1/(1): defence. Member who created huge Former Oakleigh of last year’s impression. Represented Vic Chargers premiership team Metro last year. Ability to win ball graduate in his and played every game this at stoppages and never-ending third year and season. Named in the VFL hard work saw him play nearly most productive at the club. Team of the Year for the third every game. Good pace. Just missed selection in the successive season. Started in Preliminary Final. 28 JOSH attack in Preliminary Final, but 23 HUGH SCIPIONE: went back to defence where he SANDILANDS: 9/(20); 13/(29): again was dominant. 19/(57); 0/(3): Stylish forward 39 BILLY Quality, strong who compliments BURSTIN: marking defender Messrs Galea, 19/(32); 28/(38): who was a Burstin and Cain Much improved member of last well. Dangerous around goals player. Proved year’s premiership team. Reads with good fi nishing skills. a revelation play well, good contested 29 CHRIS CAIN: during last year’s mark and rebounds well from 20/(107); 42/(154): fi nal series and his game has defence. Comes off good Class player who continued on that upward Preliminary Final match. was named to the spiral. Represented the VFL this 24 MICHAEL VFL Team of the season. Good aerial skills, just as DILLON: Year for the second effective when the ball is on the 16/(93); 5/(29): successive year. ground and has the ability to turn Member of last Very damaging around goals a game up forward. year’s premiership as evidence by his 42 goals team. Industrious this season. Creates space, 54 JASON midfi elder who possesses pace and his foot skills WILLIAMS: works tirelessly and his are outstanding. Member of last 5/(5); 0/(0): First second and third efforts are year’s premiership team. season player. Former Calder his signature play. Good 31 DANIEL at the stoppages. Comes Cannon graduate NOONAN: who broke into Port off outstanding game in 20/(20); 0/(0): Melbourne’s team early in the Preliminary Final. Made seamless season then injured. Broke back transition from injury into the team for the Preliminary and playing in the Final. He’s got speed.

www.vﬂ .com.au | 31 PETER JACKSON VFL GRAND FINAL: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23, ETIHAD STADIUM, 2:15PM PORT MELBOURNE Coach: Gary Ayres | Captain: John Baird

#PLAYER DOBH WLOCAL CLUB G B

1 Adam Bentick 13-Jun-85 184 84 Carlton / Calder Cannons

2 Shane Valenti 29-Jan-87 176 79 Melbourne / Sandringham

4 Heath O’Farrell 06-Sep-90 180 79 Oakleigh Chargers/Ivanhoe

5 Dean Galea 11-Nov-85 188 93 Williamstown / West Adelaide

6 Clayton Hinkley 21-Feb-89 185 79 Fremantle/North Ballarat Rebels

8 Stephen Brewer 22-Nov-83 188 84 Williamstown / Springvale

9 Ryan Gale 05-May-86 193 93 Northern Blues/Claremont

10 Toby Pinwill 17-Feb-85 188 89 Oakleigh Chargers

11 Marc Johnston 26-Aug-84 180 80 Sandringham/Sandringham Dragons

15 John Baird 11-Jun-80 194 93 Port Adelaide / Kangaroos

16 Joshua Purcell 25-Jan-91 188 83 Oakleigh Chargers/St.Kevins

18 Wayde Skipper 01-Mar-83 193 95 Hawthorn/Western Bulldogs

19 Sam O’Sullivan 23-Nov-90 187 82 Sandringham/Oakleigh Chargers

20 Sam Dwyer 29-Aug-86 177 74 Geelong Falcons / Sth.W'bool

21 Mitch Woods 15-Nov-91 184 80 Oakleigh Chargers/Scotch

23 Hugh Sandilands 07-Mar-89 189 90 Box Hill / Hawthorn

24 Michael Dillon 13-Apr-83 187 81 Bendigo Bombers / Gisborne

25 Adrian Bonaddio 26-May-86 195 112 Adelaide / Port Melbourne

26 Mitchell Woofﬁ ndin 03-Feb-93 178 78 Oakleigh Chargers

28 Josh Scipione 06-Dec-90 180 79 Oakleigh / De La Salle

29 Chris Cain 14-Jul-87 181 83 Oakleigh Chargers

31 Daniel Noonan 01-Oct-90 193 92 Old Xaverians/Sandy Dragons

35 Myles Pitt 26-Jun-91 192 92 Dandenong Stingrays/Sorrento

36 Sam Pleming 05-Aug-85 194 83 Carlton / Gippsland Power

37 James Breust 30-Aug-93 186 82 Aberfeldie/Oakleigh Chargers

39 Billy Burstin 02-Dec-89 192 91 Oakleigh Chargers/Fitzroy

40 Tim Allan 22-Oct-90 192 91 Ormond AFC/Sandringham Dragons

42 Tom Langford 12-Mar-87 184 82 West Adelaide/Tasmania

44 Clay Johnston 04-Jan-90 178 68 Sandringham/Sandringham Dragons

54 Jason Williams 18-Aug-93 189 77 Rupertswood / Gisborne Rookies/Calder Cannons

1/4 TIME 1/2 TIME 3/4 TIME FULL TIME

32 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au PETER JACKSON VFL GRAND FINAL: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23, ETIHAD STADIUM, 2:15PM GEELONG Coach: Matthew Knights | Captain: Troy Selwood

#PLAYER DOB H W LOCAL CLUB G B 1 Mitch Brown * 28-Aug-90 196 92 Cheltenham/Sandringham Dragons

15 Jordan Schroder * 05-Dec-92 182 86 St Bernards/Calder Cannons

16 Dawson Simpson* 17-Feb-89 206 109 Barnawartha/Murray Bushrangers

17 Shannon Byrnes* 07-Apr-84 175 78 Shepparton/Murray Bushrangers

21 Jordan Murdoch* 23-Mar-92 190 80 Glenelg (SA)

23 Orren Stephenson* 15-Jul-82 200 104 North Ballarat Roosters

24 Jed Bews* 14-Dec-93 186 78 Geelong Falcons

25 Tom Gillies* 07-Mar-90 192 95 Narre Warren/Dandenong Stingrays

33 George Horlin-Smith * 22-Dec-92 186 81 Sturt (SA)

34 Simon Hogan* 16-Aug-88 182 82 Warrnambool/Geelong Falcons

37 Cam Eardley # 24-Jun-93 180 80 East Fremantle / East Fremantle JFC

38 Jackson Sheringham # 22-Jun-88 179 75 Geelong / Bell Park FC

39 Shane Kersten* 15-Mar-93 190 88 South Fremantle (WA)

40 David Wojcinski* 18-Sep-80 180 80 Heyﬁ eld/Gippsland Power

41 Jesse Stringer# 03-Apr-91 182 82 Port Adelaide (SANFL)

42 Josh Walker# 12-Nov-92 196 91 Lara/Geelong Falcons

43 George Burbury# 16-Jun-92 186 80 Hobart (Tas)

45 Joel Hamling* 09-Apr-93 194 80 Claremont (WA)

46 Jonathan Simpkin# 28-Oct-87 181 80 Colac/Geelong U18/Sydney List/Geelong VFL

47 Ryan Bathie# 15-Apr-87 198 97 Mowbray College

48 Mark Blicavs# 28-Mar-91 198 78 Taylors Lakes

50 Dominic Gleeson 19-Mar-83 179 79 Geelong Falcons/Carlton/Werribee Tigers

51 Troy Selwood 05-Jan-84 189 89 Bendigo Pioneers/Brisbane Lions

52 Jackson Hollmer 11-Feb-85 186 87 Lorne

54 Andrew Mclean 22-Jun-86 194 90 St Mary's/North Ballarat (VFL)

57 Mark Corrigan 23-Jul-83 180 80 South Barwon/Sandringham (VFL)

58 Robert Condy 29-Oct-86 190 87 Newtown/Collingwood (VFL)

60 Matthew Sully 15-Oct-90 196 95 South Warrnambool/North Ballarat Rebels

64 Andrew Banjanin 05-Sep-87 201 97 St Albans/Werribee Tigers

67 Darcy Holden 23-Feb-92 182 82 Frankston (VFL)/St Bedes/Mentone

* AFL Primary Listed Player # AFL Rookie Listed Player 1/4 TIME 1/2 TIME 3/4 TIME FULL TIME

www.vﬂ .com.au | 33 GEELONG CATS PLAYER PROFILES Geelong Cats Player Profiles

1 MITCH BROWN: collected style coupled with his permanent position in Geelong’s 2012 games 17/ ability to run, carry, break the stellar AFL team. One of the keys career atotal (31); lines and penetrating left foot to Geelong’s VFL fl ag bid – strong 2012 goals 34/ makes him a pivotal player. defender who is likely to stand career total (65): 21 JORDAN Dean Galea or Adrian Bonaddio. First round AFL MURDOCH: 33 GEORGE Draft selection. 8/(8); 1/(1): Young HORLIN-SMITH: Plagued by injuries, but his Geelong player 15/(24); 10/(14): strong marking and presence who made a lasting Second season allows him to be used effectively impression when he with Geelong and in key position posts at both ends made his AFL debut stepped up to make of the ground. Kicked three goals in the second half of the season. his AFL debut this in the Cats’ Preliminary Final win. Possesses great speed, reads play year. Played three AFL games. 15 JORDAN well, backs himself and his delivery Comes off good season that saw SCHRODER: is a feature. Exciting prospect. him with a top 10 fi nish in the 18/(54); 18/(71); 23 ORREN J.J. Liston Trophy. Shows plenty Calder Cannons STEPHENSON: of promise in the midfi eld, good graduate who fi nishing skills. 10/(128); 8/(66): was a third round No stranger to 34 SIMON HOGAN: selection in the VFL Grand Finals. 19/(78); 6/(43): 2010 AFL National Draft. Hard- Played in all three Sole remaining running midfi elder who has of North Ballarat’s member of supplemented his game by an premierships, won a Norm Goss Geelong’s 2007 ability to kick goals. Medal. Comes off outstanding VFL premiership 16 DAWSON game in the Preliminary Final team. Played SIMPSON: where his deft ruck work and also in Geelong’s AFL pre- 9/(69); 0/(9): ability to push forward and take season premiership team in Tallest man in telling marks makes him one of the 2009. Unable to break into the Grand Final at 206 keys in Geelong’s premiership bid. Cats’ AFL team this year. Busy midfi elder who kicked two goals cm. Frustrated by 24 JED BEWS: in the Preliminary Final. injury this season, 19/(22);0/(0): Son where he missed virtually the of former Geelong 37 CAM EARDLEY: fi rst two months. Worked well in captain Andrew. 19/(19); 3/(3): tandem with Orren Stephenson in Graduated last Geelong rookie Preliminary Final. Will be called on season from TAC who has acquitted to do similar role in Grand Final. Cup club Geelong himself well in 17 SHANNON Falcons. Gained a taste of VFL fi rst year in a AFL BYRNES: last season. Only missed two environment. 15/(82); 13/ games this season. Making Impressed with his performances (87): Member a name for himself as a solid, in defence throughout the fi nal’s of Geelong’s reliable defender. series. Fearless player who appears to have plenty of upside. 2007 & ’09 AFL 25 TOM GILLIES: premiership team. 15/(59); 1/(2): 38 JACKSON Played just the four games in the Played fi ve AFL SHERINGHAM: AFL this season. Showcased his games this season 14/(51); 3/(18): class throughout the VFL fi nals to take his career Former Geelong and series. His 100 plus AFL games tally to 13. Found it Werribee VFL player experience, his cool, calm, hard to lock down a who was rookie listed

