The Big V wrestled with then shook off a determined AFL Sydney team before driving away in the final stanza to win by 47 points at Blacktown International Sports Park.
Paul Wintle, leading the side as his brother Luke had done last yer, won the toss, but the wind offered no early advantage. The twilight contest began under perfect conditions and at great speed, with both teams seeking to gain an ascendancy. The Vics wasted some opportunities with some errant short passing before Jack Watts kicked the first goal. The Harboursiders kept up the pressure but could not garner sufficient return and the Big V, with some fine forward work from mosquitoes Lachlan Ferguson, Jack Bull and Tom O’Sullivan led by 11 points at the first change.
Jackson Eade opened the second stanza with a goal but The local team came out stronger. A late surge after some strong work by Cam Purss and Shane Neaves in the ruck and Trent Zimbachs and skipper Paul Wintle in defence saw the Big V go to the sheds nursing a nineteen point lead.
Pete Summers opened the third with a goal inside a minute, but AFL Sydney was not to be denied. The stadium lights shone brightly, and so too did Nathan Rimington, who found the ball consistently and created some fret run through the middle in the now treacherously slippery conditions.
At the final turn, the Vics led by 21 points and with a strong finish, put the game beyond the Two Blues’ reach. With the midfield rampant, the Big V played hard, running and grinding, applying pressure until the final siren.
Coach Simon Lethlean praised the endurance and commitment of his team, which had to work hard for the win.
Lachlan Ferguson, making his Senior Big V debut, won the Spirit of the Big V award. Daniel Strachan aggravated a lower leg injury and did not return after half-time.
The VAFA is now 3-0 against AFL Sydney.
A replay is available here. (Currently slow)
VAFA 5.5 9.6 11.11 15.18.108
AFL Sydney 3.4 6.5 8.8 8.13.61
Goals: J Watts 3, L Ferguson 3, J Eade 2, T O’Sullivan, J Bull, L Hill, J Madden, M Handley, P Summers, N Roberts
Best: P Summers, J Bull, N Rimington, C Purss, P Wintle, L Ferguson
………….
Check out the form of our boys in the Big V as they travel to Sydney to meet AFL Sydney in a twilight clash.
Four years ago, the game was a heartstopper. How will this year’s unit under Simon Lethlean fare? Find out.
WATCH: the game, beginning at 4:00pm at http://new.livestream.com/aflsydney
ON YOUR PHONE: m.vafa.livscores.redtxt.com.au
FROM THE COMPUTER YOU ARE ON: http://livescores.redtxt.com.au/vafa/all
And the team . . . to be captained by Paul "Rat" Wintle. A nice bit of history, as Luke "Juice" Wintle and Paul Wintle become the first brothers to captain the Big V – and in consecutive seasons too.
|
2 |
Thomas O’Sullivan |
Caulfield Grammarians |
|
3 |
Ben Smithwick |
Old Carey |
|
4 |
Jack Bull |
Collegians |
|
5 |
Matthew Ball |
Old Xaverians |
|
6 |
James Rimington |
Old Carey |
|
7 |
Lachie Hill |
Old Scotch |
|
8 |
Daniel Strachan |
Collegians |
|
9 |
Trent Zimbachs |
Collegians |
|
10 |
Lachlan Ferguson |
Collegians |
|
11 |
Brad Rogerson |
Old Xaverians |
|
12 |
Josh Madden |
St Bernard’s |
|
13 |
Justin Perkins (VC) |
Caulfield Grammarians |
|
15 |
Andrew Scott |
Collegians |
|
17 |
Peter Summers |
Uni Blues |
|
18 |
Cameron Purss |
Old Xaverians |
|
20 |
Jack Watts |
Uni Blues |
|
21 |
Matt Handley |
Old Xaverians |
|
23 |
Justin Baxter |
De La Salle |
|
24 |
Will Tardif |
Collegians |
|
25 |
Shane Neaves |
Old Scotch |
|
26 |
Jackson Eade |
Old Camberwell |
|
27 |
Paul Wintle – (C) |
St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers |
|
32 |
Nick Roberts |
De La Salle |
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