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VFL ROUND 7 MAY 25-26, 2013 $3.00 NNorthernorthern BBlueslues 112.11.832.11.83 d NNorthorth BBallaratallarat 55.9.39.9.39 WWilliamstownilliamstown 220.11.1310.11.131 d FFrankstonrankston 115.11.1015.11.101 Photos: Dave Savell AFL VICTORIA CORPORATE PARTNERS NAMING RIGHTS PREMIER PARTNERS OFFICIAL PARTNERS APPROVED LICENSEES EDITORIAL Indigenous round IT’S been 20 years since Nicky Winmar stood defi antly at Victoria Park, raised his St Kilda jumper and proudly pointed to his identity. Much has happened since that poignant moment in In addition, earlier this year, AFL Australian football history, which still serves as a lasting Victoria announced the symbol of resilience, determination and pride for many development and implementation Indigenous people, but also for all Australians. of the Laguntas Indigenous Tigers As we refl ect on the trail blazers like Winmar and legends program. like Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer, Syd Jackson, Barry Cable, Gavin Supported by the AFL, the Korin Gomandji Institute (KGI) Wanganeen, Maurice Rioli and Michael Long, we can only and AFL SportsReady, the aim of the program is to further marvel at the numerous Indigenous players that have develop the pathway to the AFL competition for Indigenous excited and entertained football fans as well as helped players in Victoria. In the future, it is planned that the grow our great game. program will provide training and education to support the The AFL’s Indigenous Round, highlighted by the Dreamtime off fi eld development of up to 50 Aboriginal & Torres Strait at the G match on Saturday night, allows everyone to Islanders annually. celebrate and share aspects of the Indigenous heritage, This year the Laguntas Indigenous Tigers team play three history and culture. games that will be incorporated into AFL Victoria’s talent Certainly, Indigenous Round provides a fabulous pathway program match schedule including playing against opportunity to recognise, honor and salute the some TAC Cup sides. achievements and ever-increasing contribution Indigenous In this edition of the Football Record Oakleigh Chargers’ players have made. Jay Kennedy-Harris, the fi rst Indigenous player to captain a TAC Cup team side, speaks about how benefi cial the At the AFL level this season there are more than 80 KickStart program has been to his career. Indigenous players or, more signifi cantly, 10 percent of club lists. Kennedy-Harris this weekend will represent Vic Metro against Queensland in the opening match of the NAB AFL This involvement at the game’s elite level is underpinned by U18 Championships. the many programs and competitions throughout Victoria and Australia. At Victoria Park on Saturday, the U15 Kickstart team will play the U16 Ahmed Saad Squad as a curtain raiser to the Earlier this year in Townsville a combined Victorian/ Collingwood/Essendon Peter Jackson VFL game. Tasmanian U15 team made the national AFL KickStart Championship Grand Final where they were gallant in Ultimately, AFL Victoria hope that our Indigenous programs defeat against Western Australia. will result in a better defi ned more inclusive pathway so more Indigenous people can be involved at all levels of the It was an extension of the newly created High Performance game, including the TAC Cup and Peter Jackson VFL Camp that provided 50 participants with fi tness, skill competitions. testing and an introduction to the four pillars of Kickstart which include resilience, communication, identity and Grant Williams culture and decision making. AFL Victoria General Manager Editor: Anthony Stanguts anthony.stanguts@afl vic.com.au Contributors: Adrian Dunn, Dave O’Neill, Kent Winzer Design & Print: Cyan Press Photos: AFL Photo’s (unless otherwise credited) Visy Park, Gate 3, Royal Parade, Carlton Nth, VIC 3054 Advertising: Ryan Webb (03) 8341 6062 GPO Box 4337, Melbourne, VIC 3001 AFL Victoria General Manager: Grant Williams Phone: (03) 8341 6000 | Fax: (03) 9380 1076 www.afl vic.com.au State League & Talent Manager: John Hook High Performance Managers: Anton Grbac, Leon Harris Cover photos: (left to right) Peter Yagmoor, Amos Frank, Talent Operations Coordinator: Sophie Timms Anthony Tipungwuti (Photos by Dave Savell & Jenny Owens) Talent Operations Offi cer: Lauren Bunting www.vfl .com.au 1 MEDIA COVERAGE ABC TV Saturday May 25: Port Melbourne vs Coburg – 1pm Next Week: Northern Blues vs Collingwood Foxtel Tune in Tuesday May 28 from 8:30pm to see live coverage of Werribee Tigers vs Queanbeyan from Etihad Stadium. Peter Jackson VFL Radio Sunday May 26: Geelong V Casey Scorpions – From 1:00pm Live on Digital Radio via Aussie, Red Time Sport and SEN I-Phone Apps, online via vfl .com.au or sen.com.au and on Vision Australia Radio on 1179AM Next game: Williamstown vs Port Melbourne 