CHRIS CAIN FINALS RACE 2008 DEBUTANTS VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE CATS LICK THEIR WOUNDS Reigning premier bundled out of finals race ROUND 20 AUGUST 30-31, 2008 $ INC EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE 3 GST Congratulations to CLAYTON COLLARD (Coburg Tigers) This week’s winner of the Ford “Best on Ground” Ute Visit theoval.com.au for more information. theoval.com.au EDITORIAL Last week AFL Tasmania met with the AFL to discuss football Tasmania’s VFL in general and Tasmania’s future in the VFL specifi cally. This meeting followed an earlier future cloudy one with AFL Victoria where League has fast-tracked Tassie talent Tasmanian football’s future was candidly canvassed. It was clear from that meeting young Tasmanian players. One issue AFL Victoria will AFL Tasmania’s No. 1 priority Rover Ian Callinan won a J.J. need to consider is the best was re-establishing a 10-team Liston Trophy, Ben Atkin won fi nals structure for a 13-team state-wide competition in a Frank Johnson Medal and competition. Is it a fi nal eight like Tasmania, ideally by the start of numerous players represented previously or will a fi nal six operate the 2009 season. the VFL in successful more effectively? It is a discussion What AFL Tasmania has not representative matches. for the off-season. decided is whether a Tasmanian It has allowed a number of Round 20 shapes as a gripping side in the VFL would support this aspiring footballers to showcase climax to the home and away proposed competition. their talents and many like Justin season with a number of games If it decides it doesn’t – and that Sherman, Jack Riewoldt, Colin set to determine the shape of the must be viewed as more likely than Garland and Tom Hislop have eight, while the Geelong-Frankston unlikely – then Tasmania’s round progressed to play AFL. and Sandringham-North Ballarat 20 match against the Box Hill Meanwhile, Tasmania gave matches will decide whether Hawks will be its last in the VFL. all VFL clubs the opportunity to Frankston or Sandringham takes AFL Victoria would like to think experience interstate travel and the fi nal spot in the eight. Tasmania’s past eight seasons play at fi rst-class venues like It sets the stage for what in the VFL have been mutually Bellerive Oval and Aurora Stadium promises to be an intriguing benefi cial. against strong, spirited opposition. fi nal series, culminating with Clearly, hundreds of Tasmanian If Tasmania does not play in the the fi rst VFL Grand Final under players have been introduced to VFL next season then the VFL will lights at Telstra Dome on Friday, a competition where the standard operate a 13-team competition in September 26. of football is the best outside 2009, with the AFL Gold Coast the AFL. franchise entering the League in John Hook It certainly provided a clearly 2010, followed by the AFL western Football Operations Manager, defi ned pathway for talented Sydney franchise in 2011. AFL Victoria CHRIS CAIN FINALS RACE 2008 DEBUTANTS AFL Victoria Chief Executive Officer: VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE ROUND 20 Peter Schwab CONTENTS AUGUST 30-31, 2008 Football Operations Manager: RECORD John Hook Fothergill-Round Medal 5-6 COVER: Geelong players Statistics: Sam Coen CEO, The Slattery Media Group: Geoff Slattery Finals fi xture 8 trudge off after another loss in Editor: Nick Bowen AFL player fi nals eligibility 10-11 a disappointing season where Designer: Karl Chandler their premiership defence ended Photo Manager: Natalie Boccassini 2008 VFL debutants 12-13 Photography: Getty Images (02) 9004 2250 before the fi nals. Advertising: Jennifer Pryor (03) 8663 3007 Finals race 14-15 CATS LICK Printed by: Condor Printing THEIR WOUNDS Address correspondence: The Editor, Round 19 statistics 16-17 ReigningReigning premierpremier bbundledundled ooutut ooff fi nalsnals racerace GPO Box 4337, Melbourne, 3001. EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE ROUND 20 AUGUST 30-31, 2008 $3 Phone: (03) 8663 3000 Young Gun: Chris Cain 23 VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 3 CELEBRATION OF VICTORIAN FOOTBALL TELSTRA DOME FRIDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2008 TAC CUP VFL GRAND GRAND FINAL FINAL 4:00pm 7:40pm Start your Grand Final Weekend on Friday 26th September at Telstra Dome and watch the best Victoria has to offer. The TAC Cup Grand Final kicks off at 4.00 pm followed by the VFL Grand Final at 7.40 pm. Gates open at 3:30pm Adults $25, Concession $15.00 and kids under 15 free thanks to EastLink 4 visit: victorianfootballleague.com.au FOTHERGILL-ROUND MEDAL Youngest, best and fairest Nahas favourite for Fothergill-Round Medal If you were charting a graph Last year’s winner, Shane of Robin Nahas’ career in the Valenti, has followed other VFL you would be struck by the Fothergill-Round medallists – sharp rise in his performance in Ron De lulio, Mark Porter, Paul each of his three seasons. Dooley, Andrew Shipp, Michael Nahas, still three months shy Firrito and Aaron Davey – into of his 21st birthday, is enjoying his the AFL. best season at Port Melbourne It seems likely Nahas is about this year, when his outstanding to join that impressive array of form has seen him emerge as Fothergill-Round medallists, the favourite for the Fothergill- having taking his game to a new Round Medal. level this season. Now in its 20th season, the After an impressive debut Fothergill-Round Medal is named season for Port Melbourne after Des Fothergill and Barry in 2006 and an even better Round, the only two players to season last year, Nahas has win a Brownlow Medal and enjoyed a breakout year in 2008, J.J. Liston Trophy. representing Victoria against Fothergill won his Brownlow South Australia and winning the in 1940 when playing for Frank Johnson Medal as the Collingwood. The following year VFL’s best player. he switched to Williamstown, Nahas has played every match where he added the Liston Trophy. for the Borough this year, kicking Round, also a Williamstown 41 goals to sit sixth on the VFL past great, won his Liston Trophy goalkicking ladder. In seven in 1987, having already won games he’s kicked four or more the Brownlow Medal at South goals, including a personal best Melbourne in 1981. six against Sandringham. In recognition of these two While Nahas is the clear champions, the VFL introduced favourite to win the Fothergill- the Fothergill-Round Medal in Round Medal, there are other 1989 for the player under the age contenders with legitimate claims. of 22 (as of October in the year Over the page, the VFL Record Port Melbourne rover of the award) with the most talent looks at the young guns at each Robin Nahas is the favourite for this year’s and potential to take his game to club who could walk away with Fothergill Round Medal. the AFL level. this prestigious award. VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORD 55 FOTHERGILL-ROUND MEDAL BENDIGO BOMBERS Rookies Michael Lourey and of the Harrison Medal for best Captain James Flaherty, in just Russell Gabriel have enjoyed Division Two player at the NAB his second season, continues to very successful seasons. AFL Under-18 Championships, impress in what has been a tough racked up the most possessions season for the club. Grant Weekes GEELONG in the Division One play-offs and is another who has improved, Cats rookies Chris Kangars won All-Australian honours. while newcomers Stewart and Jeremy Laidler have both He’s made a considerable impact Crameri, Johnny Coghlan and performed well in their fi rst season in the VFL too. James Bristow have played well. of senior football. WERRIBEE BOX HILL HAWKS NORTH BALLARAT After playing 15 games last After a horrifi c run with injuries in After smashing his ankle in season, Michael Rockefeller recent times, Lukas Markovic has a pre-season accident two years has continued his good form. displayed the talent that saw him ago and then playing local football Werribee also has gifted once rookie listed by Hawthorn. for a year, Bill Driscoll has youngsters in Shepparton recruit Markovic has performed well in made a successful comeback. Michael Barlow, who has played a variety of roles. Stephen Clifton, now in his third every match, and Flinn Chisholm, season with the club, has again who has stepped up after his CASEY SCORPIONS been consistent. introduction last season. Alex Silvagni has become a mainstay in defence for the NORTHERN BULLANTS WILLIAMSTOWN Scorpions, more than holding Luke Morgan has become David Stretton, like Nahas, a well- his own against some of the a regular for the Bullants in performed VFL representative League’s big-name forwards. his rookie VFL season, a year this season, is another emerging when spots for VFL-listed players talent. A prolifi c possession COBURG TIGERS were scarce. winner, Stretton has been one Following his impressive rookie of the Seagulls’ most reliable season, Andrew Horne has played PORT MELBOURNE contributors. every match and again displayed Apart from Nahas, the Borough the talent that he fi rst displayed has produced several exciting Youngster Lukas when he emerged as youngsters, most notably Chris Markovic, a shinging light for the Box Hill an outstanding TAC Cup Cain and Rees Thomas. Hawks this year, is prospect. Morrish Medal winner one of the leading Fortunato Caruso has also SANDRINGHAM contenders for the Fothergill enjoyed another solid season. For all its on-fi eld troubles, Round Medal. Sandringham has seen steady COLLINGWOOD improvement from Tomi Johnston, Magpie rookie Brent Macaffer Rennie Gilchrist and Shane has been the Magpies’ primary Tregear, while Jake Williams has goalkicker. Has fi nished off the also showed promise. season strongly.