VFL FINALS WEEK 3 PRELIMINARY FINALS SEPTEMBER 14-15, 2013 $3.00 GGrandrand FFinalinal sspotpot uupp fforor ggrabsrabs WWerribeeerribee TTigersigers 119.10-1249.10-124 d CCaseyasey SScorpionscorpions 112.12-842.12-84 Give exit fees the boot. And lock-in contracts the hip and shoulder. AlintaAlinta EnerEnergy’sgy’s Fair GGoo 1155 • NoNo lock-inlock-in contractscontracts • NoNo exitexit fees • 15% off your electricity usageusage* forfor as lonlongg as you continue to be on this planplan 18001800 46 2525 4646 alintaenergy.com.aualintaenergy.com.au *15%*15% off your electricity usage based on Alinta Energy’s published Standing Tariffs for Victoria. Terms and conditionsconditions apply.apply. NNotot avaavailableilable wwithith sosolar.lar. EDITORIAL Multiple winners again FOUR young men – George Cameron, Ben Cavarra, Jacob Chisari and Josh Scott – were consigned to the annals of TAC Cup history last Sunday night when they tied for the honor of Morrish Medal winner. One week after there was a three-way dead-heat in the As well as celebrating the Morrish J.J. Liston Trophy, the Peter Jackson VFL’s best and fairest, Medal, North Ballarat’s Louis the Morrish Medal count, the highest individual honor in Herbert was presented with the the TAC Cup, produced an historic result. TAC Cup Coaches award, judged on the votes of the Never before have four players shared a Morrish Medal, coaches after each home and away game. whose history dates back to 1947 with the VFL Under 19 And, the TAC Cup Team of the Year was unveiled, refl ecting competition and whose honor roll includes Brownlow the players whose impact over the course of the season medalist Tony Liberatore. was the most telling. The Morrish Medal tie will forever link the Geelong Falcon Signifi cantly, all 12 TAC Cup regions were represented with (Cameron), Eastern Ranges (Cavarra), Bendigo Pioneer special mention of Eastern Ranges power forward Tom (Chisari) and Gippsland Power (Scott) players. Boyd who was selected for the second successive season. It again highlighted how the TAC Cup provides such It’s worth noting that eight players from last year’s TAC Cup outstanding opportunities for aspiring young players Team of the Year made their AFL debut this season. We’ll stretching right across the State. watch with interest the progression of this year’s team. Cameron graduated to the Falcons from the Geelong suburb Congratulations to Ranges’ coach Darren Bewick, who was of Newtown; Cavarra from Ferntree Gully; Chisari from named as coach of the TAC Cup Team of the Year. South Mildura and Scott from Lakes Entrance. The Morrish Medal evening also recognised the And, that underscores some of the tenants of the Victorian outstanding success of the Victorian teams at the 2013 AFL talented player pathway program – identify the talent, Youth Girls National Championships. introduce them to the best possible coaching, hone their The Eva Peers Medal was presented to Lily Mithen (Vic skills and immerse them in a competition that continually Country) and Ellie Blackburn (Vic Metro). challenges them. As well as the Preliminary Finals this weekend in the Peter Scott is the fi rst TAC Cup leading goal kicker and fi rst Jackson VFL and TAC Cup, the VFL Development League “19-year-old” to win a Morrish; Cavarra, a Ranges best and Grand Final will be played between Williamstown and Box fairest winner as a bottom age player, represented Vic Metro during the season while Cameron and Chisari were Hill Hawks. introduced during the season to playing in the VFL. All the best to the players and clubs involved. All four are well situated to exit the TAC Cup and take the Grant Williams next step in their football career. AFL Victoria General Manager Editor: Anthony Stanguts anthony.stanguts@afl vic.com.au Contributors: Adrian Dunn, David O’Neill, Anthony Stanguts, Justin Jenvey Design & Print: Cyan Press Visy Park, Gate 3, Royal Parade, Carlton Nth, VIC 3054 Photos: AFL Photo’s (unless otherwise credited) GPO Box 4337, Melbourne, VIC 3001 Advertising: Ryan Webb (03) 8341 6062 Phone: (03) 8341 6000 | Fax: (03) 9380 1076 AFL Victoria General Manager: Grant Williams www.afl vic.com.au State League & Talent Manager: John Hook High Performance Managers: Anton Grbac, Leon Harris Cover photo: A Grand Final spot is up for grabs in each of the Preliminary Talent Operations Coordinator: Rhy Gieschen Finals this weekend. Clockwise from top left, Ben Ross (Werribee), Sam Iles (Box Hill hawks), Ed Carr (Williamstown) and Mark Corrigan (Geelong). Talent Operations Offi cer: Lauren Bunting www.vfl .com.au 1 MEDIA COVERAGE ABC TV Saturday September 14: Geelong vs Williamstown - 2:00pm Sunday September 15: Box Hill Hawks vs Werribee Tigers - 2:00pm Next Week: Peter Jackson VFL Grand Final from 2:00pm Peter Jackson VFL Radio Saturday September 14: Geelong vs Williamstown - 1:30pm Sunday September 15: Box Hill Hawks vs Werribee Tigers - 1:30pm Live on Digital Radio via Aussie, Red Time Sport and SEN I-Phone Apps, online via vfl .com.au or sen.com.au and on Vision Australia Radio on 1179AM Next game: VFL Grand Final 3WBC Sunday September 15 - Box Hill Hawks vs Werribee Tigers - 1:00pm Listen to 94.1 FM or online at www.3wbc.org.au Next game: VFL Grand Final K-Rock Saturday September 14: Geelong vs Williamstown - 1:00pm 95.5fm or www.krock.com.au SEN Sunday September 15 – Peter Jackson VFL review 9:05pm Thursday September 19 – The Peter Jackson VFL Show 8:30pm – 9:00pm Peter Jackson VFL Online Keep up to date with the Peter Jackson VFL via the following methods: Website: www.vfl .com.au @VFLnews #PJVFL www.facebook.com/vfl footy 2 www.afl vic.com.au AFL VICTORIA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE GRAND FINAL PREVIEW: Williamstown v Box Hill Hawks WILLIAMSTOWN and Box Hill Hawks are no strangers when it comes to Development League Grand Finals. Box Hill Hawks has played in the Development League will play in the Development League Grand Final. Grand Final is every season except one stretching back to But, what is more concerning for Box Hill Hawks is at its 2006. most recent meeting against Williamstown – in Round 17 - During that extraordinarily consistent and strong period, the Seagulls belted them by 129-points. Ouch! Box Hill Hawks has claimed premierships in 2006, 2009- However that Seagulls team included Jack Johnstone, 10-11. who has become a revelation since he’s made his way into It lost last year’s Grand Final by seven-points against the seniors late in the season, Leigh Masters and Kirby Coburg Tigers after holding a 13-point lead at three quarter McConnon. time. That’s another trio Box Hill Hawks shouldn’t have to worry While Box Hill Hawks has been the most dominant about this week as all three played in Williamstown’s Development League team since 2006, Williamstown senior Semi Final victory. hasn’t been too shabby. But, how does Box Hill Hawks turn around its form in such The Seagulls defeated Box Hill Hawks in the 2008 a short time. Development League Grand Final. Williamstown marched into the Grand Final in emphatic And, Williamstown claimed the 2002-03 and ’05 fashion. It defeated Port Melbourne, which included former Development League premierships. VFL State player Billy Burstin and regular senior player It is a credit to both clubs for the time and effort they put in Ryan Gale, by 96-points. developing young players. Box Hill Hawks advanced to the Grand Final on the back of Williamstown has been the standout team in the a 31-point win against Northern Blues. Development League this season. It lost just two games With both clubs senior clubs involved in Preliminary during the home and away season and its percentage was Finals the best available players will be involved, but a whopping 238 per cent. Williamstown goes into the match an overwhelming Conversely, Box Hill Hawks, which fi nished second on the favourite. ladder, won 12 games, but its percentage was 107 Williamstown and Box Hill Hawks in action in Round 12. percent. As the vagaries of the draw had it, Williamstown emerged from its fi rst meeting against Box Hill Hawks in Round 12 with a 45-point win. It is worth noting that Williamstown team included Western Bulldog Patrick Veszpremi, Anthony Anastasio and Fletcher Roberts who all played in the Seagulls’ Semi Final win against Port Melbourne last week. None of that triumvirate www.vfl .com.au 3 THE RECOVERY DRINK YOU NEVER KNEW YOU DRANK. It’s true. Your humble glass of milk contains electrolytes for rehydration and proteins to repair muscle. dairyaustralia.com.au/legendairy 4 www.afl vic.com.au PRELIMINARY FINAL PREVIEW Geelong v Williamstown Williamstown will try to upset fl ag favourite Geelong for a spot in the 2013 Peter Jackson VFL Legendairy Grand Final. WHEN Williamstown gifted Box Hill Hawks an entry into being held out as a ‘safety’ precaution is most unlikely. the Preliminary Final through their poor conversion, the It will mean that Geelong will fi eld its strongest possible equation for the Seagulls became dauntingly clear. VFL team. For Williamstown to win the premiership they were faced Conversely, Williamstown will fi eld a team with more with three successive grand fi nals to achieve their season- VFL players than players from its AFL affi liate Western long goal. Bulldogs. As daunting as it was and still remains, the Seagulls have Last week in the triumph against Port Melbourne, reduced its grand fi nals by one thanks to its season-best Williamstown fi elded only eight Western Bulldogs players, performance which rendered Port Melbourne ineffective in but it highlighted the depth of the Seagulls list, especially last week’s Semi Final.