Rehearsal Port Targets Seagulls Before Finals
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
$ inc afl victoria august 29-30, 2009 3gst VFL ROUND 20 Dress rehearsal port targets seagulls before finals TAC cup ROUND 20 last stand Dragons look to turn off power NEW LOOK TERRITORY Ghia Seating for 7 adults. Choice of luxury interiors. Alpine rear DVD system.* to give their family car even more Privacy glass with UV protection.^ standard features than ever before? SMS ‘Premium’ to 13 FORD† for info. FORD, OF COURSE Territory Ghia AWD shown. *Includes a 10.2" screen, 2 wireless headphones and remote control. Accessory iPod/MP3 audio input not available when Alpine rear DVD system fitted. ^For rear passengers and back windows. †Standard SMS charges apply. SMS service not currently available on Vodafone or 3 networks. FMC5474_VFL_210x140.indd 1 24/8/09 2:18:45 PM FROm thE OVaL OFFiCE Finals matches need your support Fans need to get along to the business end of the VFL and taC Cup seasons. ith spring around Those of us who go along It’s a time for footy fever in the corner and the week-in, week-out know all Melbourne and what a great way business end of about the standard and quality to lead into the AFL Grand Final the season only of the football played, so by going along to see the future Wone week away, it is timely therefore the responsibility AFL stars in the TAC Cup Grand and necessary to raise the falls upon us to promote the Final, followed by the VFL Grand importance of fans across the competitions. We all need Final, which carries such a rich state supporting both the VFL to tell our friends and AFL history in this state. and TAC Cup finals series. supporters whose teams are At $20 for adults with the Over the next few weeks no longer in the finals, or for kids getting in free, it’s great we will be overshadowed by that matter, those whose teams entertainment. the hype surrounding the AFL, are still in the finals, as their And what a final series it which makes it very difficult favourite young players could promises be in the VFL; at this to effectively communicate well be involved at VFL level and stage, while we know who is the benefits of both our pushing for selection. in the eight, every position is competitions. It is extremely We not only want good still up for grabs. The finals important for the ongoing crowds at our lead-up finals, venues for week one of the credibility of the competitions but we need to get at least September will be released that our finals matches attract 20,000 people to the VFL and this Sunday night. good crowds and coverage, TAC Cup Grand Finals, which VFL fans should note that particularly in relation to are scheduled to be held at the fixturing of finals has not the VFL. Etihad Stadium on AFL Grand in the past, and will not in the The AFL has supported us Final Eve on September 25. future, be based on who in confirming their ongoing We are striving to make our finishes highest on the ladder, belief and backing of the VFL event an integral part of the with the allocation of venues competition, and we all now need Grand Final week celebrations dependant upon a number to demonstrate the popularity of and to do that we need to have of elements. the state leagues by voting with every VFL and TAC Cup fan our feet and getting along to the get along and show their PeTer SChwAb finals matches – whether your support for these two Chief Executive Officer, side is in it or not. elite competitions. AFL Victoria AFL Victoria Chief executive Officer: Photography: AuGuST 29-30, 2009 Peter Schwab Getty Images 1800 500 141 COnTenTS Football Operations Manager: Advertising: John Hook Jennifer Pryor (03) 8663 3007 Fothergill-Round Medal 4-5 high Performance Managers: Final round scenarios 6-7 Anton Grbac, Leon Harris Statistics: Sophie Timms VFL debutants 10-11 CeO, The Slattery Media Group: VFL statistics 18-19 Geoff Slattery COVer: Port Melbourne’s editor: Andrew Wallace Toby Pinwill will be looking TAC Cup finals race 27 to down the Seagulls, while Designer: Karl Chandler Non-finals clubs 28-29 Dragon Tyson Mitchem is Photo Manager: Melanie Tanusetiawan seeking to finish off the TAC Ripple Effect campaign 30 Printed by: Condor Printing Cup season in style. VFL RECORD / 3 FotheRgill-Round MedAl obin Nahas, the winner Xavier gotch has been a revelation of last year’s Fothergill- for the Seagulls. Round medal, just wanted someone to Rgive him a chance. Three seasons after he graduated from the Oakleigh Chargers, Nahas, who also won the 2008 Frank Johnson Medal for the best Victorian player in the state match against South Australia, was finally given that chance. It’s history now that Richmond rolled the dice on the former Port Melbourne