34 | www.afl vic.com.au GEELONG CATS PLAYER PROFILES then upgraded during the season. defender Peter Walker. Emerging leadership has helped this Made his AFL debut and played type capable of taking strong largely young Cats team. fi ve AFL games. Will appreciate the contested mark. Upgraded 51 TROY expanded space at Etihad. from rookie list and made AFL SELWOOD: debut this season. Strong hands, 39 SHANE 18/(52); 4/(13): dangerous key position forward. KERSTEN: Geelong captain 16/(16); 35/(35): 43 GEORGE whose inspirational Second round BURBURY: play, especially selection last year 21/(37); 16/(31): in contested at the AFL National Only Geelong situations, continues to be Draft. Topped player to play every his signature style. Tireless Geelong’s VFL goal kicking. VFL game this worker whose hard work at the Strong mark, high conversion rate season. Second stoppages paves the way for when kicking for goals. Kicked year on rookie list. Lively, lead-up his teammates. Can close-down fi ve goals in Semi Final win half forward who can impact on opposition prime midfi elders. against Box Hill Hawks. Copped the scoreboard as he did against 54 ANDREW heavy knock in Preliminary Final, Werribee in Preliminary Final. McLEAN: which subdued him. 46 JONATHAN 17/(74); 0/(6): 40 DAVID SIMPKIN: One of the few WOJCINSKI: 18/(79); 18/(80): VFL players 9/(44); 4/(15): Former Sydney in Geelong’s Veteran Cat who rookie who began team, but he’s played in all three the season on the lynchpin of the defence. of Geelong’s Geelong’s rookie Member of the VFL Team of premierships in list. Upgraded and made his AFL The Year last season. Strong recent years. Explosive speed debut. Can switch from midfi eld negating player, but also makes him hard to combat to forward role. Good skills. possesses a good pair of running off half back. His 200 47 RYAN BATHIE: hands, reads play well and plus AFL game experience will 19/(36); 1/(3): makes few mistakes. make him an invaluable asset on Former NBL 57 MARK the big stage in his fi nal game and US college CORRIGAN: before retirement. basketballer 9/(40); 6/(23): 41 JESSE who continues Veteran VFL player STRINGER: to progress well. who played with 11/(20); 8 /(14): Second season on the Cats’ Sandringham Upgraded from rookie list. Held down a key during their halcyon rookie list during defensive post and his height era earlier in the decade. Played season where will be important against power in Semi Final win, but missed the he played eight Port Melbourne forward Adrian Preliminary Final. Smart player. Bonaddio. AFL games and looked quite 67 DARCY comfortable at the game’s elite 50 DOMINIC HOLDEN: level. Midfi eld work during VFL GLEESON: 4/(8); 3/(6): Young fi nals, particularly the Preliminary 18/(160); 9/(90): VFL player who Final, has been impressive. One Veteran VFL player originally played of Geelong’s prime movers. who this season with Frankston, 42 JOSH crossed from but invited to pre- WALKER: Werribee, where season this year by Geelong’s 14/(28); 22/(26): he captained the club and set VFL team. Made an impact Grandson of the games record. Tenacious in Preliminary Final where he former Geelong in-and-under forward whose kicked two stunning goals. premiership courageous play and on-fi eld

www.vﬂ .com.au | 35 2012SECTION LEAGUE HEADER STATISTICS Peter Jackson VFL Senior Statistics 2012 PETER JACKSON VFL SENIORS CLUB PWLDFA%PTS Casey Scorpions 18 14 4 0 1633 1544 105.76 56 Port Melbourne 18 13 5 0 2051 1371 149.60 52 Geelong Cats 18 13 5 0 1730 1398 123.75 52 Werribee Tigers 18 12 6 0 1906 1441 132.27 48 Williamstown 18 11 6 1 1591 1406 113.16 46 Sandringham 18 10 8 0 1724 1650 104.48 40 Box Hill Hawks 18 9 9 0 1653 1500 110.20 36 Bendigo 18 9 9 0 1691 1686 100.30 36 North Ballarat 18 9 9 0 1588 1747 90.90 36 Northern Blues 18 6 12 0 1459 1591 91.70 24 Coburg Tigers 18 4 14 0 1336 1861 71.79 16 Collingwood 18 4 14 0 1293 1934 66.86 16 Frankston 18 2 15 1 1182 1708 69.20 10 FINALS WEEK 3: PETER JACKSON VFL SENIORS PRELIMINARY FINAL 1 PRELIMINARY FINAL 2 Port Melbourne 4.3 7.5 10.8 12.15-87 Werribee Tigers 1.3 4.5 9.10 15.13-103 Williamstown 2.2 5.5 7.10 7.11- 53 Geelong Cats 3.5 9.7 14.9 16.12-108 Port Melbourne: Goal Kickers: W. Burstin 2, A. Bonaddio 2, Werribee Tigers: Goal Kickers: B. McKinley 3, B. Warren 3, J. Scipione, S. Valenti, S. Brewer, D. Galea, H. O’Farrell, R. Gale, S. Gibson 2, R. Castello 2, M. Daw 2, B. Speight, M. Lynch, W. Martiniello T. Pinwill, W. Skipper Best Players: S. Gibson, M. Daw, W. Sierakowski, R. Castello, Best Players: M. Dillon, H. Sandilands, M. Woofﬁ ndin, S. Pleming, K. Hartigan, B. McKinley W. Skipper, J. Baird Geelong Cats: Goal Kickers: M. Brown 3, O. Stephenson 2, Williamstown: Goal Kickers: F. Roberts 3, K. McHarg, B. Goodes, D. Holden 2, G. Burbury 2, J. Stringer 2, S. Hogan 2, S. Byrnes, D. Conway, S. McCallum S. Kersten, J. Walker Best Players: J. Frost, S. McCallum, M. Talia, B. Jolley, B. Goodes, Best Players: O. Stephenson, R. Bathie, J. Simpkin, C. Eardley, F. Roberts J. Schroder, J. Stringer, T. Selwood AFL Victoria Development League Statistics 2012 AFL VICTORIA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE CLUB PWLDFA%PTS Williamstown 18 18 0 0 1798 1244 144.53 72 Werribee Tigers 18 11 7 0 1857 1233 150.61 44 Box Hill Hawks 18 10 8 0 1626 1344 120.98 40 Coburg Tigers 18 10 8 0 1614 1338 120.63 40 Casey Scorpions 18 10 8 0 1518 1419 106.98 40 Sandringham 18 9 9 0 1540 1607 95.83 36 North Ballarat 18 7 11 0 1391 1542 90.21 28 Port Melbourne 18 6 12 0 1425 1810 78.73 24 Northern Blues 18 5 13 0 1334 1874 71.18 20 Frankston 18 4 14 0 1106 1798 61.51 16 FINALS WEEK 3: AFL VICTORIA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE GRAND FINAL Coburg Tigers 2.3 6.6 10.10 16.12-108 Box Hill Hawks 1.3 9.5 12.11 15.11-101 Coburg Tigers: Goal Kickers: R. Hore 5, O. Uysal 4, D. Younan 3, N. Maric 2, R. Jordan, N. Linton Best Players: O. Uysal, R. Hore, L. Cartelli, R. Jordan, N. Maric, R. Bamblett Box Hill Hawks: Goal Kickers: D. Cooper 3, S. Cust 2, M. Otten 2, J. Salopek 2, D. Graham 2, B. Monkhorst, W. Johnson, S. Grimley, A. Johns Best Players: N. Wood, D. Graham, J. Wilsen, T. Miles, K. Post, P. Lawlor

36 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au PETER JACKSON VFL SENIORS SEASON 2012 FIXTURE

ROUND 1 ROUND 8 ROUND 16 Saturday 24th March Saturday 12th May Saturday 14th July Coburg Tigers 11.11. 77 def. Northern Blues 9.10.64 North Ballarat 21.13.139 def. Coburg Tigers 17.10.112 Collingwood 7.6.48 def. by Geelong Cats 11.18.84 Nth Ballarat 14.16.100 def. by Werribee Tigers 20.15.135 Collingwood 15.11.101 def. Port Melbourne 10.20.80 Bendigo 11.8.74 def. by Casey Scorpions 11.11.77 Casey Scorpions 13.9.87 def. Williamstown 12.13.85 Box Hill Hawks 5.15.45 def. by Casey Scorpions 13.19.97 Sunday 15th July Sunday 25th March Sunday 13th May Frankston Dolphins 9.14.68 def. by Box Hill Hawks 12.10.82 Frankston 9.13.67 def. by Port Melbourne 16.13.109 Frankston 9.7.61 def. by Werribee Tigers 13.16.94 Sandringham 13.14.92 def. by North Ballarat 18.14.122 Sandringham Zebras 20.17.137 def. Box Hill 12.11.83 Northern Blues 6.14.50 def. by Sandringham 10.20.80 Werribee Tigers 16.19.115 def. Coburg Tigers 14.7.91 BYE - Bendigo, Collingwood & Geelong Cats BYE - Bendigo, Geelong Cats & Williamstown BYE - Northern Blues, Port Melbourne & Williamstown

