VAFA clubs score big in 2024
This year VAFA clubs engaged in various revenue-generating avenues to support their programs and initiatives. Among these were the TAC Club Rewards Program, Telstra Country Footy Grant, and Good for
Jason Bast – Jason_Bast
Round 5 was a week of close finishes and unbelievable blowouts in Division 4 – there was no in-between. The round started off with the Eley Park Sharks getting over the line by six points against Masala, before North Brunswick demolished Parkside by a whopping 134 points. Another close game was fought between Manningham and Mt Lilydale with the Rams winning that game by five points. To finish the round, we witnessed what is most likely going to be the biggest win of the season as Aquinas kept St Francis Xavier goalless on the way to a colossal 175-point victory.
Masala FC 13.16-94 def by Eley Park Sharks 15.10-100
It was a great game of footy down at WJ Turner reserve at the weekend, a back-and-forth battle that saw neither team get a significant edge at any point during the game. Both teams put on five goals in the first quarter and four in the second as Masala had a three-point lead at the main break. The third quarter was no different with both sides kicking two goals. Masala’s inaccuracy in the third term will certainly be a sore point for the Tigers as they kicked 2.7 to head into the last quarter just one goal in front. The Sharks capitalised on their opponent’s inaccuracy and kicked 4.2 to 2.2 in the final quarter to go home with the tight, hard-fought win. Jordan Cahill was exceptional for Masala while Chris Brown was best afield for the Sharks booting six goals.
North Brunswick AFC 24.9-153 def Parkside FC 2.7-19
A close first quarter and relatively tight second had North Brunswick only ahead by three goals at half time. Parkside would’ve been feeling good heading into the third as they were holding their own against one of the best sides in the division this year. Unfortunately, football can be a cruel game and it was a tale of two halves that saw Parkside’s expectations come crashing back down to earth. The Bulls came out charging in the second half and put on a tremendous 19 goals straight to two behinds to steam roll Parkside on their way to a 134-point victory. It was a good day for the Bulls’ forwards with six multiple goal scorers, Jake George leading the way with six and Peter Notaro, yet again, finding the big sticks and booting four of his own. It was a gallant effort by Shane McLaren and Isaac Romano but there wasn’t much the Red Devils could do to halt the scoring machine that hit them in the second half. The Bulls now stay a game ahead of the rest of the competition still yet to lose a game.
Manningham Cobras AFC 10.19-79 def by Mt Lilydale OC 13.6-84
Inaccuracy in front of goal can sting you where it hurts as the Cobras found out this weekend. Manningham finished the game with 10 more scoring shots than the Rams but fell short by five points. It was a hotly contested game with neither team holding more than a nine-point lead at any change. Chris Jolly found the goals again for the Cobras finishing with three majors while Ben Tomazic and Michael Parkes kicking one apiece as the best to players for Manningham. Stephen Donald, for the Rams, was the third player of the round to score himself a bag of six goals as he jumps to second on the goal kicking leader board.
St Francis Xavier OC 0.7-7 def by Aquinas 27.20-182
This game was a welcome percentage booster for the Bloods, who are just waiting for North Brunswick to drop their first game of the year so they can overtake them for first on the ladder. From the first bounce the X-Men were out of the game as Aquinas opened with a 46 to zero lead in the first quarter. In the second, Aquinas extended that lead to 80-points at halftime. The bleeding didn’t stop there for St Francis as they only managed two more behinds for the game while the Bloods booted home a further 14 goals on their way to the largest win of the season. Harley Crozier was named best on ground for the X-Men in a hard game for his club. For Aquinas, once again, it was Liam Whelan who kicked another bag, and a huge one at! Whelan slotted 10 majors to claim the largest haul of the round and earning himself best on ground honours and the lead in the Division 4 goal kicking tally.
Preview
Round 6 will start with Elsternwick coming off the bye to face Masala at Elsternwick Park. The Tigers will be hoping to bounce back from their heartbreaking loss at the hands of the Sharks on the weekend and stay off the bottom of the ladder as the Wickers will be trying to nab their second win of the year in a bid to stay in touch with the top half of the ladder. Game two brings us to the game of the round with the Rams taking on the Bulls at Mt Lilydale Mercy College. A lot to play for in this one as the Bulls are going for a real stranglehold on the league and Mt Lilydale their fifth win in a row and a real shot at the top of the ladder if they can come away with the win. Aquinas will be eyeing off another percentage booster against Parkside while the Eley Park Sharks will take on St Francis Xavier at Whitehorse Reserve where the X-men will be aiming to pull themselves off the bottom of the ladder.
This year VAFA clubs engaged in various revenue-generating avenues to support their programs and initiatives. Among these were the TAC Club Rewards Program, Telstra Country Footy Grant, and Good for
2024 delivered a gripping VAFA William Buck Premier Men’s competition that remained wide open entering September, with very little between minor premiers Old Brighton, St Kevin’s and Old Scotch at
The VAFA wishes to advise that General Manager – Community & Club Support, Mr Sean Walker, has accepted a position with Rugby Australia as Senior Club Development Manager and will