The VAFA U18 side have won an entertaining game 2 of their series against AFL NZ U18s in Wellington today by 61 points.
The conditions were a significant improvement on the previous match with only a slight breeze favouring one end of the ground but that didn’t stop the VAFA from a blistering seven goal opening quarter.
AFL NZ were held scoreless for the two quarters – the first and the third – that they kicked against the breeze.
However with the breeze at their backs the Kiwis were able to take the game on and outscore their more experienced opponents in both the second and the fourth quarters.
The VAFA side were able to capitalise on the mistakes of the opposition with fast instinctive play, whereas the Kiwi build up was slower, with any turnover proving costly.
A survey of the players found that the VAFA boys had about 36,000 games more experience than their New Zealand opposition who combined had played about 100 games of Australian football.
This didn’t stop the effort that was put in and the VAFA is proud of its four years of sending a team to New Zealand to help the development of the game there.
For the VAFA, the major goal kickers were Ed Walmsley (Old Scotch) who again kicked three, Sam Bradford (South Melbourne Districts) also kicked three whilst Alex McDougall (Emmaus St Leos) was the only other multiple goal kicker.
The VAFA’s best were Sam Sher (University Blacks), Jack Cowell (Bulleen Templestowe) and Walmsley.
The boys return to Melbourne today with a very happy coach and support team.
Tom Maule put his coaching skills on the line taking the U18 team to New Zealand and he returns with the VAFA’s 100% record in tact.
VAFA U18: 7.4 8.5 14.7 15.9.99
AFLNZ U18: 0.0 3.2 3.2 6.2.38
Goals VAFA: Bradford 3, Walmsley 3, McDougall 2, LaRiccia, Pomeroy, Carlus, Coots, D’Andrea, Duerden, Sher
Best VAFA: Sher, Cowell, Walmsley, D’Andrea, Duerden, McVernon
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