ROUND 2 ROUND 9 ROUND 17 Saturday 31st March Saturday 19th May Saturday 21st July Geelong Cats 14.11.95 def. Collingwood 11.17.83 Collingwood 8.13.61 def. by Bendigo 13.15.93 Collingwood 4.13.37 def. by Box Hill Hawks 23.15.153 Port Melbourne 22.16.148 def. Werribee Tigers 14.5.89 Box Hill Hawks 21.16.142 def. North Ballarat 8.13.61 Bendigo 12.12.84 def. by Sandringham Zebras 14.11.95 Coburg Tigers 13.9.87 def. by Casey Scorpions 13.15.93 Werribee Tigers 13.15.93 def. Northern Blues 12.7.79 Coburg Tigers 6.14.50 def. by North Ballarat 19.13.127 Northern Blues 9.16.70 def. by Williamstown 12.12.84 Sunday 20th May Northern Blues 8.10.58 def. by Port Melbourne 18.19.127 Sunday 1st April Williamstown 22.9.141 def. Coburg Tigers 12.10.82 Sunday 22nd July North Ballarat 7.11.53 def. by Sandringham 16.12.108 Sandringham Zebras 16.16.112 def. Geelong Cats 15.18.108 Williamstown 14.7.91 def. Werribee Tigers 13.11.89 BYE - Casey Scorpions, Frankston & Geelong Cats Frankston Dolphins 7.11.53 def. by Bendigo 20.17.137 BYE - Casey Scorpions, Frankston & Port Melbourne BYE - Box Hill Hawks ROUND 10 ROUND 18 Saturday 28th July ROUND 3 Saturday 2nd June Geelong Cats 18.12.120 def. Bendigo 7.11.53 Saturday 7th April Geelong Cats 13.16.94 def. by North Ballarat 18.10.118 Williamstown 7.14.56 def. Port Melbourne 6.9.45 Collingwood 7.19.61 def. by North Ballarat 15.16.106 Port Melbourne 25.19.169 def. Frankston Dolphins 12.8.80 Box Hill Hawks 5.16.46 def. by Werribee Tigers 10.4.64 Bendigo 14.12.96 def. by Port Melbourne 19.10.124 Northern Blues 6.8.44 def. by Casey Scorpions 14.15.99 Werribee Tigers 26.18.174 def. Collingwood 10.5.65 Frankston Dolphins 10.9.69 def. by Casey Scorpions 15.15.105 Werribee Tigers 7.13.55 def. by Box Hill Hawks 14.11.95 Sunday 29th July Sunday 8th April Bendigo 18.14.122 def. Williamstown 15.13.103 BYE - Box Hill Hawks, Coburg Tigers & Sandringham Zebras Northern Blues 22.11.143 def. Coburg Tigers 6.8.44 Casey Scorpions 9.16.70 def. Frankston 11.3.69 BYE - Collingwood, North Ballarat & Sandringham Zebras Williamstown 11.12.78 def. by Geelong Cats 11.19.85 ROUND 11 Sandringham 15.8.98 def. by Coburg Tigers 14.19.103 Saturday 9th June ROUND 19 BYE - Northern Blues Saturday 4th August Geelong Cats 16.10.106 def. Port Melbourne 13.7.85 Bendigo 11.16.82 def. by Collingwood 13.17.95 Williamstown 12.9.81 def. by Box Hill Hawks 12.15.87 ROUND 4 Box Hill Hawks 20.16.136 def. Coburg Tigers 18.4.112 Casey Scorpions 13.12.90 def. Collingwood 11.11.77 Saturday 14th April Sunday 10th June Casey Scorpions 13.10.88 def. by Northern Blues 20.8.128 Geelong Cats 17.11.113 def. Frankston Dolphins 12.9.81 Sunday 5th August Coburg Tigers 9.15.69 def. by Bendigo 21.19.145 North Ballarat 7.15.57 def. by Williamstown 16.13.109 North Ballarat 6.9.45 def. by Geelong Cats 7.14.56 Northern Blues 13.13.91 def. by Collingwood 15.8.98 Frankston Dolphins 13.8.86 def. by Sandringham 14.8.92 BYE - North Ballarat, Northern Blues & Werribee Tigers Sandringham Zebras 12.17.89 def. Frankston Dolphins 5.16.46 Sunday 15th April BYE - Port Melbourne, Werribee Tigers & Williamstown Box Hill Hawks 8.15.63 def. by Port Melbourne 14.13.97 ROUND 12 Casey Scorpions 9.12.66 def. by Bendigo 20.17.137 Saturday 16th June ROUND 20 BYE - Coburg Tigers, Sandringham Zebras & Port Melbourne 16.18.114 def. Coburg Tigers 10.8.68 Saturday 11th August Werribee Tigers Box Hill Hawks 9.14.68 def.by Bendigo 14.16.100 Williamstown 9.12.66 def. Northern Blues 6.6.42 Sunday 17th June Port Melbourne 11.8.74 def. Box Hill Hawks 10.11.71 ROUND 5 Werribee Tigers 20.16.136 def. Sandringham Zebras 8.9.57 Werribee Tigers 13.24.102 def. North Ballarat 2.8.20 Friday 20th April North Ballarat 16.16.112 def. Northern Blues 13.8.86 Coburg Tigers 3.11.29 def. by Frankston Dolphins 7.5.47 Werribee Tigers 17.10.112 def. Geelong Cats 10.15.75 Frankston Dolphins 14.8.92 vs. Williamstown 13.14.92 Sunday 12th August Saturday 21st April BYE - Casey Scorpions, Collingwood & Geelong Cats Casey Scorpions 14.11.95 def. by Geelong Cats 16.13.109 Bendigo 7.5.47 def. by Northern Blues 21.21.147 Sandringham Zebras 24.15.159 def. Collingwood 13.7.85 Port Melbourne 26.10.166 def. North Ballarat 12.10.82 ROUND 13 BYE - Bendigo Box Hill Hawks 20.10.130 def. Collingwood 11.9.75 Saturday 23rd June Sunday 22nd April Bendigo 17.6.108 def. Werribee Tigers 8.15.63 ROUND 21 Sandringham Zebras 11.16.82 def. by Williamstown 15.11.101 North Ballarat 14.15.99 def. Frankston Dolphins 10.8.68 Saturday 18th August Frankston Dolphins 10.16.76 def. Coburg Tigers 9.6.60 Northern Blues 2.9.21 def. by Geelong Cats 9.18.72 Collingwood 5.10.40 def. by Casey Scorpions 11.19.85 BYE - Casey Scorpions Sandringham 10.17.77 def. by Casey Scorpions 11.15.81 Geelong Cats 11.13.79 def. Coburg Tigers 9.12.66 Saturday 24th June Williamstown 15.14.104 def. Sandringham Zebras 5.8.38 ROUND 6 Coburg Tigers 10.23.83 def. Collingwood 9.3.57 Port Melbourne 16.10.106 def. Bendigo 8.5.53 Friday 27th April BYE - Box Hill Hawks, Port Melbourne & Williamstown Sunday 19th August Bendigo 8.13.61 def. by Geelong Cats 23.9.147 Northern Blues 16.7.103 def. Werribee Tigers 11.13.79 Saturday 28th April ROUND 14 BYE - Box Hill Hawks, Frankston & North Ballarat Collingwood 16.16.112 def. by Sandringham 18.15.123 Saturday 30th June Port Melbourne 26.18.174 def. Northern Blues 7.6.48 Port Melbourne 18.16.124 def. Sandringham 14.10.94 ROUND 22 Coburg Tigers 11.19.85 def. Box Hill Hawks 10.12.72 Box Hill Hawks 19.9.123 def. Northern Blues 10.6.66 Friday 24th August Sunday 29th April Werribee Tigers 20.13.133 def. Casey Scorpions 8.7.55 Bendigo 17.11.113 def. Box Hill Hawks 14.10.94 Casey Scorpions 15.11.101 def. North Ballarat 14.16.100 Sunday 1st July Saturday 25th August Werribee Tigers 15.13.103 def. by Williamstown 17.8.110 Collingwood 10.14.74 def. Frankston Dolphins 7.10.52 North Ballarat 14.12.96 def. Port Melbourne 13.17.95 def. Frankston Dolphins 9.5.59 BYE - Frankston Coburg Tigers 5.5.35 def. by Geelong Cats 10.21.81 Northern Blues 15.12.102 Williamstown 9.16.70 def. by North Ballarat 11.11.77 Casey Scorpions 12.14.86 def. Sandringham 10.7.67 ROUND 7 BYE - Bendigo Geelong Cats 11.7.73 def. by Williamstown 11.11.77 Saturday 5th May Collingwood 8.6.54 def. by Werribee Tigers 20.16.136 Geelong Cats 14.10.94 def. by Casey Scorpions 22.8.140 ROUND 15 BYE - Coburg Tigers Port Melbourne 15.15.105 def. Williamstown 3.7.25 Saturday 7th July 2012 VFL FINALS SERIES - POWERED BY MILK Coburg Tigers 12.11.83 def. by Werribee Tigers 20.14.134 Geelong Cats 21.13.139 def. Box Hill Hawks 13.10.88 Box Hill Hawks 11.9.75 def. Frankston Dolphins 4.15.39 Sunday 8th July Qualifying and Elimination Finals Sunday 6th May Casey Scorpions 18.10.118 def. Port Melbourne 17.7.109 Saturday 1st, Sunday 2nd September, North Port Oval Semi Finals Sandringham Zebras 19.10.124 def. Bendigo 12.14.86 North Ballarat 11.8.74 def. by Bendigo 15.10.100 Williamstown 16.22.118 def. Collingwood 11.4.70 Saturday 8th, Sunday 9th September, Casey Fields BYE - Collingwood, North Ballarat & Northern Blues Frankston Dolphins 10.9.69 def. by Northern Blues 18.9.117 Preliminary Finals BYE - Coburg Tigers, Sandringham Zebras & Saturday 15th, Sunday 16th September, North Port Oval Werribee Tigers Grand Final Sunday 23rd September, Etihad Stadium

www.vﬂ .com.au | 37 GRAND FINAL UMPIRES PROFILES Grand Final Umpires Profiles

THE VFL Umpiring EMERGENCY FIELD UMPIRE GOAL UMPIRES Department are proud to Andrew Talbot (6) Michael Palm announce the Peter Jackson VFL and TAC Cup Grand Final Games: VFL Games: VFL Umpires for 2012. Senior: 58 Senior: 103 D.League: 16 D.League: 18 VFL GRAND FINAL TAC Cup: 17 TAC Cup: 11 FIELD UMPIRES Recruited from - Recruited from – Shaun Gleeson (8) Northern Football Ballarat Football Umpires Association Games: VFL League Seniors: 75 games Achievements: Achievements: Recruited from - 2009 TAC Cup Grand Final 2010 VFL Reserves Grand Final NTFUA (Tas) 2011 VFL Senior Grand Final BOUNDARY UMPIRES Emergency Goal Achievements: Damien Cusack 2009 Emergency Michael Craig VFL Grand Final Games:VFL Games: VFL 2011 VFL Preliminary Final Senior: 117 Senior: 38 2012 AFL Rookie Field Umpire D.League: 46 D.League:52 2012 VFL Field Umpire of the Year TAC Cup: 41 TAC Cup: 59 Recruited from Tristan Burgess (10) Recruited from – – VAFA & Yarra Western Region Games: VFL Juniors Achievements: Seniors: 99 Achievements: D.League: 27 2005 TAC Cup Grand Final 2004 TAC Cup Grand Final Emergency Goal TAC Cup: 33 2008 VFL Reserves Grand Final Recruited from - EMERGENCY GOAL UMPIRE Ben Macdonald Bendigo Umpires Steven Piperno Association Games: VFL Games: VFL Achievements: Senior: 80 D.League:13 Senior: 114 2009 TAC Cup Grand Final D.League: 18 2011 VFL Senior Grand Final TAC Cup: 9 Recruited from – TAC Cup: 18 Emergency Field Umpire Recruited from – 2012 AFL Rookie Field Umpire Eastern Football League Victorian Amateur David Harris (7) Football Association Achievements: Games: VFL 2011 VFL Reserves Grand Final Achievements: Senior: 72 2006, 2009 & 2010 TAC Cup D.League: 21 Tim Lougoon Grand Finals TAC Cup: 25 Games: VFL 2011 VFL Senior Grand Final Recruited from Senior: 44 TAC CUP GRAND FINAL - Warrnambool D.League: 14 Umpires Association TAC Cup: 16 Field: Tim Carlos (24), Haydn O’Connor (32), Jack Edwards (29) Achievements: Recruited from – 2008 National Under 16’s Bendigo Umpires Emergency Field: Robert Monk (33) Carnival, Association Boundary: Brendan Elvey, 2009 TAC Cup Grand Final, Year appointed to VFL lists: Nicholas Steel, James Scully 2008 – 2010, 2012 2011 VFL Senior Grand Final, Goal: Cyrus Wong, Anthony Kyrkou 2012 State League game Emergency Goal: (VFL v TAS). Michael Richardson

38 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au GRAND FINAL UMPIRES PROFILES

Finals Week 3: Leading Goal Kickers Congratulations to leading goalkickers for 2012, Dean Galea (Seniors) and Rowan Hore (Development League).

