Nick Armistead – @NickArmistead
The Big V completed an outstanding tour of Ireland and London with a comprehensive 147-point victory over AFL Europe in Reading.
Leading by just five points after a competitive first term, the Big V exploded with 23 goals to one over the final three quarters. With the game over by three quarter time, the VAFA piled on 12 unanswered majors, with 14 goal kickers sharing in the spoils throughout the day.
Nick Nagel (Power House) led the charge with four despite playing across the half back line, while Lochy Dornauf (Uni Blacks) also starred with four of his own.
Luke Di Lizio (St Bernard’s) dominated in a Spirit of the Big V-winning performance, while Michael Culliver (Westbourne Grammarians) and Manny Dolan (St Mary’s Salesian) impressed with the oval ball.
Courageous skipper, George Burbury, was at his competitive best yet again and was awarded the player of the tour on the back of four outstanding games.
Denis Symeopoulos (Old Xaverians) and Sam Hibbins (Collegians) both ended their games in hospital after showcasing the utmost courage in the contest and going down with injury. Thankfully, both players have pulled up well.
The 170 points scored was 61 higher than any previous tour’s score, while the 147-point margin was the highest ever from a Big V side on tour.
The win wrapped up a sensational series from the Big V as they finished 2-2 following a convincing first-game win over Bishopstown in Ireland.
Spirit of the Big V: Luke Di Lizio (St Bernard’s)
Best: Di Lizio, Jok, Culliver, Burbury, Nagel, Dornauf, Whelan, McLaughlin
Goals: Nagel 4, Dornauf 4, Dolan 3, Armstrong 3, Sibbald 2, Carnovale 2, Hibbins 1, Jok 1, Reeves-Smyth 1, Whelan 1, Grimshaw 1, Musster 1, Mahoney 1, Cameron 1,
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