VAFA RNd 7 05.qxd 30/5/05 8:02 AM Page 1 Inside the VAFA The Big V Cometh! At this time of year, chances are the mystery gentleman sitting in the grandstand furiously scribbling notes is not an opposition spy or media scribe. At VAFA grounds from A Section to D4, selectors have been doing the rounds trying to formulate teams for one of four representative matches that will take place in the upcoming weeks. In two Saturday’s time (Queen’s Birthday), the VAFA takes on the Southern Football League for the Cystic Fibrosis Community Cup. Formerly known as the St Kilda Community Cup, it features players predominantly from C Section downwards with a sprinkling from A & B Section. Traditionally, the Amateurs have held the wood on their bayside counterparts, though they have always been tight games. George Voyage is looking for his fourth straight win over the SFL and says “there is a real winning feel among the group”. “We have a group of spotters and selectors who ensure that everyone is seen in action before selection”, Voyage said. “It really is a wonderful opportunity for the boys”. Although the side has been hit hard by injuries (particularly Al Parton, who has broken his arm), it will be strengthened by several A & B Section players, several of which (Mark Liddell, Pete Harrison and Andy Cultrera) have wreaked havoc on the SFL in years past. As a curtain raiser to the game, the VAFA has implemented a new initiative, a North v South Under 19 game, which will hopefully see each Under 19 team represented. Chris Bye (former coach of Therry and Old Essendon) and Adrian Connolly (Ormond) will coach the respective sides. The following day, the pick of our Under 23 players take to the field against the WAAFL in Perth in Game 2 of Australian Amateur Football Championships. Though last year’s result was an absolute rout, the Western Australian boys recently had a 17 point win over South Australia in a curtain raiser to the West Coast- St Kilda game and will be no easy beats. Old Melburnians’ James Beaumont is again expected to captain the side while Michael Barker (Haileybury) Dan Cullinan (Marcellin) and Cameron Purss (Old Xavs) are all in white-hot form for their clubs. Former Essendon and Brisbane defender Frank Dunell will coach the youngsters and says the wealth of talent in the Amateurs makes for some difficult selection decisions. “It has been a very difficult task at times but due to the outstanding talent that is available in the Amateurs” he said. “Our main objective will be to win the match but more importantly to ensure that our players have an enjoyable and rewarding experience”. Though the VAFA sides logically go in as favourites in these games, the boys from the VCFL may prove a harder nut to crack “ quick glance at the on July 17. The last time they met, in A photos that hang at Barooga, the Country boys won by 26 points Sportscover Arena though the Amateurs triumphed in the prior encounter at Sportscover Arena (2001). emphasises the calibre of Traditionally, the games pit the more players to wear Big V over physical, close-in style of the country team the years.” against the quicker, free-flowing game of the Amateurs. The VCFL side will coached by former Carlton star Brett Ratten, (who replaces Damien Drum, who in turn, replaced Rodney Eade) and is expected to feature a host of players with AFL experience. A win against the VCFL is doubly significant given that they draw their James Beaumont: 2004 U23 talent from competitions throughout the state and attract players on massive VAFA Captain - in white hot form. salaries. Whatever the case, the months of June and July invariably showcase the best that our competition has to offer. A quick glance at the photos that hang at Sportscover Arena emphasises the calibre of players to wear Big V over the years. Hopefully, like years gone by, the Amateurs can go three from three. Jonathan Horn THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER THE JOURNAL OF THE VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION May 28th, 2005 Price: $2.00 Vol. 05 No. 07 V THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2005 1 VAFA RNd 7 05.qxd 30/5/05 8:02 AM Page 2 A SECTION by Jonathan Horn And Then There Were Six Some big names back “Football”, Nietzsche once wrote, “is a funny and for the Bernies (VFL unpredictable game”. When yours truly is nailing bye) with Tim Harvey five from five in his tips to see off Wu and