Good Will Punting

Nick Armistead – @NickArmistead

Talented key position forwards are invaluable at any level but given the dearth of those types in VAFA footy, they are just about an Amateur team’s most treasured possession.

Old Xaverians and Big V champion Matt Handley is the obvious name that springs to mind after an illustrious career spanning 15 seasons, 250+ games, five flags and 750 goals. Ask any Xavs supporter about Chop and he, rightfully, is regarded as one of the all-time greats.

In relation to their respective clubs, the importance of Jarrad Waite (St Kevin’s OB), Jackson Paine (Old Melburnians), Kristian Jaksch (Old Carey) and Ayce Cordy (Uni Blues) is largely unmatched given their ability to dictate opponents, control the aerial battle and, most imperatively, impact the scoreboard at important moments.

On Saturday, Will Lewis entered the world of ‘match-winning key position forwards’ with the last two goals in Old Brighton’s one-point win over Old Melburnians. The 20-year-old has been outstanding for the Tonners this season with 25 goals from his seven games, but his most impressive performance came in the final seven minutes of the game when he slotted two high-pressured set shots from the 45m arc at Brighton Beach Oval. The Tonners trailed by 17 points 20 minutes into the fourth before kicking three straight via Lewis and Nick Pavlou. Pavlou, who averages 27.8 disposals per game, registered 30 touches for the third time this season while Tom Yorgey had 28. Despite sitting sixth on the ladder, the Tonners have now defeated teams the calibre of SKOB, Collegians and OM’s. The loss ended a three-game winning streak for OM’s and it was their first away from home. Their inaccuracy in front of goal (9.17) cost them dearly, and their own key forward Jackson Paine kicked three behinds, but he led the way with 16 disposals and six i50’s.

Josh Green entered equal-third on the goal kicking leader board alongside his captain Ayce Cordy following his five-goal performance during Uni Blues’ 54-point win against De La Salle. Both players were phenomenal en route to 20 goals each for the season, with Cordy kicking three as he continues to spend more time up forward while sharing ruck duties with Matt Blair. While their key forwards made the scoreboard their own for the day, it was Cam O’Shea who led all-comers with 40 disposals and eight i50’s. O’Shea has been a picture of consistency across half-back for the Blues with an average of 28 disposals over the past four games. After putting in their strongest two performances in the first two rounds where they kicked 210 points, De La has struggled offensively with an average of just 48ppg; including, a high score of 58. Hugh Nicholson would be a firm favourite to be leading his side’s B&F count after another 33 touches on Saturday.

Ryan Kemp took the reins as the number one target up forward for St Kevin’s OB on Saturday as he kicked a season-high five goals during SKOB’s 65-point victory over St Bernard’s. Kemp booted 79 goals for Horsham FNC in the Wimmera FL last year and has since taken slotted into SKOB’s forward 50 with ease alongside Jarrad Waite and Shaun Kennedy. Billy Lloyd racked up disposals at will and finished with 35 for SKOB while Lachie Sullivan kicked three goals among his 22 touches. Sullivan has now averaged 25.3 disposals and 2.67 goals per game in his last three for SKOB. St Bernard’s have lost four games in a row since opening with thee wins to start the season. They were missing their two midfielder stars, Adam Bentick and Chris Peart, but were well served by Nathan Kazuro who had 26 disposals and two goals.

Old Xaverians proved far too strong for Old Carey at Toorak Park, running out 80-point winners on the back of an incredible 79 inside 50’s to 29. Rohan Bewick was sensational with three goals while Will Hams debuted with 27 disposals, six tackles and a goal. The former Essendon left footer spent the last two seasons with Box Hill Hawks before joining Xavs as quite possibly the final piece of their premiership puzzle. It’s incredible to think Brendan Goss, Cauley Beetham, Tom Gilbert, Dan Noonan and Denis Symeopoulos are still to return for Xavs at some point. Young Carey stars Matt King (34), Cooper Leon (26) and Liam Mackie (25) provided spark for a Panthers outfit reeling from their sixth straight loss. Their 3.6 (24) was a season-low but they successfully welcomed Henry Schade back into their defensive 50.

Collegians are quickly returning to form with their third win in a row coming against Old Trinity over the weekend. The Lions led by 40 points at the final break until the T’s kicked five goals to one in the final term, going down by 14 points. Sam Hibbins (28) and Freddy Sullivan (26) were exceptional for the Lions. Hibbins’ importance to Collegians’ success cannot be underestimated as he averages 26.5 disposals in Lions wins. Alex Polidoros continued his strong form for the T’s with three goals after booting four against the Tonners last week, while Alex Emery had 21 touches. They may have won just the one game but with last week’s draw and this week’s fighting loss, it’s safe to say the T’s are finding their feet in 2019.

Feature photo: Moment Photography