U18s IN THE SHAKY ISLES

GAME  2
VAFA 14.11.95
AFLNZ 7.11.53

Goal kickers: Lyons 6, Cloke 2, Louis Greco 1, McDowell 1, Rowe 1,
Deneys 1, Klein-Breteler 1, Webber 1.

Best: Bennie, Klein Breteler, Riley, McDowell, Lyons, Imber.

The weather was again windy for the second game but it was blowing to
the opposite end this time. The VAFA won the toss and kicked with the
wind using it to advantage. By the first change we were 38 points
ahead with a six goal first quarter. Matt Lyons kicked four of those
with an impressive start to the game.

The team continued from where it left off in the first game and worked
extremely hard together. All players knew their role and the rotations
assisted in sharing the workload.

The boys kicked another four goals into the wind in the second quarter
with the New Zealanders only managing two. The VAFA had a 48 point lead
at the main break and were looking very strong.

The Kiwis never gave up and played with great spirit and passion in
the second half. They out-scored the VAFA in the third quarter and
the match was very tight in the final quarter with the Kiwis
just winning the final quarter as well. The VAFA team still worked
very hard in the second half and deserved their final winning margin
of 42 points.

The coaching staff were very proud of the VAFA team and they
represented themselves, their club and the association with great
honor.

James Bennie was voted best player for our team by the VAFA coaching
staff and Jordan Gay was awarded best on ground by the NZ coaches.
Lachlan McDowell was awarded player of the series for the VAFA by the
VAFA coaches. The VAFA won the series 2-0.

This has been great promotion of football in new Zealand and the New
Zealanders are very grateful to our boys for going over there and
assisting in their development. The coach of NZ, Justin
Davies, said it was like having 24 assistant coaches for their team.

Congratulations to our coach David Lappage, his assistant Tony Brown,
our captain Tom Gibney and all the players on a wonderful result. We
now look forward to the next series in Wellington in 2012.

GAME 1
VAFA 16.13.109 defeated AFLNZ 4.8.32.
Goals: Turner 3 Cloke 3 Rowe 2 Gibney 2 Bennie 1 Imber 1 Greco 1 Benson 1 Mase 1 Deneys 1
Best: McDowell, Riley, Deneys, Rowe, Imber, Bennie
The game was played in great conditions with Auckland putting on some good football weather and in great spirit with both teams fighting hard for the early ascendancy.
There were only four points in it at the first break, but it was NZ which had enjoyed the first quarter breeze. In the second term, the VAFA started to player better as a team, applying scoreboard pressure and building a solid lead at half time.
Vic coach David Lappage set up great rotations and the players continued to play their role in the second half with all 24 players having an impact in the game. The VAFA ran out 77 point winners in the first of two matches of the series.
Lachlan McDowell was voted the best VAFA player by our coaching staff and Daniel Riley was voted the best player by the Kiwis.
The second match of the series is on Monday, beginning 10:00 am Melbourne time.
Quarter by quarter scores will be tweeted on @vafacomm.