SENIORS LW TL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE LW TL Dean Galea Port Melbourne 171 Rowan Hore Coburg Tigers 558

Ben Warren Werribee Tigers 354 Myles Dorman Northern Blues #43

Matthew Little Bendigo #52 Dylan Conway Williamstown ** 35

Christopher Cain Port Melbourne -42 Angus Grigg North Ballarat #31

Ben McKinley Werribee Tigers 242 Jordan Treloar Werribee Tigers #31

Daniel Pratt Box Hill Hawks #36 Jack Gray Williamstown #29

Shane Kersten Geelong Cats 135 Daniel Cooper Box Hill Hawks 329

Mitchell Brown Geelong Cats 334 Daniel Schibeci Werribee Tigers #28

Bill Driscoll North Ballarat #32 Patrick Nicholls North Ballarat #27

Daniel Archer Sandringham #30 Bryce Galvin Casey Scorpions #25

* AFL # Not in ﬁ nals ** Seniors

www.aﬂ vic.com.au | 39

GRANT WILLIAMS Head to Head with AFL Victoria General Manager Grant Williams

AFL Victoria Record: WHAT evidenced by the fact there fi ve and six per cent in 2012. have been the most pleasing was just four games separating This means more people playing aspects of the 2012 TAC clubs two through nine on the our great game. This result is a Cup and Peter Jackson VFL Bailey’s VFL Ladder with fi nal credit to the many community seasons? positions not being settled until Leagues and their Clubs right Grant Williams (GW): There the fi nal home and away game. around the State as well as have been several notable It was particularly satisfying to the many volunteers that help achievements at State, club see 12 of the 16 players listed or manage and run the NAB AFL and individual levels in both rookied from the VFL last season Auskick program. Clearly, competitions. The overall make their AFL debuts this community Leagues and the standard of football in the Peter season. We hope, as I am sure Clubs that they support are Jackson VFL continues to be the VFL Clubs do, that many providing quality environments very high and provides players more players will have pushed that are achieving growth in with a unique opportunity to play their claims over the course of teams and participants. and test themselves against the season to take their game Record: WHAT does the AFL listed/rookie players. From to the next level. We await with success of Vic Metro at the NAB the underage talented player interest the results as the various AFL U18 Championships say for pathway we saw Vic Metro AFL Drafts unfold later in the the Victoria talent pathway? year. and Vic Country both play GW: This result underscores the extremely well at the NAB AFL Record: WHAT did the VFL fantastic job that our affi liated U18 Championships. Pleasingly, representative team victory Community Leagues and their Vic Metro also won the title. In against Tasmania mean for the Clubs do in providing young, addition, nine players or more competition? talented players in the pathway than a third of the All Australian GW: Very simply it provided from junior football until they team were Victorians. We saw another opportunity for the graduate to the TAC Cup 32 players progress from the competition’s best young players competition. It also highlights the TAC Cup competition last to play in a team together and benefi ts and capacity of the TAC season to make their AFL debut display their skills in a different Cup competition, our 12 Region in 2012. Daniel Talia, who went environment that will help their talent programs that feed it through the Calder Cannons overall development and could and AFL Victoria’s Academy program, was recently named mean they attract the interest of programs that aim to develop the NAB AFL Rising Star winner. an AFL Club. Equally, for some players so they can maximise Individual congratulations also players, the VFL representative their ability on and off the fi eld. go to Ben Ross, winner of the team experience will be the J.J. Liston Trophy; Nick Graham, Record: During the season there highest level they reach and a was much made in the media of who won the Morrish Medal and trip they will forever remember. Dean Towers, who was awarded some AFL Clubs wishing to fi eld the Fothergill Round Medal for Record: WHERE do you see a stand-alone team in the VFL the best U23 player in the Peter Victorian football in the overall next season. Can you explain Jackson VFL. landscape of the game? the current situation? Record: CAN you point to any GW: Early indications are most GW: There have been some tangible evidence that the Peter encouraging from AFL Victoria’s developments this year that Jackson VFL is better placed census data collection process have meant that AFL Victoria’s now than 12 months ago? regarding participation growth. desire for three years of While fi nal fi gures are still being stability (in terms of competition GW: Clearly, we have witnessed collated, we estimate that there structure for season 2012 to a very competitive season as has been a growth of between 2014) has been compromised.

www.aﬂ vic.com.au | 41 SECTIONGRANT WILLIAMS HEADER TAC CUP CLUB NOTES

The successful VFL State Team that defeated the TSL in May.

As we committed to do at the for both VFL and AFL Clubs. Record: HOW important/ end of last year, we have formed As a result, in some respects, benefi cial has the establishment a group of key stakeholders the competition structure will of the AFL Victoria VFL to investigate and propose continue to be subjected to Academy been and what are its the best future structure for some evolutional change that plans for the future? the competition. This is an will depend on the individual GW: While in its infancy, opportunity the competition Club preferences and/or we believe it has been very needs to seize. As indicated at viability. These issues, among successful. The Academy the end of last year, Essendon many others, will be some of the program has provided additional will have its own standalone aspects that will be considered football and development team in the Peter Jackson by the Working Party. Much will opportunities for the players VFL in 2013 as will Bendigo depend on the fi nancial model involved. The feedback we have Gold. There will be no other of the future competition and the received through Nathan Bibby, changes to composition of fi nancial model and viability of the AFL Victoria VFL Academy VFL Clubs competing in the the individual Clubs. Coach, has been very positive. 2013 season, which will be a Record: THERE was speculation Our intention is to continually 14 team competition. The VFL that Adelaide Crows and Port build on the program. We await Future Structure Working Party Adelaide wished to fi eld teams with interest the upcoming NAB is looking at the future model/s in the VFL next season. Will that AFL Draft/s to see how many for the Peter Jackson VFL and happen? members of the AFL Victoria has representatives from AFL GW: It is very clear and has VFL Academy are selected to Victoria, the AFL, VFL and AFL take their game to the next level. clubs. been on the public record that the AFL Clubs in both West We are very thankful that may Record: WOULD traditional Australia and South Australia AFL Clubs have contributed to VFL clubs be able to continue have a desire to fi eld a stand- the program by allowing some if they are no longer in aligned alone team in a State League of their key staff and coaches to situation? competition. As I understand it, facilitate some of the sessions GW: There is no suggestion at the four Clubs in those States for the Academy players during this stage that Clubs cannot are pursuing all opportunities to the year. Notably, Western or should not be aligned in achieve that in their respective Bulldogs Coach Brendan the future. The question is States. McCartney has been involved. more about providing choice Record: WHY has the move

42 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au www.taccup.com.au | 42 GRANT WILLIAMS

2012 NAB AFL U18 Championship winners Vic Metro.

from reserves to Development People who saw last week’s deadlines to provide VFL football League been important and how Development League Grand fans the opportunity to watch not is the competition now viewed? Final between Box Hill Hawks only the match in its entirety, but GW: Obviously, it was a subtle and Coburg Tigers tell me it was also the after game interviews. change initially but it has been a terrifi c standard. Hopefully, The importance of the ABC pleasing to note how quickly many of these players will TV telecasts to showcase the people have adapted to the progress to regular senior VFL VFL across the State can’t be even just the name change. football next year. understated. In addition, our The VFL Clubs have really Record: DOES the VFL need social media followers have embraced it. It is just another to take more games to regional increased signifi cantly over way to promote the learning and country Victoria? the season and this ability to environment at VFL Clubs, engage instantly with our fan GW: Philosophically, we base is important. In many having a quality development support games being played program is an important element respects we live in the shadow around the State providing the of the AFL and it is sometimes of a VFL Club to highlight and Clubs involved are willing, the support the role the competition hard to attract as much space facilities available are suitable as we would like in main plays in the talented player and there is a genuine support pathway. It is especially stream media we are still very for the games from the local appreciative of the coverage important at fully aligned VFL community. Clubs where the opportunity we receive. Where we have to play senior football can, at Record: WITH the importance been fortunate is that we have times, be restricted by AFL of the ever expanding media enjoyed marvellous partnerships player availability. Over the past across all platforms has the VFL with Peter Jackson Melbourne, few weeks there have been been able to attract the profi le it Acacia, Dairy Australia, Ford many examples of VFL Clubs warrants? and, of course, the TAC. Their promoting players from their GW: Certainly, our partnership support, along with our other Development League teams to with ABC television has been supportive partners right down play in the Peter Jackson VFL most benefi cial. It has been to those that support the clubs, fi nals. Many of these players particularly pleasing to witness have played important roles in have made a seamless transition the increased commitment from the success this season for both and contributed signifi cantly ABC TV who, on more than one competitions. to the senior VFL team. occasion, have extended their

www.aﬂ vic.com.au | 43 GRANDSECTION FINAL HEADER PREVIEW TAC CUP CLUB NOTES Grand Final Preview Gippsland Power vs Oakleigh Chargers

Grand Final combatants – Oakleigh’s Ryan Exon and Justin Wenke, and Gippsland’s Nick Stevens and Anthony Tipungwuti.

Ballarat Rebels, was the most Oakleigh have stormed through dominant team during the home the fi nals comfortably defeating and away season. Gippsland Calder Cannons by 22-points; has lost just three of its 19 Dandenong Stingrays (46) and games. then North Ballarat (83). OAKLEIGH Chargers return But, as the Rebels will vouch What is no coincidence is for the second successive what happens during the home that the longer the Chargers year to Etihad Stadium for and away season, and for that players, now that they are all the TAC Cup Grand Final, matter early fi nals, is quickly back from school commitments, but this year faces a new foe, replaced by the winner takes all have played together the better Gippsland Power. nature of a Grand Final. they have teamed and the For the Chargers this year’s North Ballarat’s season was results are evident. Grand Final is not about brought to an unceremonious Oakleigh has played with more avenging the eight point loss end by a ruthless Oakleigh system, cohesion and purpose suffered last year against Chargers, whose leg speed, and it’s been refl ected in how Sandringham Dragons when it ball movement and precision they’ve performed on a higher seemingly had its hands on the passing unravelled the Rebels. scale each week over the past premiership cup when it led by Oakleigh had previously three weeks. 20-points at three-quarter time. suffered the pain of being It’s not to say they will exert a After all, only Dylan Heath and beaten by nearly 100-points by similar result on Gippsland, James Stewart played in last North Ballarat during the home which has progressed to the year’s Oakleigh team. This and away season, but with all Grand Final on the back of two Grand Final is all about this its players returning from school extremely courageous fi nal’s group of players leaving their commitments, the Chargers performances. own mark on TAC Cup history. take on a far different look. The Power was seemingly down It’s the same for Gippsland It’s defi nitely a more menacing, for the count when Dandenong Power, who along with North formidable appearance as led it by 34-points at three-

44 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au www.taccup.com.au | 44 GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

