RECORD ISSUE 21 – SENIOR FINALS WEEK 2 27th-28th August 2016 $2.00 KICKIN’ IT WITH KRISTEN Editorial – Issue 21, August 27th-28th, 2016 FINALS FOOTY STEPS UP A NOTCH By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS WEEK 1 of the 2016 Senior The Power is into the Grand Final in their inaugural Finals Series produced senior season. It is an incredible achievement. some thrilling games across The entire crew at Newport, from president Stephen all three divisions last Martyn to coach Mark Williams and all the players and weekend. volunteers, should be very proud of this season. Hoppers Crossing got over the The Power’s Under-19 Division 2 side is also in the line against Werribee Districts Grand Final. at Avalon Airport Oval in what Congratulations also goes to Caroline Springs whose was a great game of footy. reserves team reached the pinnacle game of the year Altona kept it season alive and also to the Tarneit Football Club, whose reserves with a good win against Spotswood. The Vikings will be team also made it to the Division 3 Grand Final. aiming to make it two-from-two when they take on the In other news, the WRFL has announced the winner of Tigers on Sunday. Can they spoil the Werribee Districts the SEN Most Valuable Player award for the Division 1 party? We will soon find out. competition, in Tom Langlands. It was more of the same in Division 2 when the Yarraville The Spotswood star has had a standout season for the Seddon Eagles did enough to secure victory against North Woodsman and is a deserving winner of the award. Turn Footscray, booking a spot in the Grand Final next week. to page 3 for the full story. The WRFL has also opened up the nominations for the If there was a few more minutes in the game I could be 2016 Melbourne Injury Lawyers Unsung Hero Award. talking about the Devils reaching the Grand Final rather than the Eagles, however it wasn’t to be. As a community we tend to focus on the results on the field, but as a league we believe it is important to That result does make for an exciting preliminary final honour the ‘unsung heroes’ of our great competition. match on Saturday between North Footscray and This award was created to recognise the people who Caroline Springs at Dempster Park. unselfishly give up their time throughout the year to Both teams will be desperate to win, so it shaping up to their club. be a cracking game of footy. Volunteers often do their jobs without reward or credit, but are the heart and soul of the footy club. In Division 3, Newport Power’s fairytale story continued when they defeated Parkside by one-point at Wootten If you know a person deserving of this award, turn to Road Reserve. page 4 for nomination details. See you at the footy. CONTENTS SEN MVP award ................................................................................3 Division 2 Senior/Reserves .................................................19-25 Unsung hero award ........................................................................4 Division 3 Senior/Reserves .................................................27-31 Altona Juniors give back...............................................................5 Players Profile ................................................................................. 34 EJ Whitten Legend’s Match .........................................................6 Umpire’s Corner ............................................................................. 35 Senior Finals Information .............................................................7 Under-19 Division 1 ...............................................................37-43 Division 1 Senior/Reserves ...................................................9-17 Under-19 Division 2 ...............................................................44-47 FRONT COVER CAPTION: Tarneit will take on Parkside on Sunday for a spot in the Division 3 Grand Final next week. Picture: DARRELL JONES WRFL FOOTY RECORD Western Region Football League President: Meredith Angwin Level One, Whitten Oval, Footscray CEO: Bob Tregear OFFICE: (03) 9315-5400 Editor: Kristen Alebakis 1 WRFL FOOTY RECORD great live music . great laughs . great food & wine . and great for the kids too at the . 135 Stephen St.Yarraville. Tel: 03 9689 6033 www.yarravilleclub.com.au Like us on Facebook Your Community. Your Club. PROFESSIONAL VEHICLE SERVICING & REPAIRS, WITH HONESTY & INTERGITY WRFL NEWS LANGLANDS HONOURED WITH SEN MVP AWARD By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS SPOTSWOOD star Tom Langlands has been “As a leader and a coach, it is important for me to give a awarded as the Western Region Football League’s 100 per cent each week.” Most Valuable Player for 2016. Spotswood’s 2016 finals campaign ended at the Voted on by all Division 1 coaches, Langlands polled weekend, with Altona defeating the Woodsman on 18 votes, two ahead of St Albans champion Tim Sunday at Burbank Oval. Jenkins and Albion ruckman Troy Kelm, who each As part of Langlands’ award, he will be invited to the received 16 votes. Division 1 Grand Final Luncheon on Sunday, September Altona captain Jordan Robins came in fourth place with 11. There he will receive his MVP award. 