ANNUAL REPORT 2014 MISSION STATEMENT

The Mission of the Northern Football League is that we will organise, develop and grow a quality Australian Rules Football competition for the enjoyment and benefi t of participants and communities through the northern region of Melbourne. We will create and sustain an environment in which all clubs and individuals can aspire and reach their full potential in a healthy and safe manner.

CONTENTS

League Directory 3 Chairman’s Report 4 CEO’s Report 6 Football Operations Report 8 Umpiring Report 10 Netball Report 11 Media Report 12 Team Listing: 2014 Season 13 Division 1 14 Division 2 20 Division 3 26 AFL Victoria Metropolitan Championships 31 Netball 32 Juniors 35 AFL Victoria Metropolitan Junior Championships 42 AFCA Coach Of The Year Awards 43 Honour Roll 44 Financial Report 49 PARTNERS

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 2 LEAGUE DIRECTORY

Registered Offi ce Tribunal Members NORTHERN UMPIRES ASSOCIATION NFL Offi ce David Ainsworth Unit 11, 10-14 Simms Road Michael Bland President Greensborough 3088 Allan Brown Ben McWiggan Telephone: 9435 8228 Kevin Clarke Vice President Facsimile: 9432 0147 Luisa Consiglio Andrew O’Neill www.nfl .org.au Sam Cusumano www.facbook.com/northernfootballleague Michael El Moussalli Twitter: @northernfl Trevor Finch NFL REPRESENTATIVE PROGRAM John Garlick Representative Program Co-ordinators Chairman James Gaffey Ron McKeown Dean Philpots Darrell Holt Brett Potter Greg Hughan Board Pauline Leslie Shelley Lipe Geoff Dempster Jim Mathiopolous Harry Gasiamis Senior Representative Team Coach Paul McCrohan Nicolina Lademann Jason Heatley John Moss Peter Myers Robert Mutton Senior Representative Team Assistant Coaches Jeff Parkes Matthew Naughtin Cristian Brandt Stella Pruscino Craig Ondarchie Bryan Cole Netball Chairman Kasia Strus Phil Plunkett Jeff Parkes NFL Investigation Offi cers Under-14 Representative Team Coaches Chief Executive Offi cer Kevin Clarke Ben Turner Peter McDougall Bill McKenna Steve Musico Pierre Schumann Under-15 Representative Team Coaches Football Operations Manager Kim Brimelow Ron McKeown Paul Signorello Steve Krstevski UMPIRING PANEL Administration/Netball Manager Under-16 Girls Representative Team Coach Delwyn Berry Field Umpire Coach Craig Shillinglaw Kevin Smith Media Manager Samuel Zito Goal Umpire Coach Brad Letson Finance Manager Byron Smith Boundary Umpire Coach Doug Armstrong Head of Umpiring Kevin Smith (to October 7) Fitness Coach Martin Ellis (from November 17) Luke Richardson

Administration Assistants Junior Umpire Coach Tracey Goss Craig Herman Mollie McKeown Junior Appointments and Observer Finals Ground Managers Darren Agnew Phil Aston Sue Aston

3 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 CHAIRMAN

On behalf of the Northern Football League’s board of across the junior competition as grading embeds directors, I present the League’s Annual Report for itself into yearly operations. The NFL will continue to 2014. work closely with clubs and umpires to ensure junior football remains at a level in which it is enjoyable for FOOTBALL all who play and watch. The NFL will also continue to As we begin to look towards the new season, 2015 work with clubs to help support the coaching staff of will see the NFL welcome a new senior side into the junior teams who play such a big part in how our junior competition after Banyule was voted into the league players and parents behave. by member clubs at a special general meeting held NETBALL in September. In doing so, the Bears become the fi rst senior club to join the NFL since St Mary’s introduction Our netball competition continues to grow at a rapid in 2010. Banyule joins the NFL from the Victorian pace and, after another successful season, a junior Amateur Football League (VAFA) and I would like to winter competition and summer competition has welcome them into Division 3, where I expect them to commenced. The expansion of the senior netball fi nd the NFL community welcoming and the competition competition in 2014 saw a record number of 58 teams of a high standard. While we look forward to the compete over eight sections. The growth is not only introduction of Banyule, we also have to say good bye attracting new clubs to the NNL but our standard of to Parkside who will return to the VAFA next season. competition is fast being recognised and at the elite Parkside has been part of the league for 12 years and level. In 2014 St Martin’s became the league’s fi rst won the NFL’s very fi rst Division 3 premiership in 2009, stand-alone netball affi liated club. At the end of the before losing consecutive Grand Finals in 2010 and season the league accepted a second netball-only 2011. While disappointed with Parkside’s move, the affi liate club, as we welcome Heat Netball Club to league did not appeal the club’s transfer request once the courts in 2015. Next season should see netball it was submitted. continue to be played across three venues and we will again work closely with Netball Victoria which The 2014 football season ended with Greensborough will assist in the recruitment and development of our defeating Heidelberg in the Division 1 senior Grand umpires amongst other important areas. Final in front of a huge crowd at Preston City Oval. The victory gave Greensborough its fi rst Division 1 BARLING PARK premiership in 25 years as it became the fi fth club to Stage 1 of the Barling Park development was offi cially win the Division 1 premiership over the past six years. opened in August and this allowed the NFL to play This shows the genuine depth and competitiveness of junior fi nals at the venue for all three weeks of the the Northern Football League’s top fl ight, with no side junior fi nals series. The upgrade of the ground’s winning back-to-back premierships since Heidelberg lighting will be completed in early 2015 and this will in 2009. North Heidelberg won the right to return to further improve the facilities for our umpires, who this Division 1 after three years in Division 2, following a season trained at the venue each Wednesday night of 36-point Grand Final victory over Fitzroy Stars. It was the football season. the Stars’ second Grand Final appearance in two years and another huge crowd was in attendance on the day, NFL ADMINISTRATION as North got the early jump and didn’t look back. The Season 2014 was a period of growth and stability for Division 3 Grand Final also saw the top two sides from our league under the leadership of Peter McDougall. the home and away season fi ght for the right to move Peter came on board in December last year and his into second division. Full of confi dence after a big win profound knowledge of the rules of the game and in the second semi fi nal, Thomastown again proved of our local area has helped the NFL to continue to too good for Reservoir and will now move back into move in the right direction. Ron McKeown’s work Division 2 for the fi rst time since 2012. in football operations has again been exceptional in Junior football again saw growth in 2014 with an 2014. Ron’s tireless work with the junior representative extra 19 teams playing in the competition this year. program over the past four seasons has enabled the The growth in team numbers came in a season that league to dramatically improve its performances at saw numerous changes to junior rules following the the Metropolitan Junior Championships. He was also introduction of the junior match policy – providing instrumental in managing the senior representative another positive shift in the development module of program earlier in the year, with the side recording junior footballers. The number of girls playing football an impressive win over the Essendon District Football continues the rise and the NFL facilitated for this by League (EDFL) at Visy Park in March. Delwyn Berry providing three junior girls competitions at under-12, continues to keep her hands full throughout the year under-15 and under-18 age groups. Season 2014 with day-to-day administration work and management continued to see the narrowing of winning margins of the netball competition and her results are

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 4 outstanding. Samuel Zito had another brilliant year Valley FM, Red Onion Creative, Schweppes, SEN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS in charge of our media operations. The energy shown Technika, Victor, WaterMarc Banyule and Winning Thank you to Geoff Dempster, Harry Gasiamis, Nicolina by his media team has been second to none and their Edge Presentations. Lademan, Peter Myers, Jeff Parkes and Stella Pruscino tireless work has enhanced the coverage of the NFL The contribution of each of these partners towards the for your support throughout 2014. As with the majority both within and outside our region. A big thank you NFL ensures that all of our participants get the best of volunteers involved in our competition, you fi nd time to the other part-time NFL staff that help with league support possible in their individual pursuits on and off to support the NFL and its goals and that is very much administration, including Tracey Goss, Byron Smith the sporting arena. appreciated. I thank you for your personal support of and Mollie McKeown. AFL Victoria development staff me as Chairman in my second year in the position. continue to work alongside our NFL staff within the CLUB COMMITTEES/VOLUNTEERS league’s headquarters. Thank you to Phiv Demetriou Thank you to all those people who worked in a club CONCLUSION and Mark Morgan, who this season took over from Tom committee position or in a voluntary role as one I again would like to acknowledge that there are many Delahunty, for the support provided to the NFL and its of many who help their club out on a weekly basis. who contribute to the success of the NFL directly or clubs. I also take this opportunity to thank the men and Each year it seems that more roles are required to indirectly and their support of our community is very women who served on the NFL tribunal panel and as be performed by club volunteers, as costs and time much appreciated. I feel the NFL has stabilised as a investigation offi cers. Thank you very much for your associated with running clubs increase. Without the competition and now is the time to expand over the time and effort throughout the year and for supporting numerous volunteers, many clubs would struggle to coming years. Alongside of growth, we need to ensure our competition in the important role you perform. provide the on-fi eld and off-fi eld support needed to run the NFL remains fi nancial stable, invest in further successfully. coaching development and fi nd the next senior club(s) SPONSORS AND PARTNERS for our senior competition. UMPIRES The ability to provide all the resources required to run Dean Philpots our competition is very dependent on the quality of To the Northern Umpires Association – thank you for Chairman sponsors and partners that can be attracted to the NFL. your continued support of the NFL and its member The NFL sincerely thanks the following partners for clubs. The umpiring talent continues to grow within their outstanding support throughout the 2014 season: our league, evidenced in recent times by the number of umpires who have moved on to a higher level of Delphi Bank, Yarra Valley Water, AFL Victoria, Balfours, football. Thank you to Head Coach of Umpiring, Kevin Buffalo Sport, Carlton Football Club, Cyan Press, Smith, who after a distinguished 50 years in football Diabetes College, Dynamic Footy Skills, Hot Sub, KMR announced his retirement at the end of the 2014 Safety First, Lion, Luckman Catering, Madison Sport, football season. I would like to say a personal thank Medallion Club, Midas Greensborough, Northern Blues you to Kevin and to his fellow coaches for your work Football Club, Northern Knights Football Club, Plenty during the 2014 football season

NFL BOARD

(left to right):

Dean Philpots (Chairman), Nicolina Lademann, Geoff Dempster, Harry Gasiamis

Jeff Parkes, Peter Myers, Stell Pruscino

5 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 CEO

My fi rst season as CEO of the NFL has been a year of outstanding result with the Division 2 Grand Final mixed emotions, along with many positive outcomes in crowd only a few hundred people short of the Division football and netball. 1 Grand Final crowd.

2014 saw the NFL football competitions, junior and On a sad note, the passing of Yarrambat Junior Football senior, display community football at its very best. The Club president Craig Walker certainly shocked the NFL Division 1 seniors was the most even competition in and Yarrambat community. Craig was a wonderful recent history, where prior to the fi nal home and away volunteer who made a fantastic contribution to his round seven clubs were still in contention to play fi nals club and the NFL. I would like to acknowledge the football. The culmination of the Division 2 seniors also leadership shown by Diana Pettie, Dave Callaway and produced an exciting fi nish to the season. Heading Rob Windsor and thank them for the way they led the into the fi nal round any one of the bottom four sides club through this sad time. could have found themselves relegated. Division 3 was set up for a close fi nals series with the top two sides Media and Communications experiencing mixed results against each other during The NFL website and social media streams continue the home and away season. In our junior divisions, the to grow, with the NFL website achieving seven million Netball Victoria extensive focus on grading during the fi rst four rounds page impressions – this ranked the NFL No.3 of all enabled more competitive competitions culminating in football leagues in Australia. The Team App mobile I would also like to acknowledge the support of some close fi nals matches, including the under-18 girls application introduced this year saw the NFL ranked Michelle Plane and Katie Redding of Netball Victoria. Grand Final going into extra time. No. 1 of all football leagues and clubs for the total This year was the fi rst year of renewing our affi liation with Netball Victoria and I look forward to working The NFL and its member clubs showed tremendous number of members. Another outstanding success this closing with them to continue to grow the Northern leadership in many areas. Our innovation and year was the Top 5 Plays of the Week video package, Netball League into the future. leadership was demonstrated with the introduction of which replaced the NFL online TV show. The results the 23rd Player Rule in Division 1 and new modifi ed were simply amazing, peaking at 15,000 views in one Club of the Year rules for the under-9 and under-10s competitions. week, compared to the average 500 weekly views of Congratulations to Research Junior Football Club for These new rules were received extremely well and I the NFL online TV show. winning the NFL Junior Club of the Year and to the would like to congratulate all clubs, but in particular, all Netball Panton Hill Football Club for winning the NFL Senior junior clubs for the way you embraced these changes Club of the Year. Both clubs displayed an outstanding for the betterment of your players and the game. The Northern Netball League continued to grow with level of governance, administration, league compliance 13 new teams and one new club in St Martin’s joining NFL fi nals crowds were once again very healthy, in and a high level of match day conduct. They were very this season. Eight sections of senior netball and one particular the Division 2 fi nals series which saw a deserving recipients of their award. Well done on your junior competition played across three venues, with 20 per cent increase in attendances. This was an accomplishments. games being played at Epping Leisure City for the fi rst time. We are currently working closely with all of our Finances respective councils in regards to identifying additional In today’s climate this is a very tough portfolio of the facilities for NNL matches to be played as our team league. To have fi nancially healthy clubs is critical to numbers continue to grow. The Grand Final crowds the health and well being of the NFL. It is important were a great refl ection of the health of the NNL and to ensure that the NFL is always mindful that the cost the standard of all competitions. I would also like of participating in the league is always at an optimum to acknowledge the signifi cant contribution by Sue level to ensure that clubs are not over burdened by Drummond over the past six years, and I wish her well the fi nancial requirements of the league. This is a with her future endeavours. fi ne line to fi nd and I will continue to ensure that the AFL Victoria demands on clubs are in line with the needs of the league, without going too far either way. The needs The NFL is very fortunate to house two AFL Victoria staff to continue to build our fi nancial base to minimise our within the NFL offi ce. A strong working relationship fi nancial vulnerability is paramount. is vitally important to grow participation within the I am pleased to report a positive fi nancial result for northern region of Melbourne. Phiv Demetriou, Tom 2014 and I will continue to explore more effective and Delahunty and his replacement Mark Morgan continue effi cient ways to produce these outcomes in the future. to provide great support to the NFL.

The NFL is not in a position to fund these roles, NFL Partners therefore the support of AFL Victoria to provide Our partners bring much needed funds into our these two valuable resources is greatly appreciated. operations and long-term partnerships are extremely As an affi liate of AFL Victoria, I would also like to valuable. Yarra Valley Water as the NFL major sponsor, acknowledge the support and assistance of Grant has been a wonderful partner and this year they have Williams, Michael Daniher and Gerard Ryan throughout renewed their commitment to the NFL for another three the past year. years.

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 6 Delphi Bank, as the NFL’s ball sponsor, has also been CT Barling Park an outstanding partner and they will continue to be Our umpires fi nally moved into their new training so for the next season. Along with a suite of other base at CT Barling Park in Reservoir. The completion partners including Lion Co., Technika, Carlton FC, of Stage 1 now provides new social rooms, upgraded Victor Sports, Cyan Press, Winning Edge Presentations, change rooms and playing surfaces. Stage 2 is still in Sherrin, Red Onion, Buffalo Sports, Hot Sub, Diabetes its infancy and the NFL has been lobbying both State College, LaTrobe University, Plenty Valley FM, Luckman and Federal Governments for funding to proceed with Catering, WaterMarc, Balfours Bakery, Schweppes the proposed NFL administration headquarters. New Australia, Dynamic Footy Skills, Current Connections, ground lighting will be installed by the end of daylight Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation and White Ribbon, the savings 2015 to allow our umpires to train more NFL is extremely appreciative of all our partners for effectively in appropriate 100 lux lighting. The NFL is their great support. very appreciative of Darebin Council for funding this Throughout 2014 I have met with the City of Whittlesea, project. City of Darebin, Nillumbik Shire Council, Banyule City I would like to also thank Ben McWiggan, president of Council and the Mitchell Shire Council. It is critical for the Northern Umpires Association, for his support, co- the NFL to have a strong working relationship with operation and understanding during the season. our LGA partners and I will continue to work closely with each of them to support all NFL clubs and to also NFL Administration plan for the future growth of the NFL. Thank you to all of the council chief executives and their staff that I The NFL is fortunate to have a fantastic administration have worked with this year and I look forward to their team who are totally committed to their role, all clubs support in 2015. and the NFL. Future Direction NFL Judiciary To Ron McKeown (Football Operations Manager), Delwyn Berry (Netball and Administration Manager) My objective is to continually look at ways for The NFL judiciary is a critical component of the and Samuel Zito (Media Manager) a big thank you continuous improvement in all areas of the NFL and league and I would like to thank every member of the for welcoming me into the NFL team and for the if all of our stakeholders share this objective into the NFL tribunal, appeals panel, grievance committee, outstanding dedication to your role and to the NFL future, we can look forward to the 2015 season with investigators, conciliators, match review panel and and NNL. A small team in number, but an enormous much excitement. tribunal advocates. These roles are very diffi cult to fi ll amount of work is generated by this wonderful team. and much needed, so therefore the commitment from I personally thank each of them for the long hours and Club sustainability will remain a key focus next season, everyone is greatly appreciated. work that they have put in this year. along with match day environment and club and league fi nancial management. Player payments will remain a Kevin Smith, as Director of Umpiring, fi nishes up this hot topic and I will be working closely with all NFL year after 50 consecutive years in football, the last senior clubs and AFL Victoria to determine the best eight with the NFL. Kevin was rightly recognised at way forward to manage this area of the game for 2016 the NFL Senior Presentation Night and he has made and beyond. a signifi cant impact on the state of umpiring in the NFL, with umpire numbers this year reaching an all- In closing, I’d like to wish the entire NFL family an time high of 381 umpires. I would like to thank Kevin enjoyable festive season and I look forward to working for his contribution to the NFL and I wish him well in with you all in 2015. retirement. Peter McDougall Our part-time staff Byron Smith (Finance Manager) Chief Executive Offi cer and administration assistants Tracey Goss and Mollie McKeown have been a tremendous support all season and I thank them for their important contribution this year.

NFL Board of Directors

The NFL is indeed fortunate to have a committed team of Directors who are dedicated to the growth and development of our league. The Board has been a tremendous support to me this year and to all of the NFL Board of Directors, I thank you for your support and for the dedication you have demonstrated for the NFL.