and VFL representative at the end of 2008, selecting him in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft. Nahas was elevated from the rookie list before the start of the AFL season and has been one of the few revelations in an otherwise forgettable season for the Tigers. The 21-year-old has played 18 games and kicked more than 20 goals to reaffirm his recognition as last year’s winner of the Fothergill-Round Medal, named in honour of Des Fothergill and Barry Round – the only players to have won a Brownlow Medal and J.J. Liston Trophy. Youngsters step Fothergill took home the 1940 Brownlow Medal when playing with Collingwood, adding the up to plate Liston the following season at Williamstown. Round, the 1981 A new batch of talent is looking to take home Brownlow medallist at South this year’s Fothergill-Round Medal. Melbourne, won the Liston Trophy in 1987 with Williamstown, the club he also took to a premiership upgraded during the season are played in the AFL this season for as captain-coach. also eligible. Port Adelaide, Melbourne and Struck 20 years ago, the Fothergill-Round medallists Richmond respectively. While Fothergill-Round Medal honours have, for the most part, gone Nahas was a standout selection a player, who, in the opinion of on to play AFL, with some like last year, there is a Melbourne the VFL, has the most talent and Melbourne’s Aaron Davey, Cup-like field this season vying potential to take his game to recipient of the honour in 2003, for the Fothergill-Round Medal, the AFL level. Eligibility simply leaving an indelible mark at the which will be announced next states the player has to be under game’s elite level. month at the J.J. Liston Trophy. the age of 22 as of October and Jason Davenport, Shane The following is a list of is not on an AFL-listed player. Valenti and Nahas, the past three possible contenders from each AFL rookies who have not been Fothergill Round medallists, all VFL club. 4 / visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au FotheRgill-Round MedAl BENDIGO BOMBERS plenty. However, the pick of the the standout for the Roosters is While they haven’t managed a win, crop is Michael Hibberd, the Myles Sewell. After playing every the VFL Bombers have certainly graduate from the Dandenong game in last year’s premiership provided plenty of young players Stingrays. Hibberd has displayed success, Sewell has taken his the opportunity to play at the all the poise, confidence and game to new heights this season. level. James Bairstow is one experience of someone far Very good in run-with roles, but youngster to catch the eye. more seasoned. just as productive as a midfielder in his own right. BOX HILL HAWKS GEELONG No shortage of young talent at Ex-Sydney Swan Jonathon NORTHERN BULLANTS Box Hill. Ben Smithwick has Simpkin has enjoyed a more After an encouraging first season progressed dramatically from his settled season and the results at Cramer Street, ex-Murray first season last year, while Ed have been evident. Often provided Bushranger Luke Morgan has Curnow has displayed the ability an additional avenue to attack played every game since being that previously saw him rookie- for Geelong. promoted from the reserves in listed by Adelaide. Curnow may round two. have much more to offer. Rooster Myles Sewell has shown marked improvement in 2009. PORT MELBOURNE CASEY SCORPIONS While an early season injury Another club where the emphasis derailed much of his year, has been on youth. Ex-Sydney Nathan Batsanis remains a Swan Peter Faulks has improved quality young player. May be as the season has progressed. a key factor for the Borough Gippsland Power graduate during September. Michael Stockdale is a hard nut who plays with great enthusiasm SANDRINGHAM and drive. Shane Tregear broke into the Zebras’ seniors last year, playing COBURG TIGERS half of the season. Tregear While the club’s season collapsed has developed further in 2009, in the second half, it was no fault earning increased game time. of Nick Liddle, who took his game to a new level in effectively his WERRIBEE second full VFL year. Liddle has Young Will Martiniello has plenty of upside about him, being become a permanent fixture in able to rotate through the midfield his first year out of the Murray or provide a goalkicking option Bushrangers, but the clear up forward. standout is Michael Barlow. In his two years at Chirnside COLLINGWOOD Park, Barlow has played every After sharing last year’s Morrish game and continues to improve. Medal for the fairest and best He has the height to hold down player in the TAC Cup, Gippsland a key position and the speed Power graduate Jarryd Blair has and agility to play through enjoyed a very productive and, the midfield.