Grand Final appearance. While both clubs will emphasise strongly, and rightly so, that it will take a team effort to win a Grand Final there is little doubt that each team has brilliant players. Gippsland captain Tim Membrey, a Vic Country representative, has highlighted just what a talent he is with two stand out fi nal’s games. Membrey kept Gippsland alive early against Dandenong Stingrays with four goals, but he took his game to new heights Gippsland’s Josh Cashmanagainst Sandringham Dragons Oakleigh’s Tom Cutler with eight goals. quarter time of the Qualifying MacRae have been in superb Final. Membrey’s attack on the touch leading into the Grand contest, his ability to use his Final. But, Gippsland never lost faith strength in one-on-one battles in themselves or their ability and his unerring accuracy And, then there’s two of the to rally under pressure. The make him a pivotal player. Chargers most damaging Power produced a 7.3 to 0.0 players, prolifi c possession last quarter to progress to the He’s not alone. Nick winner Ryan Exon and the Qualifying Final and leave Graham, another Vic Country emerging Will Maginness. representative, is coming off Dandenong with mental scars Gippsland and Oakleigh met just they would never recover from. a season that saw him win the Morrish Medal. He is a prolifi c the once – at Morwell in Round Deep in the fi nal quarter against possession winner in the 14 at Morwell, a match that the reigning premiers Sandringham midfi eld who can push forward Power emerged with a thumping Dragons in the Preliminary Final and impact the scoreboard. 51-point victory. it appeared as if Gippsland While that match happened less Power was staring at defeat and Ben Kearns has the versatility to play up the ground or as he than two months ago it is basically elimination from the premiership meaningless as a form reference. race. displayed when he delivered Gippsland fi ve goals against From Oakleigh’s team against But, again Gippsland rallied Dandenong he’s lethal when Gippsland in Round 14 just six when required as they grabbed pushed forward. players played in the Charger’s a four-point victory against the Preliminary Final win and from Dragons. Shannen Lange has been consistently good all season that Round 14 meeting missing Gippsland, winners of the while Vic Country defender from Oakleigh’s team was 2005 TAC Cup Grand Final Ryley Hall has been the general Messrs Ashby, Billings, Franetic, when its team included Scott of the Power’s defence. Jaksch, MacRae, Maginness, Pendlebury, Dale Thomas, McDonald and Prowse. Xavier Ellis and Trent West, Oakleigh has an abundance of talent. Luke McDonald and That’s a massive injection of talent makes its fourth Grand Final to come into Oakleigh’s team. appearance. Jack Billings are All Australians while Kristian Jaksch, Jackson Will it be enough to turn off Oakleigh won the 2006 Macrae, Jason Ashby and Chris the Power? Only time will well, premiership when its team Prowse all played in Vic Metro’s but it promises to be another included Robbie Gray, Todd successful carnival. memorable TAC Cup Grand Goldstein, David MacKay and Final. Sam Sheldon. This is its third McDonald, Billings, Jaksch and

www.taccup.com.au | 45

TAC CUP – 21ST ANNIVERSARY TEAM TAC Cup – 21st Anniversary Team

FROM its early origins it anniversary celebration team. And, of course, TAC Cup has carried the moniker as It contains fi ve Brownlow graduates have already left the nursery of champions Medallists, who have won the their mark on the AFL coaching and as we celebrate the 21st AFL’s highest individual honour fraternity. anniversary of the TAC Cup it’s a collective seven times. We’re Chris Scott, who played with easy to understand why. talking, of course, about North Eastern Ranges in 1993, coached Just take a walk along memory Ballarat’s Adam Goodes (2003- Geelong to a premiership in his lane, if you like, to look at the TAC 06); Sandringham Dragon’s Chris fi rst season as an AFL coach. Cup alumni and the impact they’ve Judd (2004, ’10); Geelong Falcon Talk about an extraordinary had on the AFL. teammates Jimmy Bartel and Gary talented team and why not; it’s a Quite simply, it’s breath-taking. Ablett (2007 and ’09 respectively) team that the TAC Cup can look and Calder Cannons’ Dane Swan, back favourably over an amazing The TAC Cup has been a last year’s Brownlow Medallist. phenomenal success as 21-year journey. evidenced each year when nearly Judd (2005) and Bartel (’11) back- BACKS 50 per cent of those selected up as Norm Smith medallists. Joining that dynamic duo are Dustin Fletcher (Western Jets), in the various AFL drafts are Matthew Scarlett (Geelong), Adam graduates from TAC Cup clubs. Murray Bushrangers Stevie Johnson, winner of the 2007 Simpson (Northern Knights) But, it’s not just a numbers game. Medal for best-on-ground in a HALF BACKS The TAC Cup graduates have left Grand Final; Geelong Falcons an indelible imprint on the AFL Luke Hodge (Geelong Falcons), Luke Hodge (’08); Calder Justin Leppitsch (Dandenong landscape since its inception. Cannon Paul Chapman (’09) Far greater than any other Stingrays), Darren Milburn (Calder and Gippsland Power’s Scott Cannons) competition. Pendlebury (’10). CENTRES To mark the 21st anniversary of the Matthew Lloyd, the Western Jimmy Bartel (Geelong), Cameron TAC Cup we’ve taken the liberty to Jets star from 1995, won three Ling (Geelong Falcons), Dane select a best-ever TAC Cup team. Coleman Medals while Geelong Swan (Calder Cannons) When a team can’t squeeze into Falcon’s Jonathon Brown won the 22 players of the calibre of it once and Murray Bushranger HALF FORWARDS AFL greats like Chris Tarrant, Barry Hall twice topped the goal Brad Johnson (Western Jets), Jude Bolton, Ryan O’Keeffe, kicking after the completion of the Jonathon Brown (Geelong Trent Croad, Brendan Fevola, AFL fi nal series. Falcons), Adam Goodes (North Chris Newman, Matthew Boyd, TAC Cup graduates have stepped Ballarat Rebels) Chris Scott, Travis Cloke, Scott into leadership roles at AFL clubs FORWARDS Lucas, Patrick Dangerfi eld, Robert with incredible repetition. Murphy, Jarryd Roughead, Fraser Stephen Milne (Dandenong Gehrig, Brett Deledio, Drew Petrie, Our 21st anniversary TAC Cup Stingrays), Matthew Lloyd Brad Sewell, Anthony Rocca, team includes no fewer than 11 (Western Jets), Barry Hall (Murray Trent Cotchin, Luke Power, Marc players who captained or still Bushrangers) captain an AFL club. That group Murphy, Jobe Watson, Luke Ball, FOLLOWERS Shannon Grant, to name but have captained an AFL club a Darren Jolly (North Ballarat another team of stars, it provides combined 40 times. Rebels), Chris Judd (Sandringham an illuminating notion of just how Not surprisingly, the team includes Dragons), Gary Ablett Jnr much talent has come through the 11 individual best and fairest (Geelong Falcons) TAC Cup. winners with Judd leading that INTERCHANGE Strong cases could be mounted honour board with fi ve best and for all those above mentioned fairests – three at Carlton and two Brent Harvey (Northern Knights), places, but there is only so at West Coast. Paul Chapman (Calder Cannons), many spots on a football team Add all the best and fairest of Scott Pendlebury (Gippsland and consider some of the the All Star TAC Cup team have Power), Stevie Johnson (Murray accomplishments of those that won their club’s highest honour a Bushrangers) have made our TAC Cup 21st stunning 25 times!

www.taccup.com.au | 47 PRELIMINARYSECTION HEADER FINAL 1 REVIEW TAC CUP CLUB NOTES Preliminary Final 1 Review Gippsland Power 16.10.106 def Sandringham Dragons 15.12.102

WHEN Kurt Heatherley Graham, again the Power’s by his powerful leading and kicked a goal deep in the fi nal most prolifi c possession, slotted marking. quarter of last Saturday’s through his second goal to allow The 18-year-old has kicked Preliminary Final it seemed Gippsland to regain the lead. 12 goals during the two fi nals Sandringham Dragons had And, during a tense fi nal few and along with Ben Kearns, found an unlikely hero. minutes – the quarter ran 29 whose seven goals in the fi nals The New Zealand-born minutes with all the stoppages included a four goal haul in the Heatherley, who won an AFL – Gippsland Power prevailed to last quarter against Dandenong, international scholarship, put the win by four points. have proved a dynamic one-two Dragons back in front of a roller- It gave the Power back-to-back forward punch. coaster ride against Gippsland wins that at various stages in the Sandringham can consider itself Power at the 26-minute mark. last quarter looked most unlikely. desperately unlucky not to be With most quarters rarely Two weeks earlier Gippsland returning to the TAC Cup Grand running beyond that point it surged hard and late to overhaul Final. They played a high quality appeared that Sandringham Dandenong Stingrays in the game in what observers rate as Dragons would gain the chance Qualifying Final. one of the best ever TAC Cup to defend its premiership crown. Gippsland captain Tim fi nals. But, this was one quarter Membrey, a Vic Country Emerging key position player that did, in fact, go beyond representative, proved the Elliott Le Grice was outstanding 26-minutes. It went long enough difference between the teams. while captain Chris Mangoni and for Morrish Medal winner Nick Membrey kicked eight goals, hard-working midfi elder Kenny Graham to gain a free kick about including three from outside Ong gave their all, but it was not 30 metres out, virtually directly the 50 metre mark, and his to be as Gippsland prevailed in in front. conversion was complimented a thriller.

48 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au www.taccup.com.au | 48 PRELIMINARY FINAL 2 REVIEW Preliminary Final 2 Review Oakleigh Chargers 17.17.119 def North Ballarat Rebels 5.5.35

OAKLEIGH Chargers lived up to its name as it relentlessly rolled over minor premiers North Ballarat on route to its second successive Grand Final appearance. North Ballarat had no answer for Oakleigh who took control from the opening bounce and never allowed the Rebels into the match. While there was less than four goals in the match at quarter- time, the concerning thing for North Ballarat coach David Loader was that Oakleigh had 10 scoring shot to the Rebel’s two. And, the day wasn’t to get any better for Loader and the North Ballarat players. In fact, it would become decidedly miserable as Oakleigh Chargers powered its way to an 83-point win, 17.17.119 to North Ballarat’s 5.5.35. Not only did Oakleigh infl ict the The Chargers had winners At half time Oakleigh had biggest defeat of the season on everywhere, particularly Luke increased its lead to 61-points North Ballarat, but its defensive McDonald, whose status and the Preliminary Final was as pressure resulted in numerous continues to rise. good as over as a contest. turnovers and little system when McDonald was well supported While North Ballarat rallied early venturing forward. all over the ground. Jackson in the third quarter, Oakleigh The Rebels’ lowest score for the Macrae, a Vic Metro teammate quickly and effi ciently snuffed season was four goals, but that of McDonald’s showcased his any thoughts of a Rebel’s revival. was on a wet, wintry day when talent and capped off a fi ne With the Rebels staring at a Geelong’s tally of fi ve goals game with three goals. 65-point defi cit at three-quarter proved enough to win. Signifi cantly, Oakleigh spread time, the sole remaining interest North Ballarat didn’t have to its goal kicking load over nine was how far Oakleigh would worry about the weather, but players with Kristian Jaksch increase its winning margin by. instead Oakleigh’s ability to continuing his good fi nal series It was hard to reconcile that generate so much drive and also with three goals. North Ballarat smashed its effi cient use of the football. Jack Billings only kicked the one Oakleigh by 97-points back Oakleigh’s fast, explosive goal, but his skill set and work in Round 7, but the Chargers transition style and crisp, clean rate saw him feature in the best team that took the ground last ball movement was at the core while the ever consistent Ryan Saturday bore little similarity. of its runaway success. Exon again featured among Oakleigh’s best players.

www.taccup.com.au | 49 Official Sports Medical Supplier for VFL & TAC Competition Full service and range of all medical requirements for your club. Protect your players with the best products in injury prevention.

