2024 Division 2 Men’s Team of the Year
Division 2 Men’s was, without question, one of the most interesting sections in all of the VAFA throughout 2024. Brunswick set the early pace, winning 14 of their first 15,
Lucy Lechich
Kew FC v Caulfield Grammarians (12.8 80 – 3.5 23)
Kew took on a competitive Caulfield outfit at Victoria Park in the Round 4 opener for the Women’s William Buck Premier. The Bears proved too strong, running out 57-point winners with a dominant second quarter propelling them into a commanding lead. Whilst the Fields matched them in the third term, Kew’s elite skills and ball use were enough to seal the deal. Danielle Calautti in her fourth game of football racked up 29 possessions and 2 goals in a remarkable best on ground performance. Michaela Harding was also sensational with 27 touches, as was Joelle Metres with 25 touches and a goal, and too, Tara Donnan with 4 goals. For the Fields Georgia Cooper was everywhere, attaining 24 disposals and 7 marks and proving unstoppable in her side’s defeat. Emily Sandler continues to dominate in the ruck, this week amassing 56 hit outs and stamping herself as one of the best rucks in the competition.
GOALS
Kew FC: T. Donnan, K. Shaw 2, D. Calautti 2, D. Sibosado, A. Bruce, L. Plisko, J. Metres
Caulfield Grammarians: A. Fisher, S. Athanasopoulos, L. Oswald
BEST
Kew FC: D. Calautti, M. Harding, J. Metres, T. Donnan, L. Barr, D. Sibosado
Caulfield Grammarians: I. Quintal, G. Cooper, E. Sandler, I. Tomas, M. Klingbeil, J. Cowell
Fitzroy-ACU v Old Trinity (7.8 50 – 4.12 36)
Fitzroy-ACU took on Old Trinity in a close encounter a Ramsden St Oval, with the Roy’s coming out 14-point victors. Inaccuracy was the deciding factor in this match, with Old Trinity struggling to hit the scoreboard and falling short to the Roy’s despite having with one more scoring shot in total. The Roy’s were consistent however across four quarters and were the better team on the day overall. Ruby Condon was best afield for the Roy’s kicking 3 goals, as was Erin Gogerly with 24 touches, a player who continues to perform well consistently week in week out, and so too Lucy Kerr with 17 touches and a goal. Old Trinity’s notable performers included Amanda Fogarty with 3 goals, Imogen Barnett and Vanessa Murphy both with 16 touches, and Sally Peers flaunting her athletic dash.
GOALS
Fitzroy-ACU: R. Condon 3, H. Collett, E. Olney, L. Kerr, R. McDermott
Old Trinity: A. Fogarty 3, E. Vredenbregt
BEST
Fitzroy-ACU: R. Condon, E. Gogerly, S. Lynas, L. Kerr, H. Collett, A. Monteiro
Old Trinity: S. Peers, L. Mulcahy, V. Murphy, I. Barnett, L. Suleiman, G. Dillon
Marcellin v Old Xaverians (10.13 73 – 2.0 12)
Marcellin were unstoppable when they took down Old Xav’s with 23 scoring shots to 2 in a one-sided affair at Bulleen Park West. Marcellin left Old Xav’s scoreless at half time however Old Xav’s managed to hold them goalless in the third quarter. A 61-point thumping ensued however, with multiple notable efforts from a vast array of Sheagles players. Shaylee Taylor continues her dominance, kicking a bag of 4 goals in a best on ground display. Laura Robertson impressed as she does regularly, with 16 touches and a goal, while Ellie Gavalas was also instrumental with 13 touches and a goal. Tessa Zagontinos kicked 2 goals and continued her outstanding form. In her side’s defeat, Emily Archer continued to have an impact as she has done in previous rounds, attaining 20 disposals, as did Carle Rooks with 13 disposals. Emily Dwyer was named their best player after a standout performance.
GOALS
Marcellin: S. Taylor 4, T. Zagontinos 2, A. Marshallsay, L. Robertson, E. Gavalas, L. Collis
Old Xav’s: G. Knox, I. Ellis
BEST
Marcellin: S. Taylor, J. Redmond, A. Pane, T. Padfield, E. Gavalas, L. Collis
Old Xav’s: E. Dwyer, E. Archer, A. Doulgeris, G. Knox, C. Rooks, G. Henderson
SKOB v Melbourne Uni (4.7 31 – 1.3 9)
SKOB defeated the unpredictable Mugars at Basil St Reserve with a convincing 22-point victory. The Mugars were left scoreless at half time while SKOB got away early in the match in a very low-scoring affair. Georgia Cropley was outstanding for SKOB kicking 2 goals and gaining 17 touches, leading her side to victory along with other notable performers including Eliza Straford with 23 disposals, Sophie Straford with 14 and Charlotte Stoltz with 13. Melbourne Uni’s Ashley Bye amassed 24 touches in a dominant display, while Marinella Salafia and Stephanie Kierce also played an influential role in a tough loss to an impressive SKOB. Melbourne Uni were missing a considerable number of key performers in this match-up due the first round of the women’s VFLW competition, proving to be noticeable in their defeat.
GOALS
SKOB: G. Cropley 2, E. Wedgwood, S. Minahan
Melbourne Uni: C. Adams
BEST
SKOB: E. Straford, S. Straford, E. McLinden, C. Stoltz,
Melbourne Uni: M. Salafia, S. Kierce, R. Grounds, A. Bye, S. Marshall, M. Doria
Division 2 Men’s was, without question, one of the most interesting sections in all of the VAFA throughout 2024. Brunswick set the early pace, winning 14 of their first 15,
The 2025 VAFA Football Season will commence on Saturday 5th April for all competitions, with every section playing two rounds before the Easter long-weekend bye on 19th April. The VAFA
Let’s shine some light on the season that was in Division 4 Women’s as we reveal who made the 2024 Team of the Year. St Kevin’s Coach Mikayla Dohnt spearheads