3WBC Saturday May 25: North Ballarat vs Box Hill Hawks – 1pm Listen to 94.1 FM or online at www.3wbc.org.au Next game: Box Hill Hawks vs Frankston SEN Sunday May 26 – Peter Jackson VFL review 9:05pm Thursday May 30 – The Peter Jackson VFL Show 8:30pm – 9pm ABC Radio Tune in today (Saturday May 25) from 10am – midday as the Coodabeen Champions broadcast live from Victoria Park. Listen to 774am, ABC Local Radio Peter Jackson VFL Online Keep up to date with the Peter Jackson VFL via the following methods: Website: www.vfl .com.au @VFLnews #PJVFL www.facebook.com/vfl footy 2 www.afl vic.com.au LEIGH WILLIAMS Williams ready for full season LAST year was supposed to be the start of something “It wasn’t the greatest of years, it was pretty exhilarating, something special, something that would disappointing,” said Williams, who took three months to remain forever etched in the memory of Leigh Williams. recover. Williams won’t forget season 2012, but for all the wrong After playing four games with Casey Scorpions, Williams reasons. injured an ankle, which ended his season. Worse still, Melbourne delisted him at the end of an After Melbourne chose Williams with selection No 59 in eminently forgettable season. the Rookie Draft the Norwood forward from the Eastern Football League had much reason to be excited about. Fortunately, Williams has made a complete recovery from the illness issues and apart from a few little niggles, his Excitement switched to concern. Serious concern. ankle is fi ne. Early in the pre-season, Williams, who kicked 89 goals in Williams, desperate to return to the AFL, chose the 2011 season with Norwood, suffered back ligament Williamstown as the club to launch his comeback. damage, which delayed his start to the year. “With me trying to get back into the AFL system, I just Events would, however, spiral downwards. thought Williamstown would be the place to go,” Williams said. Williams endured what he described as a “minor concussion”, which led to Meningitis, an infl ammation of “They’re moving forward and going stand-alone next year the protective membrane covering the brain and spinal as well I thought with all the professionalism there it would be the right place for me.” cord, and then Encephalitis. Williams is enjoying his new digs, even if his goal conversion rate could be better, but his four goal haul Photo: Damian Visentini against Collingwood proved the difference between a six- point win and a loss. It was a positive contribution, but Williams candidly admitted he’s struggled for form early in the season. “It was good to pinch a couple of late goals against Collingwood and build some confi dence for the upcoming weeks,” Williams said. “(My) kicking has been a let-down so far. I’m hoping it will get better and soon.” With the Western Bulldogs alignment coupled with ex-AFL players Brent Prismall, Cam Wood, Justin Sherman as well as the Williamstown component, Williams noted there was a lot to like about Williamstown. FAST FACTS “There is a pretty good mix of players running around and LEIGH WILLIAMS the professionalism around the club is great,” enthused AGE: 23 Williams. CLUBS: Casey Scorpions, Williamstown “It’s really good for all the young guys to have these sort of experienced players running around with you at training GAMES: 12 and on game day.” GOALS: 20 Above everything, Leigh Williams is just happy to have last year behind him and back playing footy. www.vfl .com.au 3 JOHN BAIRD Baird gains VFL life membership NO one has more authority or ‘cred’ to talk about the revamped VFL than John Baird – he’s literally seen the competition unfold. Baird is the only current player who played when the AFL Reserves morphed into the new VFL back in 2000. As he prepares for his 175th VFL game this weekend and therefore earns VFL Life Membership, Baird can remember playing some games – six, in fact - in Box Hill Hawks seniors at the start of the new millennium. The then 21-year-old, on Hawthorn’s rookie list, would make a much bigger impression the following season. Not only would he play in the Box Hill Hawks premiership, under the guidance of ‘super coach’ Donald McDonald, but he would be named as the Norm Goss Medalist for best-on-ground. Baird remembers vividly that Box Hill Hawks went in as “massive” under dogs after Werribee had defeated them comfortably twice during the season. “Donald McDonald coached very well and we had an amazing attack on the ball. We were harder and tougher than Werribee on the day,” he recalled. Baird was the centre half back in the VFL Hawks victory and apart from the Norm Goss honor, his game didn’t go FAST FACTS unnoticed. JOHN BAIRD It was a performance that saw the Kangaroos draft him AGE: 32 as a rookie and via the Roos’ then affi liation with Port CLUBS: Box Hill Hawks/Murray Melbourne would introduce him to the Borough.