New showroom located at Level 1, 221 Kerr Street Fitzroy, VICTORIA 3065 Phone: 03 9419 7344 Fax: 03 9417 7419 Contact: Martin Gaul 0413 576 677 www.clubwarehouse.com.au TAC CUP CLUB NOTES TAC Cup Club Notes All the latest news, events and match information from inside each TAC Cup club.

GIPPSLAND POWER: Gippsland TAC Cup Morrish Medal while Ring the club for bookings. Power would like to congratulate Ben Ross won the VFL JJ Thank you to our sponsors for current player Nick Graham and Liston Trophy. Both outstanding their continued support: IS MY former player Ben Ross who have achievements, all at the club are CV, Bendigo Bank Murrumbeena both been rewarded for their extremely proud. As we head into Mulgrave Country Club, Active exceptional seasons this year. today’s Grand Final the players Lifestyle, Telstra-South Melbourne, Nick Graham was awarded the want to acknowledge the support Diadora, Woodards Real Estate. they have received from parents, GIPPSLAND POWER families and friends all year. Our OAKLEIGH CHARGERS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY supporters make a huge sacriﬁ ce, PROUDLY SPONSORED BY Major Sponsor travelling thousands of kilometres throughout the season to attend Major Sponsor our games and this effort is really appreciated by the boys and the club. We love our supporters and we thank you for being side by side with us through all those cold and wet Saturday afternoons. Being at Etihad today makes those long hours on the road to games and training so worth it. Thank you. GO POWER

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS: Congratulations to all the players and staff of the Chargers for making it into our second consecutive TAC Cup Grand Final appearance. This achievement is one that we are all very proud of and is a credit to all people involved at the Club. We wish the playing group who represent the club today all the very best of luck and we know you will all wear the jumper with the pride and passion it deserves and represent the club and yourself to the best of your “Gippsland Community Banks” ability. A good opportunity to thank all our support staff, volunteers and parents for their excellent Club Supporter Sponsors Community Partners efforts throughout the season and your valuable contributions Gardenvale Meat Supply 9596 2303 to our football programs are very much appreciated. Presentation night will be held on Friday 12th Media Partner October at the Mulgrave Country Primary Design 0400 244 552 Club from 7pm. All Staff, Parents, Programmed Property Services Players and Partners are invited to Glyde Metal Industries Turf One Pty Ltd celebrate the counting of the Best Karoon Gas & Fairest Votes for this season. Cookers Bulk Oil Systems

www.taccup.com.au | 51 TAC CUP TEAM OF THE YEAR TAC Cup Team of the Year

HERE is a look at the 2012 TAC OLIVER WINES (Bendigo MATTHEW CROUCH (North Cup Team of the Year that was Pioneers): Strong inside mid, Ballarat Rebels): Strong inside announced at Morrish Medal great work rate midfi eld player Night earlier this month. THOMAS GRIBBLE (GEELONG NATHAN HROVAT (Northern BACKLINE FALCONS): High possession Knights): Smart, hard working, NICK RIPPON (North Ballarat midfi elder skilful small who makes very good Rebels): High Possession HALF FORWARD LINE decisions at speed and can play inside and outside Midfi eld, fi erce attack on ball LACHLAN WHITFIELD TOM CLUREY (Murray (Dandenong Stingrays): Classy INTERCHANGE Bushrangers): Athletic creative and highly rated midfi elder JAKE LLOYD (North Ballarat medium tall, outstanding running THOMAS BOYD (EASTERN Rebels): High possession capabilities RANGES): Strong seventeen year midfi elder, excellent workrate LUKE MCDONALD (Oakleigh old power forward who was the JAKE STRINGER (Bendigo Chargers): Competitive talented mainstay in Eastern’s forward Pioneers): Strong utility player, utility/defender with strong ball line this year capable of playing many roles winning ability and good foot NICK GRAHAM (Gippsland TAYLOR GARNER (Dandenong skills Power): Morrish Medal Winner, Stingrays): Exciting forward with HALF BACK LINE great ball winning ability outstanding courage in marking NICK VLASTUIN (Northern FULL FORWARD LINE duels Knights): Great attack on the ball, LACHLAN HUNTER (Western RYAN EXON (Oakleigh Chargers): good decision maker and sound Jets): Versatile natural footballer Excellent leadership and work skill with strong attack on the ball rate are trademarks of this player- KRISTIAN JAKSCH (Oakleigh and a touch of class very consistent year with good game management Chargers): High leaping, athletic JOE DANIHER (Calder Cannons): defender/forward who takes Exciting athletic tall forward with MICHAEL BARNES (Sandringham a strong overhead mark and exceptional overhead skills and Dragons): Hard working mid with booming kick solid football IQ great competitiveness and attack on the ball- very durable NATHAN WRIGHT (Dandenong TIM MEMBREY (Gippsland Stingrays): Exciting runner, brave Power): Quality medium forward, RORY AITKINS (Calder Cannons): and super competitive past winner of TAC goal kicking Clever hard running forward who CENTRE LINE award fi nds a lot of the ball and is capable of special actions on the fi eld JONATHAN O’ROURKE (Calder FOLLOWERS COACH Cannons): Classy, athletic inside/ SAM GILMORE (Northern MARTIN ALLISON (Calder Cannons) outside midfi elder with elite Knights): Vastly improved kicking skills Allison has brought to an end his ruckman who has developed four year reign as coach of Calder, strong body use and ruck craft which included two premierships and over 20 draftees.

Footy Online Keep up with the latest TAC Cup news online via: website: www.taccup.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/taccupfooty twitter: @TACCup

52 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au TAC CUP TEAM OF THE YEAR

COACHCOACCH: MMARTINARTIN AALLISONLLLISOON CALDERCALDEC R CANNONS CANNONS S eedeed hurts.hur

TOM CLUREY Murray Bushrangers 50 BACKSBACACKS NICKNICK RIPPON LUKE MCDONALDALD NorthNorth BallaratB Rebels Oakleigh50 Chargersers

NICK VLASTUIN NATHAN WRIGHT Northern Knights Dandenong Stingrays KRISTIAN JAKSCH Oakleigh Chargers

JONATHON O’ROURKE THOMAS GRIBBLE Calder Cannons Geelong Falcons OLIVER WINES Bendigo Pioneers

THOMASS BBOYDOYD Eastern RRangesangees

LACHLAN WHITFIELD 50 NICKNICK GGRAHAMRAHAMM

Dandenong Stingrays Gippsland Powerer FORWARDSFORWRWAARRDS 50

TIM MEMBREY Gippsland Power LACHLAN HUNTER Western Jets JOE DANIHER FOLLOWERSFOLLOW Calder Cannons INTERCHANGE

SAM GILMORE MATT CROUCH NATHAN HROVAT JAKE LLOYD RYAN EXON MICHAEL BARNES JAKE STRINGER RORY ATKINS TAYLOR GARNER Northern Knights North Ballarat Rebels Northern Knights North Ballarat Rebels Oakleigh Chargers Sandringham Dragons Bendigo Pioneers Calder Cannons Dandenong Stingrays

VFL101 GIPPSLAND POWER PLAYER PROFILES Gippsland Power Player Profiles

3 MATT 7 JARRYD 11 SIMON NORTHE: DREW: DEERY: 19 games 12/1: Hard 12/15: Strong 2012/27 goals working marking key 2012: Inside midﬁ elder who forward goal kicking can also play midﬁ elder forward and who is good back overhead.

4 TIM 8 THOMAS 12 RYLEY MEMBREY: FUSINATO: HALL: 13/45 Club 10/1: Inside 17/0: Hard Captain, AIS Midﬁ elder who working Academy, is very good by defender who TAC Cup Team hand and foot can play on both of the Year, tall and small Vic Country opponents, Vic rep, Strong Country Rep marking forward and midﬁ elder.

5 JOSH 9 NICK 13 AARON CASHMAN: GRAHAM: HEPPELL: 17/2: Quick 15/20: Skilful 19/1: Hard skilful defender midﬁ elder and running who also plays half forward, defender with midﬁ eld and Morrish Medallist, good skills forward TAC cup team of the year and Vic Country Rep

6 LACHLAN 10 WILLIAM 15 JAMES CHANNING: HAMS: HUTS 19/2: Hard 14/6: Hard 18/0: Key working working defender who midﬁ elder who midﬁ elder, is strong at the is quick with plays forward contest good skills or back and Vic Country Rep

54 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au GIPPSLAND POWER PLAYER PROFILES

17 DANIEL 26 JACK 34 LIAM JACKSON JOHNSTONE: NASH: 19/6: Defensive 17/4: Key 12/0: Defender forward and defender and and midfi elder midfi elder, midfi elder with who is strong at with excellent very good foot the contest endurance skills

18 TOM MUIR 27 JOSH 36 NATHANIEL 17/19: Half SCOTT: PAREDES: forward and 17/25: Strong 18/0: Inside relief ruckman, marking midﬁ elder who with good skill forward, Vic is strong at the and excellent Country Rep contest endurance

20 SHANNEN 29 BEN 38 JAKE LANGE KEARNS: THOMAS: 18/17: 15/21: Quick 12/2: Ruckman Tough inside midﬁ elder and forward midﬁ elder and and crumbing who is mobile goal kicking forward, Vic forward Country Rep

22 JACK 30 ALEX 39 BEN LESLIE CARR: VARDY: 14/3: Hard 4/4: Inside 7/1: Hard working ruckman, defensive working who thrives at midﬁ elder ruckman and the contest, Vic forward Country Rep

23 DARCY 31 ADAM 41 ANDREW IRWIN: WALLACE: NELSON: 7/4: Key 5/0: Inside 4/0: Hard Defender defensive working who can play midﬁ elder midﬁ elder/Half forward and Back also in the ruck

24 ANTHONY 32 EDDIE 42 BRENTON TIPUNGWUTI: MORRIS: HILLARD: 14/6: Quick, 2/0: Hard 4/1: Hard skilful, running working skilled working defender, NT midﬁ elder midﬁ elder Rep

www.taccup.com.au | 55 TAC CUP GRAND FINAL: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23, ETIHAD STADIUM, 10:30AM GIPPSLAND POWER Coach: Nick Stevens | Captain Tim Membrey

