Retrospective: Round 13

Learning about the history of the VAFA thanks to Holmesglen

Geoff Reilley

10 YEARS AGO – 2010

Collegians kept pace with De La Salle at the top of the Premier A Section ladder by defeating Old Melburnians 14.21 to 6.6 with OM’s only bright spot, the first quarter, when they held Collegians scoreless while scoring 2.3. Collegians 10.11 in the second quarter must have been great footy. Best – Scott, Hosking, Corp, Bull, Stone, Fry (Coll) and Playfair, Wilmoth, Freezer, Mulquinney, Ray, Beck (OM’s).

In Premier B it appeared there was a major boil over occurring when Hampton Rovers led St Bernards by 8 goals at the 20-minute mark of the third term. Whatever sparked the ‘Bernies’ into action, it worked as they ran riot, made up the difference and then fought out the final tense moments of the match to win 13.8 to 11.15. Best – Indomenico, Garth, Harris (4), Byrne, Gamwell, Overman (StB) and Fletcher, Devereaux, Carr, Corp (5), Fallon, Robbins (HR).

Premier C senior coaches were – Dave Murray (Mazenod), Steven Lawrence (Caulfield Grammarians), Simon Taylor (Fitzroy), Nick Mitchell (Old Geelong), Gavin Kerr (Rupertswood), Dave Matthews (Parkdale), Michael Oaten (Ormond), Jason Mifsud (Beaumaris), Bernie Sheehy (AJAX) and Tim Kilworth (Old Camberwell).

The Big V won the AAFC Under 23 Championship when it defeated Tasmania Under 23 team 15.16 to 5.5. Best for Victoria – Baldwin, Zimbachs, Watts, Semmel, Mercuri (4), Nicholson.

The Ormond Amateur Football Club recorded the passing of one of its true champions, Graeme “Lumpy” Moran. A close checking back pocket or a very dependable full back, Lumpy’s record was magnificent and matched the regard in which he was held by all at Ormond. His 246 games for the Monds included the 1968 B Section premiership and he was a key member of the first golden era at Ormond when they won three consecutive A Grade flags in 1971, 72 and 73. Later honoured with Life Membership, Lumpy was an outstanding clubman and co-authored the club’s  history book, “Ormond the first Fifty Years” with fellow life member, Geoff “Silver” Harris. Described appropriately as a quintessential fair-dinkum good Aussie bloke, his big beaming smile was inspiration in itself. It was a pleasure to have known Graeme “Lumpy” Moran!

15 YEARS AGO – 2005

It was an interesting day in A Section but the game between Old Haileybury and St Kevin’s appeared to be a fait accompli given Haileybury were second and SKOBS on the bottom. At half time a ‘turn up’ was brewing with SKOBS leading 8.6 to 6.4 and Matt Lucas ever dangerous in front of goal and Luke Mahoney at his brilliant best. OH narrowed the gap by the last change with only 1 goal in it. Just when SKOBS looked like taking it down to the wire, the Haileybury talls, Jenke, Seccull, O’Farrell et el, asserted their influence and the importance of the ‘double chance’ position took precedence with a 14.13 to 12.9 result leaving SKOBS disappointed. Best – O’Farrell (5), Jenke, McIntyre, Seccull, Corrigan, Brown (OH) and Giansiracusa, Mahoney, Lucas (3), McKee (3), Dowd, Byrne (StK). Sacha Koffman and Leah Gallagher were the field umpires.

In B section, Old Essendon strengthened their chance of a finals’ berth with an impressive win over Caulfield Grammarians, 19.14 to 16.13 and probably snuffed out any chance the Fields would have of September action. It was a high scoring last quarter with Caulfield kicking 5 goals but Essendon trumping that with 7.

Mazenod’s Mark “Muzza” Murray recorded his 300th game having started with the U19’s in 1989. After a brief stint with De La Salle, Mark returned to Mazenod in 1993 and all his games with the ‘Nodders’ had been in the senior team.

At the recent Elsternwick 100-year celebration the Team of the Century (post WWll) was named. B: Brian Mahony, David Mahony, Alan Ramsay HB: Denny Contin, Don Williams, Rod Hargreaves C: Jeff Perkins, Ron Neville, Craig Mahony HF: Les Rigg, Ken Holmes, Chris Farrington F: Michael Andrew, Max Leslie, Jock Sellars R: John Holt, Gary Rosewarne, Leigh Murphy I/C: Neil Christie, Bill Elliott, Graham Holmes, Col Howarth, Alan Lee, Russell Nash Coach: George Page, Captain: Gary Rosewarne.

