Victorian football league
rounD 11 june 21-22, 2008 $ inc eXPerience tHe Difference 3 gst Congratulations to DAVID ARMITAGE (Casey Scorpions)
This week’s winner of the Ford “Best on Ground” Ute Visit theoval.com.au for more information.
theoval.com.au
D07820.FordOval-RecordAd-Armitage.indd 1 16/6/08 4:28:05 PM editorial
as the 2008 season sweeps into its second half, it’s timely An encouraging to reflect on what has been an extremely busy and productive VFl year to date. first half Certainly, it has become clear how vitally important it is for the But VFl to keep striving to improve national football code that the VFL provides a strong and viable players before, they will soon be Last month, the VFL received football pathway. on their radars. a huge boost when the State While Victoria has the But, obviously, there are issues Government committed $10 highly successful TAC Cup, it’s that need to be addressed. million to capital improvements imperative the VFL continues to The uneven number of teams in across the VFL clubs. make significant strides just as the VFL reserves presents fixturing Combined with the existing it has since the competition was problems with byes and stretches assistance of local councils and revamped in 2000. club resources when games can’t AFL Victoria, there is now a strong We must aim to increase the be scheduled before senior games. foundation to improve facilities at number of players drafted out But the reserves is critical to all our clubs. This is a high priority of the VFL and this is a strong the traditional VFL club structure, as first-class facilities help to possibility given the AFL’s plans environment and culture – and entice players to the competition to introduce two new interstate offers a clearly defined pathway. and give them every opportunity licences in coming years. And, as we have seen in recent to maximise their talent. The VFL will be scrutinised like years, the VFL’s standard has lifted Unquestionably, it has been an never before as between 80-90 considerably. encouraging start to the year, but additional players are added to While on-field performances several challenges await. We must AFL lists. continue to rise, it’s crucial they are tackle them with determination, Opportunities will open up matched off field. Clubs must be dedication and discipline to not only for players straight from well managed, as we are only as ensure a strong, viable VFL the TAC Cup, but also for late strong as our weakest link. that benefits the wider football bloomers like Dale Morris, Jake We have to strive to continue to community. King and Simon Taylor. improve. Ensuring clubs have solid Where AFL clubs may administrations and employ good John Hook rarely have considered drafting people only ensures the VFL’s Football Operations Manager, 22-24-year-old state league continued success. AFL Victoria
DANNY NICHOLLS EASTLINK CUP MID-SEASON REVIEW aFl Victoria Chief executive officer: VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE round 11 Peter Schwab ContentS JUNE 21-22, 2008 Football operations Manager: RECORD John Hook Young Gun: Danny Nicholls 5 CoVer: Frankston skipper Statistics: Sam Coen Manager director, Geoff Slattery Publishing: Round 12 preview 6 Shaun Pollard and Box Hill Geoff Slattery editor: Nick Bowen Frankston’s proud tradition 7 Hawks captain Alister Neville designer: Karl Chandler prepare to do battle this Sunday Photo Manager: Natalie Boccassini Round 11 statistics 12-13 Photography: Getty Images (02) 9004 2250 HOW THE for the inaugural EastLink Cup. advertising: Jennifer Pryor (03) 8663 3007 Team and squad lists 17-20 Printed by: Condor Printing EAST WAS WON The EastLink Cup 21 DolphinsDolphins aandnd HHawksawks ddoo bbattleattle fforor EEastLinkastLink CupCup address correspondence: The Editor, GPO Box 4337, Melbourne, 3001. EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE ROUND 11 JUNE 21-22, 2008 $3 Phone: (03) 8663 3000 Mid-season review 22-27
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TRU0131 VFL 28x5.indd 1 11/4/08 2:15:06 PM young gun: danny nicholls Danny’s still dreaming Magpie sees VFl as launch pad back to aaFlFl
For two years danny nicholls play with Collingwood’s VFL team lived the aFl dream. and just give it my best shot.” The kid from Rowville, via the At the half-way point of the Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC season, Nicholls has done just that, Cup, spent the 2006-07 seasons as evidenced by his selection for on Collingwood’s rookie list. the VFL team in its match against During that time, Nicholls South Australia last month. racked up 27 games with While naturally disappointed Williamstown, but at the end of last that Victoria season Collingwood chose not to was comprehensively upgrade him to its senior list. beaten, Nicholls described It left the then 20-year-old to the experience as an rebuild a shattered dream. “honour” and a “good While he attracted offers from learning curve”. other VFL clubs, Nicholls decided Collingwood has to play with the Magpies’ new VFL struggled so far to make team, where he hopes to relaunch an impact in the VFL, but his AFL dream. Nicholls has been one of its For some being delisted consistently good players. would have been hard to take, Nicholls said Collingwood but Nicholls said Collingwood VFL coach Gavin Brown had handled it professionally, telling been supportive, giving him a him he had nothing wrong in his weekly assessment of how his two years. game was progressing. “When they told me I just “He tells me the positives and copped it on the chin,” he said. negatives of my game and what to “They said my form had been work on,” Nicholls said. good and just to keep my head up “I have to try to fight my way and have a crack at the VFL, try to back in there and work my butt off play consistent football and see if I and show I’m worth another shot. could get back on (an AFL) list. “I just want to raise the “I was comfortable staying with bar each week and not the club (Collingwood). I knew drop off.” all the players and I just wanted More than anything, to really concentrate on playing Nicholls wants to rekindle consistent football. his dream. “My manager had a chat with a Danny Nicholls has been few clubs about what I was going one of the standouts for to do, but I was pretty happy to Collingwood in 2008.
VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 55 preview
Casey Scorpions where it kicked Werribee must a season-low eight goals, host Port Melbourne in a match that has top-four ramifications. face the Devils The Zebras trail the Borough by one match, but a victory, Finals race looks over for the loser thanks to its superior percentage, would see them climb above Port. If Sandringham loses it would give Werribee Tigers coach Simon Atkins will be Port a two-game break. hoping round 11 can Port Melbourne, riding spark a revival for his a four-game winning streak, side in the second half of the year. will fancy its chances against the depleted Zebras. North Ballarat emerged from its round two match against the Bendigo Bombers with a 52-point win. But, Bendigo, with Hayden Skipworth and Brent Hartigan in form and experienced Essendon players Jason Johnson and Damien Peverill in tow, are now a much better team. It promises to be a thriller. it would not be unfair to say the in round nine then last round The Coburg Tigers will be werribee Tigers have been one overcame a six-goal half-time fired up to tackle the in-form of the disappointments of the deficit to defeat the Coburg Tigers Casey Scorpions. first half of the season. by six points. For the third time this season, Werribee has only once won Werribee, on the other hand, Coburg last week lost a match successive games and now faces lost by 37 points to Coburg in that it seemingly had in its a tough road to the finals if it goes round nine then coughed up a keeping. Back at home, look for down to Tasmania in round 11. five-goal quarter-time lead to be it to rebound. Remarkably, Tasmania has the Box Hill Hawks’ first victim of Williamstown should extend never beaten the Werribee Tigers the season. Collingwood’s losing streak to – the only club the Devils have not Currently, Werribee and seven. The Seagulls defeated defeated since they joined the VFL Tasmania sit 11th and 12th Collingwood by 11 goals in round in 2001. respectively, separated by six two; a similar result awaits the Tasmania has put aside percentage points. The victor Magpies this round. the distraction of coach Daryn will effectively enjoy an eight- Meanwhile, Frankston, very Cresswell’s departure to produce point swing. good at home, should defeat some of its best football for Look for Tasmania to post an the Box Hill Hawks, while the season. historic win. Geelong should end its four-match Tasmania ran fourth-placed Sandringham, coming off an losing streak at the expense of Port Melbourne to three points inglorious showing against the Northern Bullants.
