SEASONSEASA ON 22021021 - MAYMAY 1 SEASON 2021 - MAY 1 East Malvern Community Bank® Branch are proud sponsors of Amateur Football. With every product or service we offer, money goes back into the community to support local clubs, organisations and initiatives like Amateur Football. As an East Malvern Community Bank® Branch customer you benefit from competitive products and great service and get the satisfaction of knowing your banking is contributing to your club. To find out how your club can benefit for each referral made, call into East Malvern Community Bank® Branch at 300 Waverley Road, East Malvern or phone Branch Manager, 5XWK+DOO on 9563 6044. East Malvern Community Bank® Branch Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 237879. (S51971) (05/15) EMERGENCY THINK EPWORTH Open 24 hours with short wait times Epworth Emergency is the largest private hospital emergency department in Victoria. With state of the art radiology services and designed with dedicated areas, for our staff to provide expert emergency care to children and adults. On-call specialists in adult and paediatric medicine are available 24/7 for advice and inpatient care. OPEN 24/7 | Ph (03) 9506 3000 62 Erin Street, Richmond VIC 3121 See current wait time: www.epworth.org.au 1 419 IN AN EMERGENCY ALWAYS CALL 000 FIRST IC_0 R 79_R NP20 EDITORIAL VAFA celebrates Matt Dervan Community Umpiring Round This week the signifi cant contribution and role umpires 15 former VAFA umpires currently make play in our great game across community football in up spots on the AFL list, whilst a further Victoria will be celebrated at all levels. 17 currently make up the state league Community Umpiring Round is an annual AFL event list. The 2020 AFL Grand Final saw 33% supported by our state body AFL Victoria and recognises of the umpires appointed come from the VAFA, which those men and women patrolling the boundary line, in the scale of a national competition proves that the manning the goal line, and controlling the action out in VAFA provides a fi rst-class training, coaching and social the middle. environment. Coming out of COVID community umpiring numbers The VAFAUA provides excellent leadership and support statewide have suffered signifi cantly for a variety of as well as a welcoming atmosphere and is extremely well reasons, however what can be guaranteed is that every led by President Joshua Colman and his committee. The man and woman who walks out in the green uniform each work they do to support the Association and the umpires weekend at VAFA grounds, are committed to playing their is second to none. part to ensure the VAFA continues to Community Umpiring Round is another be the place to umpire. Regardless of your opportunity to encourage those who still The VAFA continues to have wonderful age, gender, culture want to be involved in football, to take up partnerships with the SMJFL and YJFL or ability, anyone umpiring and stay involved in the greatest where we provide both pathway and game on the planet. Whether you are coaching opportunities for aspiring, can get involved in new to the game or you’re playing days young, up-and-coming umpires umpiring and enjoy are over, then umpiring is a great way to wanting to develop their skills in Senior contribute to the game. The VAFA offers and U19 football. The VAFA continues the many benefits the to host the SMJFL umpiring group roles provide a quality coaching program led by Head every Monday night at Elsternwick Coach Russell Davidson as well as a Park as we look to build and nurture the next generation BJS Women’s Academy designed to encourage female of umpires. participation in umpiring. To celebrate the occasion, the AFL will forgo normal Regardless of your age, gender, culture or ability, anyone training sessions and travel to community umpiring groups can get involved in umpiring and enjoy the many benefi ts across Victoria. The VAFA had nine of the AFL’s top the roles provide, and not only do you have the best view offi cials across Field, Boundary and Goal facilitate VAFA of the action, but it’s also an excellent way to keep fi t, be training this week and talk about their experiences both at a part of a team and learn skills that you can take when community and AFL level. These opportunities are highly you walk off the ground. valued by community umpiring groups, where members are extended the chance to engage and interact with the This weekend, we thank and recognise the wonderful game’s elite offi cials. contribution umpires make to our great Australian game. The VAFA’s current