EXCITED BY VAFA SQUAD’S PROSPECTS

One of the toughest things about selecting a squad of players for a representative match is getting around to matches to watch players play. With no matches since last year, it becomes an even greater challenge. Who is fit? Who is in form? I certainly don’t envy the job of the selectors and given this match is pre-season, this squad more than ever is picked on past performances and reputations. 
As supporters of the VAFA, we should be delighted with how the selectors have chosen a squad of such talent. However, selecting a side is simply the first step. Securing the services of players is the next part of the process and that means a lot of phone calls to ensure that players are fit, keen and committed to playing a representative match before they have played club football for premiership points. That a list of such quality have committed is testament to the players and coaches alike. 
So just how much talent is in this squad? 
There are an astonishing six Woodrow Medallists in the squad including winners from five of the past six years. (Williams 2013, Howat 2012, Iezzi 2011, Fieldsend 2009, Watts 2008 and Rice 2005). 
Three former Big V captains are in the side and at least another four players have captained VAFA representative sides at some level. Given Senior Coach Simon Lethlean’s recent history of selecting a new leader in each match, expect there to be fourth senior captain by the time the final 24 is named.
There is certainly no shortage of leadership to choose from. Nine of the squad are captains of their respective clubs and there are similar numbers of vice-captains amongst the group. 
There is vast representative experience in the squad too. Thirty-one of the forty-six players have pulled on the Big V to represent the VAFA. Of the 31 played to have played representative football, 21 have done so at senior level. The most experienced played to wear the Big V is Trent Zimbachs of Collegians who has made the final team on five previous occasions at senior level. Jacks Watts (University Blues) and Cameron Howat (Old Carey) both have four senior representative matches to their names.   
Breaking down the squad further; 10 players played against the EFL in 2012, whilst two of the squad, Brendan Iezzi (Old Trinity) and Ben Dowd (St Kevins OB) played in the Bush Fire Appeal match against the EFL in 2009. Both incidentally missed the 2012 clash at Bayswater. 
Whilst acknowledging the selectors for getting it right, we must also congratulate the players for putting their hand up to play. VAFA supporters could all name a dozen or more players from the top shelf that are not in this squad, but they are unavailable for a variety of reasons. However, to have the amount of quality footballers, all keen to wear that famous Big V is a tribute to the players.   
The EFL have named a super squad and they will stop at nothing to win this title fight. However, if you are a fan of the VAFA then you should feel good about our prospects. It won’t be easy but all 46 players in the squad will believe they are every bit as good and better than their rivals from the East. Expect the training sessions to be intense, unfortunately 22 players will not make it onto the final team sheet for the match on 29 March. 
Good luck to all players as they prepare over the coming month. 
Andrew Leonard is the Media and Communications Manager of the VAFA and his views here are independent of the VAFA Big V Representative Program.