6 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au 150 years
in the late 1960s to play with Standing Somerville, returned to coach the Frankston reserves - he won a flag in 1976, his second alone on the year in charge. He left the following year to build a house only to receive Peninsula an SOS just a year later. “I was asked to come back Frankston’s proud 43-year (in 1978) and coach the club journey in the VFa/VFL for nothing as the club got into a bit of trouble financially,” Mace said. Frankston, the only VFL Frankston launched an club that has stood alone extensive advertising campaign every year since the to bring players to the club, which competition was revamped one night attracted about 130 in 2000, has always dared players to training. to be different. “I sent them on half a dozen Back in 1965 the club split laps and those who didn’t make the local community when it it we got rid of,” Mace said. decided to break away from the Remarkably, the Dolphins, Mornington Peninsula Football headlined by former Dandenong League and join the VFA. players John Kennedy, Ray Those in the club who did Orchard and Alan Harper and an not want to move to the VFA army of locals, lost just a couple stayed under the banner of of games on the way to its one the Frankston Bombers, who and only premiership. remain a MPFL club. As for the decision in 2000 Frankston general manager to enter a stand-alone team, Bryan Mace, who joined the Mace says he and the board club as a 14-year-old in 1950, believe a club loses its identity, remembers the fallout from the its connection with the decision was felt for many years. community and its soul when Mace recalled that Frankston it enters an alignment. was a “powerhouse” in the While it has only won the one MPFL compared to smaller Frankston’s only premiership coach, premiership, Frankston has seen towns like Mornington, Sorrento and now general manager, Bryan Mace many high-profile and colourful and Hastings. joined the club in 1950. players – Jeff Sarau, David “It was like a pea against Rhys-Jones and Mike Patterson – a pumpkin,” Mace said. Frankston’s first decade in coach the club. “Frankston was the hub of the the VFA second division was Mace said the best three local Mornington Peninsula and it did indifferent and in 1977 the players to play for the Dolphins cause a lot of discontent among Dolphins were almost beached. were Peter Geddes, Ian Roberts the local clubs.” Mace, who left the club and his son Robert.
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Friday, 20th June St Kilda v Fremantle Telstra Dome (6.00pm)
Saturday, 21st June Port Adelaide v Richmond AAMI Stadium (1.00pm) Brisbane Lions v Adelaide Gabba (6.00pm)
Sunday, 22nd June Melbourne v Sydney Manuka Oval (11.00am) Collingwood v Western Bulldogs Telstra Dome (4.00pm)
visit: aflvic.com.au tipsters VFL tipsters
Paul Amy Ross Booth Phil Cleary Leader Newspapers ABC-TV ABC-TV tasmania 22pts tasmania 25pts Werribee tigers 20pts Williamstown 76pts Williamstown 35pts Williamstown 48pts North Ballarat 17pts North Ballarat 5pts North Ballarat 30pts sandringham 16pts port Melbourne 30pts port Melbourne 20pts Frankston 23pts Frankston 15pts Frankston 28pts Casey scorpions 13pts Casey scorpions 10pts Coburg tigers 13pts Northern Bullants 19pts Northern Bullants 20pts Geelong 10pts
last rouNd: 3 last rouNd: 3 last rouNd: 4
Scott Cummings Adrian Dunn John Hook 3AW Herald Sun Football Operations Manager, AFL Victoria tasmania 6pts tasmania 6pts Collingwood 1pt Williamstown 32pts tasmania 5pts Bendigo Bombers 1pt North Ballarat 6pts Williamstown 15pts port Melbourne 8pts port Melbourne 8pts North Ballarat 2pts Frankston 14pts Frankston 14pts sandringham 15pts Coburg tigers 10pts Coburg tigers 10pts Frankston 10pts Northern Bullants 12pts Geelong 6pts Coburg tigers 20pts Northern Bullants 9pts last rouNd: 3 last rouNd: 1 last rouNd: 2
Carley Jellett Lady Luck Tony Leonard The Age 3AW Werribee tigers 12pts Werribee tigers 2pts Werribee tigers 2pts Williamstown 32pts Williamstown 20pts Williamstown 22pts North Ballarat 6pts North Ballarat 12pts North Ballarat 6pts port Melbourne 8pts port Melbourne 9pts sandringham 12pts Frankston 14pts Frankston 29pts Frankston 14pts Casey scorpions 12pts Coburg tigers 2pts Coburg tigers 10pts Geelong 6pts Northern Bullants 13pts Geelong 6pts
last rouNd: 5 last rouNd: 2 last rouNd: 5
Chris Mitchell Peter Schwab LeADeRBoARD Herald Sun AFL Victoria CEO John Hook 50 peter schwab 46 tasmania 20pts tasmania 12pts Williamstown 35pts Williamstown 40pts lady luck 49 Carley Jellett 45 North Ballarat 30pts North Ballarat 2pts phil Cleary 48 adrian dunn 43 sandringham 15pts port Melbourne 10pts Frankston 20pts Frankston 4pts ross Booth 47 tony leonard 42 Casey scorpions 20pts Casey scorpions 8pts paul amy 46 scott Cummings 38 Geelong 30pts Geelong 13pts Chris Mitchell 46 last rouNd: 5 last rouNd: 4
For all the latest VFl results and competition details, log on to www.victorianfootballleague.com.au
VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 99 club notes VFL club notes
Frankston artist and auction items. See Sally Williamstown The Dolphin Bistro for bookings. Next home game, is open every home For more club info: phone Williamstown versus game from 12-2pm offering a 5996 1111 or keep up to date by Casey Scorpions, beautiful three-course luncheon visiting scorpions.com.au. Sunday, July 6 – Christmas in for only $20 a person or $15 for July president’s luncheon. Senior Card holders. Bookings Port Melbourne The Williamstown supporters advisable on 9783 7888. outlasted North bus will depart from Seagulls Ballarat in a Home game against Box tight tussle last Nest (1 Mason Street, Newport) Hill on Sunday, June 22. EastLink Saturday, winning for our four remaining away Open Day: free gate entry to by 21 points. games: Saturday, June 28, all patrons. 11am, North Ballarat; Saturday, Grandstand Fire Fundraiser, July 12, noon, Sandringham; Wednesday, June 25. We are Saturday, August 9, noon, Port holding a major fundraiser to Melbourne; Saturday, August 23, try and bring in some much- noon, Box Hill. needed finances for the club. Williamstown Football Auction, Tickets are $150 and include Saturday, July 26, 7.30pm at a beautiful three-course dinner, The Yarraville Club. Tickets: $35. drinks, a megasports panel, Williamstown Mid-season Ball, entertainment and an auction. Saturday, July 12, 7.30pm Call the club on 9783 7888 to at Crown Casino. Tickets: $120. book your tickets now. Information and bookings: Brendan Curry/Trent Mosbey casey scorpions 9390 0611, e-mail bcurry@ Sunday, June 29 is our westernjets.asn.au. celebration of the 1983 Premiership. A reunion will be north ballarat held at the president’s luncheon, box Hill Hawks Ever wondered so if you were a player, official or Last chance: Box what the coach is committee member, please call Hill Hawks Mid-season thinking? Or more specifically, Sally to book. Ball, Saturday, June 28 at the thoughts of Roosters coach The Scorpions Gala Ball and the Crown entertainment Gerard FitzGerald? Check out the Auction night is on Friday, July 25 complex. $110 a person, Roosters’ website, theroosters. at Castellos in Berwick Springs. includes three-course meal, com.au, each Monday for ‘Coach’s Tickets are $40 a person and beverages and entertainment. Corner with Fitzy’. Fitzy will share include a three-course meal, Please call 9890 9442 for single his thoughts on the weekend’s music, dancing, a caricature or table bookings. game, look ahead to the coming
Watch out for V tV each week on Ford’s theoval.com.au. the show features all the latest VFl news, with hosts Dwayne Russell and nigel carmody previewing the coming matches.