7 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

As the 2014 season closes I would fi rstly like to On fi eld, one of our key focuses at the NFL is the take this opportunity to congratulate all clubs in the behavioural standards of players, offi cials and club Northern Football League on another fantastic year supporters. Our expectations are very high in this of football. area and will continue to be so with stricter control from umpires and the league. The behaviour of all 2014 was another successful year for both the members of the football league impacts greatly league’s junior and senior competitions. on the public perception and reputation of our The junior competition welcomed the AFL’s Junior league. I think the league has shown this year that Football Match Guide, a framework that aims to poor behavior from players or offi cials will not be provide the best possible journey for young players tolerated and, with the support of all clubs, this can to progress their learning and development towards only improve. the adult version of the game. This extends to matters off the fi eld, including social media. Once again in 2014, social media was Included in the guide was the introduction of a new used positively by our clubs to promote upcoming structure for the under-9 and under-10 age groups. events or any other good news stories worthy of The changes to these age groups were strongly promotion. However, again the NFL had to deal supported by most clubs and the feedback we with people or clubs who used social media for the received at the end of the season was mostly very wrong reasons. The league will continue to work rounds. The 23rd player could not be the same positive. with clubs in this area and all clubs should have a player in any of the four games – it had to be a different player in each of the games. Also introduced into the junior competition for all social media policy which promotes guidelines for age groups was the Evening Up Rule. This rule responsible social media use. Members and their All clubs seemed to have embraced this rule and we provided the opportunity for more teams to be able families must be aware that negative comments hope to bring this opportunity into Division 2 and 3 to play a game of football on the weekend. This and images, bullying, criticism, sexist or racist in 2015. The implementation of the 23rd Player Rule was demonstrated by the growth in our junior team remarks not only impact the person they are written provided emerging talented players a taste of senior about, they also refl ect poorly on the person making numbers this year, with 228 teams competing in the football that they may not otherwise have been the remark and the club this person may represent. NFL junior competition – an increase of more than afforded. The rule also demonstrated the league’s willingness to use innovation in its decision-making eight per cent from 2013. This includes the growth On a positive note, the junior representative as we aim to be a leader in grassroots football. in team numbers in our three junior girls’ football program continues to improve. While this isn’t competitions. always refl ected in our win-loss ratio, we are Division 1 saw an outstanding year of football and becoming much more competitive against the I can’t recall a more even competition for a very Kinglake increased its bigger leagues. I would like to take this opportunity long time. The depth in the competition ran deeper junior team numbers to thank all of the coaches who gave up their spare than ever before and created great excitement in 2014. time and volunteered to coach our representative throughout the year, with the top fi ve not known teams. You all do a great job and it is very much until the fi nal siren sounded in the fi nal game of appreciated. Round 18. A huge thank you must go to Brett Potter for the Congratulations must go to the Greensborough great job he has once again done with the junior Football Club on having all three teams play off on representative program. The large volume of phone Grand Final day. The Boro’s senior premiership win calls made, the time spent on the preparation of the was their fi rst in the top fl ight for 25 years, while program and the smooth running of the program the club’s under-19s were deserving premiers in is greatly appreciated. Thank you also to Pauline their seventh consecutive Grand Final appearance. Leslie who worked closely with Brett this year to A one-point loss to West Preston-Lakeside in the make sure all the I’s were dotted and the T’s were reserves decider – where the result was decided crossed. on the last kick of the match – was all that stopped Greensborough taking out the Division 1 three-peat. Once again we saw most clubs represented in the 2014 Watermarc Junior Finals Series. We were Division 2 saw a dominant North Heidelberg blessed with good fi nals football weather which defeated only once during the home and away meant all the grounds were in good condition. This season. But as we all know fi nals football is a including the NFL-operated Barling Park, which was different game and Fitzroy Stars demonstrated this used for the fi rst time this year following an offi cial by defeating North Heidelberg in the second semi unveiling of the new facilities in August. All fi nals fi nal. This enabled the Stars to progress to their venues were treated to very competitive football second Grand Final in two years, and sent North games and some outstanding individual player Heidelberg to a third consecutive preliminary fi nal. performances. North Heidelberg did make it through to the Grand The senior competition in 2014 saw the Final and was eventually a deserving winner of the implementation of the 23rd Player Rule, which Division 2 premiership in front of a huge crowd. was trialed in Division 1. Modeled on a similar It was a big day for the Bulldogs, whose reserves rule implemented in the VFL, the 23rd Player Rule team ran over the top of Mernda to win the reserves allowed senior teams to play an eligible under-19 premiership. The Division 2 under-19 fl ag was player as their 23rd player over four selected won by St Mary’s, who was the dominate team

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 8 all year. This proved to be the club’s fi rst football premiership since joining our competition six years ago and hopefully some of these emerging players progress to senior football with St Mary’s in 2015. Division 3 was an arm-wrestle between Thomastown and Reservoir for most of the year, before Thomastown showed its strength in the fi nals series. A powerful performance against Reservoir in the second semi fi nal earned them a spot in the big dance and again in the Grand Final they really exerted their authority. In the reserves game Reservoir ran out a very comfortable winner over South Morang. Attendances increased at all games across the fi nals series in 2014 and all three Grand Final crowds were again fantastic. Whether you were at the Grand Final to barrack for your club or just there as a football supporter, you were treated to some great football and a very entertaining day. For the fi rst time since 1999, all six senior metropolitan football leagues competed in the AFL Victoria Metro Championships, with a triple-header played at Visy Park on March 29. The Northern Football League was ranked fourth and was set the challenge of taking on the third-ranked Essendon District Football League. Through the outstanding commitment and response of the players selected, we were able to comfortably defeat the EDFL and have earned the right to take on the VAFA for the number 1 ranking in metropolitan football next year. A huge thank you must be extended to head coach Jason Heatley and his three assistant coaches Phil Plunkett, Bryan Cole and Cristian Brandt for their outstanding efforts with this group of players in the months leading up to the match. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our Rhys Boyden marks in the 2014 Division 1 Grand Final. volunteers who helped out on the day, including our trainers Peter Scott and Jo and Mollie McKeown, and very high-pressured job, your dedication and winners in their respective divisions and age Peter Dean and Neil Brindley (runners) Mick Leslie commitment was outstanding once again. To Kevin, groups. Well done to all players and coaches who (interchange steward), Luke Russell (timekeeper), congratulations on 50 years service to football. were selected in the senior Teams of the Year – it Pauline Leslie (team manager), Brett Potter and Ned Thank you for the great work you have done for the is an honour to be recognised in such high regard. McKeown (statisticians) and Connor Leslie, Joel Northern Football League. We can boast to have To our offi ce staff Peter, Delwyn, Samuel, Tracey, Brennan, Braydon Avola and Riley Carter (water some of the best local umpires running around in Mollie and Bryon – going to work is so much more carriers). our league and that is because of your hard work enjoyable when you work alongside good people. Following our great performance, we also had seven and mentoring. Well done to everyone on another successful and players from our representative team selected to Thank you also to Darren Agnew for you patience enjoyable year. represent Vic Metro in a game against Vic Country and commitment in organising umpires for all junior Last, but certainly not least, I have to acknowledge in July – the highest number of representatives games. I’m sure it is a very diffi cult job but you the volunteers at every level and in every aspect of from any league. The NFL’s representatives in Vic always seemed to get it done on time. the competition. A huge thank you for your efforts. Metro’s win over Vic Country were Ryan Jackson, Without you there would be no teams, no clubs and I extend my thanks to Phil and Sue Aston for all Jesse Donaldson, Patrick Fitzgerald and Shane no competition. Tennant (all Montmorency), Patrick Flynn (Lower their hard work which ensures the smooth running Plenty), Nick Carter (Northcote Park) and Matty of all fi nals games. Thank you also to all of our Ron McKeown Dennis (Bundoora). Congratulations must go to independent tribunal members who all played a Football Operations Manager Ryan Jackson who was named vice-captain of the signifi cant role in guiding the league in the direction Vic Metro squad and who received the best on we want to head towards. We appreciate your wise ground medallion. minds and invaluable efforts. To Kevin Smith and his team of umpires, well Congratulations to all premiership players, coaches done on another outstanding year. In a thankless and support staff and also to all competition trophy

9 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 UMPIRING

As this is my fi nal Annual Report after retiring from numbers. A smaller Umpire Academy commenced at my position within the NFL, I want to thank the league Ivanhoe Grammar and this has given the league the administration, board, umpires, umpire support staff chance to obtain viable numbers in the future. and those people within member clubs who made me The performance of umpires in fi nals, both in so welcome over my seven years. I have really enjoyed senior and juniors, was once again outstanding my stay in the league. and contributed to the high standard achieved by In 2014, the Northern Football League provided a new competing clubs and the manner in which the football umpire training venue at Barling Park in Plenty Road, was played. The effi cient umpiring performance seen in Reservoir. Whilst there was lighting in operation which fi nals matches was positively impacted by the league allowed training to take place there, new lighting is again extending its three umpire system for both fi eld scheduled for the 2015 season which will ensure a and boundary umpires. More umpires were able to take really good training base for umpires well into the part in not just a fi nals match but also in a Grand Final future. Attendance at training in 2014 continued to see which is a real boost to the group. The under-19 fi nals good numbers which ensured a good percentage of the continued to provide opportunity for those who are in The NFL continued to conduct an umpire accreditation list attended coaching sessions too. There was also a the formative years of their umpiring. program and there were fi eld, boundary and goal strong and regular online coaching program for those Two of the league’s Division 1 Grand Final fi eld umpires umpires who successfully completed either their not in attendance. – Daniel Philp and Martin Rodger – have received an Level 1 or Level 2 course. The league also funded an The NFL umpiring group has continued to grow invite for trial with the VFL for the 2015 season, as electronic umpire appointment system, the group’s number-wise in each season since my commencement have goal umpires Kirsty Lord and Josh Forner and new training facility and a registered nurse/qualifi ed prior to the 2008 season. 737 umpires joined the boundary umpire Patrick Damato. I wish them all the trainer at training sessions and these all impacted on league in that time and 471 umpires did not continue. best. an appropriate umpiring environment. We have been able to establish an umpire group that Ben McWiggan took over the presidency of the All those associated with the NFL can be very proud can ensure all matches have offi cially appointed fi eld Northern Umpires Association and put a great deal of that one of its former fi eld umpires, Jack Edwards, umpires and, where appropriate, boundary and goal time and effort into his role. He and the Association who umpired the 2014 VFL Grand Final, has now been umpires. supported both myself and the umpiring group by doing promoted to the AFL for next season. It can be proud whatever it could to assist in providing an appropriate This all sounds great, and it really is, but the league too of its very own Lucinda Lopes who has been given environment. Among other things, it put forward does experience too many umpires leaving each an AFL Womens Umpire Fastpath Scholarship and social activities for members and both the junior season. In the 2014 season 107 umpires joined our Lucinda is hopeful of joining Jack in the future. group and 62 did not return from 2013. There will and senior presentation nights were a big success. always be umpires leaving any umpiring group but it I would like to thank Luke Richardson (fi tness coach), Arranging an experienced umpire as an advocate for would be great to retain even 25% of those leaving. Craig Herman (juniors coach) and Darren Agnew umpires attending the tribunal was also an important role it continued to perform and I thank Ben and the We need a greater percentage of our young umpires (juniors appointments and observer), Brad Letson (goal Association. remaining as umpires in our league longer than they umpire coach) and Doug Armstrong (boundary umpire currently are. This will result in an even better depth coach) who worked so diligently and successfully I want to congratulate all those umpires who received of higher performed umpires. Whilst the losses are not throughout the season. A big thanks too to Brian Moore a fi nals appointment of any kind, especially a Grand ideal, this year still saw a successful gain to loss ratio. who worked across all disciplines of umpiring and Final appointment as they will have deserved it. I want With an enlarged list we are seeing more new umpires David Kuchmar, Graeme Williams and Shane Herbert to especially congratulate those umpires who umpired as a result of a current umpire bringing a friend or who carried out observing duties. the Division 1 seniors Grand Final in such an effi cient family member and this will hold the list in good stead To these, along with all those who supported each and professional manner – fi eld umpires Daniel Philp, in the future. of the coaches and others who carried out Sunday Martin Rodger and Russell Yin, boundary umpires Emmet Brasier, Patrick Damato and Cameron Brick and Whilst the league administration is only too happy observations and mentoring, your magnifi cent efforts goal umpires Matt Lafi te and Vic Filipou. to carry out its responsibilities in regard to retaining were appreciated and resulted in umpires having a and recruiting umpires, it is necessary too that clubs feeling of being supported and showing signifi cant Daniel Philp received an award for Most Outstanding work hard to provide an ever-improving game day improvement. Umpire for 2014 at the NFL Presentation Night and environment that will have umpires wanting to continue Martin Rodger received the Most Improved Umpire NFL CEO Peter McDougall and operations manager Ron in the NFL. It is this area that is a real challenge as award. McKeown totally supported umpiring and were always having the numbers we have enjoyed in recent seasons happy to discuss umpiring matters and give assistance Last, but certainly not least, another huge thanks to all cannot be guaranteed. when needed. I am so thankful for their support those umpires who supported me over the seven years The number of female umpires increased to 35 in 2014 of not only myself but umpiring in general. Peter’s and who worked so hard to improve. I have been so and this is considered quite a healthy number and I can professional approach to umpiring is outstanding. happy with our standard of umpiring and I wish the NFL see this growing in the near future. total success in the future. Each of the staff contributed to umpiring in some The quite expansive local schools program of way on a daily basis and I am thankful for this. Tracey Kevin Smith addressing assemblies and smaller groups of students Goss worked tirelessly on umpiring matters and Head of Umpiring within schools continued in 2014 and again proved Delwyn Berry was involved in umpiring on general productive for recruiting. The support from schools administration matters, while media manager Samuel within the league’s area of interest has been great and Zito made himself available whenever I needed his I thank them for this. An Umpire Academy at St Helena assistance. I always knew the league board was also College continued and students received coaching at supportive and interested in umpiring. the school, providing a great boost to our umpiring

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 10 NETBALL

The 2014 netball year started earlier than any season The senior arm of the netball competition was hotly before it, following the continuation of the under-13 contested in all eight sections, with results being quite and under-17 summer competitions which commenced close in all grades before and after grading. in October last year. Grand Final night, held at Parade College, was The under-13 competition was played in a round-robin extremely well supported by our netball community format, while the inaugural under-17 Grand Final was this year, with 850 paying supporters in attendance. played off between Epping and St Martins, in which St The excitement and enthusiasm generated by all the Martins took out the honours to be crowned premiers. spectators was amazing and all games were played Before we knew it, senior clubs were looking for in great spirit, with an average winning margin of just practice match umpires and courts as we started to get seven goals across all eight games. into full swing of things before the start of the seventh Diamond Creek continued its dominance in Section season of our regular netball competition. 1, claiming an unprecedented fi fth consecutive Like the six seasons before it, our competition again premiership after a fi ve-goal win over the Fitzroy Stars grew in size in 2014. in the premiership decider. Diamond Creek has now (Hurstbridge, Section 6), Lauren McMahon (North won six of the league’s seven Section 1 titles. This year’s senior netball competition was played Heidelberg, Section 7) and Jane Rizzi (Whittlesea, Section 8). between 58 senior teams over eight sections. This Greensborough won its fi rst netball premiership when proved to be an expansion of 14 teams and two it overcame minor premier Northcote Park in the At the completion of the season our netball umpire sections from the proceeding 2013 season – equating Section 2 Grand Final, while South Morang and Epping supervisor Sue Drummond advised the league that she to a healthy 24 per cent increase in senior team also claimed their fi rst Grand Final successes on the would not continue in her role in 2015. numbers this year. netball courts, taking out the Section 3 and Section 5 We wish Sue well for the future and thank her for titles respectively. For the fi rst time, a junior competition was played the loyalty and dedication she has shown towards alongside the senior competition during the winter Lakeside claimed a third-successive title in Section 4, our competition since joining us. Sue has been months. The under-13 winter competition was reversing a heavy defeat to Watsonia in the second instrumental in achieving a high number of umpires on contested between fi ve teams and will hopefully be semi fi nal with a nine-goal triumph over the Saints in our books. the launching pad for more junior competitions in the the Grand Final. Finishing second on the ladder also I also wish to thank our major partner Yarra Valley Water coming seasons. proved to be a good omen for Hurstbridge, who turned for their continued support of our netball competition. the tables on the Fitzroy Stars in the Section 6 decider. Yarra Valley Water’s “Choose Tap” campaign has been Whittlesea claimed the inaugural premiership in the our naming partner for the past two seasons and we under-13 winter competition, beating Montmorency in North Heidelberg was the standout team in Section look forward to that continuing next year. the Grand Final. Congratulations must also go to West 7, fi nishing fi ve wins clear atop the ladder before Ivanhoe who fi elded the remaining three teams in the beating Greensborough in the Grand Final. Meanwhile, As we look towards 2015, our competition has already competition. Whittlesea took out the Section 8 Grand Final in a tight started the summer season and has received good contest against Northcote Park. response from the senior teams. The uptake from the All matches, in both the seniors and juniors, were juniors has been a little slower than we had hoped, but again played on Friday nights across three venues The best on court for the respective Grand Finals were: with persistence we should be able to again achieve in the northern suburbs. Netball was again played Elle McDonald (Diamond Creek, Section 1), Jenna our goals. out of BSNAC RMIT Bundoora and Parade College Boseley (Northcote Park, Section 2), Jane Higgs (South Delwyn Berry Bundoora, as well as at our newest venue, Epping Morang, Section 3), Bianca Moffatt (Lakeside, Section ‘Choose Tap’ Netball Manager Leisure City. 4), Stephanie Oakford (Epping, Section 5), Kendra Vann

11 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 MEDIA

2014 was another profound year for the Northern who was the unheralded panel operator for our Football League’s media team, with the league match day broadcast each week. again committing signifi cant resources into the In 2014, the NFL broadcast team was able to coverage and promotion of our competition. showcase its talent to an even greater audience In the pre-season great time was invested into the by assisting AFL Victoria with the coverage of the development of a much-needed new smart-phone 2014 AFL Victoria Metropolitan Championships. application, compatible for iPhone and Android The NFL’s radio commentators teamed up with Teo devices. The league partnered with TeamApp to Pellizzeri and Adem Saricaoglu of the Essendon provide supporters with a fresh and much more District Football League to call all the action during user-friendly application than that used over the the NFL v EDFL interleague clash on SEN’s digital past two seasons. channel, Aussie Digital.

The popularity of the NFL phone app increased The NFL website continues to generate great rapidly as the year went on, peaking at 71,537 interest, with visits to the website continually on screen views in the month of August. This was a the rise. Data provided by AFL Victoria and Fox Onion Creative for assisting the league with its fantastic achievement and made the NFL’s phone Sports Pulse showed the NFL website received digital content production and ensuring we remain application the most viewed Team App football more than 7 million page impressions in a 12-month an industry-leader in the digital area. application in Australia. The challenge for the period – the third most of any Fox Sports Pulse The NFL football record, The Northerner, remains a league is to now develop the commercial benefi ts website. This was a 47 per cent growth in website staple for all NFL supporters who attend matches of the app for the betterment of the league. traffi c and helped generate an impressive source of – offering great analysis on upcoming matches sponsorship income for the league. The league also invested in new radio broadcast as well as all the latest news from club land. In equipment this season which allowed us to The league website remained the home for all the particular, I’d like to commend our weekly scribes broadcast the NFL Match of the Day in stereo latest news and digital content from the Northern Michael Thompson (Division 2) and Doug Long quality and from more grounds than ever before. Football League, including league and club news (Division 3) for their insightful contributions each By using the 4G network, the new equipment articles, match replays, highlights, live scores, radio week. Sales fi gures and sponsorship revenue from allowed the broadcast team to move away from streams and team selections. In the pre-season the football record remains strong, particularly the increasingly-redundant telephone line system, the league ran a blog on its website which kept through the senior and junior fi nals series. which also allowed the broadcast team to call from supporters informed on all the latest transfer news. The league’s social media pages continue to receive greater vantage points at grounds. The number of viewers who accessed this blog outstanding support, with 6,400 connected through was amongst the thousands each day and further The radio broadcast again aired on 88.6 Plenty Facebook and 2,000 on Twitter. These channels offer demonstrated the interest in the NFL, even in the Valley FM each Saturday, with the team – headlined the league a great opportunity to engage closely off-season. by Tom Flanagan, Jordan Kounelis and I – also with the Northern Football League community, and bringing listeners all the action every Sunday of the Through our partnership with Red Onion Creative, also offer the league the opportunity to quickly and fi nals series. Amongst the radio highlights this year the league again fi lmed every senior game, with effectively promote our brand. were Fitzroy Stars’ thrilling NAIDOC Week win over replays available on the NFL website each Monday Finally, I would also like to take this opportunity North Heidelberg at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval, Chris morning. The fi lming of all matches continued to to thank all of the media volunteers who are the Tarrant’s cameo for Hurstbridge against Mernda be a useful tool for all coaches, and also provided lifeblood of our media team. For their dedication to and the ANZAC Round clash between Reservoir and great exposure for our league. the Northern Football League and their friendship, I Thomastown at Crispe Park. We also continued our ‘Top 5 Plays of the Week’ wish to thank and congratulate radio commentators Each Friday of the football season I previewed the program, which continued to be a huge hit. An Tom Flanagan, Jordan Kounelis and Leigh Moulden, upcoming round of NFL senior action with 88.6 average of nearly 7,000 viewers watched the football writers Jackson Baker, Anthony Bitzilis, Plenty Valley FM host Peter Marcato and I wish package each week – a league-wide record for Jarrad Conron, Alex Karavas, Doug Long, Ben to thank Peter and station manager Roly Sims any Red Onion Creative-produced show. The show Pascuzzi and Michael Thompson, and netball for providing us the air time to promote our great peaked at 15,743 viewers for edition 15. I wish to reporter Lauren Bordin. Tom Flanagan and Brad competition. I also would like to thank Tyrell Mills thank Andrew McLeish and Matt McLeish from Red Emmett also assisted superbly with the production of video content.

The NFL radio broadcast team in action. The quality of work produced by each of our media contributors continues to impress and it is their enthusiasm and commitment which ensures that the Northern Football League’s football and netball competitions receive the coverage and promotion they deserve, both in our community and also outside our region.

