VAFA IRELAND TOUR TEAM

The VAFA has named its squad to tour Ireland in October. The team was chosen from the players in the final squads for the Senior and Premier-Div 4 teams that played against the VCFL in July.
Players from twenty-six clubs represented the Big V on that weekend. Players from fifteen of those clubs submitted applications. The selectors chose at least one player from each of those clubs, with a maximum of two players from any one club.
VAFA President Bruno Conti said that the tour selectors had some tough decisions to make, but importantly had spread the representation to clubs from Premier through Division 2.
“Football wise, it’s a team to be proud of, but we are expecting the group to represent the Big V off-the-field with distinction too,” he said.
The squad comprises:
Matthew Torney – Captain (Uni Blues)
Ryan Colbert – Vice-Captain (Old Xavs)
Cam Howat – Vice-Captain (Old Carey)
Michael Christian, David Drapac (Banyule)
Paul Florance (Bulleen Temp)
Nick Sautner, Daniel Strachan (Collegians)
Tom Paterson   (Glen Eira)
Rees Thomas (Mazenod)
Michael Harold (Oakleigh)
Julian Rowe (Old Carey)
David Biggs, Daniel Flaherty (Old Essendon)
Travis Ridgway (Old Haileybury)
Gareth Snow (Old Mentonians)
Nick Wynne (Old Xavs)        
Rob Chisolm (Ormond)
Jack Hellier (St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers)
Matthew Dean, Cam Lee (Werribee Districts)

The team will be coached by Dean Anderson, with assistance from Luke Beveridge. It will play four games against very strong club sides while on tour.
All VAFA registered players (aged 18 or over) can enter the Boag’s Big V Irish Raffle, with the winner having the opportunity to join the trip as official team runner and emergency player. See here.