10 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au club notes
weekend’s match and provide an with Daniel Harford as MC. Next luncheon is on round 14 insight into the club and its players. Cost: $50. versus Port Melbourne. Delicious A great range of club The club’s past players’ day is roast meals with salads and merchandise is now on sale on June 29 at the Port Melbourne accompaniments for $25 (kids at our home games: hats, game. If you know any past $15). Phone Tracey 9354 8228 beanies, scarves, polo tops, players spread the word. by 3pm, Wednesday, prior to the jackets, vests plus more. Order Also ahead is the club’s annual match to book. forms can also be downloaded auction on August 1. Tickets Merchandise: team photos from the club’s website: are $65 and include a two- are here. theroosters.com.au. Show your course meal and drinks. To To find out about what is true colours and purchase your book for either the breakfast happening around the club log club merchandise today. or auction please call the Ants onto coburgtigers.com.au. office on 9470 2224. For more For an emailed weekly northern bullants info on all club news, please see newsletter contact Tracey at The Northern Bullants northernbullants.com.au. [email protected]. are holding a business Join us in reminiscing the network breakfast on Thursday, coburg tigers 1988 premiership at the club on June 26 at Rydges on Bell, The president’s July 11 at 7pm. Preston. Peter Daicos and Mark luncheon is on every Tickets: $25 a head. Essential Robinson will be guest speakers home game in the social club. to phone book on 9354 8228.
VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 1111 statistics VFL statistics
Round 10 senioRs casey scorpions 2.2 5.3 8.5 14.7 (91) AFTER ROUND 10 P W L D F A % PTS Sandringham 3.2 4.4 6.11 8.11 (59) GoaLs: casey scorpions - Allen 4, Rix 2, Armitage 2, L. Fisher, Waite, Williamstown 10 9 1 0 1291 921 140.17 36 Panozza, Howard, Parker, Matthews. casey scorpions 10 7 3 0 1058 800 132.25 28 sandringham - Biddlecombe 2, Valenti 2, Dean, Zomer, Buckley, Crowe. north Ballarat 10 7 3 0 1070 882 121.32 28 Best: casey scorpions - Armitage, Silvagni, Rix, Matthews, Panozza, Allen. Port Melbourne 10 7 3 0 1130 986 114.60 28 sandringham - Biddlecombe, Bell, Valenti, Summers, Cheney, Crowe. sandringham 10 6 4 0 1152 839 137.31 24 Port Melbourne 6.1 9.3 12.7 16.12 (108) coburg tigers 10 6 4 0 1108 904 122.57 24 North Ballarat 3.1 6.3 9.5 13.9 (87) northern Bullants 10 5 5 0 884 944 93.64 20 GoaLs: Port Melbourne - Dwyer 4, Bonaddio 3, Pitt 2, Cotchett 2, McGrath, Frankston 10 4 6 0 994 970 102.47 16 Dillon, Schultz, Nahas, Cain. north Ballarat - Jones 2, Dinnell 2, Goodes 2, Wundke, Chester, Driscoll, Geelong 10 4 6 0 967 1063 90.97 16 Garlett, Stephenson, McMahon, Clifton. Bendigo Bombers 10 4 6 0 958 1114 86.00 16 Best: Port Melbourne - McGrath, Cain, Dwyer, McMahon, Baird, Pinwill. Werribee Tigers 10 4 6 0 913 1086 84.07 16 north Ballarat - Roach, Searl, Sharkey, Watt, Goodes, Sansbury. Tasmania 10 4 6 0 913 1170 78.03 16 Collingwood 2.1 2.1 5.3 6.6 (42) Collingwood 10 2 8 0 683 1084 63.01 8 northern Bullants 8.1 8.4 12.6 18.9 (117) Box Hill Hawks 10 1 9 0 819 1177 69.58 4 GoaLs: collingwood - MacAffer 4, Dawes, Wood. northern Bullants - Ackland 3, Hartlett 3, Jacobs 2, Joseph 2, Edwards 2, Browne, Colbert, Pfeiffer, Benjamin, Ellard, Iacobucci. 2008 VFL GoaLkickeRs (PROGRESSIVE) Best: collingwood - Frost, Pendlebury, Dawes, MacAffer, Licuria, Stanley. northern Bullants - Austin, Blackwell, Ackland, Iacobucci, Anderson, Browne. nicholas sautner (Sandringham) 40 (-) James Podsiadly (Werribee Tigers) 35 (3) tasmania 2.3 4.3 9.10 15.11 (101) Coburg Tigers 3.4 9.9 9.12 13.17 (95) aaron Murray (Frankston) 26 (3) GoaLs: tasmania - Hardy 4, Thurley 2, Geappen 2, Street 2, Cassidy, Vearing, Justin Berry (Frankston) 25 (3) Setchell, Charlesworth, Bongetti. adrian Bonaddio (Port Melbourne) 25 (3) coburg tigers - Hughes 6, Connors 2, Pettifer, Carnell, Collins, Liddle, Jordan. cleve Hughes (Coburg Tigers) 23 (6) Best: tasmania - Richter, Street, Andrews, Savage, A. Bielski, Vearing. Patrick Rose (Williamstown) 23 (3) coburg tigers - Hughes, Shelton, Liddle, Edwards, Horne, Cartledge. Josh smith (North Ballarat) 22 (-) Williamstown 3.2 11.3 13.6 18.13 (121) Robin nahas (Port Melbourne) 22 (1) Frankston 7.2 10.5 15.8 16.11 (107) dean Galea (Williamstown) 20 (3) GoaLs: Williamstown - Cloke 3, Galea 3, Rose 3, Little 2, Hill 2, Greene 2, Jarryd allen (Casey Scorpions) 19 (4) Picken, Jolley, Stretton. Justin Hardy (Tasmania) 19 (4) Frankston - Lourey 4, Murray 3, Berry 3, Morris 2, Oliver 2, Marigliani, Limbach. Paul McMahon (North Ballarat) 19 (1) Best: Williamstown - Stretton, Harbrow, Cloke, Galea, Meyer, O’Keefe. Frankston - Berry, Collins, Winterton, Kennedy, Lourey, P. Whelan. scott simpson (Geelong) 17 (-) Bendigo Bombers 3.4 8.11 10.13 16.21 (117) Geelong 3.1 4.6 8.7 10.9 (69) GoaLs: Bendigo Bombers - Hooker 4, Dick 3, Hartigan 2, Skipworth 2, Bellchambers, Magin, Williams, Dyson, Weekes. VFL action Geelong - Hawkins 3, Davenport 2, Hogan 2, Djerrkura 2, Mumford. Best: Bendigo Bombers - Weekes, Johns, Chartres, Flaherty, Holmes, on aBc-tV Hooker. Geelong - Bedford, Potter, Mumford, Simpkin, Gamble, Tenace. ROUND 12 ROUND 13 Saturday, June 28 Saturday, July 5 Box Hill Hawks 0.7 5.7 10.10 13.12 (90) Box Hill Hawks v Port Melbourne v Werribee Tigers 6.1 7.5 7.10 11.16 (82) collingwood Bendigo Bombers GoaLs: Box Hill Hawks - Kenna 3, Grima 2, Moss, Whitecross, Breese, Neville, Morrell, Dawson, Dowler, McEntee. ROUND 14 ROUND 15 Werribee tigers - Podsiadly 3, Warren 2, Eddy, Obst, Henderson, McMahon, Saturday, July 12 Saturday, July 19 Hansen, Wormald. Werribee tigers v northern Bullants Best: Box Hill Hawks - Pedersen, Whitecross, Tuck, Kenna, Kennedy, Breese. Frankston v Box Hill Hawks Werribee tigers - Gleeson, Saker, Goldstein, Obst, Young, Sheringham.