Samuel Zito Media Manager

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 12 TEAM LISTING: 2014 SEASON

TEAM LISTING: 2014 SEASON 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930

BUNDOORA

BUNDOORA PARK

DAREBIN FALCONS

DIAMOND CREEK

DIAMOND CREEK WOMEN’S

ELTHAM

EPPING

FITZROY STARS

GREENSBOROUGH

HEIDELBERG

HEIDELBERG WEST

HURSTBRIDGE

KEON PARK

KINGLAKE

LALOR

LAURIMAR

LOWER PLENTY

MACLEOD

MERNDA

MILL PARK

MONTMORENCY

NORTH HEIDELBERG

NORTHCOTE

NORTHCOTE PARK

PANTON HILL

PARKSIDE

RESEARCH

RESERVOIR

SOUTH MORANG

ST MARY’S

ST MARTIN’S

THOMASTOWN KEY

WALLAN SENIORS

WATSONIA UNDER-19s

WEST IVANHOE JUNIORS

WEST PRESTON-LAKESIDE YOUTH GIRLS

WHITTLESEA NETBALL

YARRAMBAT

13 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 DIVISION 1 REVIEW

Greensborough’s 25-year wait for its 17th Division Heidelberg advanced straight through to the their short stay at Warringal Park beyond the 2013 1 title was brought to an end after it defeated its Grand Final when it booted the last fi ve goals of season. oldest foe Heidelberg in the 2014 Grand Final. the second semi fi nal to overrun Greensborough. However, the inclusion of former Carlton defender However, the Boro were able to bounce back from The triumph was the Boro’s 18th senior fl ag in total Paul Bower and Albury captain Charles Gaylard, that disappointment in the preliminary fi nal, where – after claiming the Division 2 premiership in 2006 along with the emergence of the club’s next crop a seven-goal third quarter was the catalyst for a – and their fi rst under the Northern Football League of stars, meant Heidelberg was able to continually 19-point win over Macleod. banner. prove the pre-season doubters wrong. They were even more impressive a week later in the The 41-point Grand Final victory marked an amazing Hunter built his side’s success on the back of an Grand Final, racing to a 31-point lead at half time. turnaround in form, following an eighth-place fi nish exceptional work rate and resolute defence. The They restricted Heidelberg to just two goals with in 2013, and signed off an unbelievably thrilling Tigers conceded just 1134 points in the regular the breeze in the third term and were never going Division 1 season that had the NFL community season, at an average of just 63 points per match. to let slip a 26-point three-quarter time buffer, abuzz. The defence was led superbly by captain Jason eventually winning by 41 points. Kennedy and Ben Cosgriff, who won the Tigers’ best So close was the competition that no place inside The result provided the perfect farewell for and fairest after missing the entire 2013 season the top fi ve on the ladder was cemented heading legendary Greensborough coach Robert Hyde, who through injury. into the fi nal round of the home and away season. announced his retirement in the days following the Heidelberg and Greensborough were fi ghting out a Heidelberg’s record in close encounters was match. In his second stint with the Boro, the triumph two-way battle for fi rst place in Round 18, while also something to marvel, winning all eight of its was Hyde’s third premiership after leading the club Montmorency, Bundoora, Macleod, West Preston- matches that were decided by less than two goals. to the 1984 and 1985 fl ags as a playing coach. Lakeside and Lower Plenty were competing for the That included each of the opening three weeks of last three places in the fi nals. With the majority of its playing list rising from the the season, which kick-started the Tigers’ unbeaten start through the opening seven rounds. club’s junior program, much of Greensborough’s Heidelberg secured top spot with a come-from- improvement came from within in 2014. Jason Macleod progressed up the ladder for the second behind win at Macleod on the last day of the regular Rogers and Matthew Fowler both emerged as top- consecutive season under Garry Ramsay, eventually season, leaving Greensborough in second place grade midfi elders to lead the on-ball brigade with fi nishing in third place after recording two despite a huge win over Whittlesea. Bundoora co-captain Lachlan McQuilken. Brent Ryan and Liam impressive wins during the fi nals series. defeated Eltham to ensure it played fi nals for the Emery became regulars in defence and showed 14th consecutive year, while Lower Plenty’s fi nals Hamish Paynter continued his emergence as an great support to Matthew Hyde and Drew Wilson, hopes were dashed with a comprehensive loss to elite midfi elder, winning the Roos’ best and fairest while Tim Bongetti was a dominant force, kicking Northcote Park. and also earning his fi rst selection in the Division 63 goals in 18 games. 1 Team of the Year, alongside teammates Justin With four of fi ve games completed, attention turned Three recruits also played a big part in the White and Cathal Corr. to the last quarter action between Montmorency premiership win, most notably ruckman Michael and West Preston-Lakeside at Montmorency Park. Despite missing fi ve games through injury, White Hooper who won the club’s best and fairest and The situation was dramatic for West Preston- fi nished runner-up for the Frank Rosbrook Trophy was best on ground in the Grand Final win. Key Lakeside who would fi nish as high as third if it was for the second time, after also fi nishing second to defender Daniel McLinden joined from VFL club to win. Conversely, a loss would mean it would miss Michael Finn in 2011. Corr also missed chunks of the Bendigo Gold and enjoyed a superb season, while out on the fi nals altogether. year because of commitments with Collingwood’s former Bundoora utility Andrew Stellas played VFL team, but was named in the best in 11 of 15 In a see-sawing affair, Montmorency was able every game and was crucial in the fi rst three weeks matches. to reverse a 10-point defi cit at half time to win a of the fi nals when Bongetti was sidelined through Nick Lynch returned after a short stint with Banyule shootout by 13 points. The resulted handed the suspension. Magpies third place and a double chance in the and topped the club’s goal kicking with 36 goals Despite suffering a fourth Grand Final defeat in fi nals and also gave Macleod its fi rst Division 1 in 14 matches, including a season-high 10 against fi ve years, Heidelberg could take great pride from fi nals berth since 1972. West Preston-Lakeside. Fellow Banyule recruit Jack a 2014 season that had many pundits predicting a Langford impressed in his fi rst season at De Winton The fi nals series proved to be just as enthralling as slide down the Division 1 ladder. Park, booting 32 goals. the home and away season. The return of two-time premiership coach Craig Indifferent form plagued Montmorency for the fi rst Both of last year’s grand fi nalists – Bundoora and Hunter was offset by the departure of club legends half of the season as the club tried to respond from Montmorency – were eliminated by Macleod in the Dale and Danny Nolan, Justin Murphy, Mark Favrin, last year’s devastating Grand Final loss to Bundoora. opening fortnight of the fi nals, while Greensborough Josh Houlihan, Jess Sinclair and Michael Gay. The perennial fi nalist languished in seventh place recorded its fi rst fi nals win in 23 years by beating Meanwhile, highly-rated players Jamie Allan, Mark on the ladder after 12 rounds, before closing out the the Magpies in the qualifying fi nal. Lynch and Lance Oswald all opted not to extend regular season with six consecutive wins.

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 14 Kent Delbridge enjoyed a breakthrough season to After featuring in the fi nals series last year, take out the club champion award from outgoing Eltham’s form also took a hit this season following co-captain Brayden Shaw, while Gary Moorcroft the exodus of many of the club’s leading players. As booted 68 goals and Cameron Cloke 51 in his fi nal a result, new coach Mario Bandera turned to youth season as a Bull. and despite winning just three games, the Panthers found a number of gems to build their side around West Preston-Lakeside was bitterly unlucky to miss in years to come. the fi nals after sitting inside the top fi ve for 15 of 18 weeks and fi nishing the year with a positive win- At just 19 years of age, Billy Glasgow was the loss tally after recording nine wins and a draw. Panthers’ standout player this year. Glasgow won the club best and fairest and earned selection in Shaun Gannon produced another sensational season the Division 1 Team of the Year. Fellow youngsters to fi nish equal second for the Coaches Player of the Daniel Coffi eld and Harrison Burns also fl ourished, Year award. Luke Lirosi, Anthony Bonaddio and Alex while James Kroussoratis kicked 53 goals. Gleeson all produced strong seasons, while Peter Shepherd and Glenn Robertson combined for 76 Whittlesea’s return to the top fl ight lasted just goals. At his third home in three years, Shepherd one year, although the Eagles were a lot more endeared himself to the West Preston-Lakeside competitive than their 1-17 record indicated in Brad faithful when he kicked a goal with the last kick of Dean’s fi rst year as coach. The Eagles twice fi nished the day to down Eltham in Round 5. within seven points of grand fi nalist Heidelberg and could easily have won multiple other games. Lower Plenty’s third consecutive season in the top fl ight proved to be its most successful. Vin Andrew Fairchild stepped up as captain in the Jason Rogers Dattoli’s side won nine matches in 2014, more than second half of the year following an injury to Roy its combined tally over the past two seasons. The Dyson and was crowned club champion after kicking Key midfi elders Ryan Jackson and Jesse Donaldson Bears sat third on the ladder after Round 15, before 31 goals, second only to recruit Mitch Scholard (34). were instrumental in helping last year’s runner-up suffering three consecutive losses to miss out on Lucas Hobbs also enjoyed a strong season, fi nishing overcome its poor start. Patrick Fitzgerald claimed the top fi ve by just one game and percentage. equal second for the Coaches Player of the Year and the competition’s leading goal kicker award with playing a prominent role in the league’s interleague Matthew Vasilevski became the fi rst Lower Plenty 66 goals in the regular season, which included 36 win over the EDFL. player to win the Division 1 best and fairest, goals in the last seven home and away matches. while captain Darcy Barden, Patty Flynn, Matthew West Preston-Lakeside won its second reserves The Magpies were unable to replicate their strong Duckworth and young gun Tom Keys all enjoyed premiership in three years in the most thrilling late season form in the fi nals and were eliminated strong campaigns. A highlight of the Bears season circumstances imaginable. The best team in straight-sets after losses to Greensborough and was beating Division 1 powerhouses Heidelberg throughout the season, the Roosters looked like Macleod. It continued the Magpies’ hapless recent and Montmorency, the latter when the Bears were going home empty handed on Grand Final day when fi nals record, having now lost 11 of their past 12 bolstered by the inclusion of Hawthorn premiership they trailed Greensborough by three points with fi nals matches. player Campbell Brown. seconds remaining.

As was the case when it won the 2011 fl ag, Bundoora Northcote Park suffered a drop down the ladder However, the ball found its way into Corey Ray’s in Jason Heatley’s fi nal season as coach, fi nishing hands following a stoppage and he was able to was unable to back-up its 2013 premiership success with just seven wins and a draw after entering snap a goal from 40m with the last kick of the day – struggling to a fi fth-place fi nish. The Bulls looked the year as a leading premiership contender. After to win his side the premiership. The siren sounded the goods early in the season, winning their opening taking just six points from the fi rst eight rounds, as the ball sailed through the big sticks, triggering three games by an aggregate of 190 points before the Cougars sat second bottom over the Queen’s scenes of jubilation for West Preston-Lakeside and coming unstuck at home to West Preston-Lakeside Birthday long weekend, before improving their utter heartbreak for Greensborough. in Round 4. results in the second half of the season. Playing in its seventh consecutive under-19 Grand The reigning premiers were never able to gather Casting aside his side’s struggles, skipper Bronik Final, Greensborough was again crowned premier any momentum thereafter, winning just seven more Davies claimed his second Frank Rosbrook Trophy following losses in the past two deciders. The Boro games. They sat in sixth place at Round 16 and in three years. Doug Morris also excelled through downed Montmorency by 24 points in the 2014 needed other results to fall their way to play fi nals. the midfi eld to win his fi rst club best and fairest. Grand Final, with Brad Fox named best on ground. Results did go their way, however, the Bulls’ fi nals Goal kicking was a concern throughout, with Koden stay was short-lived after losing to Macleod in the Colman the Cougars highest goal kicker with just opening week. 21 majors.

15 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 DIVISION 1 LADDERS

DIVISION 1 SENIORS Team P W L D F A % Pts Heidelberg 18 15 3 0 1375 1134 121.25 60 Greensborough 18 14 4 0 1802 1179 152.84 56 Montmorency 18 11 7 0 1876 1543 121.58 44 Bundoora 18 10 8 0 1698 1471 115.43 40 Macleod 18 10 8 0 1640 1557 105.53 40 West Preston-Lakeside 18 9 8 1 1543 1595 96.74 38 Lower Plenty 18 9 9 0 1465 1583 92.55 36 Northcote Park 18 7 10 1 1522 1510 100.79 30 Eltham 18 3 15 0 1269 1811 70.07 12 Whittlesea 18 1 17 0 1267 2074 61.09 4

DIVISION 1 RESERVES Team P W L D F A % Pts West Preston-Lakeside 18 15 3 0 1465 866 169.17 60 Greensborough 18 12 5 1 1331 1066 124.86 50 Heidelberg 18 11 7 0 1420 935 151.87 44 Macleod 18 10 7 1 1327 1207 109.94 42 Northcote Park 18 10 8 0 1406 1131 124.31 40 Bundoora 18 10 8 0 1108 1274 86.97 40 Eltham 18 7 10 1 965 1186 81.37 30 Montmorency 18 7 11 0 1457 1219 119.52 28 Whittlesea 18 4 13 1 955 1493 63.97 18 Lower Plenty 18 2 16 0 904 1961 46.10 8

DIVISION 1 UNDER 19 Team P W L D F A % Pts Greensborough 18 14 4 0 1444 795 181.64 56 West Preston-Lakeside 18 14 4 0 1439 925 155.57 56 Montmorency 18 12 6 0 1335 948 140.82 48 Bundoora 18 11 7 0 1311 1130 116.02 44 Northcote Park 18 10 8 0 1066 1205 88.46 40 Eltham 18 9 9 0 1143 1257 90.93 36 Macleod 18 7 11 0 1219 1244 97.99 28 Whittlesea 18 6 12 0 925 1318 70.18 24 Lower Plenty 18 4 14 0 939 1405 66.83 16 Heidelberg 18 3 15 0 846 1440 58.75 12

West Preston-Lakeside defender Ali Fahour takes possession against Montmorency.

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 16 DIVISION 1 FINALS

DIVISION 1 SENIORS QUALIFYING FINAL Greensborough 10.13 (73) def Montmorency 8.12 (60) ELIMINATION FINAL Bundoora 8.10 (58) def by Macleod 11.18 (84) FIRST SEMI FINAL Montmorency 8.14 (62) def by Macleod 13.12 (90) SECOND SEMI FINAL Heidelberg 14.8 (92) def Greensborough 11.11 (77) PRELIMINARY FINAL Greensborough 19.14 (128) def Macleod 16.13 (109) GRAND FINAL Heidelberg 6.15 (51) def by Greensborough 13.14 (92) Heidelberg Best: A. Crispe, J. Hodgkin, B. Kerton, J. Kennedy, P. Bower, C. Gaylard Goals: C. Lewis, B. Harvey, W. Knight, P. Bower, J. Treloar, J. Hodgkin Greensborough Best: M. Hooper, J. Rogers, D. McLinden, R. Boyden, C. Clark, L. Stanton Goals: R. Boyden 3, J. Johnston 2, L. Stanton 2, T. Stead 2, A. Stellas, J. Rogers, T. Bongetti, J. Grubb Best on ground: Michael Hooper (Greensborough) DIVISION 1 RESERVES QUALIFYING FINAL Greensborough 11.7 (73) def Heidelberg 3.12 (30) ELIMINATION FINAL Macleod 9.11 (65) def Northcote Park 8.8 (56) FIRST SEMI FINAL Heidelberg 12.8 (80) def Macleod 11.7 (73) SECOND SEMI FINAL West Preston-Lakeside 10.6 (66) def Greensborough 5.9 (39) PRELIMINARY FINAL Greensborough 11.15 (81) def Heidelberg 8.7 (55) GRAND FINAL West Preston-Lakeside 7.13 (55) def Greensborough 8.6 (54) West Preston-Lakeside Best: B. Sanderson, S. Barker, T. O’Neill, N. Eshel, C. Ray, A. Jurgens Goals: S. Barker, Z. Watkins, C. Ray, N. McDonagh, M. Perfetto, D. Bonadio, L. McVeigh Greensborough Best: S. Salmon, A. Cataldo, C. Jordan, A. Lindstrom, J. Lambert, J. Didier Goals: C. Jordan 4, S. Salmon, L. Bowkett, M. Tarr, A. Cataldo Best on ground: Tom O’Neill (West Preston-Lakeside) DIVISION 1 UNDER-19 QUALIFYING FINAL West Preston-Lakeside 8.13 (61) def by Montmorency 9.8 (62) ELIMINATION FINAL Bundoora 12.12 (84) def by Northcote Park 12.17 (89) FIRST SEMI FINAL West Preston-Lakeside 8.13 (61) def Northcote Park 7.7 (49) SECOND SEMI FINAL Greensborough 11.6 (72) def Montmorency 8.9 (57) PRELIMINARY FINAL Montmorency 17.6 (108) def West Preston-Lakeside 10.6 (66) GRAND FINAL Greensborough 11.7 (73) def Montmorency 7.7 (49) Greensborough Best: B. Fox, S. Schmidt, D. Clancy, N. Johnson, S. Hennessy, J. Ireland Goals: D. Clancy 3, B. Fox 3, J. Pickett 2, M. Luciani, J. Cann, C. Croxford Montmorency Best: X. Cahill, N. Taylor, N. Paton, D. Howe, C. Dalgleish, J. Aldridge Goals: J. Francis 3, D. Schleibs, X. Cahill, L. Nunan, T. Carafa Best on ground: Brad Fox (Greensborough)

17 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 DIVISION 1 AWARDS

Despite both their sides fi nishing outside the top fi ve, Northcote Park captain Bronik Davies and Lower Plenty midfi elder Matthew Vasilevski were the joint winners of the 2014 Frank Rosbrook Trophy. The duo each polled 23 votes to win the best and fairest by one vote from Macleod’s Justin White. There was a four-way tie for third place with Matthew Dennis (Bundoora), Michael Hooper (Greensborough), Daniel Keenan (Montmorency) and Tom Rogers (Eltham) all polling 16 votes. Davies became just the 14th player in league history to win multiple Division 1 best and fairest awards. Two years ago he was tied for the award with Matthew Dennis in Northcote Park’s premiership-winning season. While the Cougars slid down the ladder in 2014, Davies’ performance remained at an elite level. He polled votes in 12 of 18 matches – the most number of any player in the competition – and received the maximum three votes on three occasions. He trailed Vasilevski by fi ve votes with four rounds to 2014 DIVISION 1 BEST AND FAIREST Top to bottom:Matthew Vasilevski and play, before polling eight votes between rounds 15 Bronik Davies, Pat Fitzgerald, to 17 to take a one-vote lead into the last round of SENIORS Jesse Donaldson. the season. A voteless game against Lower Plenty in Bronik Davies (Northcote Park) 23 votes Round 18, where Vasilevski polled one vote, ensured Matthew Vasilevski (Lower Plenty) 23 votes a tie in the best and fairest for the third time in seven Justin White (Macleod) 22 votes Matthew Dennis (Bundoora) 16 votes years. Michael Hooper (Greensborough) 16 votes It was a history-breaking win for Vasilevski who Daniel Keenan (Montmorency) 16 votes entered the record books as the fi rst Lower Plenty Tom Rogers (Eltham) 16 votes player to win the Division 1 best and fairest. His RESERVES skipper Darcy Barden is the only other Bear to win a Brad Sanderson (West Preston-Lakeside) 17 votes competition best and fairest after triumphing for the Jesse Freeman (Eltham) 16 votes Division 2 award in 2011. Matthew Brown (Bundoora) 13 votes Vasilevski polled maximum votes on fi ve occasions Naci Eschel (West Preston-Lakeside) 12 votes throughout the season, with four of those resulting in Adrian Natoli (West Preston-Lakeside) 12 votes wins to Lower Plenty and the other a fi ve-point loss UNDER-19 to Bundoora in Round 13. That performance capped Matthew Vincitorio (West Preston-Lakeside) 31 votes an amazing period for Vasilevski, where he polled 14 Daniel Valeri (West Preston-Lakeside) 23 votes votes in six matches. Ben Mossuto (Greensborough) 21 votes Jacob Ireland (Greensborough) 15 votes Pat Fitzgerald took out the leading goal kicker award Brody Waugh (Bundoora) 14 votes after booting 66 goals in the regular season. It was the lowest tally to win the award in 25 years, after Montmorency’s Steve Webster claimed his third 2014 DIVISION 1 LEADING GOAL KICKERS consecutive goal kicking title with 62 goals in 1989. SENIORS Patrick Fitzgerald (Montmorency) 66 goals Fitzgerald kicked just nine goals in the opening Gary Moorcroft (Bundoora) 63 goals fi ve rounds of the season before recording three Tim Bongetti (Greensborough) 62 goals successive four goal-hauls between rounds 6 to 8. James Kroussoratis (Eltham) 53 goals He ended the year in superb touch, kicking 36 goals Cameron Cloke (Bundoora) 50 goals in seven matches as Montmorency rose from seventh- place on the ladder to third. RESERVES David Bonadio (West Preston-Lakeside) 48 goals Fitzgerald’s teammate Jesse Donaldson was James McGrath (Heidelberg) 39 goals awarded the Coaches Player of the Year in his third Jack Ridewood (Heidelberg) 24 goals season in black and white. Donaldson polled 25 votes Brett Wilding (Macleod) 22 goals from the coaches, the highest tally since the award’s Robert Chadwick (Northcote Park) 20 goals inception in 2009. UNDER-19 Donaldson received votes from the opposition coaches Julian Maloni (West Preston-Lakeside) 57 goals in 10 matches in 2014. That included polling maximum Todd Owen (Eltham) 42 goals votes in six of nine matches between rounds 7 to 15. Matthew Luciani (Greensborough) 39 goals Drew Parker (Montmorency) 29 goals Brad Sanderson became the third West Preston- Scout Houghton (Bundoora) 28 goals Lakeside player in succession to win the Division 1 reserves best and fairest. Sanderson polled 17 votes to win from Eltham’s Jesse Freeman and Bundoora’s 2014 DIV 1 COACHES PLAYER OF THE YEAR Matthew Brown. Jesse Donaldson (Montmorency) 25 votes Shaun Gannon (West Preston-Lakeside) 23 votes Also from West Preston-Lakeside, Matthew Billy Glasgow (Eltham) 23 votes Vincitorio was the runaway winner of the under- Lucas Hobbs (Whittlesea) 23 votes 19s best and fairest. He polled votes in 14 of the 15 Darcy Barden (Lower Plenty) 21 votes matches he played to win the count by eight votes Michael Hooper (Greensborough) 21 votes from teammate Daniel Valeri.

