
Inaugural VAFA Golf Day a smashing success
A new annual Ammos tradition launched in fine style with the inaugural VAFA Golf Day at the magnificent Kingston Heath on Tuesday. A spectacular sunrise welcomed the full field of
Alisha Min
Though the ladder may be looking relatively lopsided so far this season, with the top half of the competition clearly distinguishing themselves from the latter, the hunt for the leading goalkicker is just as, if not more, exciting. Lachlan Huntington (Uni Blacks) is leading the charge with a massive 21 goals from the first four rounds, and in hot pursuit are Chad Jones from St Bernards on 19, and Old Carey’s Kristian Jaksch with 20. These sharpshooters each assisted their team to their respective 93+ points victories in Round 4, though it was a much closer affair between Old Haileyburians and the no longer win-less Parkdale Vultures. Beaumaris lost their undefeated title to an inspired Caulfield Grammarians outfit.
Facing Guy McKenna’s undefeated Beaumaris team away from home was set to be a tough outing for Caulfield Grammarians, but their competitive style football proved successful as they emerged 32 point victors at Banksia Reserve. The Fields started the match convincingly, outscoring the Sharks by two majors come the opening break, and they were able to continue building upon this lead as the game wore on. Matt Williams (2) and Anthony Carroll were impressive and kept the Shark’s in touch, but the Fields team effort lead by Timothy Nixon, Jack Wallace and Will Osborn proved too dominant for the home side to overcome. Though securing the four points put the Field’s on the same number of wins as their opponents (3 wins – 1 loss), the Sharks will leave Round 4 with some consolidation as they remain above Caulfield on the ladder in fourth position thanks to their impressive percentage, averaging 94 points per game.
Old Carey continued to flex their muscles on Saturday afternoon when they downed Mazenod by a resounding 93 points. The star studded Panther line-up continued to shine in this outing, with Kristian Jaksch contributing to the team’s 19 goal total with seven from his own boot, and Will Nichols replicating his stellar Round 2 BOG performance with another Best accolade. For the Nodders, Robert Mann notched himself his first two goals for the season, while Christian Poretti and Tom McKenna worked tirelessly against the Panther barrage.
Monash Blues sit firmly on the bottom of the ladder after yet another trouncing, but this time at the hands of the unyielding University Blacks at Melbourne University Oval. Though the Blacks are undeniably a difficult outfit to beat this 2018 season, highlighted by their top of the ladder position with a ludicrous 339.33%, the Blues failed to compete in this away clash. Full credit is due to the Blacks, whose ferocity from the opening bounce well and truly earnt them their 55 point advantage at the first break, which they only furthered to 99 points at halftime. Though you could practically name the entire Blacks lineup for the impact of their individual performances on this win, it is impossible to overlook Lachlan Huntington’s six majors, or John Vrodos’ five goals and acknowledgement as Best for the dominant side. VAFA Tragics star, Lochie Dornauf, was also good for the Uni side, contributing with two majors. As predicted in my Premier B report for Round 4, it was very much a tough day out for the Blues defence, and although Joe Harrison was a glimmer of hope, earning himself another Best performance for the away side, it will be back to the drawing board this week for the Monash coaching staff.
As predicted last week, the Old Haileyburians and Parkdale Vultures match up was certainly the game of the round with the Vultures flying out as only nine point victors in a competition where 100+ point wins are far more regular. It was a see-sawing affair at Princes Park Caulfield, with the lead changing at each quarter break, demonstrating just how contested this ball game was. The Bloods had the better start, entering the first quarter break with a five point buffer, but their solitary goal in the second term compared to the Vultures four saw them down by 11 points come the major break. The Bloods showed a renewed enthusiasm in the third quarter, keeping the Vultures goalless and edging a seven point lead heading into the final term. Unfortunately for the home team, the addition of only three points to their total in the final quarter just wasn’t enough to halt the Vultures final three goal swoop. Durras Seccull (2) was the only dual goal kicker for the Bloods, while Nicholas Garratt was at his consistent standard and James Paul (1) pulled another great performance earning the Best vote for the home side. For the Vultures, Michael Graham and Zac Straker were brilliant, while Liam Marshall, Dylan Glascott and Charlie Dillon each slotted two majors.
There is a reason the third quarter is colloquially known as the premiership quarter, and the match between St Bernards and Ajax demonstrated this when the Snow Dogs’ 59 point third term sealed what had otherwise been a close contest. The Jackas started the game well, down by only three points at quarter time which extended to a more difficult 21 points at halftime, but the Snow Dogs were invigorated after the extended break, and were able to pile on a massive 15 goals to the Jackas three over the second half. Though 10 different goal kickers led the home side to their 98 point victory, it was Chad Jones’ nine goal haul, and subsequent Best on Ground performance, which really set the home crowd alight. Adam Bentick put in another solid performance, while Ethan Schumann and Harrison Kennedy were acknowledged for standout efforts for the Snow Dogs. James Fisher (2) was the only dual goal scorer for the visiting team, though Daniel Janover-Rocha was solid and Asher Burstin took BOG honours.
PREVIEW
Beaumaris have the advantage of back-to-back home games when they welcome the Uni Blacks to Banksia Reserve in Round 5. Though the ladder-leaders will enter this match confident with their undefeated status, and 127 point average per game, don’t put it past the Sharks to come back with a bite after their 32 point deficit to Caulfield Gr. The Blacks have an extensive list of capable players, so if Beaumaris want to limit the visiting side’s score power, they will need to shutdown Premier B leading goalkicker Lachlan Huntington (21), as well as produce a consistent team effort.
Monash Blues will host Mazenod at Frearson Oval in Round 5. After their forgetful Round 4 performance, the Blues would be well and truly aware that a solitary goal for an entire match will not them win any games in the tough Premier B competition. Though the outlook is bleak for the Blues, Mazenod are in a somewhat similar position having also endured comprehensive losses in the last two rounds, and averaging only 61 points per game. Although the Blues managed to avoid relegation in 2017, it is looking like a probable outcome this year if they continue to lose by an average of 110 points each week, so this could just be the round where the Blues fight back.
Parkdale Vultures will look to take their first win of their season and fly with it when they host Old Carey at Gerry Green Reserve. The Panthers have not put a foot wrong so far this year, and sit almost 100 percentage points clear on the ladder over third placed St Bernards with a resounding 306%. Though the Vultures win against Old Haileyburians moved them up to eighth position on the ladder, their 47 point average per game will, statistically, not bring them success against Old Carey.
Caulfield Grammarians will be looking for their first back-to-back win of the 2018 Premier B season when they come up against Ajax at Glenhuntly Oval in Round 5. Though the Fields and the Jackas sit in fifth and sixth position respectively, a handy eight points and 57% distinguishes the home side from the out-of-form Ajax. There is no question that Ajax can be a formidable side, but a third quarter fade out, and one point final quarter, will do them no favours in this Round 5 clash.
Old Haileyburians are in for another tough round this weekend when they host the high-scoring St Bernards at Princes Park Caulfield. To the Bloods credit, they were much more competitive in their Round 4 loss to Parkdale Vultures, but similarly to Ajax, they will need a better premiership quarter effort to stay at all competitive with the Snow Dogs.
A new annual Ammos tradition launched in fine style with the inaugural VAFA Golf Day at the magnificent Kingston Heath on Tuesday. A spectacular sunrise welcomed the full field of
“We’re keen to help girls across the western suburbs. They don’t have to play for Westbourne but can join our Academy, come down and do one session a week with
The Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) is excited to announce Big Screen Video (BSV) as a corporate partner and the preferred supplier of electronic scoreboards for the VAFA competition. “Their