The Croweaters must have fancied their chances after last year but from the outset it was clear that the Vics were the superior team. Kicking into a strong breeze in the first quarter, the Vics dominated the early proceedings kicking the first two goals of the match. St Kevins’ small man Ben Dowd was particularly dominant in the first quarter as the VAFA went into the first break with a one goal lead. South Australia bounced out of the blocks in the second term and put the first goal on the board into the breeze in the seond term to level things up and the majority of the second term developed into an arm wrestle. Another goal apiece and the day was looking like it was going to be tight. The VAFA fowards were seeing plenty of the ball but couldn’t put the score on the board until Lachlan Baddeley, Matty Moore and Huw Lacey helped the VAFA to a 17 point half time lead.
The third term was always going to be the crucial period and South Australia put the first goal on the board to bring them back into the match. However, from then one it was all Victoria, as they piled on 7 goals to 1 into a strong breeze to take the game away from the Croweaters. Marston, Olliver, Maddocks, Iezzi and Eva were superb for the Big V with Iezzi kicking a lovely goal on the run from Half Back. Moore was beginning to get on top at full forward along with McGettigan, Mentiplay and Baddeley. Through the middle, Watts was unstoppable and Dowd was having a day out. The Victorians ran away it with the wind in the last quarter to record an emphatic 70 point win.
AAFC U23 CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
VAFA 3.2 7.7 14.11 18.17 (125)
SAAFL 2.2 4.8 5.10 7.13 (55)
VAFA: Goals: Moore 5 L. Baddeley 3 Mentiplay 3 McGettigan 2 Gray Liberatore Lacey Iezzi McGuinness
Best: Watts Dowd Marston Moore L. Baddeley McGettigan Florance Iezzi
Noel Rundle Medallist: Jack Watts