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 18 19 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 DIVISION 2 REVIEW

Third time’s a charm – and so the idiom proved for North Heidelberg in 2014.

After second and third-place fi nishes in their fi rst two seasons in Division 2, the Bulldogs claimed the premiership at their third attempt – the triumph their fi rst senior fl ag since upsetting Heidelberg in the 2005 Division 1 Grand Final.

The standout side throughout the season, North had to endure the long route to the Grand Final after a second semi fi nal loss to Fitzroy Stars. However, it didn’t prevent it from claiming a seventh senior premiership, rising to the occasion when it mattered most.

With North occupying fi rst place on the ladder for the entire season, much of the drama in Division 2 centred around a four-way scrap to avoid bottom place on the ladder. It’s safe to say there has never been a relegation battle quite like this year’s.

Epping, Diamond Creek, Panton Hill and Hurstbridge were locked inside the bottom four for much of the season, with just four points and minimal percentage separating the sides heading into the fi nal round.

Round 18 pitted Panton Hill and Hurstbridge against top-four sides Mernda and Lalor respectively, while sixth-placed Epping simply needed to avoid a loss of 29 points or more at home to bottom-placed Diamond Creek to stave off relegation.

In a thrilling day of football – where the relegation battle overshadowed a top of the table clash between North Heidelberg and Fitzroy Stars – both Hurstbridge and Panton Hill upset more fancied rivals to ensure their place in Division 2 next year. The last match to fi nish was at Epping Recreation Reserve, where Diamond Creek defi ed the odds by trouncing Epping by 77 points to avoid the drop.

The result handed Epping an unwanted record as it became the fi rst club in league history to suffer successive relegations. In 2013 the Blues were relegated from Division 1 by 2.90 per cent. In 2014 the differential was 4.31 per cent.

The dramatic fi nal round was a pre-cursor to an equally dramatic fi nals series. In week one, Fitzroy Stars advanced to a second successive Grand Final after reversing a 35-point fi nal round loss to North Heidelberg, with a 26-point win at Whittlesea Showgrounds. The following day Mernda advanced to the preliminary fi nal after holding off a fi nal quarter charge from Lalor in the fi rst semi fi nal.

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 20 Mernda threatened to pull off the upset of the 20 goals in seven matches after joining the Stars Panton Hill also claimed six wins during 2014 as it season in the preliminary fi nal when it led North mid-season. made a successful transition back into Division 2 Heidelberg by 32 points midway through the after fi ve years in third division. Mernda’s third-place fi nish was another step second term. The Demons still held an eight-point forward in Brett Wilson’s third season at the helm, It took the Redbacks until only Round 3 to record advantage at three-quarter time, before North – as the club fell 30 minutes short of playing in the their fi rst victory, beating Hurstbridge under lights inspired by Shane Harvey – ran rampant in a 10- Grand Final, just two years after returning to second before backing it up a fortnight later at home to goal to nil fi nal term. division. Diamond Creek. Four wins in the fi nal nine rounds There was no such slow start for the Bulldogs in gave the club a good launching pad for next season The Demons won seven of their fi rst eight matches the Grand Final. They kicked the opening eight as Dean Haydock hands over the coach’s board to to sit in second place on the ladder at the Queen’s goals and restricted Fitzroy to just one fi rst-half Joffa Byron. Birthday break, with recruits Les Adams, Luke major to take a 42-point lead into the main break. Shelton and Jack Bianchin all showing their worth. Tyler Scarce took his game to a new level to claim The Stars threatened at times throughout the third Panton Hill’s second senior competition best term before three successive goals to Harvey early Despite a late-season form slump, which included and fairest award, while Travis Miller and Brett loses in its fi nal four home and away games, in the last quarter ensured North went on to win Middleton also enjoyed improved seasons. by 36 points. Mernda was able to rise to the occasion in the fi nals. Its victory over Lalor was its fi rst Division 2 A fi nalist for the past fi ve years, Diamond Creek Jesse Tardio was adjudged the best player on the fi nals win since 2003, while its performance against endured a fall from grace. The Creekers parted ground following a dominant game through the North in the preliminary fi nal was brave. ways with coach David Calthorpe after winning just midfi eld, while Harvey kicked seven goals. It took one game in the opening eight weeks but were able Club legend Steven Marshall returned to Lalor and his Division 2 Grand Final tally to 16 goals, after to fi nd some form under caretaker Bud Hardman in had an immediate impact in his debut season as kicking nine in his side’s four-point loss to Epping the second half of the season to narrowly avoid the coach. The Bloods won nine matches during the in 2012. drop to Division 3. regular season to more than double their 2013 tally, Harvey won his third successive leading goal kicker earning a top-four fi nish just a year after fi ghting The Creekers played 44 players throughout the award after booting 91 goals in the regular season out the relegation battle. year as they struggled with form, confi dence and and a further 19 in the fi nal series. However, he injuries. The upside was the positive signs shown had greater support this year with a number of They twice beat Mernda away and were undefeated from a number of youngsters, while Hugh Kavanagh highly talented recruits playing a big part in North’s through June after going on a four-game winning was a standout after crossing from Lower Plenty dominant season. streak between rounds 9-12, a run ended by a fi ve- and won the best and fairest despite missing fi ve point loss to Hurstbridge. Amongst them were Jeff Ryan and Lachie Dowling games. who both crossed from Morwell. Ryan edged out After managing only 25 games over the past two The hard luck story for a second straight year was Harvey for North’s best and fairest, while Dowling seasons, Shannon Smith played every match to win Epping. In Steve Power’s fi rst year as coach, the booted 59 goals in the regular season to fi nish the club’s best and fairest. He won the award from Blues sat bottom of the ladder at the conclusion second to Harvey on the competition goal kicking Todd Hughes who relished his move forward with of just one round during the year – unfortunately it table. 52 goals, including seven in the Round 15 win over was at the worst possible time, Round 18. Mernda. Jarrod King fi nished third in the count in Trounced by North in Round 1, Fitzroy Stars started Daniel Moore won a sixth consecutive club best his fi rst season with the Bloods. the season slowly and were fortunate to snatch and fairest and, along with experienced trio Aaron home victories in the dying seconds against both A fi fth-place fi nish was Hurstbridge’s best result Willits, Shane Wood and Josh Stavely, led a very Diamond Creek and Panton Hill in the opening since returning to Division 2 in 2011, as the club young group throughout 2014 following a massive month. recorded six wins in Jono Manzoney’s fi nal year as list turnover at the conclusion of 2013. coach. As they did in 2013, the Stars got better the The reserves premiership also went to North longer the year went and they always loomed as Despite showing obvious signs of improvements, Heidelberg, who lost just one game all season, as North’s biggest threat for the premiership – as the Bridges sat on the bottom of the ladder at the Bulldogs claimed the Division 2 double. Justin demonstrated in Round 13 when they became the the completion of Round 15. However, three Bentley was best afi eld on Grand Final day in a fi rst team to defeat the Bulldogs in a three-point consecutive wins to fi nish off the season ensured 32-point win over Mernda. thriller at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. they will front up for their fi fth consecutive year St Mary’s claimed its fi rst football fl ag in the NFL in Division 2 when Michael Ryan takes over the Malcolm Dow claimed his second successive when its under-19s defeated Hurstbridge by 22 coaching reins next season. best and fairest and was joined in the Division 2 points in the premiership decider. The Burra won 19 Team of the Year by teammates Coree Thorpe, Aron Burns crossed from Greensborough and needed of 20 games and went one better than 2013, when John Hayes and Lionel Proctor. Despite an injury- to play just 12 games to take out the Bridges’ club they were runners-up to Whittlesea. interrupted season, Allan Murray showed his class champion award. The high-fl yer booted 37 goals, in 12 appearances, while Djaran Whyman booted including 20 in the last three rounds.

21 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 DIVISION 2 LADDERS

DIVISION 2 SENIORS Team P W L D F A % Pts North Heidelberg 18 17 1 0 2196 1120 196.07 68 Fitzroy Stars 18 14 4 0 1778 1494 119.01 56 Mernda 18 10 8 0 1483 1443 102.77 40 Lalor 18 9 9 0 1422 1573 90.40 36 Hurstbridge 18 6 12 0 1441 1726 83.49 24 Panton Hill 18 6 12 0 1221 1507 81.02 24 Diamond Creek 18 5 13 0 1339 1641 81.60 20 Epping 18 5 13 0 1280 1656 77.29 20

DIVISION 2 RESERVES Team P W L D F A % Pts North Heidelberg 18 17 1 0 2121 804 263.81 68 Mernda 18 12 6 0 1674 947 176.77 48 Fitzroy Stars 18 12 6 0 2014 1144 176.05 48 Diamond Creek 18 12 6 0 1722 1023 168.33 48 Hurstbridge 18 10 8 0 1282 1378 93.03 40 Lalor 18 5 13 0 757 1817 41.66 20 Epping 18 3 15 0 690 1826 37.79 12 Panton Hill 18 1 17 0 768 2089 36.76 4

DIVISION 2 UNDER 19 Team P W L D F A % Pts St Mary’s 18 17 1 0 2215 566 391.34 68 Hurstbridge 18 14 4 0 1667 850 196.12 56 South Morang 18 12 6 0 1445 1331 108.56 48 Diamond Creek 18 11 7 0 1563 918 170.26 44 Epping 18 8 10 0 1248 1684 74.11 32 Lalor 18 5 13 0 1168 1569 74.44 20 Mernda 18 4 14 0 895 1921 46.59 16 Panton Hill 18 1 17 0 821 2183 37.61 4

Outgoing Panton Hill star Will Box in action against Hurstbridge.

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 22 DIVISION 2 FINALS

DIVISION 2 SENIORS DIVISION 2 RESERVES DIVISION 2 UNDER-19

FIRST SEMI FINAL FIRST SEMI FINAL FIRST SEMI FINAL Mernda 17.12 (114) def Lalor 13.8 (86) Fitzroy Stars 13.13 (91) def Diamond Creek 8.14 (62) South Morang 10.11 (71) def Diamond Creek 8.11 (59) SECOND SEMI FINAL SECOND SEMI FINAL North Heidelberg 16.17 (113) def by Fitzroy Stars North Heidelberg 11.9 (75) def Mernda 6.10 (46) SECOND SEMI FINAL 21.13 (139) St Mary’s 13.14 (92) def Hurstbridge 6.7 (43) PRELIMINARY FINAL PRELIMINARY FINAL Mernda 15.16 (106) def Fitzroy Stars 6.14 (50) PRELIMINARY FINAL North Heidelberg 19.14 (128) def Mernda 11.7 (73) Hurstbridge 13.10 (88) def South Morang 4.8 (32) GRAND FINAL GRAND FINAL North Heidelberg 15.9 (99) def Mernda 10.7 (67) GRAND FINAL Fitzroy Stars 11.12 (78) def by St Mary’s 9.10 (64) def Hurstbridge 6.6 (42) North Heidelberg 16.18 (114) North Heidelberg Best: J. Bentley, S. Kelly, K. Massey, B. Sabin, L. St Mary’s Fitzroy Stars Villanti, L. McKenna Best: J. Bunker, J. Desmond, J. Wolczko, D. Best: D. Whyman, R. Bamblett, A. Murray, M. Goals: K. Massey 6, S. Kelly 3, J. Bentley 2, D. Castagnini, J. Dambrauskas, P. Korda Brown, J. Burns A. Norris Scott, M. Coombe, M. Meade, M. Celestin Goals: N. Dean 2, J. Wolczko, L. Potter, J. Dupont, Goals: D. Whyman 3, J. Hayes 2, A. Murray, A. J. Farrugia, N. Daisley, P. Korda, M. Trkulja Norris, D. Welsh, L. Proctor, M. Dow, R. Bamblett Mernda Best: J. Lemin, N. Avenoso, M. Aparo, T. McCrea, Hurstbridge North Heidelberg M. Arcus Best: R. Reading, L. Hannah, J. Thompson, C. Best: J. Tardio, S. Harvey, J. Spurrell, G. Assi, B. Goals: C. Ribbons 2, J. Delaney 2, T. McCrea, J. Annett, D. Carson-McLennan, J. Furlong Holmes, L. Gilbert Aldrich, M. Rees, R. Lawrence, N. Carmody, J. Goals: L. Hannah 3, N. Blackwood 2, R. Reading Goals: S. Harvey 7, L. Dowling 3, D. Taylor 2, M. Wuelfert Lonergan, J. Kruger, B. Holmes, J. Green Best on ground: Jarrod Bunker (St Mary’s) Best on ground: Justin Bentley (North Heidelberg) Best on ground: Jesse Tardio (North Heidelberg)

North Heidelberg superboot Shane Harvey shoots for another goal.

23 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 DIVISION 2 AWARDS

Tyler Scarce entered the 2014 season with just 32 senior matches to his name. 18 games later he was the runaway winner of the 2014 Division 2 best and fairest. The 23-year old Panton Hill co-captain had a breakout season in 2014. He polled 24 votes to fi nish seven votes clear of Mernda recruit Les Adams and North Heidelberg superboot Shane Harvey. Scarce’s efforts ensured Panton Hill ended its fi rst season back in Division 2 with a respectable sixth- place fi nish, following its fi rst senior premiership triumph in Division 3 last year. Named co-captain in just his second season with the club after crossing from Greensborough, Scarce showed he is capable of becoming one of the Redbacks’ great leaders. He polled votes in four of fi ve matches between rounds 3-7 as Panton Hill showed just how competitive it would be in Division 2. However, it was in the second half of the season that he truly caught the eye of the umpires. Top to bottom:Tyler Scarce, 2014 DIVISION 2 BEST AND FAIREST Matthew Rees, Shane Harvey. Three votes in a 16-point win over Epping in Round 10 thrust him into best and fairest contention, before SENIORS earning eight votes in three weeks from rounds 12-14 Tyler Scarce (Panton Hill) 24 votes to take the lead in the count. Les Adams (Mernda) 17 votes Shane Harvey (North Heidelberg) 17 votes He was then awarded best on ground honours in Malcolm Dow (Fitzroy Stars) 13 votes Panton Hill’s fi nal two wins of the season to romp to Jeff Ryan (North Heidelberg) 13 votes victory, also polling one vote in a close loss to grand fi nalist Fitzroy Stars in Round 17. RESERVES Matthew Rees (Mernda) 20 votes In winning the award, Scarce became just the second Cal Nicholls (North Heidelberg) 15 votes Panton Hill player to win a senior competition best Shaun Silman (Mernda) 14 votes and fairest. The fi rst was his fellow co-captain and Shannon Turner (Fitzroy Stars) 12 votes retiring legend Will Box, who also won the Division 2 Sean Kelly (North Heidelberg) 11 votes best and fairest as a 23-year-old in 2004. Scarce was the second consecutive player to win the UNDER-19 Division 2 best and fairest from a team that fi nished Declan Carson-McLennan (Hurstbridge) 16 votes outside the top four. In 2013 Rohan Davies claimed Thomas Cleary (Diamond Creek) 16 votes the award despite Mernda fi nishing the season in fi fth Jake Orchard (Hurstbridge) 12 votes place on the ladder. Nicholas Daisley (St Mary’s) 11 votes Matthew Galiazzo (St Mary’s) 11 votes The Coaches Player of the Year was awarded to North Heidelberg forward Shane Harvey for the second year in succession. Harvey polled maximum votes 2014 DIVISION 2 LEADING GOALKICKERS from the coaches in three of the fi nal four rounds of the year to win the award on 22 votes. SENIORS Shane Harvey (North Heidelberg) 91 goals He edged out fellow fast-fi nisher Joshua Stavely by a Lachlan Dowling (North Heidelberg) 59 goals single vote, while Jarrod King, Malcolm Dow and best John Hayes (Fitzroy Stars) 50 goals and fairest winner Tyler Scarce were tied for third on Todd Hughes (Lalor) 49 goals 20 votes. RESERVES It capped off another superb season in front of the big sticks for Harvey, who ended the season with the Andrew Gray (Diamond Creek) 54 goals coaches’ award, leading goal kicker award and, most Kane Massey (North Heidelberg) 54 goals importantly, a premiership medallion. Marc Coombe (North Heidelberg) 44 goals Jason Phillip Kanoa (Fitzroy Stars) 44 goals Harvey booted 91 goals in the regular season, before adding a further 19 goals in three fi nals appearances UNDER-19 – including seven in North’s 36-point Grand Final win Harley Smith (Diamond Creek) 49 goals over Fitzroy Stars. Nathan Mittica (South Morang) 40 goals Matthew Gandolfo (Mernda) 37 goals It was the third consecutive season Harvey booted Thomas Cleary (Diamond Creek) 37 goals more than 100 goals, including fi nals matches. His 2014 haul including two 10-goal efforts, while he booted at least fi ve goals in 12 of 21 matches. 2014 DIV 2 COACHES PLAYER OF THE YEAR The reserves best and fairest was won by Mernda Shane Harvey (North Heidelberg) 22 votes veteran Matthew Rees, winning the award on Joshua Stavely (Epping) 21 votes 20 votes after retiring from senior football last Malcolm Dow (Fitzroy Stars) 20 votes year. Hurstbridge’s Declan Carson-McLennan Jarrod King (Lalor) 20 votes and Diamond Creek’s Thomas Cleary shared the Tyler Scarce (Panton Hill) 20 votes under-19 best and fairest with 16 votes.

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 24 25 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 DIVISION 3 REVIEW

Less than 12 months after returning to Sinclair’s men were equally dominant in the Osei-Duro received great support from Michael Main Street Reserve, Dean Sinclair guided premiership decider when they romped to a Khoury in the second half of the season after Thomastown to a second premiership following 79-point win – the second greatest winning the mercurial forward returned to Thomastown an emphatic 2014 campaign in Division 3. margin in a Division 3 Grand Final. The result following a short stint with Nhill & District. was secured by half time, with Thomastown Khoury booted 36 goals in nine appearances, After a number of lean years, the return of the leading by 40 points courtesy of a nine-goal to including bags of six and four in the fi nals series. 2008 premiership coach proved to be just the two fi rst half. tonic Thomastown required to return to second Despite falling well short in the premiership division. It followed a third-place fi nish in its Matthew Cupo’s dynamic performance through decider, Reservoir will look back fondly on a inaugural season in Division 3 last year. the middle of the ground earned him the best 2014 season that netted the club its fi rst senior on ground medallion – the start of a huge Grand Final appearance in a decade, as well as Thomastown began the 2014 season with a September for the 24-year-old. Later in the a reserves premiership win. 109-point thrashing of Parkside, putting the month he tied for the competition best and Bears on top of the ladder – a position they The Mustangs won 14 matches in the regular fairest before also taking out Thomastown’s would occupy throughout the entirety of the season, before scoring an emphatic win over club champion award. season. South Morang in the preliminary fi nal – booting Cupo had plenty of support in the midfi eld seven goals to none in the fi rst term on their way Despite the stranglehold on fi rst place, throughout the season, particularly from vice- to a 36-point victory. Thomastown was locked in a two-horse race captain David Folino who enjoyed a massive for the fl ag with close neighbour Reservoir for In his fi rst season back at the club since 2009, 2014 to earn a place in the NFL Team of the Year. much of the season. It was the Mustangs who Danny O’Sullivan enjoyed a fruitful season handed the Bears their solitary loss for the Offensively, Thomastown was clearly the No.1 which saw him tie with Matthew Cupo for season in Round 10. ranked team in the competition and scored over the Division 3 best and fairest. In doing so he 300 points more than second-ranked Reservoir became the second Mustangs player to win the Thomastown became the outright premiership during the regular season. Much of this could award, behind Ryan Docherty. favourite after a commanding 50-point victory be credited to young forward Jacob Osei-Duro over Reservoir in Round 16. From that point on While O’Sullivan was crowned the equal best who enjoyed a breakout season. the Bears never looked troubled for the fl ag. player in the competition by the umpires, he After kicking 41 goals over the past two seasons, had to be content with a second-place fi nish Commanding victories over St Mary’s and Osei-Duro booted a season-high 76 majors in to fellow recruit Daniel Couwenberg for the Heidelberg West rounded out the regular 2014, including fi ve goals in Thomastown’s two Reservoir best and fairest. season, before charging into the Grand Final fi nals victories. He booted a dozen goals in a with a 75-point demolition of Reservoir in the Couwenberg featured in Reservoir’s best 121-point rout of Parkside in Round 8 and kicked second semi fi nal at Shelley Reserve. players in 11 of his 19 matches to win the best multiple goals in 17 of 18 matches.