#PLAYER DOB H W LOCAL CLUB G B

3 NORTHE Matt 26-Sep-94 182 76 Traralgon

4 MEMBREY Tim 26-May-94 188 87 Traralgon

5 CASHMAN Josh 29-Dec-94 180 71 Sale

6 CHANNING Lachlan 14-Feb-95 176 71 Maffra

7 DREW Jarryd 12-Aug-94 176 76 Warragul

8 FUSINATO Thomas 2-Mar-94 176 74 Warragul

9 GRAHAM Nicholas 12-Jun-94 182 76 Traralgon Tyers United

10 HAMS William 14-Jul-94 177 69 Sale

11 DEERY Simon 18-Sep-93 192 89 Bairnsdale

12 HALL Ryley 14-Feb-94 185 80 Orbost/Snowy Rovers

13 HEPPELL Aaron 13-Jan-95 181 76 Leongatha

15 HUTS James 8-Nov-94 189 89 Maffra

17 JACKSON Daniel 19-May-94 175 73 Drouin

18 MUIR Tom 17-Nov-94 189 79 Warragul

20 LANGE Shannen 20-Jul-94 178 74 Sale

22 LESLIE Jack 27-Apr-95 196 91 Sale

23 IRWIN Darcy 12-Oct-94 185 79 Drouin

24 TIPUNGWUTI Anthony 22-Apr-93 171 79 Drouin

26 JOHNSTONE Jack 4-Aug-93 184 83 Maffra

27 SCOTT Josh 8-Mar-94 190 76 Lakes Entrance

29 KEARNS Ben 12-Nov-94 183 73 Churchill

30 CARR Alex 4-Feb-95 178 73 Maffra

31 WALLACE Adam 5-Feb-95 174 64 Sale

32 MORRIS Edward 20-Aug-95 178 67 Garﬁ eld

34 NASH Liam 2-Dec-95 184 78 Mirboo North

36 PAREDES Nathaniel 3-Jan-95 176 79 Ellinbank

38 THOMAS Jake 9-May-95 201 82 Sale

39 VARDY Ben 23-Sep-94 186 81 DWWWW

41 NELSON Andrew 11-Jul-94 184 83 Bairnsdale

42 HILLARD Brenton 25-Nov-94 179 75 ROC

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56 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au TAC CUP GRAND FINAL: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23, ETIHAD STADIUM, 10:30AM OAKLEIGH CHARGERS Coach: Justin Wenke | Captain Ryan Exon

#PLAYER DOB H W LOCAL CLUB G B

1 HEATH Dylan 6-Oct-93 181 82 Doncaster East FC

3 HACHEM Daniel 21-Aug-94 185 82 Glen Iris JFC/Xavier College

4 HAMMOND Jake 1-May-93 188 87 Blackburn FC

5 VIZZARRI Dylan 28-Jul-94 175 70 Blackburn FC

6 KENNEDY-HARRIS Jay 21-Mar-95 175 64 Endeavour Hills JFC/Trinity Grammar

7 PERT Mitchell 28-Aug-94 189 90 Glen Iris JFC/Scotch College

8 STEWART James 9-Aug-94 180 70 Glen Iris JFC/St. Kevin's College

9 BILLINGS Jack 18-Aug-95 182 75 Kew Comets JFC/Scotch College

10 PAPALEO Nick 7-Apr-93 184 79 Old Xavierans FC

11 COLLINS Sam 15-Jun-94 192 87 Donvale FC

13 JAKSCH Kristian 7-Oct-94 194 85 Kew Rovers JFC/Carey Grammar

14 COLLOPY Jordan 16-Aug-93 178 73 Old Xaverians FC

15 MACMILLAN Tim 2-May-94 180 79 Camberwell JFC/Scotch College

16 CURRAN Joseph 21-May-94 186 93 Blackburn FC/Xavier College

17 MCDONALD Luke 9-Feb-95 188 80 Kew Comets JFC/Trinity Grammar

18 PROWSE Chris 26-Feb-93 203 92 Old Xavierians FC

19 TOOHEY James 27-Mar-94 196 92 St. Kevin's Old Boys

20 VEARING Caleb 9-Jul-94 188 82 Xavier College

21 MACRAE Jackson 3-Aug-94 188 75 Kew Rovers JFC/Carey Grammar

22 DONOGHUE Mitchell 6-Sep -95 180 69 Blackburn JFC/Trinity Grammar

23 ASHBY Jason 16-May-94 185 77 Kew Rovers JFC/Carey Grammar

25 WALMSLEY Ned 2-Feb-94 191 96 Old Scotch FC

26 BARTON Matthew 1-Dec-94 180 74 Blackburn FC/Wesley College

27 JENKINS Patrick 18-Oct-94 187 73 Boroondara Hawks JFC/Camberwell Grammar

28 MAGINNESS William 13-Jan-95 181 72 Glen Iris JFC/Scotch College

29 FRANETIC Aiden 20-Jan-95 182 75 Ashburton JFC/Scotch College

32 CUTLER Tom 20-Feb-95 189 81 Greythorn JFC/Trinity Grammar

33 EXON Ryan 8-Jan-94 181 72 Warrandyte FC

34 ERNEST Joel 2-Aug-95 177 72 Boroondara Hawks JFC/Carey Grammar

36 NOLAN Kieran 15-Mar-94 186 78 Waverley Blues FC

38 RARU Sam 9-Apr-94 179 87 Knox FC

54 GLADMAN Thomas 28-Mar-95 193 91 Glen Waverley Rovers JFC

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www.taccup.com.au | 57 OAKLEIGH CHARGERS PLAYER PROFILES Oakleigh Chargers Player Profiles

1 DYLAN HEATH 7 MITCH PERT and intercepts with his marking. Has 13 games 2012/8 10/2: A versatile had a very consistent season. goals 2012: A key position 13 KRISTIAN physical inside player who JAKSCH midfi elder defends well and 11/14: A Vic Metro averaging 4 has good footy rep that can play clearances and smarts in reading key position at 20 disposals per game. An excellent the game and being able to negate either end selected kick and strong overhead mark who opponents. in the TAC Cup has had a very good season. 8 JAMES Team of the Year at CHB. Very good 3 DANIEL STEWART overhead mark and reads the game HACHEM 5/2: Has the well. A penetrating kick who rebounds 4/2: Struggled ability to win the well and has the potential to kick a bag this season with ball on the inside of goals when playing forward. repetitive quad and outside and 14 JORDAN strains. Can break makes good COLLOPY the lines with his decisions. Can play a range of 15/14: A quick leg speed and is a long penetrating positions and was a member of last contested ball kick. A member of last year’s Grand year’s grand fi nal side. player averaging Final side. 9 JACK 20 possessions 4 JAKE BILLINGS and 5 clearances HAMMOND 9/11: A Vic a game. Moves through stoppages 5/7: Has had two Metro Rep and with pace and is a respected leader. hip operations All-Australian as Had a very consistent season. in the past 2 a 1st year player. 15 TIM seasons which An excellent kick MACMILLAN has restricted and has the ability to play midfi eld 11/1: A versatile the amount of games in the TAC. and forward and change a game with player who has When fi t he is a dangerous forward his goal sense. Strong overhead and played a number with strong hands overhead and an quick on the lead. of roles this year. excellent kick for goal. 10 NICK A clean ball 5 DYLAN PAPALEO winner who makes good decisions VIZZARRI 13/2: A 19yo and has a good skill set. 16/3: A who is new to the 16 JOE CURRAN dependable TAC Cup system 7/1: Highly running half back after playing with respected leader who is averaging Xavier College. Is who unfortunately 18 possessions a lightning quick and has an excellent suffered a stress game. Provides plenty of offensive run change of direction and side step fracture in his and is creative by hand and foot. that is uncanny. Can play a range of foot after the APS 6 JAY positions and provides important run season. Reliable backman that can KENNEDY- and carry through the midfi eld. play on a variety of types. Has been HARRIS 11 SAM invited to State Combine. 10/14: A Metro COLLINS 17 LUKE Futures rep. A 20/3: One of MCDONALD livewire around the better key 9/7: A Vic Metro, goals who defenders in AIS rep who won averages 4 tackles per game. the competition All-Australian Applies enormous defensive with his ability to honours as a pressure and can break the lines smash packs and spoil contests a 17yo. A highly with his blistering pace. real highlight. Reads the game well competitive midfi elder who plays well in

58 | www.afl vic.com.au OAKLEIGH CHARGERS PLAYER PROFILES big games. Averaging 25 possessions 23 JASON 29 AIDAN and 6 clearances a game. ASHBY FRANETIC 18 CHRIS 13/0: Had an 10/8: Metro PROWSE excellent season Futures rep who has had an 10/4: A mobile as a rebounding excellent fi nals ruckman who and dependable series. A dangerous forward in the air covers the half back. and on the ground. ground well and Professionalism and work ethic is can play as a tall outstanding. Athletic and reads the 32 TOM CUTLER game well, very good skill set and forward. Averaging 24 HO a game. 11/8: Has had an Has had limited games this year due respected leader. excellent year in to injury but is peaking at the right 25 NED his fi rst season time of the season. WALMSLEY of TAC Cup. Very 19 JAMES 13/16: A mobile athletic player with a good leap and booming kick. A TOOHEY key position Metro Futures rep. 19/8: Another player with good 33 RYAN EXON mobile ruckman/ endurance key position and work ethic. 20/10: Captain player who has Very good on the lead and using who has lead had a very good his strength well in one on one’s. from the front all season. First year in the TAC system Excellent kick for goal. season. Highly he is a strong overhead mark and 26 MATT BARTON competitive with a can go forward and kick goals. team fi rst attitude. TAC Cup Team of 12/0: A reliable the Year rep who is highly respected. 20 CALEB player who can VEARING play a variety of 34 JOEL ERNEST 6/3: A roles. A good courageous athlete with 7/3: First year player who has player who is leg speed and impressed with strong overhead. kicks the ball very well. Damaging his leg speed and A smart forward rebound player who is creative and versatility. Metro Futures rep. who competes well one on one and sets up offensive play. has earnt respect this year with his 27 PATRICK 36 KIERAN fi erce attack on the ball. JENKINS NOLAN 21 JACK 8/11: Plays well as 14/9: Played some MACRAE a lead up forward important roles and reads the forward and back 11/14: A Vic Metro and has been one rep who has had game well. Has been a consistent of the recruits of the year. Can shut an outstanding down dangerous forwards. season. Has an performer throughout the year and 38. SAM RARU uncanny ability to averages 2 goals per game. read the game and accumulate many 28 WILL 15/2: First year in possessions (av.26 a game). A creative MAGINNESS the system and has been an player and clever around goals. 7/3: Metro integral member 22 MITCH Futures player of the midfi eld DONOGHUE who has an all with his inside round game. 10/4: A Metro strength and ball winning ability. Futures rep. Play’s a range 54. TOM A bottom age of positions and has a good mix of GLADMAN player who is inside and outside abilities. Another very composed 1st year player who has been a 6/2: First year with ball in hand. Can play both consistent performer. player who has inside and outside and has a high developed really disposal effi ciency. Had an excellent well this year as a development year and very coachable. ruck/key position. Good skill set and impressive attitude to improve.

www.taccup.com.au | 59 TAC CUP 2012 STATISTICS

TAC Cup 2012 Statistics TAC CUP FINALS WEEK 3 LEADERBOARD GOAL KICKERS 2012 TAC CUP: FINALS WEEK 3 Tim Membrey Gippsland Power 45 (8) Thomas Boyd Eastern Ranges 44 (-) CLUB PWLDFA %PTS North Ballarat Rebels 17 14 3 0 1522 899 169.30 56 Louis Herbert North Ballarat Rebels 37 (3) Gippsland Power 17 14 3 0 1450 937 154.75 56 Spencer White Western Jets 35 (-) Dandenong Stingrays 17 10 7 0 1380 1166 118.35 40 Kaiden Antonowicz Murray Bushrangers 33 (-) Sandringham Dragons 17 10 7 0 1264 1075 117.58 40 Callum Cathcart Sandringham Dragons 28 (1) Murray Bushrangers 17 10 7 0 1361 1300 104.69 40 Matt Northe Gippsland Power 27 (2)

Oakleigh Chargers 17 10 7 0 1214 1244 97.59 40 Jaydon Stiles North Ballarat Rebels 27 (-)

Calder Cannons 17 8 8 1 1428 1277 111.82 34 Josh Scott Gippsland Power 26 (1)

