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FMC6614_Ranger_210x140.indd 1 6/4/09 5:22:18 PM FROm thE OVaL OFFiCE VFL not the AFL’s poor cousin time the VFL was given its due as the nation’s best state-based competition. frustrating trend to re- seniors. These VFL clubs have for The Age newspaper on his emerge this year is the individual identities, represent time with Williamstown as he reference by some AFL local regions and should not be returned from injury through Apersonnel and media to confused for AFL seconds teams. the VFL. Unfortunately, Murphy the VFL as the reserves, twos or The main objectives of the VFL also highlighted the confusion even the magoos. competition are to provide and/or that sometimes exists when While most of the media and maintain the following: he labelled the Werribee side AFL coaches and players do A standard of football in the ‘Bulldogs Reserves’. This is not mean any harm, they must Victoria that is the next best level something AFL Victoria is working understand it is an incorrect to the AFL; hard to address through AFL reference, disrespectful to Opportunities for footballers, coaches and football managers. Victoria’s oldest football coaches and administrators Another effective way of competition and causes continual outside of the AFL system; addressing this issue, for all of us branding problems in the market. A level of competition that involved and interested in the VFL, This is a real concern for the develops AFL-listed players not is to pick up the phone to a radio VFL and clubs trying to secure selected in their AFL team; station or email a newspaper sponsors and media interest, Strong links in the talented whenever we hear or see an build fan bases and maintain their player pathway by forging close incorrect reference to the VFL. proud tradition and heritage. alignments between TAC Cup and Perhaps it is also time the AFL No one is denying the complex VFL clubs; and and the media, when referring nature of the second-tier The traditions and heritage of to the national competition, not competition in Victoria due to the the competition and its clubs. confuse the situation by referring number of AFL clubs involved. All we ask is the AFL clubs and to it as the AFL/VFL. While an AFL-listed player the media refer to the VFL as the These may be small gestures will see the VFL as being one VFL and help us to promote the in the grand scheme of things but rung below the AFL and, his quality of the play at this level, they are important in ensuring the aligned VFL club as being the which will help us educate the VFL gets its due credit. equivalent of a reserves team, a media and, through them, the VFL player is playing at the best wider football audience. Peter SchwAb possible level outside the AFL and Recently, Bulldog star Robert Chief Executive Officer, representing his VFL club in the Murphy penned a fantastic piece AFL Victoria AFL Victoria chief executive Officer: Photography: MAy 2-3, 2009 Peter Schwab Getty Images (02) 9004 2250 cOntentS Football Operations Manager: Advertising: Ryan McMahon 4 John Hook Jennifer Pryor (03) 8663 3007 high Performance Managers: Will Martiniello 5 Anton Grbac, Leon Harris Glen Carrick 8 Statistics: Sophie Timms Tristan Cartledge 17 ceO, the Slattery Media Group: David Boundy 25 Geoff Slattery cOVer: Coburg’s Nick Liddle editor: Nick Bowen (top) and Gippsland Power’s Allen Christensen 31 Designer: Karl Chandler Koby Stevens will both Damian Carroll 32 Photo Manager: Natalie Boccassini be hoping their sides can rebound from disappointing Steve Grace 33 Printed by: Condor Printing round three losses. VFL RECORD / 3 ryan mcmaHOn s he addressed his teammates after his 150th match, Ryan McMahon passes AMcMahon spoke about his passion for Port Melbourne. It’s something that’s 150-game mark unmistakable. It also burns just as brightly now as it did when he first joined the Borough in 2000. Proud Borough stalwart keen to build on McMahon, the first Port player club’s rich history with another premiership. to reach the 150-game milestone since former best and fairest winner Howard Cameron in the future Brownlow medallist in 2006 and vice-captain this late 1990s, says it is easy to fall in Jimmy Bartel, Gary Ablett and season, believes the decision by love with a club whose history is so Paul Chapman. the Port Melbourne board to stand rich and proud. “We’ve had a fair crack at it, alone in the VFL is both correct “It’s a big achievement, but hopefully this year is the year. and appropriate. a big honour for me to play 150 There is a good feeling around the McMahon remembers after VFL games at Port Melbourne,” club,” McMahon says. Port ‘won’ the wooden spoon the McMahon says. “We’re confident we’re going first year it stood alone there were “Ten years at the club, I’ve seen to make the finals and confident plenty of naysayers who were a lot of players come and go. I’ve we’re going to go well. We have quick to write the club’s obituary. made a lot of friends, it’s been an a good team and a great coach in But, on the strength of its past interesting time. Gary (Ayres), who has put a lot of couple of seasons, Port Melbourne “What has kept me at the club things in place from last year.” remains a proud, passionate and are the people around the place. Meanwhile, McMahon, the powerful club, one that Ryan The players, the supporters, club’s best and fairest winner McMahon is honoured to be part of. the trainers, the coaching staff, the officials. “The people have been FACT FILe: fantastic, I’ve made a lot of friends. RYAN McMAHON I’ll keep playing for the club until Age: 28 they push me out or work gets Club: Port a bit too much.” Melbourne While the disappointment from Games: 152 last year’s lost Grand Final still Goals: 83 eats away, McMahon says there was never any question of him not returning to the Borough in 2009. McMahon believes Port Melbourne’s 2009 team is better than the one that lost to North Ballarat, whom, he says, handled the bigger Docklands Stadium ground better on Grand Final night. Frustratingly, he has now played in two losing Grand Final teams – in 2004, when the Borough coughed up a 20 point three- quarter time lead against Geelong, and last year. He remembers all too well that the 2004 Cats team included 4 / visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au yOung gun ast season holds good memories for Will Martiniello. Martiniello fast L Martiniello was a member of Murray Bushrangers’ emphatic 81-point TAC Cup Grand earning his stripes Final win and represented Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, where he tamed Former Bushranger hoping to have a year West Australian star Daniel Rich. to remember with the Werribee Tigers. Last year, nine Bushrangers were either drafted or rookie Werribee Tiger listed, but that’s were the Will Martiniello has pleasant memories stop made an impressive start to his debut for Martiniello. season in the VFL. The youngster didn’t even crack it for an invitation to a state screening session, let alone the NAB AFL Draft Camp. At that point, Martiniello knew his dream of playing AFL would have to be placed on the back burner. “I was hoping to get picked up, but I didn’t think I would realistically,” Martiniello, 18, said. With James Saker, who like Martiniello hails from Benalla, coming off an outstanding rookie season for the Werribee Tigers and Bushrangers premiership teammate Josh Bryce also heading to Chirnside Park, Martiniello decided to make Werribee his football home for the 2009 season. season with a comfortable win in a small crumbing forward While not looking too far ahead, round two. in ‘09. Martiniello hopes his form this Martiniello was quick to credit While his season has started season will propel him before the the forward work of teammates well, Martiniello realises he AFL’s recruiting managers. Nathan Thompson and Marty doesn’t have the luxury of time. “If I can have a good season Pask, who he said provided him “The pace of the game in the then I might be a chance to be with an armchair ride. VFL is much quicker and your picked up as a rookie. I haven’t Werribee coach Simon Atkins decision-making also has to be given up my dream just yet,” has assigned Martiniello a role much faster,” Martiniello said.