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 26 and fairest from O’Sullivan and Joel Buckey. berth, however they were eliminated in the fi rst winning fi ve matches – its highest tally since Ashley Flavel played his 300th senior match semi fi nal by South Morang. 2006. against Heidelberg West in Round 6 and showed Without a host of stars from the 2013 Grand The Hawks sat just percentage outside the top he still has talent to burn, booting 64 goals in 19 Final, including Lochie Dornauf and Tom Walliss, four after Round 14, following a come-from- matches to fi nish second for the goal kicking the task was always going to be much more behind win over Watsonia. However a tough run award. diffi cult for new coach Damien Zanic. home, which pitted them against the top three South Morang continued to play its youth in its sides in their last four matches, put paid to any Hayden Mitchell and Jarryd Allan were the fi rst season back in Division 3 and a more than hopes of a fi nals appearance. Saints two best performed players during the respectable third-place fi nish was the result in season, with Allan taking out the Division 3 19-year-old Brad Moore excelled in his third Craig Lambert’s fi rst season in charge as coach. Coaches Player of the Year Award – the second season of senior football to claim his fi rst best The Lions were unable to beat either of Watsonia player to do so in three years. and fairest award from fellow youngster and Thomastown or Reservoir in six attempts Macleod recruit Mitchell Reeve. Star utility St Mary’s missed out on fi nals for a second throughout the season, however they were the James McLean-Brunton rounded out the top successive year, fi nishing with a 5-11 record clear next best side in the competition – beating three. in Con Borg’s fi rst season as senior coach at fourth-placed Watsonia in three of four outings. Whatmough Park. Parkside’s fi nal season in the Northern Young defender Jake Potter stamped himself as Football League was a struggle, with the Devils The Burra did manage to beat fi nalist Watsonia an emerging star, winning the Lions’ best and continuing their slide down the Division 3 ladder twice in the second half of the season and ran fairest and named at full back in the Division 3 to fi nish in bottom place with just one win in 16 Thomastown to a goal in Round 6, however Team of the Year – a superb accomplishment at matches. they were also the only side to lose to Parkside 19 years of age. throughout the year. Nine of the Devils losses were by margins in Co-captain Mitch Buckley enjoyed a great excess of 100 points, with the club’s solitary win Promising signs were shown by a number season after an injury-interrupted 2013, coming in Round 16 when it surprised St Mary’s of young players who stepped up from the fi nishing second in both the competition and in a three-point triumph at Pitcher Park. club’s premiership-winning under-19s team, club best and fairest and booting 21 goals from particularly John Desmond. He was named on At the conclusion of the season, Parkside the midfi eld in 18 matches. the interchange in Team of the Year despite successfully transferred back to the Victorian After missing out on promotion to Division 2 by playing only nine senior games between Amateur Football League (VAFA), where it a solitary point last year, Watsonia could only under-19 commitments. competed from 1938 to 2002. Parkside will be muster six wins in 2014. It was still enough to replaced in Division 3 by Banyule Football Club Heidelberg West continued its improvement earn the Saints a second consecutive fi nals in 2015. in Derek Shaw’s second season at the helm,

27 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 DIVISION 3 LADDERS & FINALS

DIVISION 3 SENIORS Team P W L D F A % Pts Thomastown 16 15 1 0 1978 955 207.12 60 Reservoir 16 14 2 0 1646 911 180.68 56 South Morang 16 10 6 0 1510 1221 123.67 40 Watsonia 16 6 10 0 1353 1243 108.86 24 St Mary’s 16 5 11 0 1116 1371 81.40 20 Heidelberg West 16 5 11 0 1058 1646 64.28 20 Parkside 16 1 15 0 785 2099 37.40 4

DIVISION 3 RESERVES Team P W L D F A % Pts Reservoir 16 14 2 0 1745 654 266.82 56 Thomastown 16 12 4 0 1913 712 268.68 48 South Morang 16 11 5 0 1936 754 256.76 44 Watsonia 16 9 7 0 1376 1102 124.86 36 St Mary’s 16 6 10 0 1207 1224 98.61 24 Heidelberg West 16 4 12 0 701 1755 39.94 16 Parkside 16 0 16 0 285 2962 9.62 0

DIVISION 3 SENIORS DIVISION 3 RESERVES FIRST SEMI FINAL FIRST SEMI FINAL South Morang 12.20 (92) def Watsonia 8.14 (62) Reservoir 12.11 (83) def Thomastown 7.11 (53) SECOND SEMI FINAL SECOND SEMI FINAL Thomastown 22.13 (145) def Reservoir 10.10 (70) South Morang 19.16 (130) def Watsonia 7.3 (45) PRELIMINARY FINAL PRELIMINARY FINAL Reservoir 18.11 (119) def South Morang 12.11 (83) Thomastown 12.6 (78) def by South Morang 17.8 (110) GRAND FINAL GRAND FINAL Thomastown 17.16 (118) def Reservoir 5.9 (39) Reservoir 14.14 (98) def South Morang 5.10 (40) Thomastown Reservoir Best: J. Dundon, S. Ball, L. Fellows, S. Cadby, D. Chadwick, M. Cupo Best: K. Clayton, A. Carlson, A. Ellis, C. McPhee, B. Whelan, R. Keyes Goals: M. Khoury 4, J. Osei-Duro 3, D. Fuller 3, C. Leo 2, A. Calafi ore, S. Ball, D. Goals: K. Beaumont 3, K. Clayton 3, K. Beaumont 2, A. Carlson 2, A. Chadwick, J. McCumber-Kelly, T. Harrower McLaughlin, C. McGregor, C. McPhee, M. Crump Reservoir South Morang Best: M. Mannix, L. Ryan, D. Couwenberg, R. Collins, J. Dal Santo, B. Lovett Best: L. Kilgour, B. Williams, J. Hough, M. Howden, L. McNeil, S. Sandy Goals: A. Flavel 2, D. McGregor, T. O’Meara, M. Mannix Goals: B. Meade 2, M. Radziejewski 2, L. Kilgour Best on ground: Matthew Cupo (Thomastown) Best on ground: Corey McGregor (Reservoir)

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 28 DIVISION 3 AWARDS

The Division 3 best and fairest was tied for the fi rst time in the competition’s six-year history, with Thomastown’s Matthew Cupo and Reservoir’s Danny O’Sullivan sharing the award in 2014. The duo each polled 17 votes to fi nish three votes ahead of South Morang co-captain Mitchell Buckley. Heidelberg West utility James McLean-Brunton and Thomastown forward Jacob Osei-Duro fi nished in equal-third place on 12 votes. In a grandstand fi nish to the voting, O’Sullivan led Cupo and Buckley by three votes heading into the fi nal round of the home and away season. But, with Reservoir having already secured a double chance in the fi nals, O’Sullivan sat out the Mustangs’ big Round 19 win over South Morang. This left the door ajar for Cupo and he didn’t let the opportunity pass by. The 24-year-old polled maximum votes in Thomastown’s fi nal-round victory over Heidelberg West to claim a share of the best and fairest award. Cupo will long look back on 2014 as his breakout season in senior football. Amongst his accolades were the competition best and fairest, the best on ground medallion in Thomastown’s Grand Final win over Reservoir, Thomastown’s best and fairest award and selection as ruck-rover in the Division 3 Team of the Year. The speedy midfi elder was named in Thomastown’s Top to bottom: Rohan Davies, best players in 12 of 18 matches, including each of MatthewBrett Aldred, Cupo and Jonathon Danny Byron.O’Sullivan the club’s fi rst eight games. He also became a reliable goal kicker – slotting 16 majors during the season, 2014 DIVISION 3 BEST AND FAIREST which included a bag of three and four two-goal Jacob Osei Duro matches. SENIORS After four years with EDFL club Pascoe Vale, Matthew Cupo (Thomastown) 17 votes O’Sullivan’s return to Crispe Park could hardly have Danny O’Sullivan (Reservoir) 17 votes been more impressive. The 30-year-old was a prolifi c Mitchell Buckley (South Morang) 14 votes ball winner as Reservoir progressed to its fi rst Grand James McLean-Brunton (Heidelberg West) 12 votes Final appearance since 2004. Jacob Osei-Duro (Thomastown) 12 votes He polled 11 of a possible 12 votes between rounds RESERVES 11-15, helping him build a great enough lead to hold Ben Bodycoat (South Morang) 15 votes on for a tie with the fast-fi nishing Cupo. Simon Joules (Watsonia) 15 votes Paul Meade (Thomastown) 15 votes O’Sullivan was arguably Reservoir’s best performed Zeb Fleming (Thomastown) 13 votes player during the fi nals series. He was best afi eld in the 36-point preliminary fi nal win over South Morang Kelsey Clayton (Reservoir) 12 votes and was one of few contributors in the heavy second Jason Ward (South Morang) 12 votes semi fi nal loss to Thomastown. A superb fi nish to the season handed Watsonia 2014 DIVISION 3 LEADING GOALKICKERS midfi elder Jarryd Allan the Coaches Player of the SENIORS Year Award. Seven votes from the coaches in the last Jacob Osei-Duro (Thomastown) 71 goals Jarryd Allan three games of the year enabled him to pip James Ashley Flavel (Reservoir) 58 goals McLean-Brunton by a single vote. Ashley Hobbs (South Morang) 51 goals Despite missing three matches during the regular David McGregor (Reservoir) 38 goals season, Allan certainly caught the coaches’ eye this Toby O’Meara (Reservoir) 34 goals year – receiving votes in 10 of the 13 matches he RESERVES played. Robert Nedelkovski (Thomastown) 85 goals Jacob Osei-Duro lifted his game to a new level to Joshua Clancy (Watsonia) 69 goals claim the goal kicking award with 71 goals, including Matt Radziejewski (South Morang) 47 goals a season-high 12-goal effort against Parkside in Joe Colaci (Thomastown) 36 goals Round 8. Kael Beaumont (Reservoir) 35 goals The spring-heeled tall scored at least one goal in every game and kicked fi ve goals or more on seven 2014 DIV 3 COACHES PLAYER OF THE YEAR occasions. His efforts ensured he was named at Jarryd Allan (Watsonia) 22 votes centre half forward in the Division 3 Team of the Year. James McLean-Brunton (Heidelberg West) 21 votes The reserves best and fairest was a three-way tie, David Folino (Thomastown) 19 votes with Ben Bodycoat (South Morang), Simon Joules Mitchell Reeve (Heidelberg West) 19 votes (Watsonia) and Paul Meade (Thomastown) all Shane McLaren (Parkside) 17 votes sharing the award with 15 votes.

29 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 30 AFL VICTORIA METRO CHAMPIONSHIPS

2014 saw the return of senior interleague football and the Northern Football League marked the occasion in style, producing an impressive victory over the Essendon District Football League. Held at Visy Park on March 29, the 2014 AFL Victoria Metropolitan Championships saw Melbourne’s six senior metropolitan football leagues go head-to-head on the same day for the fi rst time since 1999. AFL Victoria ranked the leagues prior to the championships, with the Victorian Amateur Football League earning the number one ranking, ahead of the Eastern Football League. The Essendon District Football League was ranked third, with the Northern Football League, Western Region Football League and Southern Football League ranked fourth, fi fth and sixth respectively. The triple header began with the 5th v 6th encounter between the WRFL and SFL, followed by the 3rd v 4th clash between the EDFL and NFL. The fi nal match saw the VAFA take on the EFL for the right to be named the best metropolitan football league in Melbourne. The NFL celebrates its interleague win over the EDFL. Following the announcement of the return of representative football in September last year, the NFL worked feverishly to attract the best squad Man mountain Patrick Fitzgerald and Barden chimed possible to compete at the Metro Championships. in with two each, with Barden’s special from the boundary putting the result beyond doubt midway Northcote Park premiership coach Jason Heatley through the fi nal term. was appointed coach of the NFL’s squad and his fi rst decision was to install four-time premiership coach A settled back six led by Trent Barbero, Brad Phil Plunkett as his assistant, alongside Montmorency Leggett, Jason Kennedy and Shane Tennant proved coach Bryan Cole and former Macleod coach Cristian impenetrable, keeping dynamic EDFL duo Dean Galea Brandt. and Patrick Rose to just three goals. In December a preliminary list of 41 players was The result moved the NFL’s ranking amongst selected to train in the NFL representative squad. metropolitan football leagues from fourth to second. The squad contained players from 18 clubs across all It will take on the VAFA in 2015 for the right to be three senior divisions in the league. crowned the number one ranked league in Melbourne. After a two-month training program, the NFL’s 26-man Following the strong display at the Metro squad for the Metro Championships was announced Championships, a league-high seven players from at the league’s Season Launch. The team selected to the NFL were selected to represent Vic Metro in its represent the league was: clash with AFL Victoria Country in the AFL Victoria Ryan Jackson – captain (Montmorency), Trent Community Cup. Barbero (Bundoora), Bill Barden (Lower Plenty), Nick Carter (Northcote Park), Cameron Cloke Montmorency quartet Ryan Jackson, Jesse (Bundoora), Gavan Connelly (Eltham), Bronik Donaldson, Shane Tennant and Patrick Fitzgerald, Davies (Northcote Park), Matthew Dennis Bundoora utility Matthew Dennis, Lower Plenty (Bundoora), Jesse Donaldson (Montmorency), ruckman Patrick Flynn and Northcote Park two-time Ricky Dyson (Bundoora), Patrick Fitzgerald best and fairest Nick Carter were all part of the Vic (Montmorency), Patrick Flynn (Lower Plenty), Lucas Metro side that recorded a 38-point win over the Hobbs (Whittlesea), Jason Kennedy (Heidelberg), Queen’s Birthday weekend. Brad Leggett (Macleod), Nick Lynch (Macleod), Jackson – who was named Metro’s vice-captain – Brent Marshall (Bundoora), Brock McLennan received the best on ground medal for his dominant (Northcote Park), David Mitchell (Bundoora), Gary showing in the 18.17 (125) to 13.9 (87) result, while Moorcroft (Bundoora), Tom Rogers (Eltham), Paul Scanlon (Northcote Park), Shane Tennant Fitzgerald and Donaldson combined for fi ve goals. (Montmorency) and Justin White (Macleod); 2014 AFL VICTORIA METRO CHAMPIONSHIPS Emergencies – Cathal Corr (Macleod) and Kane Lucas Hobbs Shaw (Macleod). Northern FL 4.2 7.4 10.7 13.9 (87) Essendon District FL 2.1 4.3 5.5 7.8 (50) In its fi rst representative game since 2008, the NFL The NFL was never troubled in the second half, Northern FL was never headed in the 13.9 (87) to 7.8 (50) result shooting to a 32-point lead at three-quarter time Best: R Jackson, M Dennis, J Donaldson, T at Visy Park, reversing its loss to the EDFL when the courtesy of a three-goal to one third term. It again Barbero, G Connelly, C Cloke sides last met six years prior. stretched its lead in the last term to take out a 37-point win. Goals: C Cloke 3, J Donaldson 3, B Barden 2, G Early goals to Bill Barden and Gary Moorcroft and Moorcroft 2, T Rogers, N Lynch, P Fitzgerald prominent showings from Gavan Connelly and Brock NFL captain Ryan Jackson was adjudged best afi eld Essendon District FL McLennan got the NFL off to a fast start, allowing it to by the umpires, while ruckman Matthew Dennis take a 13-point advantage into quarter time. outpointed EDFL big man Andrew Browne in an Best: F Caruso, J Morris, J Cubillo, D Campisano, absorbing ruck dual. N Caruso, M Smith Consecutive goals to the EDFL saw it close within Goals: P Rose 2, F Caruso, T Lee, D Galea, J Gazzo, a kick during the second term, however the NFL Power forward Cameron Cloke and prolifi c ball winner E Kuret responded well to take a 19-point buffer into half Jesse Donaldson each fi nished with three goals to time. lead the way on the scoreboard for the NFL. Best on ground: Ryan Jackson (Northern FL)

31 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 NETBALL LADDERS & FINALS RESULTS

2014 NETBALL FINALS RESULTS SECTION 1 SECTION 1 Team P W L D B MR FIRST SEMI FINAL Diamond Creek 1 18 14 4 0 0 77.78 North Heidelberg 1 (45) def Bundoora Comets 1 (39) Fitzroy Stars 1 18 12 6 0 0 66.67 SECOND SEMI FINAL North Heidelberg 1 17 11 6 0 1 64.71 Diamond Creek 1 (75) def Fitzroy Stars 1 (50) Bundoora Comets 1 17 11 6 0 1 64.71 PRELIMINARY FINAL Whittlesea 1 18 8 10 0 0 44.44 Fitzroy Stars 1 (52) def North Heidelberg 1 (43) Lakeside 1 18 8 10 0 0 44.44 GRAND FINAL Greensborough 1 18 6 12 0 0 33.33 Diamond Creek 1 (53) def Fitzroy Stars 1 (49) Eltham 15 1 14 0 2 6.67 Best on court: Elle McDonald (Diamond Creek 1)

SECTION 2 SECTION 2 FIRST SEMI FINAL Team P W L D B MR Bundoora Comets 2 (29) def Lalor 1 (23) Northcote Park 1 16 15 1 0 2 93.75 SECOND SEMI FINAL Northcote Park 1 (30) def Greensborough 2 (29) Greensborough 2 16 12 4 0 2 75.00 PRELIMINARY FINAL Bundoora Comets 2 16 11 5 0 2 68.75 Greensborough 2 (39) def Bundoora Comets 2 (21) Lalor 1 15 690340.00 GRAND FINAL Watsonia 1 16 6 10 0 2 37.50 Northcote Park 1 (25) def by Greensborough 2 (29) South Morang 1 16 4 12 0 2 25.00 Diamond Creek 2 15 3 12 0 3 20.00 Best on court: Jenna Boseley (Northcote Park 1)

SECTION 3 FIRST SEMI FINAL SECTION 3 Lalor 2 (36) def Bundoora Comets 3 (23) Team P W L D B MR SECOND SEMI FINAL South Morang 2 16 16 0 0 2 100.00 South Morang 2 (41) def North Heidelberg 2 (30) North Heidelberg 2 16 13 3 0 2 81.25 PRELIMINARY FINAL Lalor 2 17 12 5 0 1 70.59 def Lalor 2 (27) North Heidelberg 2 (42) Bundoora Comets 3 16 6 10 0 2 37.50 GRAND FINAL St Mary’s 1 16 4 12 0 2 25.00 South Morang 2 (31) def North Heidelberg 2 (26) St Martin’s 1 13 3 10 0 3 23.08 Best on court: Jane Higgs (South Morang 2) Laurimar Power 1 16 0 16 0 2 0.00 SECTION 4 FIRST SEMI FINAL SECTION 4 Thomastown 1 (23) def by Whittlesea 2 (29) SECOND SEMI FINAL Team P W L D B MR Watsonia 2 (43) def Lakeside 2 (15) Watsonia 2 18 13 4 1 0 75.00 PRELIMINARY FINAL Lakeside 2 18 11 5 2 0 66.67 Lakeside 2 (34) def Whittlesea 2 (26) Thomastown 1 18 10 7 1 0 58.33 GRAND FINAL Whittlesea 2 18 10 8 0 0 55.56 Watsonia 2 (20) def by Lakeside 2 (29) St Mary’s 2 18 6 11 1 0 36.11 Best on court: Bianca Moffatt (Lakeside 2) Laurimar Power 2 18 1 17 0 0 5.56