co, it and Danny Byrne gets even stranger. Whatever the case, despite the both dominating early upsets, I reckon there’s still six teams who are before the Callan capable of winning the A Grade flag. All it will take Potter show rolled into town and Bernard’s is a solid run of success, some luck with injuries strolled to an eleven goal win. Potter is the latest and the odd smoky or two. in a long line of Rupertswood boys to make the And what better smoky than Old Xavs’ Damien trek from Sunbury to West Essendon (Dan Lynch, who has emerged from no-where to give Jordan, Ben Jordan, Simon Clarke, Luke Spinner his new club some much needed forward potency. and Lucas Fielding) and from all reports, he is Lynch is very much in the Ben Mannix mould in very much at home in that sort of company. that if you were an opponent you’d take one look And finally to St Kevin’s who would have been in at him, high five yourself and then ten minutes all sorts had they lost but managed to later you’d be on the pine. He only kicked four but manufacture a sizzling eight goal final term to see could have kicked a lot more, pole-axed Tim off the increasingly struggling Trinity. Mick Aurel-Smith and nailed some big marks and freak Giansiracusa kicked a large proportion of the goals. Cameron Purss in the ruck, Andy Bowen on second half goals while at the other end, Nick a flank and Travis Ruyg of no fixed position were Dowling did another good job, this time on Brent everywhere for the home side. Walsh. SKOBS are one of those teams who play their home ground very well and this could prove telling when things hot up at the end of the “ f Paul Corrigan knocks up more than season. I 35 touches and Brett O’Farrell dobs Marcellin or Farcellin? Are the Eagles the real deal? St Bernard’s are the seven, you’d put your house on the only team of note that they’ve beaten and they Bloods to win, right?” were shown up against the students. A few people still have their doubts and even though I rate Scotch weren’t as bad as the final margin would suggest but really did ruin their chances with McKINNON sloppy kicking. Even as late as the last term, they SPORTS MEDICINE were still right in it, but missed about six genuine SHARPSHOOTERS – A chances in ten minutes to blow yet another winnable game. CLUB NAME LST WK TOTAL If Paul Corrigan knocks up more than 35 touches and Brett O’Farrell dobs seven, you’d put your A SECTION house on the Bloods to win, right? Well no, they Old Haileybury B. O'Farrell 7 30 were thumped by more than eight goals by a Marcellin Cullinan 6 27 resurgent Uni team who are very much back in the mix. The win heralded a return to form for Ed Old Scotch Gertsman 3 26 Clark and Andrew Lowcock while big George up St. Kevins McKee 2 24 front is having his best season for many a year. A RESERVE Marcellin thumped OMs though Gian Romanin’s match report (littered with about 35 Star Wars Old Haileybury Efstathiou 6 28 analogies) led me to believe that Lando Calrisian Old Haileybury Salter 0 12 (the suavest man in space) is actually running the Old Xaverians Green 0 10 show down there. Still, Romanin himself snagged two and Glenn Cox played typically well in his first St.Kevins P.Mount 1 10 game back from a bung shoulder. Old Melburnians Hawkins 2 10 2 V THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2005 VAFA RNd 7 05.qxd 30/5/05 8:02 AM Page 3 them pretty highly, I rate Xavs even higher. The visitors by 20. LAST ROUND’S RESULTS – A I reckon the others pick themselves…Haileybury A SECTION at the Hotel Le Bad, Blues to keep rolling along at UNIVERSITY BLUES 7.3 10.5 14.7 21.9 (135) Trinity, St Bernard’s to be too tall for St Kevin’s OLD HAILEYBURY 3.1 5.2 10.3 13.7 (85) and Old Scotch to bounce back against Uni Blues: DeCrespigny 6 Scambler 4 Clark 3 Butko 2 Rankin 2 Tanner 2 Muhelbach Ryan. Best: Paterson McKinnon DeCrespigny Clark Lowcock Collegians. Scambler. Old Hail: O’Farrell 7 Warnes 2 Siapantas Jones Seccull Correspondents – Jonathan Horn - Chisholm. Best: P Corrigan Jenke O’Farrell Trollope Lay S Langford-Jones. [email protected] Umpires: Geoff Caulfield Grant Joyner (F) Cameron Hayes (B) Daniel Kofoed Lucas Robson (G) OLD MELBURNIANS 0.2 4.7 6.12 8.14 (62) MILESTONESMILESTONES MARCELLIN 2.5 5.5 9.8 16.12 (108) Old Trinity - congratulates Richard Ramsden Old Melb: Hicks 3 Bunn 2 J Berry Kennon Lacey. Best: Lacey Tucker who last week played his 100th game for the Roberts J Berry Bunn Toll.