12 votes, while Wyndhamvale’s Brian Graham, in his first season with the Falcons, was fifth with 10 votes. PLACE PLAYER CLUB VOTES Now in its sixth year the SEN Most Valuable Player 1st Tom Langlands Spotswood 18 Award recognises the WRFL’s best overall senior player 2nd Tim Jenkins St Albans 16 in the Division 1 competition. Tied for 2nd Troy Kelm Albion 16 Using the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 system, coaches voted for the 4th Jordan Robins Altona 12 players that were not necessarily the ‘best player’ but 5th Brian Graham Wyndhamvale 10 one who embodies leadership, versatility, ability to play under pressure, skill and courage, respect for all umpires and overall value to their team. Langlands had a fantastic year. Of the 16 home and away season games played, he was named in the best on 13 occasions. The talented midfilder was also involved in the WRFL’s Interleague campaign, representing the league in the Community Championships match against Ballarat earlier this year. Langlands said he was honoured to have won the MVP award. “It is special,” he said. “I have been playing for so many years in the Western Region Football League and have been back at Spotswood for the past six years, so I am pretty stoked to be recognised as one of the better players of the league.” Langlands said the reason for his standout season was consistency. “I have been lucky this year,” he said. “I have taken care of my body and haven’t had any injuries. “I have played every game this season and that helps to maintain some consistency, it also helps the team as we Spotswood playing-coach Tom Langlands has won the 2016 SEN do have a young side. MVP award. Picture: CODY BENCH 3 WRFL FOOTY RECORD WRFL NEWS UNSUNG HEROES TO BE RECOGNISED As a community we all tend to focus on what The league is currently seeking nominations from happens on the field, especially when finals begin. all clubs within the WRFL, for this Unsung Hero recognition award. While it is important to celebrate the achievements on the footy field, the WRFL also believes it’s important We are looking for volunteers who may mark the to recognize the ‘unsung heroes’ without whom, we lines, strap the goal posts, cut the oranges, clean up wouldn’t have a league to play in. the rooms, help out with the juniors, pick up elderly supporters to take to the game and a million and one These men and women, boys and girls work tirelessly other things that get done around the club every week. for their local club and league, often without looking for or receiving the recognition and acknowledgment All these jobs are ‘assumed’ by the general public to ‘just they deserve. happen’…….because they always have. While we are sure all clubs show their appreciation If you know of anyone who you think should be in their own way to these dedicated and passionate nominated, please contact your club administrator volunteers, as a league we also would like to recognize with your nomination and they will forward your them for their efforts. recommendation with a digital photo of the nominee to the league for consideration. Melbourne Injury Lawyers (M.I.L) make this possible with an award dedicated in honour of the work done by volunteers. We ask all clubs to complete their nominations by Friday, September 2, so be quick, as there is not much time left! M.I.L, who have a number of offices around the metropolitan area, including Altona, became a sponsor The winner will be announced on the night of the of the WRFL in 2011. Senior Presentation evening and shared on social media, our e-newsletter and website. M.I.L see this award as a positive way to support the community within they operate and in 2015, Tom Burns was recognised for his efforts at the Wyndhamvale Football Club. Burns was presented with his award at last year’s Senior Presentation night. Wyndhamvale’s Tom Burns won the 2015 Unsung Hero award. Picture: DARRELL JONES WWW.WRFL.ORG.AU 4 WRFL NEWS ALTONA JUNIORS FOOTBALL CLUB GIVE BACK By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS THE EJ Whitten Foundation is the beneficiary of a The Vikings presented Ted Whitten Jr and Mike donation made by the Altona Juniors Football Club. Fitzgerald with a giant cheque at its Junior Presentation afternoon on Sunday. Earlier this the club hosted a function at the Kooringal Golf Club in Altona, with portions of the events tickets “We wanted to thank the EJ Whitten Foundation for as well as money raised on the night, the club was able their support in assisting us with the items to auction,” to donate $2315.35 to the foundation. Redpath said. As well as being one of the WRFL’s partners, the “We also want to thank those who attended the night Altona Juniors decided to make the donation to EJ as they were the key fundraisers and made the night a Whitten Foundation because of the work they do in great success.