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 32 NETBALL LADDERS & FINALS RESULTS

2014 NETBALL FINALS RESULTS SECTION 5 SECTION 5 Team P W L D B MR FIRST SEMI FINAL Epping 16 14 2 0 2 87.50 Bundoora Comets 4 (33) def Fitzroy Stars 2 (24) North Heidelberg 3 17 13 2 2 1 82.35 SECOND SEMI FINAL Bundoora Comets 4 17 11 6 0 1 64.71 Epping (25) def by North Heidelberg 3 (26) Fitzroy Stars 2 17 971155.88 PRELIMINARY FINAL Mernda 16 781246.88 Epping (34) def Bundoora Comets 4 (28) Greensborough 4 16 691240.63 GRAND FINAL Greensborough 3 16 592237.50 North Heidelberg 3 (17) def by Epping (24) South Morang 3 17 5 12 0 1 29.41 Best on court: Stephanie Oakford (Epping) Lakeside 3 16 3 13 0 2 18.75

SECTION 6 FIRST SEMI FINAL SECTION 6 Watsonia 3 (19) def by Lalor 3 (21) Team P W L D B MR SECOND SEMI FINAL Fitzroy Stars 3 16 12 4 0 2 75.00 Fitzroy Stars 3 (24) def by Hurstbridge 1 (25) Hurstbridge 1 16 11 4 1 2 71.88 PRELIMINARY FINAL Watsonia 3 16 961259.38 Fitzroy Stars 3 (31) def Lalor 3 (27) Lalor 3 16 961259.38 GRAND FINAL St Martin’s 2 16 880250.00 Hurstbridge 1 (31) def Fitzroy Stars 3 (14) Whittlesea 3 17 791144.12 Best on court: Kendra Vann (Hurstbridge 1) Thomastown 2 17 2 15 0 1 11.76

SECTION 7 SECTION 7 FIRST SEMI FINAL Team P W L D B MR West Ivanhoe (27) def Lalor 5 (12) SECOND SEMI FINAL North Heidelberg 4 18 16 2 0 0 88.89 North Heidelberg 4 (33) def Greensborough 5 (19) Greensborough 5 17 11 6 0 1 64.71 PRELIMINARY FINAL West Ivanhoe 17 980152.94 Greensborough 5 (25) def West Ivanhoe (23) Lalor 5 18 990050.00 GRAND FINAL Thomastown 3 18 8 10 0 0 44.44 North Heidelberg 2 (28) def Greensborough 5 (19) Lalor 4 17 7 10 0 0 41.18 Best on court: Lauren McMahon Keon Park Stars 16 6 10 0 2 37.50 (North Heidelberg 4) Hurstbridge 2 18 4 14 0 0 22.22

SECTION 8 SECTION 8 FIRST SEMI FINAL Bundoora Comets 5 (14) def by Montmorency (21) Team P W L D B MR SECOND SEMI FINAL Whittlesea 4 18 11 6 1 0 63.89 Whittlesea 4 (11) def by Northcote Park 2 (39) Northcote Park 2 18 10 7 1 0 58.33 PRELIMINARY FINAL Bundoora Comets 5 18 972055.56 Whittlesea 4 (22) def Montmorency (16) Montmorency 16 790043.75 GRAND FINAL Fitzroy Stars 4 18 4 14 0 0 22.22 Northcote Park 2 (21) def by Whittlesea 4 (25) Thomastown 4 18 3 15 0 0 16.67 Best on court: Jane Rizzi (Whittlesea 4) UNDER 13 UNDER 13 Team P W L D B MR FIRST SEMI FINAL Whittlesea 99003100.00 Whittlesea (35) def West Ivanhoe Pink (3) Montmorency 10 820280.00 SECOND SEMI FINAL Montmorency (17) def West Ivanhoe Red (5) West Ivanhoe Red 10 370230.00 GRAND FINAL West Ivanhoe Pink 9270322.22 Whittlesea (34) def Montmorency (4) West Ivanhoe Blue 10 280220.00

33 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 NETBALL AWARDS

2014 NETBALL BEST AND FAIREST Natasha Skehan and Jacinta Tonkin SECTION 1 1st – Natasha Skehan (Whittlesea 1) 26 votes 1st – Jacinta Tonkin (Bundoora Comets 1) 26 votes 2nd – Jessica Bamblett (Fitzroy Stars 1) 21 votes 3rd – Elizabeth Edwards (Bundoora Comets 1) 20 votes 3rd – Elle McDonald (Diamond Creek 1) 20 votes

SECTION 2 1st – Sarah Vaughan (Northcote Park 1) 26 votes 2nd – Sharna Enright (Greensborough 2) 24 votes 3rd – Jenna Boseley (Northcote Park 1) 20 votes

SECTION 3 1st – Jessica Beaton (St Mary’s 1) 15 votes 2nd – Lauren O’Hehir (South Morang 2) 14 votes 3rd – Keelin Galvin (St Martin’s 1) 13 votes 3rd – Olivia Pels (South Morang 2) 13 votes 3rd – Sheridan Seekamp (North Heidelberg 2) 13 votes

SECTION 4 1st – Clare Derham (St Mary’s 2) 29 votes 2nd – Nikki Everist (Watsonia 2) 17 votes 2nd – Camille Ferrer (Lakeside 2) 17 votes 3rd – Brooke Chadwick (Thomastown 1) 15 votes 3rd – Tina Nguyen (Lakeside 2) 15 votes

SECTION 5 1st – Dakota Craven (Mernda) 22 votes 2nd – Stephanie Oakford (Epping) 19 votes 3rd – Maria Klaromenos (Bundoora Comets 4) 17 votes

SECTION 6 1st – Shae Audley (Hurstbridge 1) 13 votes Sarah Vaughan Jessica Beaton 2nd – Laura Gibbs (Lalor 3) 12 votes 3rd – Tegan Barry (Whittlesea 3) 11 votes 2014 STAR SHOOTERS SECTION 7 SECTION 1 1st – Avril Stanley (North Heidelberg 4) 23 votes Sophie Atkinson (Fitzroy Stars 1) 483 goals 2nd – Aleshia Thomas (Thomastown 3) 19 votes 3rd – Megan Nicholls (North Heidelberg 4) 17 votes SECTION 2 3rd – Thea Nicolaou (Greensborough 5) 17 votes Ashlee Vaughan (Northcote Park 1) 299 goals SECTION 3 SECTION 8 Karli Burns (South Morang 2) 254 goals 1st – Holly Ditchfi eld (Montmorency) 18 votes 2nd – Rebecca Buckley (Montmorency) 17 votes SECTION 4 2nd – Sarina Ferraro (Bundoora Comets 5) 17 votes Shilo Parrott (Watsonia 2) 268 goals 3rd – Chloe Cope (Northcote Park 2) 14 votes SECTION 5 Ashlee Ozimek (Bundoora Comets 4) 229 goals UNDER 13 1st – Mia Daly (Whittlesea) 8 votes SECTION 6 Tegan Barry (Whittlesea 3) 187 goals 2nd – Hannah Blowfi eld (West Ivanhoe Red) 6 votes 3rd – Tegan Edmonds (Montmorency) 5 votes SECTION 7 3rd – Jacalyn Kelly (West Ivanhoe Pink) 5 votes Avril Stanley (North Heidelberg 4) 278 goals 3rd – Tahani Sheikh (West Ivanhoe Red) 5 votes SECTION 8 3rd – Sienna Tarano (Montmorency) 5 votes Kim Crawford (Bundoora Comets 5) 150 goals 3rd – Caprice Weir (West Ivanhoe Pink) 5 votes

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 34 JUNIOR LADDERS

UNDER-11 BLUE Team P W L D % PTS Yarrambat 14 13 1 0 265.64 44 South Morang Blue 14 11 3 0 283.68 38 Greensborough 14 4 9 1 74.53 16 Eltham 14 4 10 0 59.78 16 Montmorency 14 5 8 1 51.20 16 Epping 14 4 10 0 61.54 14

UNDER-11 RED Team P W L D B % WON Montmorency 14 13 1 0 0 92.86 Eltham 14 11 3 0 0 78.57 Laurimar Black 14 10 4 0 0 71.43 Laurimar Teal 14 8600 57.14 Mernda 13 6701 46.15 Whittlesea 13 2 11 0 1 15.38

UNDER-11 GREEN Team P W L D B % WON West Preston 13 10 3 0 1 76.92 Montmorency 13 9401 69.23 Wallan 13 7601 53.85 Northcote 14 7700 50.00 Diamond Creek 14 6800 42.86 Research 13 3 10 0 1 23.08 Hurstbridge 13 3 10 0 1 23.08 Mill Park 14 3 11 0 0 21.43

UNDER-11 SILVER Team P W L D B % WON South Morang 14 12 2 0 0 85.71 Thomastown 13 9401 69.23 Bundoora Park 13 9401 69.23 West Ivanhoe Roosters 13 9401 69.23 Kinglake 13 8501 61.54 Panton Hill 14 5900 35.71 South Morang Maroon 13 2 11 0 1 15.38 Epping 13 2 11 0 1 15.38 Keon Park 13 0 13 0 1 0.00

UNDER-12 BLUE Team P W L D B % WON Eltham 13 12 1 0 1 92.31 Research 13 9401 69.23 South Morang Blue 13 7601 53.85 Wallan 13 7601 53.85 Mill Park 13 4901 30.77 Diamond Creek 14 2 12 0 0 14.29

UNDER-12 RED Team P W L D B % WON West Preston 13 12 1 1 0 92.31 Bundoora Park 12 9302 75.00 Northcote 13 9211 73.08 Greensborough 12 7502 58.33 Mernda 12 5522 50.00 Hurstbridge 14 7700 50.00 Montmorency White 12 5702 41.67 Yarrambat 12 3812 29.17 Epping 12 1 11 0 2 8.33

35 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 JUNIOR LADDERS

UNDER-12 GREEN Team P W L B % PTS Eltham 14 9 5 0 536.09 36 West Preston 14 10 3 1 218.67 36 Whittlesea 14 9 5 0 223.20 32 Reservoir 14 8 6 0 120.73 28 Montmorency Black 14 6 7 1 95.50 24 South Morang Gold 14 3 10 1 77.59 14 Laurimar 14 4 10 0 72.28 14 Lalor 14 0 14 0 9.39 0

UNDER-12 GIRLS Team P W L D B % WON Diamond Creek Womens 97203 77.78 Montmorency 10 7302 70.00 South Morang 10 7302 70.00 Yarrambat 92703 22.22 Eltham 10 1902 10.00

UNDER-13 BLUE Team P W L B % PTS South Morang Blue 14 13 0 1 743.62 48 Whittlesea 14 11 2 1 206.06 40 Greensborough 14 7 6 1 74.62 24 Epping 14 5 8 1 93.67 22 Montmorency 14 5 9 0 47.76 16 Mill Park 14 3 10 1 83.04 14

UNDER-13 RED Team P W L D B % WON Eltham 13 13 0 0 1 100.00 Diamond Creek 13 9401 69.23 Bundoora Park 13 8501 61.53 Mernda 14 6800 42.86 West Preston 14 6800 42.86 South Morang Gold 14 6800 42.86 Northcote 14 4 10 0 0 28.57 Wallan 13 3 10 0 1 23.08

UNDER-13 GREEN Team P W L D B % WON Keon Park 11 9203 81.82 Yarrambat Gold 12 8402 66.67 Research 12 7502 58.33 Panton Hill 12 5702 41.67 Yarrambat Brown 13 5801 38.46 Epping 12 3902 25.00 South Morang Maroon 13 0 13 0 1 0.00

UNDER-14 BLUE Team P W L D % PTS South Morang 14 14 0 0 385.87 48 Montmorency 14 10 4 0 212.44 34 Laurimar Black 14 10 4 0 155.37 34 West Preston 14 5 9 0 81.43 18 Eltham 14 5 9 0 62.70 14 Epping 14 4 10 0 9.30 8

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 36 UNDER-14 RED Team P W L D % PTS Mill Park 14 10 4 0 290.03 38 Research 14 8 6 0 104.61 26 Greensborough 14 8 6 0 100.37 26 Wallan 14 6 8 0 94.02 24 Whittlesea 14 6 8 0 117.16 22 Yarrambat 14 3 11 0 66.20 12

UNDER-14 GREEN Team P W L B % PTS Diamond Creek 13 8 5 1 165.14 36 South Morang Gold 14 9 5 0 256.58 32 Lalor 14 9 5 0 139.31 30 West Preston 14 6 8 0 98.33 22 Hurstbridge 14 7 7 0 98.05 20 Eltham 14 5 9 0 79.16 18 Laurimar Teal 14 4 10 0 41.69 14 South Morang Maroon 13 3 10 0 21.09 8

UNDER-15 BLUE Team P W L B % PTS South Morang 14 12 1 1 514.80 46 Epping 14 10 3 1 299.21 36 Wallan 14 6 7 1 72.82 24 West Preston 14 6 7 1 51.78 22 Greensborough 14 4 10 0 55.01 16 Research 14 4 10 0 27.20 8

UNDER-15 RED Team P W L D B % WON Diamond Creek 12 9302 75.00 Yarrambat 12 9302 75.00 Eltham 12 8402 66.67 Mill Park 11 4703 36.36 Montmorency 11 3803 27.27

UNDER-15 GREEN Team P W L D B % WON Whittlesea 12 8402 66.67 Bundoora Park 12 6512 54.17 Keon Park 11 4703 36.36 Epping 11 2813 22.73 Kinglake 12 2 10 0 2 16.67

UNDER-15 GIRLS Team P W L D % PTS Montmorency 14 14 0 0 922.88 56 Diamond Creek Womens 14 11 3 0 263.99 44 West Preston 14 7 6 1 100.63 30 South Morang 14 7 7 0 110.07 28 Mill Park 14 5 9 0 61.53 20 Eltham Red 14 4 9 1 50.49 18 Keon Park 14 4 10 0 40.85 16 Eltham Black 14 3 11 0 38.83 12

37 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 JUNIOR LADDERS

UNDER-16 BLUE Team P W L D % PTS South Morang 14 14 0 0 348.38 48 Mill Park 14 12 2 0 204.99 40 Eltham 14 7 7 0 87.48 28 Montmorency 14 5 9 0 65.63 16 Research 14 3 11 0 59.06 12 Epping 14 1 13 0 40.27 2

UNDER-16 RED Team P W L D B % WON Greensborough 11 10 1 0 3 90.91 Thomastown 12 10 2 0 2 83.33 South Morang 11 4703 36.36 Hurstbridge 11 4703 36.36 Mernda 11 0 11 0 3 0.00

UNDER-17 BLUE Team P W L B % PTS Diamond Creek 14 10 4 0 138.02 36 Montmorency 14 10 4 0 171.86 34 South Morang 14 7 6 1 109.64 28 Research 14 7 6 1 122.33 26 West Preston 14 6 7 1 81.57 22 Epping 14 2 12 0 41.62 4

UNDER-17 RED Team P W L D B % WON Eltham 13 11 2 0 1 84.62 Hurstbridge 13 10 2 0 2 76.92 Whittlesea 13 8402 61.54 Diamond Creek 13 6602 46.15 Northcote 12 4703 33.33 Yarrambat 13 3902 23.08 Wallan 13 2 11 0 1 15.38

UNDER-18 GIRLS Team P W L D B % WON South Morang 14 14 0 0 0 100.00 Diamond Creek Womens 13 10 3 0 1 76.92 Darebin Falcons Womens 14 10 4 0 0 71.43 Mernda 14 7700 50.00 Epping 13 5801 38.46 Montmorency 13 5801 38.46 Hurstbridge 14 4 10 0 0 28.37 Eltham 90900 0.00

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 38 JUNIOR AWARDS

UNDER 18 GIRLS UNDER 15 RED UNDER 14 GREEN 1st – Ellie Koiker 1st – Marcus Lentini 1st – Angus Butterfi eld (Diamond Creek Womens) 29 votes (Diamond Creek) 24 votes (Hurstbridge) 22 votes 2nd – Larissa Cullen 2nd – Daniel Horsfi eld 2nd – Joel Impeduglia (South Morang) 22 votes (Eltham) 21 votes (South Morang) 19 votes 3rd – Tayla Hardiman 3rd – Martin Sin 3rd – Terrell Williams (South Morang) 15 votes (Yarrambat) 15 votes (West Preston) 18 votes

UNDER 17 BLUE UNDER 15 GREEN UNDER 13 BLUE 1st – Tyler Barnes 1st – Liam McLeod 1st – Zac Goodwin (Diamond Creek) 15 votes (Bundoora Park) 15 votes (Montmorency) 14 votes 2nd – Charlie Dunbar 2nd – Dylan Knowles-Lovett 1st – Ethan Lamb (Diamond Creek) 14 votes (Keon Park) 10 votes (Greensborough) 14 votes 3rd – Aaron D’Angelo 2nd – Kale-Ab Koch 1st – Rory McIntyre (South Morang) 12 votes (Whittlesea) 10 votes (Whittlesea) 14 votes 3rd – Henry Bland 2nd – Ben Crick UNDER 17 RED (Whittlesea) 9 votes (Montmorency) 13 votes 1st – Mark Pavlovski 3rd – Joel Naylor 3rd – Marcus Arico (Yarrambat) 23 votes (Whittlesea) 9 votes (Mill Park) 12 votes 2nd – Daniel Jarvis 3rd – Caleb Newport (Hurstbridge) 18 votes UNDER 15 GIRLS (Whittlesea) 12 votes 3rd – Mitch Hill 1st – Ciara Fitzgerald (Eltham) 12 votes (West Preston) 19 votes UNDER 13 RED 2nd – Olivia Dikranis 1st – Baden Williams UNDER 16 BLUE (South Morang) 18 votes (Eltham) 22 votes 1st – Anthony Cardamone 3rd – Bailey Schultz 2nd – Jacob Saleh (Mill Park) 23 votes (Montmorency) 18 votes (West Preston) 21 votes 2nd – Ben Paterson 3rd – Estelle Marie 3rd – James Armatas-Hunt (Research) 20 votes (Keon Park) 13 votes (Northcote) 20 votes 3rd – Bronson Glasgow (Eltham) 13 votes UNDER 14 BLUE UNDER 13 GREEN 1st – Blake Murphy 1st – Eren Gover UNDER 16 RED (Montmorency) 23 votes (Yarrambat) 20 votes 1st – Mitchell Dale 2nd – Adrian Kalkovski 2nd – Jari Cooper (Hurstbridge) 21 votes (Eltham) 20 votes (Panton Hill) 18 votes 2nd – Nathan Gravina-Ates 3rd – Darvid Pitto 3rd – Andrew White (Thomastown) 18 votes (Laurimar) 18 votes (Research) 14 votes 3rd – Alex Hughan 3rd – Jake Richards (Greensborough) 16 votes (Laurimar) 18 votes Junior Club of the Year – Research Football Club 3rd – Lachlan Trudgeon (Greensborough) 16 votes UNDER 14 RED Northern Knights Under 15 Rookie of the Year – 1st – Lachlan Agnew Mitchell Andrews (Epping) UNDER 15 BLUE (Greensborough) 32 votes Most Consistent Representative Player 1st – Mitchell Andrews 2nd – Nicholas Reibelt (Under 14A) – Mitch Wild (South Morang) and (Epping) 19 votes (Research) 18 votes Lucas Casa (Mill Park) 2nd – Anthony Fable 3rd – Rayden Garrard (South Morang) 16 votes (Greensborough) 17 votes Most Consistent Representative Player (Under 14B) – Nathan Bell (South Morang) and 3rd – Riley Hillyear Max Keith (West Preston) (West Preston) 14 votes Most Consistent Representative Player (Under 15A) – Mitchell Andrews (Epping)

Most Consistent Representative Player (Under 15B) – Corey Grindlay (Wallan) and David Paolino (South Morang)

Most Consistent Representative Player (Under 16 Girls) – Larissa Cullen (South Morang)