12 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au statistics
Round 9 ReseRVes Port Melbourne 5.1 10.5 15.6 19.6 (120) AFTER ROUND 9 P W L D B F A % PTS North Ballarat 0.4 3.6 7.12 12.15 (87) GoaLs: Port Melbourne - Francis 4, Bonnici 2, Pearce 2, Paule 2, Mullins, Williamstown 8 8 0 0 1 1209 499 242.28 32 Kennedy, Siciliano, W. deBruin, Neville, Angus, Livingstone, O’Keefe, Downes. coburg tigers 7 7 0 0 2 1100 423 260.05 28 north Ballarat - Seddon 4, Micallef, Searle, Dickinson, Caldow, Faure, McHugh, Luke, Gregg. sandringham 8 7 1 0 1 1023 636 160.85 28 Best: Port Melbourne - O’Keefe, Neville, Paule, Pearce, W. deBruin, Siciliano. Frankston 8 5 3 0 1 803 757 106.08 20 north Ballarat - Owen, Dignan, Seddon, Neurath, McHugh, Waight.
Box Hill Hawks 8 5 3 0 1 837 790 105.95 20 Casey Scorpions 3.2 4.4 8.8 9.10 (64) sandringham 1.2 7.8 9.10 19.14 (128) North Ballarat 8 4 4 0 1 836 764 109.42 16 GoaLs: casey scorpions - Mercoulia 3, Galvin 2, Leung, Fridman, Williams, Port Melbourne 8 3 5 0 1 665 963 69.06 12 Mohr. Northern Bullants 7 2 5 0 2 523 750 69.73 8 sandringham - Lockwood 5, Newton 4, Monaghan 2, Cleeve 2, Weetra, B. Liddell, Summons, Petterd, Sargent, Kondarovskis. Casey Scorpions 8 1 7 0 1 680 967 70.32 4 Best: casey scorpions - Galvin, Mercoulia, Youle, Terry, Fridman, Crespin. Werribee Tigers 8 1 7 0 1 604 936 64.53 4 sandringham - Petterd, Monaghan, McNamara, Newton, Lockwood, Hardiman. Bendigo Bombers 8 0 8 0 1 416 1211 34.35 0 Box Hill Hawks 4.3 8.7 15.12 20.14 (134) Werribee Tigers 3.2 8.2 11.4 12.5 (77) 2008 VFL ReseRVe GoaLkickeRs (PROGRESSIVE) GoaLs: Box Hill Hawks - Walsh 4, Wright 4, Angelopoulos 3, Shore 3, Nye 2, Hatton, Sinclair, O’Sullivan, Hogan. Paul o’shea (Williamstown) 22 (5) Werribee tigers - Wilsen 2, Bloomfield 2, Palmer 2, Collins 2, Butty 2, Fletcher, trent Zomer (Sandringham) 19 (-) Patterson. clayton collard (Coburg Tigers) 19 (-) Best: Box Hill Hawks - Wright, Papaluca, Angelopoulos, Walsh, Smithwick, simon seddon (North Ballarat) 17 (4) Shore. nick Lynch (Coburg Tigers) 15 (-) Werribee tigers - Wilsen, Collins, Quigley, Palmer, Sharp, West. adam cook (Williamstown) 14 (-) stuart cleeve (Sandringham) 14 (2) Williamstown 4.1 7.8 14.16 23.22 (160) scott Lockwood (Sandringham) 14 (5) Frankston 1.3 4.5 6.8 6.9 (45) Paul currie (Coburg Tigers) 14 (-) GoaLs: Williamstown - O’Shea 5, Lyons 3, Urch 3, Boumann 2, Mulligan 2, shayden Bloomfield (Werribee Tigers) 14 (2) Miller, Dickson, Lockwood, Langlands, Cartelli, Mu. Boyd, Beaumont, Grossman. derick Micallef (North Ballarat) 14 (1) Frankston - Comben 2, Barker 2, Raso, Corp. Matthew Little (Williamstown) 13 (-) Best: Williamstown - Cartelli, Barling, McKenzie, Lyons, O’Shea, Grossman. Bill driscoll (North Ballarat) 13 (-) Frankston - Calteri, Gill, Comben, Dunne, Campisano, Raso. Jonathan Mercuri (Northern Bullants) 13 (-) damien Horbury (North Ballarat) 13 (-)
VFL senioR FieLd uMPiRes 2008 VFL action on radio BEARD, Dan ...... 1 HOSKINS, Wayne ...... 14 PANNELL, Troy ...... 2 BANNISTER, Ben (Tas) ...... 15 Round 11 DONAT, Matthew ...... 3 LEPPARD, Matthew ...... 16 saturday, June 21 JENNINGS, Michael ...... 4 RITCHIE, Brett ...... 17 collingwood v Williamstown MITCHELL, Andrew...... 5 DENISON, Greg ...... 18 FINDLAY, Robert ...... 6 BROMLEY, Ashley ...... 20 sunday, June 22 PAWLEY, Brent ...... 7 MILLS, Richard ...... 21 sandringham v Port Melbourne OAKLEY, Matthew ...... 8 CAPELL, Clinton ...... 22 SAUNDERS, Tim ...... 9 RALPH, Stuart (Tas) ...... 23 MACKIE, Simon ...... 10 BURGESS, Tristan ...... 24 BROWN, Matthew ...... 11 GLEESON, Shaun (Tas) ...... 32 Round 11 McCARTHY, Troy...... 12 LEHNER, Ben (Tas) ...... 36 saturday, June 21 GRINDAL, Jamie ...... 13 Note: AFL Umpires will wear 30, 31, 34, 38, 39, 40 collingwood v Williamstown sunday, June 22 Geelong v northern Bullants
VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 1313 afl victoria community news
the potential of introducing a third senior side and AFL Victoria a second under-19 side in 2009. This will provide greater community news opportunities for the local community to get involved in football in a club environment. community club of the week AFL Victoria would like to montmorency football club congratulate the Montmorency Football Club on its ongoing contribution to football in its this week’s afl victoria giving 24 hour access to all local community. community club of the members, flood-light poles To nominate for Volunteer of week is the montmorency and a scoreboard. the Week and Club of the Week football club. It is now looking to awards, email Darryl Collings at Montmorency Football include an indoor child-play [email protected]. Club is an affiliated member area with exclusive mid-week The Volunteer of the Year and of the reformed Northern access to members. It has Community Club of the Year Football League and is the also secured funding from the will be selected from the weekly first senior club in that league AFL Facilities Development winner and announced at AFL to have achieved accreditation Fund, State Government and Victoria’s members dinner in in AFL Victoria’s Quality Club Local Government for pavilion February 2009. Program. The club has also renovations. The Community Club of produced a code of conduct As well as these off-field the Year also receives $1500 in line with AFL Victoria’s projects, the club is undertaking from AFL Victoria, so get your guidelines. a feasibility plan to investigate nominations in now! Located in the northern growth corridor, the club’s history spans more than 80 years. They have won four senior premierships, and have appeared in five I reckon I’m a pretty good judge of character. I mean, of the last six senior Division you’ve got to be willing to hear both sides of the story. 1 finals campaigns, making it to two grand finals. I think I’ve had my fair share of challenges and I know Meanwhile, their reserves when life throws you an unexpected situation, it takes have played in five of the last seven grand finals, life experience and teamwork to get you through. winning two, and their under-19s played in finals I think I will be a good Prison Officer. from 1991-2006. Over the past 10 years the club has financed Apply at www.cvcareers.com.au projects including a first-floor careers in corrections extension, a gymnasium