Geelong Falcons 17 8 8 1 1260 1211 104.05 34 Jake Stringer Bendigo Pioneers 25 (-) Western Jets 17 8 9 0 1292 1304 99.08 32 Northern Knights 17 3 14 0 1135 1604 70.76 12 KICKS Bendigo Pioneers 17 3 14 0 962 1451 66.30 12 Jackson Macrae Oakleigh Chargers 22 Eastern Ranges 17 3 14 0 969 1669 58.06 12 Ryan Exon Oakleigh Chargers 18 Tyler Blake North Ballarat Rebels 17

PRELIMINARY FINAL 1 Nick Rippon North Ballarat Rebels 16

Gippsland Power 6.2 9.4 12.7 16.10-106 Yilber Zijai Sandringham Dragons 16 Sandringham Dragons 5.2 7.5 11.9 15.12-102 Ben Kearns Gippsland Power 15 Gippsland Power: Goal Kickers: T. Membrey 8, B. Kearns 2, N. Graham 2, M. Northe 2, Lachlan Cassidy North Ballarat Rebels 15 J. Scott, A. Tipungwuti Best Players: T. Membrey, T. Muir, S. Lange, L. Channing, J. Johnstone, W. Hams Luke McDonald Oakleigh Chargers 15 Sandringham Dragons: Goal Kickers: J. Stewart 3, Y. Zijai 2, T. Langdon 2, N. Freeman, Jack Billings Oakleigh Chargers 14 T. Tyquin, K. Heatherley, M. Hayes, K. Amon, C. Cathcart, E. Le Grice, M. Howes Best Players: E. Le Grice, K. Ong, C. Mangoni, T. Tyquin, M. Barnes, J. Wilson Nicholas Graham Gippsland Power 13

PRELIMINARY FINAL 2 MARKS North Ballarat Rebels 0.2 1.3 5.4 5.6-36 Aiden Franetic Oakleigh Chargers 10

Oakleigh Chargers 3.7 10.10 14.15 17.17-119 Luke McDonald Oakleigh Chargers 8

North Ballarat Rebels: Goal Kickers: L. Herbert 3, J. Neade 2 Tim Membrey Gippsland Power 7 Best Players: K. Hendy, L. Cassidy, D. Barry, T. Blake, T. Mackenzie, L. Herbert Oakleigh Chargers: Goal Kickers: J. MacRae 3, A. Franetic 3, K. Jaksch 3, J. Collopy Tyler Blake North Ballarat Rebels 7 2, E. Walmsley 2, J. Billings, T. Cutler, J. Toohey, L. McDonald Jack Billings Oakleigh Chargers 7 Best Players: J. MacRae, S. Collins, R. Exon, L. McDonald, J. Billings, S. Raru Jordan Collopy Oakleigh Chargers 7

Nick Papaleo Oakleigh Chargers 7

Max Hayes Sandringham Dragons 7 Media Coverage Elliott Le Grice Sandringham Dragons 7 Ryan Exon Oakleigh Chargers 6 TAC Cup Radio Gippsland Power vs Oakleigh Chargers HANDBALLS Tune in live from 10:15am to www.taccup.com.au Luke McDonald Oakleigh Chargers 16 or the RedTimeSport app Matt Crouch North Ballarat Rebels 13 Live Streaming – The TAC Cup Grand Final will be live video Jason Ashby Oakleigh Chargers 12 streamed via www.taccup.com.au and a replay of the game Jack Billings Oakleigh Chargers 11 will be shown during the week. Kenny Ong Sandringham 11

Caleb Vearing Oakleigh Chargers 10

Shannen Lange Gippsland Power 9

Jordan Collopy Oakleigh Chargers 9

Jay Kennedy-Harris Oakleigh Chargers 9

Dylan Vizzarri Oakleigh Chargers 9

60 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au AROUND THE GROUNDS - TAC CUP Last time they met - Grand Final Preview

Head to Head Played: 30 Gippsland: 14 Oakleigh: 14 Drawn: 2 GIPPSLAND POWER VS Last time they met (2012): OAKLEIGH CHARGERS R14 Gippsland Power 13.9.87 def Oakleigh Chargers 5.6.36 Around the grounds

EACH week we will take a look at Harry O’Meara – Bendigo Pioneers MEDIA PREDICTIONS some of the news and views from Gene Pallazzo – Bendigo Pioneers In the lead up to the 2012 TAC Cup around the TAC Cup competition. Nick Mee – Bendigo Pioneers Grand Final, we asked various media GRAND FINAL REPLAY Sean Gregory – Calder Cannons people who they thought would win, Matt Taberner – Murray Bushrangers and who would be awarded the best Vision of the TAC Cup Grand Final is Joseph Cousins – Murray Bushrangers being streamed live via www.taccup. on ground award. Kaiden Antonowicz – Murray Bushrangers Phil Crooks (TAC Cup Radio): com.au A replay of the match will Anthony Bonaddio – Northern Knights be posted on the website midway Oakleigh Chargers 19 points. Skilful Keenan Posar – Northern Knights and quick midfi eld to keep the through next week for anyone to view Tom Grimes – Northern Knights at their leisure. Chargers charge charging. BOG: Jarryd Coulson – Northern Knights Jack Billings GIPPSLANDS SPECIAL Lachlan Mirams – Sandringham Dragons Gabriele Sorrentino (TAC Cup Radio): APPEARANCE Spencer White – Western Jets My selection is Gippsland Power Gippsland Power received a special Josh Bench – Western Jets by 8 points. I think the Power have appearance at their Preliminary Ajdin Elkasovic – Western Jets the most even team in the TAC Cup, Final on Saturday from former player Jack Walker – Western Jets with talent on each of the lines. They come Collingwood superstar Scott Scott Greenough – Western Jets have shown a will to win, as shown by Pendlebury. BEST & FAIREST their two fi nals victories. Should be a Pendlebury was seen at the The Northern Knights and Western great contest and I do not discount Club’s huddles before heading Jets have kicked off the 2012 Region Chargers. My Best On Ground off to undertake preparation for Best & Fairest Award Nights in recent prediction is Shannen Lange (Power). his own match that evening - not weeks. See a list of award winners Brent Diamond (The Age): Gippsland before sending out a tweet of below; Power by 8-points. If Tim Membrey encouragement - “Well done @ gets a good look at it again, he may Gippsland_Power super win great NORTHERN KNIGHTS well be the difference up forward. way to fi ght it out till the end.” FOOTBALL CLUB Too much raw talent this year at YOUNG GUNS Northern Knights U18 Squad Gippsland, but if it wins it will be by a U18 Best & Fairest - Nathan HROVAT close margin. Nick Graham - would Last Sunday saw the annual ‘Young be fi tting if the Morrish Medallist also Guns’ game played at North Port WESTERN JETS FOOTBALL CLUB took out best on ground honours. Oval as a curtain raiser to the Peter Barry Round Medallist – Josh Bench Was quiet last week but still kicked a Jackson VFL Preliminary Final. CAPTAIN MEMBREY LEADING BY couple of goals. The Young Guns game is an initiative EXAMPLE Rick Morris (TAC Cup Radio): that was developed two years Gippsland Power captain Tim Oakleigh Chargers are fi nishing off ago, and featured selected players Membrey is not afraid of a high the season strongly and have class from the TAC Cup, the VFL and pressure game. The agile forward players all around the ground. I think nominations from other leagues. The kicked a personal season high eight they will win with last year’s loss even concept behind the game is to create goals in the Club’s Preliminary Final more reason for some players to further opportunity for exposure and victory on Saturday at Visy Park. fi nd a bit more. Sam Collins will take recognition to AFL clubs and AFL Nerves did not get the better of Membrey who has been strong at full recruiters, of the selected players who Membrey, reaching an 80% accuracy back all year. Oakleigh by 22 points. were invited to showcase their talents rate on the day. The Power will need BOG -Jackson Macrae who has and skills and subsequently improve Membrey to lead by example again played a great fi nal series and will their draft prospects. on Sunday in order to knock off an continue that form in the big one. The following 2012 TAC Cup players inform Oakleigh Chargers. VERDICT: Gippsland 2 / Oakleigh 2 participated in the match:

www.taccup.com.auwww.taccup.com.au || 61 AFL VICTORIA DEVELOPMENT Indigenous State Gathering

The TAC Cup and Peter programs with AFL Victoria. All Jackson VFL Grand Final day are young men that are striving will not only highlight the best to better themselves on and off talent from across Victoria, it the fi eld with the opportunities will also act as an opportunity presented through football. for people involved in These young men for their AFL Victoria’s Indigenous regional communities are the Programs to meet for a State attainable role models for future Gathering. generations. Fit, healthy and An event is to be held at Etihad responsible.” Stadium, where 100 people will The event will have a panel convene to discuss the programs of guests to discuss different that have been put in place topics related to the Indigenous to assist Indigenous athletes programs. These individuals achieve their goals. include Koolyn Briggs(Kickstart AFL Victoria’s Indigenous program) Jarmen Impey (Murray Bushrangers - TAC Cup), Brett Program Manager, Aaron Clark, in an aim to increase or reach is the instigator of this State Goodes (Williamstown FC - VFL), Chris Johnson (Former AFL) and into the community via job Gathering and believes that opportunities in the AFL Industry. this will be the beginning of a Peter Dye (Barrawarn Program Trainee). AFL Victoria hope to form new chapter and new breed of stronger connections engaging Indigenous Australian footballers. Topics of interest at the event will with Indigenous communities “Our purpose to the day is to be Industry challenges, player across the state with genuine provide participants within our support and further engagement partnerships and programs pathways with a holistic view opportunities. whilst ensuring a targeted and insight into the Indigenous In overcoming Industry approach with new programs programs that operate in Victoria. challenges, AFL Victoria’s and embracing the long For the fi rst time we will be Indigenous Programs hope to association and history Koorie creating a platform for their create inclusive and welcoming people have had with the game. voices and stories heard within football environments for people Clark predicts that in fi ve years the industry. from diverse backgrounds, the AFL Victoria Indigenous “We will also be developing generate programs that offer Programs will have seen a spike aspirations via facilitated just more than football and in interest. discussions with leaders within attract fi rst choice athletes to the game whilst retaining current “I see a dramatic increase in the AFL Industry. And most Indigenous people involved importantly creating a solid Indigenous boys and girls within the talent pathways. all facets of the game, from group of informed advocates coaching, administration to of our programs into the future The State Gathering will look umpiring. I also see a number of focusing on empowering to discuss the issue of player new teams for girls growing as Indigenous people within our support with the group of well as an increase in Indigenous state programs.” current athletes to learn the players on TAC Cup, VFL and Clark is of the belief that if most effective ways to create the AFL lists,” Clark said. right platforms and structured AFL Victoria can educate key The TAC Cup and Peter Jackson individuals within their programs opportunities to engage mentors in a meaningful way as well as VFL Grand Finals will showcase about the opportunities offered a number of talented Indigenous to them, then these insights will methods to continue educating families and their community on athletes with Anthony Tipungwuti fi lter down to people within those representing Gippsland Power, communities. the expectations placed upon today’s footballers. Jay Kennedy-Harris a member “The majority of invitees are of the Oakleigh Chargers and currently on TAC Cup and VFL Discussions around further Jason Williams part of the Port lists or are apart of Indigenous engagement will also take place Melbourne squad.

62 | www.aﬂ vic.com.au

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