OPENING DAY SKINNY

It was a magnificent April afternoon and across the length and breadth of Melbourne, teams burst into Opening Day song. Some chose the Hallelujah Chorus, though others sang dirges. Still, VAFA football is back and don’t we just love it.

In Premier football, De La Salle got in by a point after Scotch failed to score from a long shot after the siren. Nick Roberts booted four in a best afield effort for the Bellers, while Max van den Broek starred with five for the Cards.

Down at Brindisi Street, Old Carey missed a much closer shot before the bell and went down to St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers, who had wasted many opportunities to seal the game. Caulfield Grammarians raised the flag, but St Bernard’s won a squeaker, avenging their 2011 grand final loss.

At Trinity, the Greens went down to Xavs, who were best served by debutant Pat Ambrose, while at University Oval, Blues blew a five goal lead in a fiery contest against the reigning premier Collegians. Lion Nick Sautner, who booted five and Blue Jack Watts both spent time in the sin-bin, their ejections coinciding with massive momentum shifts. Peter Summers booted three for the Varsity in an impressive debut. 

In Premier B, Beaumaris pounded Old Ivanhoe at Chelsworth Park, with Scott “Tower of Power” Gower slotting six. Old Melburnians tipped out Old Haileybury at the Junction, St Kevin’s got home in a thriller at Werribee Districts despite five from Brent Morrow. 

Jake Lew and Dave Fayman had Michelles as AJAX held out Old Brighton, who got five from Jordan Portelli. Oakleigh and Uni Blacks play at Warrawee Park tomorrow.

In Premier C, Adam Barclay continued the form he displayed in the Big V, slamming home six as Banyule routed Monash Blues. Gareth Taylor slotted five for the ‘Ashes. Marcellin held out PEGS in a low scoring affair at Bulleen. Chamath Jayaweera scored five for the Nodders, who lowered their colours to the Wellers. Parkdale Vultures held out Fitzroy, while Luke Brennan slotted ten for Rupertswood, which slayed Hampton Rovers.

Last season’s Division 1 finalist Whitefriars won comfortablty over MHSOB, which got five from Frank Carlucci. Medallist and Big V player Matt Keown kicked six in a BOG effort as NOBSPC beat the Oggers. Shane Metz booted twelve as the Monders mashed Glen Eira. Peninsula whacked St John’s, while Gareth Snow (OM) and Josh Vanderloo traded six packs in Mentonians massacre of Willy CYs. 

La Trobe University kicked only one goal against Eltham Collegians, who had five from Sab Ciavola to begin the Div 2 season. Monash Gryphons walloped South Melbourne Districts, while St Mary’s Salesian tipped out Old Paradians in a shock result. The bigger shock came at Toorak Park where Paul Florance kicked six and Kristian Cherbakof five to see Bulleen Temp home easily over Prahran Assumption. Luke Kowalski kicked six as Therry tore up Emmaus St Leo’s.

Aquinas won by four goals after leading by ten at the half over St Francis Xavier in Division 3. Troy Farrell’s five helped SFX back into it, but the result was never in doubt after the Bloods’ second term. Rhys Kirk kicked five as UHSVU disposed of Hawthorn. Kew beat Old Westbourne, which had five from Shaun Gill. Ivanhoe edged Albert Park, while Justin Hunter’s eight and Scott Grace’s six goals helped the Wicks to a massive win over the Stationmasters, who had five from Seb Angus.

In Div 4, Eley Park beat West Brunswick, Box Hill North (Dan Penny ten goals) rounded on an improving Chadstone. Pat Notaro kicked six for North Brunswick, which went down to the Cider Men. The Pigs got eleven from Ben Mason in their trouncing of Manningham Cobras, for whom Scott McPherson kicked six. South Mornington had a happy ride home after Jesse Albrecht kicked six to see the Tiges win over Point Cook.

The Live Scores App proved popular with VAFA fans around the world, while several veteran timekeepers indicated how surprisingly easy it was to keep their fans around the world apprised of their club’s progress.