14 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au FIXTURE VFL fixture 2008
Round 1 SUNday, May 18 Round 14 Frankston 22.16 (148) vs. Werribee Tigers 6.16 (52) SaTURday, MaRch 29 SaTURday, JULy 12 Northern Bullants 16.9 (105) vs. North Ballarat 9.9 (63) coburg Tigers 27.16 (178) vs. Geelong 16.7 (103) Geelong vs. Box Hill Hawks Skilled Stadium (AFL C/R) Box Hill Hawks 13.14 (92) vs. port Melbourne 21.14 (140) 10:40am Bendigo Bombers 18.11 (119) vs. Tasmania 13.12 (90) Bendigo Bombers 13.12 (90) vs. Williamstown 19.13 (127) collingwood 12.15 (87) vs. Port Melbourne 11.8 (74) Werribee Tigers vs. Frankston Bartercard Oval (ABC TV) North Ballarat 19.12 (126) vs. Box Hill Hawks 8.8 (56) Round 8 1:10pm Casey Scorpions vs. Tasmania Casey Fields 2pm Werribee Tigers 10.13 (73) vs. Williamstown 19.15 (129) SaTURday, May 24 Sandringham vs. Williamstown Trevor Barker Beach Oval 2pm SUNday, MaRch 30 Williamstown 23.15 (153) vs. Box Hill Hawks 13.12 (90) Coburg Tigers vs. Port Melbourne ABD Group Stadium 2pm Frankston 14.13 (97) vs. Northern Bullants 11.15 (81) port Melbourne 16.10 (106) vs. Casey Scorpions 10.16 (76) Collingwood vs. North Ballarat Princes Park 2pm Sandringham 18.11 (119) vs. Casey Scorpions 11.16 (82) Werribee Tigers 18.18 (126) vs. Collingwood 10.11 (71) SUNday, JULy 13 SUNday, May 25 Round 2 - Rivalry Round Bendigo Bombers vs. Northern Bullants QE Oval 2pm North Ballarat 17.15 (117) vs. Geelong 12.14 (86) SaTURday, apRIL 5 coburg Tigers 22.13 (145) vs. Bendigo Bombers 13.16 (94) Round 15 North Ballarat 16.16 (112) vs. Bendigo Bombers 9.6 (60) Frankston 23.23 (161) vs. Tasmania 15.5 (95) SaTURday, JULy 19 Williamstown 25.12 (162) vs. Collingwood 14.10 (94) Sandringham 15.15 (105) vs. Northern Bullants 8.12 (60) Geelong vs. North Ballarat Skilled Stadium (AFL C/R) 10:40am port Melbourne 17.7 (109) vs. Sandringham 16.12 (108) Northern Bullants vs. Box Hill Hawks NAB Oval (ABC TV) 1:10pm SANFL vs. VFL - State Representative Match casey Scorpions 16.14 (110) vs. Frankston 9.18 (72) SUNday, JULy 20 SUNday, apRIL 6 SaNFL 25.11 (161) vs. VFL 14.12 (96) Werribee Tigers vs. Casey Scorpions Bartercard Oval 2pm Williamstown vs. Coburg Tigers Burbank Oval 2pm Geelong 22.8 (140) vs. Werribee Tigers 11.21 (87) Round 9 Box Hill Hawks 12.13 (85) vs. Tasmania 13.10 (88) Sandringham vs. Tasmania Trevor Barker Beach Oval 2pm Northern Bullants 16.11 (107) vs. Coburg Tigers 15.14 (104) SaTURday, JUNE 7 SaTURday, JULy 26 North Ballarat 20.9 (129) vs. Frankston 14.9 (93) Frankston vs. Port Melbourne Frankston Oval (ABC TV) Round 3 Northern Bullants 10.9 (69) vs. Williamstown 17.13 (115) 1:10pm Tasmania 17.10 (112) vs. port Melbourne 18.7 (115) SaTURday, apRIL 12 Collingwood vs. Bendigo Bombers Princes Park 2pm Tasmania 18.17 (125) vs. Geelong 15.11 (101) SUNday, JUNE 8 Round 16 casey Scorpions 18.9 (117) vs. Geelong 11.12 (78) Williamstown 24.7 (151) vs. Port Melbourne 17.12 (114) SaTURday, aUGUST 2 Northern Bullants 20.8 (128) vs. Collingwood 12.5 (77) Sandringham 11.13 (79) vs. Collingwood 6.13 (49) Werribee Tigers 10.6 (66) vs. coburg Tigers 14.19 (103) Geelong vs. Collingwood Skilled Stadium (ABC TV) 1:10pm Coburg Tigers 13.13 (91) vs. North Ballarat 13.14 (92) Box Hill Hawks vs. Casey Scorpions Box Hill City Oval 2pm casey Scorpions 18.14 (122) vs. Box Hill Hawks 13.11 (89) MoNday, JUNE 9 Port Melbourne vs. Werribee Tigers TEAC Oval 2pm Box Hill Hawks 12.12 (84) vs. Bendigo Bombers 18.11 (119) SUNday, apRIL 13 Tasmania vs. Williamstown Bellerive Oval 2pm Sandringham 13.12 (90) vs. Frankston 15.12 (102) Round 10 SUNday, aUGUST 3 Werribee Tigers 17.13 (115) vs. Bendigo Bombers 14.11 (95) North Ballarat vs. Coburg Tigers AUSTAR Arena 2pm SaTURday, JUNE 14 Frankston vs. Bendigo Bombers Frankston Oval 2pm casey Scorpions 14.7 (91) vs. Sandringham 8.11 (59) Round 4 Northern Bullants vs. Sandringham Princes Park 2pm Collingwood 6.6 (42) vs. Northern Bullants 18.9 (117) SaTURday, apRIL 19 Tasmania 15.11 (101) vs. Coburg Tigers 13.17 (95) Round 17 Geelong 16.16 (112) vs. Williamstown 12.8 (80) port Melbourne 16.12 (108) vs. North Ballarat 13.9 (87) Northern Bullants 11.18 (84) vs. Tasmania 10.14 (74) SaTURday, aUGUST 9 SUNday, JUNE 15 port Melbourne 24.11 (155) vs. Coburg Tigers 15.17 (107) Tasmania vs. Frankston Aurora Stadium (AFL C/R) 10:15am Williamstown 18.13 (121) vs. Frankston 16.11 (107) Collingwood vs. Werribee Tigers Princes Park 1pm SUNday, apRIL 20 Box hill hawks 13.12 (90) vs. Werribee Tigers 11.16 (82) Bendigo Bombers vs. Box Hill Hawks QE Oval (ABC TV) Frankston 12.11 (83) vs. collingwood 15.10 (100) Bendigo Bombers 16.21 (117) vs. Geelong 10.9 (69) 1:10pm North Ballarat 19.9 (123) vs. Werribee Tigers 13.16 (94) Port Melbourne vs. Williamstown TEAC Oval 2pm Box Hill Hawks 11.10 (76) vs. Sandringham 25.14 (164) Round 11 Coburg Tigers vs. Northern Bullants ABD Group Stadium 2pm Bendigo Bombers 14.8 (92) vs. casey Scorpions 20.13 (133) SaTURday, JUNE 21 SUNday, aUGUST 10 Tasmania vs. Werribee Tigers Bellerive Oval (ABC TV) 1:10pm Casey Scorpions vs. North Ballarat Casey Fields 2pm Round 5 Collingwood vs. Williamstown Princes Park 2pm Sandringham vs. Geelong Trevor Barker Beach Oval 2pm FRIday, apRIL 25 (aNZac day) Bendigo Bombers vs. North Ballarat Windy Hill 2pm Round 18 coburg Tigers 11.13 (79) vs. Box Hill Hawks 10.7 (67) SUNday, JUNE 22 Tasmania 17.9 (111) vs. Casey Scorpions 13.14 (92) Sandringham