representation on the AFL and state If you have interest in umpiring at the VAFA please feel league lists is at the highest number in Association history. free to contact me at [email protected] The Amateur Footballer The Journal of the Victorian Amateur Football Association May 1, 2021 I Vol 20 No. 4 1 WILLIAM BUCK MEN’S PREMIER PREVIEW Nick Armistead Rumble in the Toorak jungle as Xavs meet Blues The VAFA Match of the Round on RSN Carnival will cover had a season-high two over the weekend, giving the T’s the heavyweight bout between Old Xaverians and key defenders two talls to worry about. Alex Emery has University Blues at Toorak Park. Xavs will enter the been in outstanding form for the T’s over the past two match as slight favourites after they defeated St Kevin’s weeks with his standout performance against OMs in OB by 71 points in a dominant display at TH King Oval. the R2 Friday night clash backed up with a BOG display Julian Soccio, who was outstanding one week earlier against the Snow Dogs. against Scotch, kicked three goals as did the ever- St Kevin’s OB will be looking to bounce back after a dangerous Denis Symeopoulos. Marcus Stavrou was BOG disappointing showing against Old Xavs when they travel and is one of the form midfi elders of the competition three to Macqueen Park and take on the Scotchies. Following rounds in. As for the Blues, the secured their second win their 3.9 (27) over the weekend, they now have the lowest against Old Melburnians and it was the usual suspects points for of any side, something we can expect the likes of Cameron O’Shea, Ayce Cordy and Ben Capra who led of Tom Boyd, Billy Kanakis and Shaun Kennedy to rectify from the front. This clash is as mouth-watering as any as the key targets up forward. Scotch were impressive this year with Ayce vs Holmes, Capra vs Bewick (maybe) for three quarters against the Lions but ran out of steam and Grimley vs Shoenmakers. Tune into RSN Carnival (and men) with Gene Van Den Broek, Sam Dawborn, Josh from 1pm for the Saturday Warm-Up before the MOTR Halsall and Matthew Seed failing to see out the game due broadcast at 2pm. to injury. They will be seriously buoyed by Will Carrington’s Collegians will look to maintain their strong Round 3 form effort on Dave Mirra as well as Mack Rivett’s dominant when they host Old Brighton at Harry Trott Oval. It was fi rst half. a must-win for the Lions on Saturday, and they prevailed After suffering their fi rst loss of the season to Uni Blues, over a gallant Old Scotch by 33 points. Josh Watson Old Melburnians will hope to get back on the winners list debuted for the Lions with 25 disposals, nine tackles against St Bernard’s at EP. Ed Nichols would be leading and three goals to earn himself the Mecwacare Men’s OM’s B&F with nearly every vote on offer after another Rising Star nomination, while Hugh Johnson (3), Ollie remarkable outing over the weekend that included three Jackson (2) and Dave Mirra (2) were a constant threat up goals, while George Hurley-Wellington also continued his forward. Old Brighton, who sit second on the ladder, were hot form. The fourth-placed St Bernard’s, who sit above too strong for Caulfi eld Grammarians and it was Harry both Uni Blues and SKOB, continue to impress despite the Hill and Nick Pavlou who once again starred through the youthful age of their playing group. They ran out 50-point midfi eld. The midfi eld battle of Hill, Pavlou, and Fisher winners over Old Trinity and it was Darren Colaco who against Michie, Sheridan and Boucher will go a long way starred with fi ve goals. Jarrod Walters, 22, and Ben to deciding this one, as will Verney vs Mirra if the key Lion Overman, 20, were the Bernie’s best. spends the game up forward again. One of either Old Trinity or Caulfi eld Grammarians ROUND 4 TIPS will claim their fi rst win of 2021 when the two meet at the Old Scotch v St Kevin’s OB Daley Oval this weekend. The Fields, in particular, have Old Trinity v Caulfi eld Grammar had a tough opening three rounds against Uni Blues, Old Old Melburnians v St Bernard’s Melburnians and Old Brighton. Julian Dobosz had his best Collegians v Old Brighton outing for the year against the Tonners with three goals, while Angus Cameron found plenty of it. Brett Eddy also Old Xaverians v Uni Blues THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2021 2 ROUND 3 RESULTS PLAYER PROFILE 2021 WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S MARCUS HOLLAND Old Brighton 4.4 7.7 13.11 16.16 (112) Caulfield Grammarians 0.2 4.4 6.4 9.6 (60) St Bernard’s GOALS: Old Brighton: N.