Junior Umpire of the Year – Nicholas Scott

Most Promising Junior Umpire – Thomas Centorino

Larissa Cullen Mitchell Andrews

39 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 JUNIOR FINALS

UNDER 11 BLUE UNDER 12 BLUE First Semi Final First Semi Final Greensborough 6.6 (42) def Eltham 1.1 (7) South Morang Blue 5.5 (35) def Wallan 4.1 (25) Second Semi Final Second Semi Final Yarrambat 2. (19) def South Morang Blue 1.4 (10) Eltham 6.3 (39) def Research 4.7 (31) Preliminary Final Preliminary Final South Morang Blue 4.18 (42) def Greensborough Research 3.6 (24) def South Morang Blue 3.0 (18) 2.0 (12) Grand Final Grand Final Eltham 5.2 (32) def by Research 10.5 (65) Yarrambat 10.6 (66) def South Morang Blue 4.4 (28) UNDER 12 RED UNDER 11 RED First Semi Final First Semi Final Northcote 5.10 (40) def Greensborough 3.4 (22) Montmorency 2.6 (18) def by Eltham 6.1 (37) Second Semi Final Second Semi Final West Preston 6.19 (57) def Bundoora Park 4.1 (25) Laurimar Black 1.2 (8) def by Laurimar Teal 2.3 (15) Preliminary Final Preliminary Final Bundoora Park 7.5 (47) def Northcote 2.5 (17) Montmorency 4.6 (30) def Laurimar Teal 2.3 (15) Grand Final Grand Final West Preston 9.12 (66) def Bundoora Park 3.1 (19) Eltham 3.7 (25) def Montmorency 3.4 (22) UNDER 12 GREEN UNDER 13 GREEN UNDER 11 GREEN First Semi Final First Semi Final First Semi Final Whittlesea 5.7 (37) def Reservoir 2.3 (15) Research 2.9 (21) def by Panton Hill 3.4 (22) Wallan 8.7 (55) def Northcote 1.2 (8) Second Semi Final Second Semi Final Second Semi Final Eltham 2.6 (18) def by West Preston 5.12 (42) Keon Park 8.6 (54) def Yarrambat Gold 4.8 (32) West Preston 3.3 (21) def by Montmorency 7.7 (49) Preliminary Final Preliminary Final Preliminary Final Eltham 1.1 (7) def Whittlesea 0.4 (4) Yarrambat Gold 10.4 (64) def Panton Hill 2.1 (13) West Preston 2.5 (17) def by Wallan 4.3 (27) Grand Final Grand Final Grand Final West Preston 2.1 (13) def by Eltham 7.2 (44) Keon Park 5.5 (35) def Yarrambat Gold 5.3 (33) Montmorency 9.15 (69) def Wallan 2.3 (15) UNDER 12 GIRLS UNDER 14 BLUE UNDER 11 SILVER First Semi Final First Semi Final First Semi Final South Morang 3.8 (26) def by Yarrambat 7.3 (45) Laurimar Black 15.14 (104) def West Preston 5.7 (37) Bundoora Park 4.5 (29) def by West Ivanhoe Roosters Second Semi Final 8.8 (56) Second Semi Final Diamond Creek Womens 1.3 (9) def by Montmorency South Morang 9.7 (61) def Montmorency 6.8 (44) Second Semi Final 2.5 (17) South Morang 7.16 (58) def Thomastown 2.1 (13) Preliminary Final Preliminary Final Montmorency 10.8 (68) def Laurimar Black 6.10 (46) Preliminary Final Diamond Creek 10.12 (72) def Yarrambat 3.1 (19) Thomastown 2.2 (14) def by West Ivanhoe Roosters Grand Final Grand Final South Morang 25.9 (159) def Montmorency 4.5 (29) 7.3 (45) Montmorency 3.4 (22) def Diamond Creek Womens Grand Final 3.3 (21) South Morang 5.2 (32) def West Ivanhoe Roosters UNDER 14 RED 4.4 (28) UNDER 13 BLUE First Semi Final Greensborough 2.4 (16) def by Wallan 5.8 (38) First Semi Final Greensborough 3.1 (19) def by Epping 3.3 (21) Second Semi Final Mill Park 8.14 (62) def Research 2.4 (16) Second Semi Final South Morang Blue 9.8 (62) def Whittlesea 2.3 (15) Preliminary Final Research 6.8 (44) def by Wallan 9.6 (60) Preliminary Final Whittlesea 6.8 (44) def Epping 2.3 (15) Grand Final Mill Park 15.9 (99) def Wallan 5.6 (36) Grand Final South Morang Blue 8.8 (56) def Whittlesea 6.8 (44) UNDER 14 GREEN UNDER 13 RED First Semi Final Lalor 7.15 (57) def West Preston 6.4 (40) First Semi Final Bundoora Park 6.3 (39) def by Mernda 10.3 (63) Second Semi Final Diamond Creek 2.5 (17) def by South Morang Gold Second Semi Final 22.15 (147) Eltham 6.4 (40) def Diamond Creek 5.4 (34) Preliminary Final Preliminary Final Diamond Creek 5.10 (40) def by Lalor 12.7 (79) Diamond Creek 5.8 (38) def by Mernda 8.5 (53) Grand Final Grand Final South Morang Gold 11.10 (76) def Lalor 4.4 (28) Eltham 15.11 (101) def Mernda 5.4 (34)

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 40 UNDER 15 BLUE First Semi Final Wallan 8.12 (60) def by West Preston 9.7 (61) Second Semi Final South Morang 15.12 (102) def Epping 11.5 (71) Preliminary Final Epping 9.16 (70) def West Preston 1.3 (9) Grand Final South Morang 7.6 (48) def by Epping 8.11 (59)

UNDER 15 RED First Semi Final Eltham 9.5 (59) def Mill Park 7.8 (50) Second Semi Final Diamond Creek 5.8 (38) def by Yarrambat 14.10 (94) Preliminary Final Diamond Creek 8.13 (61) def Eltham 7.6 (48) Grand Final Yarrambat 14.5 (89) def Diamond Creek 5.5 (35)

UNDER 15 GREEN First Semi Final Keon Park 4.4 (28) def by Epping 7.23 (65) Second Semi Final UNDER 16 RED Whittlesea 9.14 (58) def Bundoora Park 4.7 (31) First Semi Final South Morang 8.17 (65) def Hurstbridge 7.8 (50) Preliminary Final Bundoora Park 14.11 (95) def Keon Park 6.4 (40) Second Semi Final Greensborough 11.2 (68) def Thomastown 7.7 (49) Grand Final Whittlesea 11.9 (75) def Bundoora Park 3.8 (26) UNDER 16 BLUE Preliminary Final First Semi Final Thomastown 11.15 (81) def South Morang 7.7 (49) UNDER 15 GIRLS Eltham 7.6 (48) def by Montmorency 7.12 (54) Grand Final Greensborough 4.7 (31) def by Thomastown 12.7 (79) First Semi Final Second Semi Final West Preston 8.7 (55) def South Morang 3.1 (19) South Morang 17.6 (108) def Mill Park 6.8 (44) Second Semi Final Preliminary Final UNDER 17 BLUE Montmorency 8.5 (53) def Diamond Creek Womens Mill Park 15.11 (101) def Montmorency 9.8 (62) First Semi Final 1.6 (12) Grand Final South Morang 6.9 (45) def by Research 7.6 (48) Preliminary Final South Morang 12.17 (89) def Mill Park 8.5 (53) Second Semi Final Diamond Creek Womens 5.12 (42) def West Preston Diamond Creek 8.8 (56) def by Montmorency 10.9 (69) 2.2 (14) Preliminary Final Grand Final Diamond Creek 11.16 (82) def Research 4.4 (28) Montmorency 2.5 (17) def Diamond Creek 1.1 (7) Grand Final Montmorency 5.3 (33) def by Diamond Creek 10.11 (71)

UNDER 17 RED First Semi Final Whittlesea 9.14 (68) def Diamond Creek 10.3 (63) Second Semi Final Eltham 9.7 (61) def by Hurstbridge 9.10 (64) Preliminary Final Eltham 6.7 (43) def Whittlesea 6.4 (40) Grand Final Hurstbridge 7.8 (50) def by Eltham 7.13 (55)

UNDER 18 GIRLS First Semi Final Darebin Falcons 9.13 (67) def Mernda 3.7 (25) Second Semi Final South Morang 12.8 (80) def Diamond Creek Womens 4.4 (28) Preliminary Final Diamond Creek Womens 7.1 (43) def by Darebin Falcons 8.6 (54) Grand Final South Morang 6.12 (48) def by Darebin Falcons 7.7 (49)* *won in extra time

41 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 AFL VICTORIA METRO JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

UNDER 14 DIVISION 1 ROUND 1 ROUND 2 ROUND 3 NFL 2.1 4.1 7.4 10.5 (65) NFL 0.0 2.3 4.3 6.4 (40) NFL 1.0 1.0 3.0 4.1 (25) RDFL 1.1 6.5 6.6 8.6 (54) YJFL 6.7 9.10 14.12 18.13 (121) EFL 5.2 11.5 16.8 21.13 (139) Best: NFL – O. Potter, M. Wild, A. Kalcovski, L. Best: NFL – M. Wild, A. Kalcovski, C. Sullivan, L. Best: NFL – L. Casa, J. Richards, C. Sullivan, C. Casa, B. Bell, L. Vasilevski Casa, B. Gillard, B. Kotas Zapantis, A. Kalcovski, B. Kotas RDFL – A. Dunkley-Price, N. Croft, C. Barton, J. YJFL – C. Whitehead, K. Yodgee, P. Della Rocca, K. EFL – S. Harte, T. Robertson, T. Taylor, C. Daraio, J. Klaromenos, D. Johnstone, J. Manago Veliou, S. Elliott, V. Misuraca Bourke, L. Harry Goals: NFL – A. Kalcovski 3, M. Wild 2, C. Zapantis, Goals: NFL – Z. Lucas 2, M. McLellan, A. Goals: NFL – C. Zapantis, B. Kotas, L. Agnew, M. O. Potter, M. McLellan, B. Goodwin, Z. Lucas Kalcovski, M. Wild, L. Vasilevski Wild RDFL – J. Manago 3, J. Klaromenos, C. Korras, J. YJFL – S. Elliott 6, I. Fleming 2, K. Yodgee 2, P. Della EFL – T. Robertson 5, J. Burleigh 3, B. Werle 2, T. Topham, A. Dunkley-Price, S. Cusack Rocca 2, C. Whitehead, Z. Evans, V. Page, X. Fry, A. Taylor 2, L. Fletcher 2, S. Harte, A. Mastroianni, J. Luber, S. Uzelac Bourke, T. Parker, M. Perry, L. Konstantopoulos, I. Biasuzzo UNDER 14 DIVISION 2 ROUND 1 ROUND 2 ROUND 3 NFL 2.6 5.9 9.10 13.15 (93) NFL 2.1 2.1 6.2 14.6 (90) NFL 1.2 2.2 3.5 4.7 (31) RDFL 0.1 1.5 2.5 3.7 (25) SEJ 2.2 3.3 6.5 8.6 (54) EFL 4.3 9.8 14.15 18.18 (126) Best: NFL – E. Arena, R. Edwards, M. Keith, C. Best: NFL – M. Keith, C. Anderson, N. Bell, T. Best: NFL – N. Bell, J. Camilleri, M. Knowles, M. Anderson, C. Cochrane, R. Buzzini Debney, P. Aronica, E. Arena Keith, C. Anderson, E. Arena RDFL – C. Lamb, Y. Tsasouris, C. Mathieson, L. SEJ – J. Marie, M. Mason, J. Berry, J. Docherty, J. EFL – J. Ebert, J. Mellis, L. Cox, K. Nyoak, D. Scala, Spear, T. Werner, T. Holmberg McGuffi e, B. Marson B. Thomas Goals: NFL – M. Keith 3, J. House 2, R. Edwards 2, Goals: NFL – M. Keith 6, N. Aleksovski 4, N. Bell, C. Goals: NFL – M. Keith 3, J. House N. Bell, K. Sharp, S. Villegas, P. Aronica, R. Buzzini, Anderson, R. Edwards, P. Aronica EFL – J. Gasper 3, L. Kruger 2, J. Hopkins 2, K. K. Yankos SEJ – H. Burman 3, I. Nagy 2, W. Ashmore 2, H. Nyoak 2, N. Sund, J. Wilson, M. Fantulin, J. Mellis, RDFL – C. Lamb, G. Paxton, C. Mathieson Onurlu L. Cox, D. Scala, B. Thomas, J. Coleman, B. Lee

UNDER 15 DIVISION 1 ROUND 1 ROUND 2 ROUND 3 NFL 2.2 3.6 6.11 11.14 (80) NFL 2.1 4.2 4.4 6.4 (40) NFL 0.1 1.3 7.4 9.6 (60) RDFL 0.0 4.2 4.5 7.8 (50) YJFL 3.1 3.3 6.4 12.7 (77) EFL 4.4 6.7 8.10 10.12 (72) Best: NFL – A. Fable, D. Horsfi eld, J. Perry, M. Best: NFL – M. Andrews, L. Northeast, K. McGaw, Best: NFL – J. Perry, M. Andrews, D. Taylor, B. Andrews, J. Naylor, A. Ahmad A. Fable, J. Grace Muscat, A. Fable, L. Northeast RDFL – B. Souter, D. Featon, D. Landt, K. Britton, B. YJFJ – B. Wiggins, C. Thompson, A. Collinson, E. EFL – J. O’Sullivan, J. Wright, C. McDonald, J. Bernacki, J. Vilinskis Phillips, M. Zukiewicz Stephenson, N. Hargreaves, A. Cerra Goals: NFL – B. Peterson 4, J. Naylor 2, N. Viotto, Goals: NFL – J. Naylor 2, V. Montagnese , M. Goals: NFL – J. Wilkins 4, J. Gillespie 2, J. Sterry, A. Fable, J. Gillespie, M. Andrews, J. Perry Andrews, A. Ahmad, A. Mercuri D. Hachem, L. Northeast RDFL – D. Featon 2, D. Landt, B. Cicero, B. YJFJ – A. Collinson 4, P. Naish 2, T. Smith 2, N. EFL – J. Stephenson 4, M. Karaoglanis 2, J. Bernacki, J. Clarke, B. Searle Boucher 2, N. Watson-Munro, J. Edwards Walkden, J. Prior, K. Young, A. Cerra

UNDER 15 DIVISION 2 ROUND 1 ROUND 2 ROUND 3 NFL 5.1 6.3 7.6 11.8 (74) NFL 1.0 2.3 2.8 4.8 (32) NFL 4.0 4.1 8.5 9.6 (60) RDFL 3.0 3.0 6.1 6.1 (37) SEJ 1.5 1.6 2.8 2.9 (21) EFL 0.3 7.5 8.5 11.11 (77) Best: NFL – D. Paolino, A. De Sando, B. Quinn, J. Best: NFL – R. Noble, C. Grindlay, W. Reddrop, B. Best: NFL – J. Way, C. Grindlay, K. Horman, D. Fitzpatrick, C. May, J. Way Hughes, D. Paolino, J. Belvedere Paolino, B. Hughes, R. Noble RDFL – J. Bygate, D. Caruana, B. Forge, M. SEJ – W. Smith, M. Cotter, H. Paul, L. Valentine, J. EFL – M. Doreian, D. Smith, S. Kollosche, S. Hayes, Hutchinson, A. Grimes, M. Edwards Sarlo, R. Johnson M. Eaton, E. Sarkissian Goals: NFL – J. Way 3, A. De Sando, C. Grindlay, Goals: NFL – M. Mitchell, K. Patterson, D. Paolino, Goals: NFL – D. Paolino 3, M. Sin 2, J. Way, R. A. Bonadio, M. Mitchell, K. Horman, N. Khoury, M. R. Noble Noble, C. Grindlay, J. Belvedere Febbraro, M. Sin SEJ – S. Morgan, R. Lucas EFL – S. Hayes 4, M. Eaton 3, M. Doreian , D. RDFL – M. Hutchinson 3, J. Harrison, M. Spiteri, Feltham , D. Clarke , S. Kollosche D. Galea

UNDER 16 GIRLS ROUND 1 ROUND 2 ROUND 3 NFL 0.0 0.1 0.3 1.4 (10) NFL 4.0 4.1 5.1 6.3 (39) NFL 3.6 4.10 5.10 6.17 (53) YJFL 2.3 5.5 6.8 10.12 (72) WR & EDFL 0.0 2.1 5.1 5.1 (31) YJFL2 0.0 0.1 0.3 2.4 (16) Best: NFL – T. Hardiman, L. Cullen, H. Eyre, S. Best: NFL – L. Hughes, O. Dikranis, S. McLean, M. Best: NFL – L. Cullen, L. Hughes, S. Callahan, R. Callahan, O. Dikranis, L. Hughes Traviato, L. Cullen, H. Eyre Panozzo, G. Higgins, A. Hurst YJFJ – M. Poulton, H. Spencer, K. Smith, O. WR & EDFL – M. Lister, P. Cordes, P. Haig, A. YJFL2 – G. Larkey, M. Guerin, M. Antypas, A. Gill, Mcfawn, O. Atwell, D. Jones Karagiannis, B. Brigham, S. Fazzolari S. Dixon, C. Baldassarre Goals: NFL – T. Hardiman Goals: NFL – H. Eyre 2, T. Hardiman, R. Burns, L. Goals: NFL – B. Schultz, A. Hurst, O. Dikranis, S. YJFJ – M. Wright 3, K. Smith 2, I. Gietzmann 2, D. Stewart, L. Cullen Callahan, H. Eyre, S. Chambers Bateman, C. Mcfawn, B. Cruickshank WR & EDFL – C. Child, H. Chivell, C. Macumber, S. YJFL2 – A. Barrett, C. Baldassarre Guastalegname, S. Fazzolari

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 42 2014 AFCA COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Robert Hyde’s decorated coaching career ended on a Darebin Falcons coach Jessica Dal Pos was named the high note when he was named the 2014 Northern Region Female Coach of the Year after guiding her side to the Below are the nominees for each award Senior Coach of the Year. Under-18 Girls premiership. The Falcons claimed a fi fth- category. The winners are in bold. Hyde received the accolade when the Northern branch successive premiership in remarkable circumstances of the Australian Football Coaches Association held its this year, winning the Grand Final against previously SENIOR annual Coach of the Year Awards at Rydges Bell City on unbeaten South Morang in extra time. Robert Hyde (Greensborough) September 3. West Preston under-11 coach Brett Pollard was Travis Hodgson (Fitzroy Stars) Less than three weeks after winning the award, Hyde awarded the 2014 Junior Coach of the Year for his Craig Hunter (Heidelberg) guided Greensborough to its fi rst Division 1 senior efforts in developing the Roosters Under-11 Green side. Matthew McLennan (Northcote Park) premiership in 25 years. Under Pollard’s guidance, West Preston claimed the Stephen Saddington (North Heidelberg) He announced his retirement from coaching shortly Under-11 Green minor premiership and advanced to the after the Boro’s 41-point win over Heidelberg in the preliminary fi nal. YOUTH premiership decider. It brought to an end a stellar Yarrambat stalwart Rob Windsor was awarded the Paul Broderick (Fitzroy JFC) coaching career, which included a highly-successful 11- Contribution to Football (Male) award for this lifelong Brendan Andrews (Keon Park) year stint with TAC Cup side Calder Cannons. service to the Yarrambat Football Club. Robert Bolzon (St Mary’s) Under the guidance of Hyde, Greensborough was the Special guests on the night included Collingwood Paul King (St Mary’s) competition’s most improved side in 2014 – winning 17 premiership captain Nick Maxwell, Hawthorn Kevin Lewis (Hurstbridge) of 22 matches, following just six victories for an eighth- premiership player Paul Hudson, former AFL player place fi nish in 2013. David Rodan, Carlton assistant coach Rob Wiley and Dale Mayne (Banyule) In a drought-breaking year for the club, the Boro began their Melbourne University and Western Bulldogs female Masaki Miki (Heidelberg) fi nals campaign with a 13-point win over Montmorency – footballer Louise Stephenson. Steven Musico (Mill Park) their fi rst Division 1 senior fi nals victory since Scott Plant (Macleod) 1991. A close loss to Heidelberg followed in the Jessica Dal Pos Mat Robinson (South Morang) second semi fi nal, before earning a Grand Final place with a comfortable win over Macleod in David Witchell (Banyule) the preliminary fi nal. FEMALE The Grand Final win over the Tigers handed Jessica Dal Pos (Darebin Women’s) Hyde his third premiership medallion as coach of the Boro after leading the club to the 1984 Abbie Galea (West Preston-Lakeside) and 1985 fl ags while serving as a playing- Maddy Haydar (Ivanhoe) coach. JUNIOR In winning the Northern Region Senior Coach of the Year, Hyde was also recognised for his Brett Pollard (West Preston) efforts in developing Greensborough’s young Brian Anderson (Heidelberg) list. More than 60 per cent of the Boro’s senior Tim Donohue (Ivanhoe) list has developed out of its junior program. Mark Frost (Banyule) Hyde won the award from fellow nominees Bernie Girolami (St Mary’s) Travis Hodgson (Fitzroy Stars), Craig Hunter Mark Kankaanpaa (Yarrambat) (Heidelberg), Matthew McLennan (Northcote Park reserves) and Stephen Saddington (North John McInerney (Heidelberg) Heidelberg). Frasier Neilson (Banyule) Darren Rigg (Montmorency) Robert Hyde AUSKICK Andrew Green (Northcote) Lisa Baggio (Research) Michael Christiansen (Mill Park) Darren Driscoll (Fitzroy/Carlton) Matthew Meehan (Preston) James Merrett (Watsonia) Tony Raddino (Mill Park) Adam Sevas (Mill Park) Jodi Weightman (Preston)