vs. Port Melbourne Trevor Barker Beach Oval SaTURday, aUGUST 16 Collingwood vs. Tasmania Princes Park (ABC TV) 1:10pm SaTURday, apRIL 26 2pm Coburg Tigers vs. Sandringham ABD Group Stadium 2pm Sandringham 24.15 (159) vs. Bendigo Bombers 13.11 (89) Frankston vs. Box Hill Hawks Frankston Oval 2pm Coburg Tigers vs. Casey Scorpions ABD Group Stadium 2pm North Ballarat vs. Northern Bullants AUSTAR Arena 2pm SUNday, apRIL 27 Geelong vs. Northern Bullants Skilled Stadium 2pm Werribee Tigers vs. Box Hill Hawks Bartercard Oval 2pm Williamstown 17.21 (123) vs. North Ballarat 15.16 (106) Williamstown vs. Bendigo Bombers Burbank Oval 2pm Northern Bullants 12.15 (87) vs. Werribee Tigers 15.13 (103) Round 12 SUNday, aUGUST 17 SaTURday, May 3 SaTURday, JUNE 28 Geelong vs. Port Melbourne Skilled Stadium 1pm port Melbourne 15.19 (109) vs. Frankston 7.9 (51) Geelong vs. Tasmania Skilled Stadium 1pm Frankston vs. Casey Scorpions Frankston Oval 2pm SUNday, May 4 Box Hill Hawks vs. Collingwood Box Hill City Oval (ABC TV) Round 19 1:10pm Collingwood 10.7 (67) vs. Geelong 19.9 (123) North Ballarat vs. Williamstown AUSTAR Arena 2pm SaTURday, aUGUST 23 Port Melbourne vs. Collingwood TEAC Oval 1pm Round 6 SUNday, JUNE 29 Box Hill Hawks vs. Williamstown Box Hill City Oval 2pm SaTURday, May 10 Frankston vs. Coburg Tigers Frankston Oval 2pm Casey Scorpions vs. Coburg Tigers Casey Fields 2pm Casey Scorpions vs. Bendigo Bombers Casey Fields 2pm coburg Tigers 17.19 (121) vs. Collingwood 10.8 (68) Frankston vs. Sandringham Frankston Oval 2pm Northern Bullants vs. Port Melbourne NAB Oval 2pm Box Hill Hawks 13.12 (90) vs. Geelong 16.8 (104) Northern Bullants vs. Geelong NAB Oval 2pm Werribee Tigers vs. Sandringham Bartercard Oval 2pm North Ballarat 18.7 (115) vs. Tasmania 9.12 (66) Tasmania vs. North Ballarat Bellerive Oval 2pm Werribee Tigers 16.19 (115) vs. Port Melbourne 15.10 (100) Round 13 Bendigo Bombers vs. Werribee Tigers QE Oval 2pm Bendigo Bombers 12.11 (83) vs. Frankston 11.14 (80) SaTURday, JULy 5 Round 20 SUNday, May 11 Port Melbourne vs. Bendigo Bombers TEAC Oval SaTURday, aUGUST 30 Williamstown 19.16 (130) vs. Sandringham 9.12 (66) (ABC TV) 1:10pm Geelong vs. Frankston Skilled Stadium (AFL C/R) 10:40am casey Scorpions 25.14 (164) vs. Northern Bullants 6.10 (46) SUNday, JULy 6 Bendigo Bombers vs. Coburg Tigers Windy Hill 2pm Collingwood vs. Casey Scorpions Princes Park 2pm Round 7 North Ballarat vs. Sandringham AUSTAR Arena 2pm Collingwood vs. Frankston Princes Park 2pm Port Melbourne vs. Northern Bullants TEAC Oval 2pm SaTURday, May 17 Williamstown vs. Casey Scorpions Burbank Oval 2pm Sandringham vs. North Ballarat Trevor Barker Beach Oval 2pm Tasmania 7.9 (51) vs. Sandringham 31.17 (203) Box Hill Hawks vs. Coburg Tigers Box Hill City Oval 2pm Williamstown vs. Werribee Tigers Burbank Oval 2pm Geelong 6.15 (51) vs. coburg Tigers 11.19 (85) Tasmania vs. Northern Bullants Bellerive Oval 2pm SUNday, aUGUST 31 casey Scorpions 10.11 (71) vs. Collingwood 3.10 (28) Werribee Tigers vs. Geelong Bartercard Oval 2pm Tasmania vs. Box Hill Hawks Bellerive Oval 2pm
VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 1515 ProudProud SponsorSponsor of VFLVFL SeasonSeason 20082005
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Victorian Football League and EastLink Cup would provide free entry to the EastLink Cup for fans. “For EastLink to come on kicks off board, that’s fantastic for stand alone clubs such as Dolphins and Hawks in battle of the east Frankston to get that support and for the VFL competition in general,” Pollard said. The Dolphins are in the hunt for finals action for the first time since 2006. In recent outings at Frankston Oval, life’s been a highway for the Dolphins with 96 and 66-point home wins over Werribee and Tasmania respectively. Pollard was optimistic of another strong home performance against the improving Hawks. “We hope to put on a good show for the home fans,” he said. The EastLink roadway will slash travel times between Box Hill Hawks skipper Box Hill and Frankston. Alister Neville also welcomed the chance to compete for the By Travis Parnaby is engaging with the local latest VFL trophy. this sunday sees the dawning of communities and establishing “Frankston and Box Hill an annual fixture sure to excite sporting rivalry between VFL are both community-friendly football fans in Melbourne’s clubs along the EastLink corridor,” clubs and this is a great way for eastern suburban corridor. Mr Pallas said. supporters to come watch us The EastLink Cup will be played The $2.5 billion EastLink whether we are playing at home or annually by Frankston and the Box project opens next Sunday, June at Frankston Oval,” Neville said. Hill Hawks, who will take turns 29 and will streamline travel from ConnectEast’s involvement hosting the big event. Thanks to Ringwood to Frankston. with the VFL does not stop with ConnectEast, entry to EastLink Cup Frankston captain Shaun the EastLink Cup. The EastLink matches will be free to all patrons. Pollard said life would be made schools competition is set to start The cup – a unique green a little bit easier by the much- and will involve eight teams from and orange trophy – was born anticipated roadway. primary schools dotted along the out of a new partnership “It’s a good thing for both EastLink route. between ConnectEast and AFL clubs with us both situated at In a win for families, Victoria, recently announced by either end of EastLink and very ConnectEast will give all children State Roads and Ports Minister advantageous for players getting to free entry to the Celebration of Tim Pallas. training and matches,” Pollard said. Victorian Football – the TAC Cup “Through this sponsorship, Pollard was also excited and VFL Grand Finals – on Friday, EastLink operator ConnectEast EastLink was backing the September 26 at Telstra Dome.
VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 2121 mid-season review Finals race heats up
We’ve just passed the half-way mark of the season and what better time for the VFL Record to cast its eye over the competition, rating every team’s performance to date and their chances of making the finals.
BENDIGO Bendigo put itself back in the BOMBERS hunt for an unlikely final’s berth Record: 4-6 when it defeated Box Hill and Position: 10th Geelong in the past two rounds. At home: 3-2 On the road: 1-4 For Bendigo to play finals it needs Quarters won: 18/40 Hayden Skipworth and Brent Best quarter: 2nd (7 won/3 lost) Hartigan, its two quality VFL Worst quarter: 3rd (3/1/6) players up and firing. Goalkickers: Hartigan (12), Outlook: Bendigo’s season could Daniher (11), Hooker (10) be determined in the next three Season so far: After opening the weeks when they play North season in impressive fashion with Ballarat, Casey Scorpions (away) a win against Tasmania, the VFL’s and Port Melbourne (away). If the baby Bombers then floundered. Bombers can win two of those it Only a fortuitous three-point win will prepare them for a gruelling Brent against Frankston in round six final three games when they play Hartigan stood between Bendigo and a Williamstown (away), the Werribee seven-game losing streak. But Tigers and the Coburg Tigers.
22 mid-SeASOn RevieW
BOX HILL HAWKS season remaining. After nine Record: 1-9 successive losses to start the Position: 14th season, Box Hill posted its first At home: 1-5 win against Werribee last round. On the road: 0-4 So, what’s gone wrong? Box Hill Quarters won: 10/36 has suffered because of injuries to Best quarter: 1st (4/5) Hawthorn-listed players, forcing it Worst quarter: 3rd (1/9) to blood its young, inexperienced Goalkickers: Moss 12, Dowler 11 players before they were ready. Season so far: After the recruiting Outlook: Well, given the finals are drive that netted prized recruits out of the question, the second Digby Morrell, Alister Neville, half of the season gives coach Stephen Kenna, Nathan Batsanis Barry Mitchell the opportunity and Sam Gibson, most expected to work through his VFL list to the Box Hill Hawks to push strongly discover which players, seasoned Stephen for a top-four finish. Both are now and new, are worth taking into the Kenna out of the equation with half the 2009 season.
CASEY few considered the Scorpions those games have accounted for SCORPIONS would be in finals contention. But all their defeats. Record: 7-3 at the half-way mark finals are now Outlook: The second half will be Position: 2nd all but assured with a top-four spot more testing with Casey playing At home: 6-0 On the road: 1-3 theirs for the taking. Coach Greg only four more games at home. Quarters won: 25/40 Hutchison has given the youthful The Scorpions are also yet to play Best quarter: 2nd (8/2) Scorpions confidence and self- Williamstown and North Ballarat, Worst quarter: 1st (5/5) belief and they’ve responded while Hutchison has the challenge Goalkickers: Allen (19), in spades. The Scorpions are of trying to keep his young list Dunne (15), McQualter (13) unbeaten at home and only three up for remainder of the season. Season so far: Following a mass times have they conceded a The upside is that they play all the exodus of senior players last year, 100-point scoreline – significantly teams currently out of the eight.
COBURG TIGERS higher. Coburg has coughed up North Ballarat (away) and Port Record: 6-4 match-winning leads against the Melbourne in a season-defining Position: 6th Northern Bullants, North Ballarat three-week period from round 14. At home: 4-1 On the road: 2-3 and Tasmania, losing each game Given Richmond is likely to push Quarters won: 26/40 by a goal or less. Despite those its young players in the second- Best quarter: 3rd (8/2) late-game fade-outs, Coburg half of the season, Coburg Worst quarter: 4th (5/5) looms ominously, having twice should be able to call upon Goalkickers: Hughes (23), belted last year’s premier Geelong. veteran AFL players Greg Riewoldt (15), Pettifer (13) Outlook:The first-half season Tivendale, Kane Pettifer and Season so far: While they sit draw has been favourable with Jay Schulz, which should comfortably in the eight, the Coburg yet to play Williamstown give them enough talent and Coburg Tigers should be sitting but they bump into the Seagulls, experience for a top-four finish.
VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 23
mid-SeASOn RevieW Danny Nicholls
COLLINGWOOD but the fact remains Collingwood Outlook: It Record: 2-8 has lost its past six games by can’t get much Position: 13th an average of 52 points. After worse, with At home: 1-2 On the road: 1-6 opening the season with a win the Magpies Quarters won: 11/40 against Port Melbourne and then to play seven Best quarter: 2nd (5/5) defeating Frankston in round games at home, Worst quarter: 3rd (1/9) four, everything has spiralled albeit three of Goalkickers: Dawes (9), McAffer downward. A tell-tale sign of them against (9), Nicholls (9), Jurrah (8), Reid (8) the Magpies’ plight has been Williamstown, Season so far: The Magpies’ their poor last quarters; they North Ballarat return to fielding a stand-alone have scored just 17 goals and and the Casey team in the VFL has produced conceded 50. Yes, their draw has Scorpions. But little joy if the ladder and been tough with just three home they also play a weekly scorelines are the sole matches and they’ve played every number of clubs barometers. Perhaps they’re not, top team except North Ballarat. outside the eight.
FRANKSTON missed opportunities. Frankston fight on its hands. Lovett has Record: 4-6 fell asleep at the start of its night again uncovered some promising Position: 8th match against Bendigo, fought local talent in Aaron Murray, Peder At home: 3-1 On the road: 1-5 back to hit the front, only to lose Whelan and Michael Lourey. Quarters won: 20/40 by three points. And, then against Outlook: Certainly, the draw is Best quarter: 3rd (7/3) all odds last week, the Dolphins kind to Frankston in the run home. Worst quarter: 2nd (3/1/6) ventured to Point Gellibrand, held The Dolphins play six games at Goalkickers: Murray (26), Berry sway all day, but were overrun in home and, just as importantly, (25), Limbach (16), Lourey (14) the final quarter. Win those and only play four clubs in the eight. Season so far: Coach Brett Frankston would be considered If Frankston is good enough, it Lovett will again be lamenting likely finalists. But now it has a should stay in the eight.
GEELONG the Coburg Tigers in the season Record: 4-6 opener and an awful showing in Matthew Firman Position: 9th Tasmania, Geelong won four of At home: 2-1 On the road: 2-5 its first six games. But the Cats go Quarters won: 14/40 into the second half of the season Best quarter: 2nd, 3rd & 4th on a four-game losing streak (all 4/6) and clinging desperately to the Worst quarter: 1st (2/2/6) pack aiming for the finals. Also of Goalkickers: Simpson (17), concern is that Geelong has won Davenport (15), Lonergan (14) just two of its past 16 first quarters. Season so far: Reigning premier Outlook: With a swag of games Geelong’s season to date can remaining at Skilled Stadium and be broken in two – those games Byrne’s imminent return, Geelong captain James Byrne has played can’t be dismissed from the finals and those he has missed with equation. Also, the Cats play just injury. Despite being thumped by five clubs in the eight.
24
mid-SSeeASOnASOn RevieW
NORTH BALLARAT Gerard FitzGerald has gained Record: 7-3 the utmost from his list, including Brett Goodes Position: 3rd the North Melbourne-listed At home: 6-0 On the road: 1-3 players he has had at his Quarters won: 22/40 disposal. Best quarter: 3rd (7/3) Outlook: Much tougher Worst quarter: 2nd (3/3/4) draw remains with games Goalkickers: Smith (22), against Williamstown, McMahon (19), Wundke (16), Sandringham (twice), Spolding (14) the Coburg Tigers Season so far: The Roosters and Casey Scorpions. seem unbeatable at home, Three of those are having won all six of their games at home, but that at AUSTAR Arena by an average bunch of games will 43 points. Only twice have they determine just how failed to kick a century scoreline high the Roosters and both those games ended in finish. North Ballarat defeat. But they have lost against has its sights set on the only two top-four clubs – a top-two finish, top- Williamstown and Port Melbourne four at worst. – they have played. As usual,
NORTHERN a 118-point thrashing from the BULLANTS Casey Scorpions, defeated North Record: 5-5 Ballarat by seven goals then lost Position: 7th by 45 points to Sandringham. At home: 5-1 The Bullants have been favoured On the road: 0-4 by a draw, where they have Quarters won: 19/40 played Collingwood twice and Best quarter: 4th (7/3) hosted Tasmania, but they’ve Worst quarter: 1st, 2nd, also beaten two of the top-six 3rd (4/6) clubs – North Ballarat and the Goalkickers: Colbert (16), Coburg Tigers. Edwards (14), Teague (10) Outlook: Given its poor Season so far: The percentage, the Bullants will Bullants have become need to reproduce their first-half something of an enigma. record at the very least to play In successive weeks, finals and they’re on the road the Bullants copped more than they’re at either of their two home venues. They also must play Geelong twice and Josh three of the top four teams – Vansittart a tough ask.
VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 25 mid-SeASOn RevieW
PORT MELBOURNE Williamstown at Point Gellibrand. Record: 7-3 While Port has several Position: 4th experienced AFL campaigners At home: 5-0 On the road: 2-3 like Baird, McGrath, McLaren Quarters won: 26/40 and Spriggs, Ayres has also Best quarter: 3rd and 4th, unearthed several talented (7/3) youngsters. Only Williamstown Worst quarter: 1st (5/5) and Sandringham have kicked Goalkickers: Bonaddio (25), more goals in 2008. Nahas (22), Cotchett (16) Outlook: Port faces a tough Season so far: Gary second half of the season, with Ayres has made a telling six of its remaining matches impact at the Borough against top-eight clubs. But its leading the club to its last four games are at home. best start since 2004. Recent history tells us Port must Port has climbed into the win a minimum of 11 matches, top four and, significantly, has and build a healthy percentage, played all the other top-six if it is to make the top four. clubs, boasting a 4-1 record – its only defeat was against
David Spriggs
SANDRINGHAM played five clubs outside the Chris Lamb Record: 6-4 eight. Significantly, top-two Position: 5th sides Williamstown and At home: 4-1 On the road: 2-3 the Casey Scorpions beat Quarters won: 22/40 them comfortably. Best quarter: 3rd (8/2) Outlook: For all the Worst quarter: 4th (4/6) questions, Sandringham Goalkickers: Sautner (40), Maric has goalkicking goliath (15), Poyas (13) Nicholas Sautner and Season so far: Is Sandringham’s premiership star David golden era over? With a 6-4 Gallagher to return. But record the Zebras do not appear a crunch month looms – as invincible as they have for Port Melbourne, Werribee much of this century. Admittedly, (away), North Ballarat they’ve lost two games by two (away) and Williamstown. goals or less, but it could be Those games will provide a argued Sandringham circa greater insight into whether 2004-07 would have won them Sandringham’s reign is over both. Sandringham has also or whether it is just gathering enjoyed a favourable draw, having its second wind.
26 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au mid-SeASOn RevieW
TASMANIA North Ballarat, Sandringham Record: 4-6 and Frankston by a combined Nathan Position: 12th 267 points. But caretaker coach Street At home: 3-2 On the road: 1-4 Lance Spaulding has since done Quarters won: 14/40 a splendid job, guiding the Devils Best quarter: 1st (5/1/4) to an unlucky three-point loss to Worst quarter: 2nd (1/9) Port Melbourne and then an upset Goalkickers: Hardy (19), win against the Coburg Tigers. Bongetti (15), Charlesworth (13), Those results recaptured the Shackleton (12) good form Tasmania showed Season so far: For the second earlier in the season. time in three seasons, Tasmania Outlook: Tasmania’s come-from- has been dealt a mid-season behind win against the Coburg disruption with a change Tigers has thrust the Devils of coach. Daryn Creswell’s back into the finals hunt. But decision to quit blindsided they face the Casey Scorpions, everyone and came on the Sandringham and Williamstown in back of successive losses to a three-week block from round 14.
WERRIBEE won three matches between has been crushed in third Record: 4-6 rounds 3-6, they have suffered quarters, winning just two and, Position: 11th some fearful hidings, none worse while its final quarters have been At home: 3-2 On the road: 1-4 than their 16-goal loss against better, too often they are playing Quarters won: 20/40 Frankston. Worse still, last round catch-up football. Best quarter: 2nd (7/3) Werribee suffered the ignominy Outlook: For Werribee to play Worst quarter: 3rd (2/8) of being the first club to lose to finals it must capitalise on a block Goalkickers: Podsiadly (35), the Box Hill Hawks. Werribee of four matches at Chirnside Obst (11) has struggled to post winning where it meets Sandringham, Season so far: The Werribee scores, kicking a century scoreline Geelong, Frankston and the Casey Tigers have struggled from the just three times. After winning Scorpions. It needs to win three get-go in 2008 and, though they most of its first halves, Werribee of those matches.
WILLIAMSTOWN Matt Little and Callum Urch, 20-plus goals, while they are at Record: 9-1 and the return of Dean Galea, their strongest in the last quarter. Position: 1st Williamstown entered the season Outlook: With a two-game and At home: 5-0 as premiership favourites and percentage buffer on top of the On the road: 4-1 nothing in the first half of the ladder, it would be a shock if Quarters won: 25/40 season has changed punters’ Williamstown did not finish as Best quarter: 4th (8/2) minds. Apart from a 32-point loss ladder leader at the end of the Worst quarter: 3rd (5/1/4) against Geelong, Williamstown home and away season. Faces a Goalkickers: Rose (23), Galea has been awesome. It has kicked tough three-week block from round (20), Little (16), O’Keefe (14) big scores and, just as importantly, 12 when it plays North Ballarat Season so far: With recruits shared the goals around. Three (away), the Casey Scorpions and like Jason Cloke, Ben Jolley, times the Seagulls have kicked Sandringham (away).
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