AUSKICK VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Darren Rigg (Montmorency)

CONTRIBUTION TO FOOTBALL - MALE Rob Windsor (Yarrambat)

CONTRIBUTION TO FOOTBALL - FEMALE Jo Hogan (Fitzroy JFC) Nadine Christall (Wallan) Jodie Ward-Davies (Watsonia)

43 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 BEST & FAIREST

NFL 1980 Elias Demestichas South Morang 2009 Daniel Moore Epping 1979 John Ellis Watsonia 2008 Lionel Proctor Fitzroy Stars Div 1 - Best and Fairest - Frank Rosbrook Trophy 1978 Mario Cipolla North Heidelberg 2007 Andrew Bennett Macleod 2014 Bronik Davies Northcote Park 1977 Jeff Edwards North Heidelberg Matthew Vasilevski Lower Plenty 1976 John Horton Diamond Creek DVFL 2013 Cameron Cloke Bundoora 1975 John Clancy Heidelberg Division 2 - Best and Fairest Mark Lynch Heidelberg 1974 Mario Cipolla North Heidelberg 2006 Daniel Eifermann Whittlesea 2012 Bronik Davies Northcote Park 1973 Stephen Thorpe Templestowe 2005 Ryan Bongetti South Morang Matthew Dennis Bundoora 1972 Robin Perkins Heidelberg 2004 William Box Panton Hill 2011 Michael Finn Heidelberg 1971 Jim Christou Heidelberg 2003 Jai Audley Hurstbridge 2010 Nick Meese West Preston-Lakeside 1970 Frank Natoli Reservoir-Lakeside 2002 Heath Ayres Wallan 2009 Daniel Keenan Montmorency 1969 Geoff Noble Macleod-Rosanna 2001 Tony Callea Fawkner Park 2008 Daniel Keenan Montmorency 1968 Dennis Aspinall Eltham 2000 Paul Eccles Watsonia Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 1967 Geoff Condie Diamond Creek 1999 Mark Spiteri Kinglake David Mitchell Bundoora 1966 Ken Jones Diamond Creek 1998 Dean Harrington Whittlesea 2007 Daniel McFerran West Preston-Lakeside Graham Campbell Reservoir-Lakeside 1997 Ray Buttigieg South Morang DVFL 1965 Graham Campbell Reservoir-Lakeside Tony Maraschiello Mernda Div 1 - Best and Fairest - Frank Smith Medal 1964 Pat Foley Heidelberg West 1996 Rocky Iacopino Macleod 2006 Brett Jeffrey Northcote Park 1963 Pat Foley Heidelberg West 1995 Dale Carmody West Preston 2005 Daniel King Epping 1962 Ken Jones Montmorency 1994 Billy Colosimo Reservoir 2004 Daniel King Epping 1961 Joe Murphy Greensborough 1993 Adam Bruni West Preston 2003 Fabian Carelli West Preston-Lakeside 1960 Clem Cooper Epping 1992 Paul Tilley West Preston 2002 Mario Bandera North Heidelberg 1959 John Elliot Diamond Creek 1991 Robert Mietus Hurstbridge 2001 Dean Haydock Heidelberg 1958 John Elliot Diamond Creek 1990 Malcolm Griffi ths Watsonia 2000 Paul King Bundoora Don McDowell Greensborough John Hassell Mernda 1999 Leigh Gray North Heidelberg 1957 John Elliot Diamond Creek 1989 Brett Johnstone South Morang 1998 Ryan Smith Heidelberg 1956 Jack Davies Epping Glenn Whittenbury Templestowe 1997 Barry Mitchell Northcote Park 1955 Kevin Hart Macleod 1988 Steve Easton Research 1996 John Origlasso Northcote Park 1954 Joe Murphy Greensborough 1987 Greg Fyffe West Preston 1995 Adrian Cameron Bundoora Doug King Reservoir-Lakeside 1986 Stan Apostola Epping 1994 Renato Marinelli Diamond Creek 1953 Jack Tucker Heidelberg West 1985 Les Pugh Thornbury 1993 Kevin Brown Bundoora 1952 Kevin Hart Macleod 1984 Adrian Sullivan West Preston 1992 Chris Keating Bundoora 1951 Joe Adams Epping 1983 Bernie Nicholson Macleod-Rosanna 1991 Peter Woodward Montmorency 1950 Geoff Heddle Diamond Creek 1982 Anthony McFarlane Eltham Neil Brindley Greensborough 1949 Geoff Heddle Diamond Creek Glenn Irving Eltham Peter Mastin Greensborough 1948 Jack Dempster Templestowe 1981 Mark Slater Bundoora 1990 Chris Keating Bundoora 1947 Reg Milburn Epping 1989 Richard Guldon Heidelberg 1946 Joe Delaney Heidelberg NFL 1988 Brad Dunbar Heidelberg West Division 3 - Best and Fairest 1987 Wayne Dobson Greensborough NFL 2014 Matthew Cupo Thomastown 1986 Mark Perkins Heidelberg West Division 2 - Best and Fairest Danny O’Sullivan Reservoir 1985 Darryl Harries Lalor 2014 Tyler Scarce Panton Hill 2013 Lochie Dornauf Watsonia 1984 Kelvin Wood Heidelberg West 2013 Rohan Davies Mernda 2012 Rohan Davies Mernda 1983 Wayne Dobson Greensborough 2012 Lionel Proctor Fitzroy Stars 2011 Brad Hockey Parkside 1982 Wayne Headlam Diamond Creek 2011 Darcy Barden Lower Plenty 2010 Ryan Docherty Reservoir 1981 Wayne Headlam Diamond Creek 2010 Luke Jackson Diamond Creek 2009 Robbie Wise Parkside

LEADING GOALKICKERS

DIVISION 1 1993 Brett Hancock North Heidelberg 97 1969 Ted Wallace Templestowe 94 NFL Leading Goalkicker Club Goals 1992 Jason Heatley North Heidelberg 118 1968 Bill Chapman Macleod-Rosanna 73 2014 Patrick Fitzgerald Montmorency 66 1991 Jamie Solyom Lalor 73 1967 Bernie Drury Montmorency 69 2013 Cameron Cloke Bundoora 83 1990 David Miller Heidelberg 95 1966 Max Condie Diamond Creek 81 2012 Gary Moorcroft Bundoora 70 1989 Steve Webster Montmorency 62 1965 Doug Hayes Reservoir-Lakeside 85 2011 Dean Limbach Montmorency 83 1988 Steve Webster Montmorency 57 1964 Claude Howard Heidelberg 74 2010 Saul Caddy Heidelberg 82 1987 Steve Webster Montmorency 83 1963 Gerald Walsh Epping 96 2009 Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 102 1986 Mark Johnson North Heidelberg 59 1962 Gerald Walsh Epping 70 2008 Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 108 1985 Glenn Townsend Greensborough 103 1961 Les Cann Reservoir-Lakeside 68 2007 Chris Hall Heidelberg 72 1984 Russell Jessop Lalor 103 1960 Ivan Francis Heidelberg West 67 Shaun Ryan North Heidelberg 72 1983 Bill Seiler Diamond Creek 82 1959 Ed Crawley Heidelberg West 70 DVFL Leading Goalkicker Club Goals 1982 Bill Seiler Diamond Creek 86 1958 Gerald Walsh Epping 81 2006 Adrian Baker West Preston-Lakeside 73 1981 Bill Seiler Diamond Creek 82 1957 Ray Skals Greensborough 96 2005 Chris Hall Heidelberg 102 1980 Keith Robins Lalor 90 1956 Les Cann Montmorency 85 2004 Cristian Brandt North Heidelberg 78 1979 Robert Downie Watsonia 64 1955 Ron Denmead Montmorency 65 2003 Peter Van Blomnestein Heidelberg 87 1978 Kevin Grose North Heidelberg 80 1954 Ron Denmead Montmorency 126 2002 Steve Bawden Epping 87 Graeme Fraser Montmorency 80 1953 Roy Kelly Eltham 64 2001 Jason Heatley North Heidelberg 110 1977 Ron Wilson South Morang 83 1952 Wally Dingle Montmorency 71 2000 Damien Yze Northcote Park 99 1976 Bruce McDowell Greensborough 97 1951 Brian Gillberg Montmorency 74 1999 Jamie Shaw North Heidelberg 134 1975 Bruce McDowell Greensborough 86 1950 Bill Harvey Heidelberg 102 1998 Athas Hrysoulakis Lalor 88 1974 Lindsay Hopkins Templestowe 66 1949 Jack Dempster Templestowe 97 1997 Jamie Shaw North Heidelberg 114 1973 Ivan Bromley Reservoir-Lakeside 87 1948 Gordon Hastings Reservoir 68 1996 Jamie Shaw North Heidelberg 88 1972 Ivan Bromley Reservoir-Lakeside 115 1947 Gordon Hastings Reservoir 112 1995 Jamie Shaw North Heidelberg 113 1971 John Horton Diamond Creek 78 1946 Gordon Hastings Reservoir 73 1994 Jamie Shaw North Heidelberg 161 1970 John Vadja Macleod-Rosanna 81 1933 J West Eltham 128

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 44 LEADING GOALKICKERS

DIVISION 2 2001 Paul Baker Whittlesea 107 1986 Darren Scott Epping 97 NFL Leading Goalkicker Club Goals 2000 Gavin Tapner Watsonia 90 1985 Warren Jarman Eltham 72 2014 Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 91 1999 Ron McKeown Whittlesea 114 1984 Steve Banbury West Preston 56 2013 Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 120 1998 Jamie Bown Whittlesea 79 1983 Peter McNiece Northcote Park 83 2012 Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 83 1997 Paul Baker Kinglake 102 1982 Peter Lowe Macleod-Rosanna 85 2011 Peter Shepherd Lalor 93 1996 Paul Baker Hurstbridge 93 1981 Rob Michaelangeli Northcote Park 76 2010 Benjamin Gill Lower Plenty 59 1995 Paul Baker Hurstbridge 85 2009 John Hayes Fitzroy Stars 89 David Miller West Preston 85 2008 Aaron Willitts Epping 78 1994 Paul Baker Hurstbridge 139 DIVISION 3 2007 Cristian Brandt Macleod 109 1993 Paul Baker Hurstbridge 116 NFL Leading Goalkicker Club Goals DVFL Leading Goalkicker Club Goals 1992 Cristian Brandt West Preston 68 2014 Jacob Osei-Duro Thomastown 71 2006 Nick Lynch Macleod 102 1991 Greg Withers Heidelerg West 80 2013 Ben Finnin Panton Hill 56 2005 Tom Felle Mernda 104 1990 Steve Webster Epping 96 2012 Jonathon Byron Panton Hill 96 2004 Aaron James Lalor 114 1989 Malcolm Niddrie Templestowe 92 2011 Dallas King Parkside 60 2003 Toby O’Meara Reservoir 73 1988 Darren Scott Epping 80 2010 Johnathon Garrard Panton Hill 88 2002 Adam Bruni Reservoir 82 1987 Ron Wilson Eltham 83 2009 Benjamin Gill Panton Hill 63

PREMIERSHIP TEAMS

DIVISION 1 1972 Eltham 1927 Greensborough 1980 Lalor 1971 Macleod-Rosanna 1926 Diamond Creek 1979 Montmorency NFL Seniors 1970 Eltham 1925 Greensborough 1978 Reservoir-Lakeside 2014 Greensborough 1969 Eltham 1924 Diamond Creek 1977 North Heidelberg 2013 Bundoora 1968 Templestowe 1923 Heidelberg 1976 North Heidelberg 2012 Northcote Park 1967 Greensborough 1922 Greensborough 1975 Reservoir-Lakeside 2011 Bundoora 1966 Greensborough 1974 Eltham 2010 West Preston-Lakeside 1965 Reservoir-Lakeside 1973 Macleod-Rosanna 2009 Heidelberg DIVISION 1 1964 Heidelberg 1972 Greensborough 2008 Heidelberg 1963 Epping NFL Reserves 1971 Eltham 2007 Heidelberg 1962 North Heidelberg 2014 West Preston-Lakeside 1970 Reservoir-Lakeside 1961 Greensborough 2013 Heidelberg 1969 Reservoir-Lakeside DVFL Seniors 1960 Greensborough 2012 West Preston-Lakeside 1968 South Morang 2006 Heidelberg 1959 Heidelberg 2011 Montmorency 1967 Heidelberg 2005 North Heidelberg 1958 Greensborough 2010 Bundoora 1966 Reservoir-Lakeside 2004 Heidelberg 1957 Heidelberg 2009 Bundoora 1965 Reservoir-Lakeside 2003 West Preston-Lakeside 1956 Heidelberg 2008 Heidelberg 1964 North Heidelberg 2002 Northcote Park 1955 Greensborough 2007 Heidelberg 1963 Heidelberg 2001 Northcote Park 1954 Montmorency 1962 Greensborough 2000 Northcote Park 1953 Eltham DVFL Reserves 1961 Greensborough 1999 Northcote Park 1952 Greensborough 2006 Bundoora 1960 Heidelberg 1998 Lalor 1951 Montmorency 2005 Montmorency 1959 Macleod 1997 Northcote Park 1950 Heidelberg 2004 Heidelberg 1958 Macleod 1996 Bundoora 1949 Eltham 2003 Bundoora 1957 Macleod 1995 Bundoora 1948 Heidelberg 2002 Montmorency 1956 Heidelberg 1994 North Heidelberg 1947 Reservoir 2001 Heidelberg 1955 Heidelberg West 1993 Lalor 1946 Reservoir 2000 Heidelberg 1954 Greensborough 1992 Lalor 1999 Bundoora 1953 Heidelberg 1991 Lalor 1941 - 1945 1998 Lalor 1952 Epping 1990 Heidelberg Competition suspended due to 1997 Bundoora 1951 Heidelberg 1989 Greensborough World War II 1996 Bundoora 1950 Heidelberg 1988 Greensborough 1995 Montmorency 1987 North Heidelberg 1949 Diamond Creek 1941 Heidelberg West 1994 North Heidelberg 1986 Heidelberg 1948 Macleod 1940 Epping 1993 Bundoora 1985 North Heidelberg 1947 Eltham 1939 Epping 1992 North Heidelberg 1984 Greensborough 1938 Heidelberg 1991 Bundoora 1983 Greensborough 1937 Heidelberg 1990 North Heidelberg DIVISION 1 1982 Diamond Creek 1936 Epping 1989 North Heidelberg NFL Under-19s 1981 Diamond Creek 1935 Epping 1988 North Heidelberg 2014 Greensborough 1980 Lalor 1934 Greensborough 1987 North Heidelberg 2013 West Preston-Lakeside 1979 Montmorency 1933 Epping 1986 North Heidelberg 2012 Northcote Park 1978 North Heidelberg 1932 Eltham 1985 North Heidelberg 2011 Greensborough 1977 Reservoir-Lakeside 1931 Greensborough 1984 Greensborough 2010 Greensborough 1976 Montmorency 1930 Eltham 1983 Bundoora 1975 Reservoir-Lakeside 2009 Greensborough 1929 Heidelberg Juniors 1982 Montmorency 1974 Eltham 2008 West Preston-Lakeside 1928 Heidelberg Juniors 1981 Lalor 1973 Templestowe 2007 Eltham

45 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 PREMIERSHIP TEAMS

DVFL Under-19s DIVISION 2 DIVISION 2 DIVISION 2 2006 West Preston-Lakeside NFL Seniors NFL Reserves NFL Under-19s 2005 Northcote Park/Alphington 2014 North Heidelberg 2014 North Heidelberg 2014 St Mary’s 2004 Northcote Park/Alphington 2013 Whittlesea 2013 Diamond Creek 2013 Whittlesea 2003 Northcote Park/Alphington 2012 Epping 2012 Diamond Creek 2012 Thomastown 2002 Bundoora 2011 Lower Plenty 2011 Lower Plenty 2011 Lower Plenty 2001 Montmorency 2010 Whittlesea 2010 Mernda 2010 Diamond Creek 2000 Bundoora 2009 Macleod 2009 Diamond Creek 2009 Whittlesea 1999 Northcote Park/Alphington 2008 Thomastown 2008 Mernda 2008 Macleod 1998 Northcote Park/Alphington 2007 Lalor 2007 Thomastown 2007 Mernda 1997 Epping 1996 North Heidelberg 1995 Lalor DVFL Seniors DIVISION 2 DVFL Under-19s 1994 Montmorency 2006 Greensborough DVFL Reserves 2006 Greensborough 2005 Diamond Creek 2005 Macleod 1993 Epping 2006 Greensborough 2004 Lalor 2004 Greensborough 1992 Reservoir-Lakeside 2005 Greensborough 2003 Hurstbridge 2003 Lalor 1991 Montmorency 2004 Lalor 2002 Eltham 2002 Wallan 1990 Greensborough 2003 Lalor 2001 Lalor 2001 Lalor 1989 North Heidelberg 2002 South Morang 2000 Eltham 2000 Bundoora 1988 Bundoora 2001 Lalor 1999 Lower Plenty 1999 Lower Plenty 1987 Lalor 2000 Eltham 1998 Diamond Creek 1998 Reservoir 1986 Bundoora 1999 Whittlesea 1997 Eltham 1997 Lower Plenty 1985 Lalor 1998 Diamond Creek 1996 West Preston 1996 Research 1984 North Heidelberg 1997 Diamond Creek 1995 Eltham 1995 Hurstbridge 1983 Lalor 1996 West Preston 1994 Northcote Park 1994 1982 Templestowe 1995 West Preston 1993 West Preston 1993 Macleod Juniors 1981 Montmorency 1994 Northcote Park 1992 Diamond Creek 1992 West Lalor 1980 Heidelberg 1993 West Preston 1991 Mernda 1991 1979 Greensborough 1992 West Preston 1990 Epping 1990 1978 Reservoir-Lakeside 1991 West Preston 1989 Eltham 1989 1977 Watsonia 1990 Epping 1988 West Preston 1988 1976 Reservoir-Lakeside 1989 Epping 1987 Watsonia 1987 Thornbury 1975 Reservoir-Lakeside 1988 Research 1986 Epping 1986 West Preston 1974 Greensborough 1987 Reservoir-Lakeside 1985 Northcote Park 1985 Reservoir-Lakeside 1973 Reservoir-Lakeside 1986 Reservoir-Lakeside 1984 Reservoir 1984 Reservoir 1972 Greensborough 1985 West Preston 1983 Heidelberg 1983 Reservoir 1971 Reservoir-Lakeside 1984 Reservoir 1982 Eltham 1982 Northcote Park 1970 Greensborough 1983 Northcote Park 1981 Bundoora 1981 Northcote Park 1969 Greensborough 1982 Reservoir 1968 Reservoir-Lakeside 1981 Heidelberg 1967 Montmorency 1966 Heidelberg West DIVISION 3 1965 Macleod-Rosanna NFL Seniors 1964 Macleod-Rosanna 2014 Thomastown 1963 North Heidelberg 2013 Panton Hill 1962 North Heidelberg 2012 Mernda 2011 South Morang 2010 Hurstbridge 2009 Parkside

DIVISION 3 NFL Reserves 2014 Reservoir 2013 Watsonia 2012 Mernda 2011 Panton Hill 2010 South Morang 2009 Hurstbridge

NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 46 47 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 NFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 62 Previous page, clockwise from top left: Diamond Creek celebrates its fi fth consecutive Section 1 netball premiership; Michael Hooper kisses the Division 1 Grand Final best on ground medallion; Kevin Smith accepts the AFL Merit Award; Robert Hyde and Craig Hunter address the audience at the Div 1 Grand Final luncheon; Bronik Davies on the way to winning his second Frank Rosbrook Trophy; Research wins the 2014 Junior Club of the Year.

This page: A huge crowd fl ocks from the quarter-time huddle during the Division 1 Grand Final at Preston City Oval. Northern Football League Offi ce: Unit 11, 10-14 Simms Road, Greensborough Post: PO Box 405, Greensborough, VIC, 3088 Phone: (03) 9435 8228 Fax: (03) 9432 0147 Web: www.nfl .org.au ABN: 86 607 912 971

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