25 YEARS AGO – 1995

SPECIAL EVENT

Hampton Rovers are having a home game lunch this Saturday to honour the 1995 Premiership team, the Rovers first premiership since 1951 – a gap of 44 years. 1995 Coach Don Scarlett has rounded up over 20 of the team and support group for what will be a big lunch followed by an after game reunion. Chip LeGrand, now a journalist at the Australian, was skipper, VAFA executive member

Sue Anderson’s son Stephen won the B&F with the Coach’s son Chris Scarlett named the most improved. Best players in the grand final were Phil Amoore and Denver Artz. Leading goalkicker for the season was Mark Crawford who kicked 118. Hampton Rovers 21.9.135 d Thomastown 13.9.87. All the best today to Don and the boys – enjoy the memories.

The CEO, Phil Stevens, had asked the VAFA President in 1995, David Burnes, to write a report on the previous weekend’s representative game against the VCFL. David took great pleasure in submitting his report as the VAFA team won the match 11.12 to 10.10. The result was somewhat unexpected given the VAFA had lost to South Australia earlier in the month. Trailing at half time and level at three quarter time, the VAFA played a great last quarter. VAFA best players were M Blood (best player selected by VAFA Selectors), D Connell, M Brady, M Armstrong, A McDonald, A Pryor (best player selected by VCFL Selectors) and S Theodore.

In A Section, Ormond held their third place on the ladder by holding out a determined Old Trinity in a very tight, low scoring game; only 5 goals being scored until three quarter time. Ormond increased their work rate substantially in the final term to kick 5 to 1 and ran out winners 7.11 to 4.9. Ormond kicked better than their Reserves team, who, although kicking 1.15, won their game by 7 points! Best in the senior match– Edgell, Jobling, James, McDonald, Sebo, Wood (Ormond) and Bladeni, Dalrymple, Rogers, Oldfield, Ramsden, Glass (OT).

Three Ormond players reached 100 games – Brett Collins, Darren Edgell and Anthony Grace. All had come through the Under 19 team.

35 YEARS AGO – 1985

Parkside were going along nicely in B Section and hosted Old Brighton in this round. Brighton may have been facing their last chance of a top four finish and in the first quarter with the wind, had plenty of the ball. Unfortunately, their shooting for goal was way off, 1.6 for the quarter was costly. Parkside took full advantage of the scoring end in the second term kicking 9.6 to 1 behind and it was all over. Final score, 17.13 to 5.11 in Parkside’s favour and the ‘Red Devils’ could pose a real threat to the two teams above them in the coming weeks. Best – A Shaw, Bradley (3), Yoksich, Franklin, Jones, G Shaw (Parkside) and McLennan, Cameron, James, Hoar, McMahon, Welch (Old Brighton).

No less than two players reached their 300 game milestones at North Brunswick within two weeks – Lindsay Campbell, despite missing many games through injury and Terry Jewson who had missed approximately two seasons through injury!

45 YEARS AGO – 1975

St Kevin’s Old Boys President, Michael O’Kelly, recorded his 100th game. Michael had been a fearless player and since 1968 had been a mainstay as the club’s administrator, social secretary, secretary, captain and now president.

St Kilda CBC (C Section) confirmed their top position when they more than doubled Powerhouse’s score, 15.10 to 6.11. Best – Kay, White, Sherman (CBC) and Cross, Newton, Daniel (Powerhouse).

In A Section, ladder leaders St Bernards were shattered when Coburg (5th),  34 points down at the final change, kicked 6.7 to 1.1 to get up and win by 2 points. Best – Calleson, Leckie, Ellis (Coburg) and M Mahoney, Phelan, Mitchell (St Bernards).

50 YEARS AGO – 1970

Monash (5th) lost their chance of entering the top four when they went down to Uni Blues (6th) in a low scoring game and Ormond kicked three goals against the wind in the last quarter to defeat Melbourne  High  School  Old  Boys by 26 points. It was MHSOB’s third successive defeat but they held their place in the top four as a result of Monash’s defeat.

The Umpire’s Association welcomed Jack Fox, Les Bohan, David Doherty, Bill Mason, Norman Sharpe and Ron Saunders as life members.

70 YEARS AGO – 1950

Geelong gave Ormond a heck of a fright at Corio when they led by 14 points at half time and it took Ormond until late in the final quarter to get in front and to take the 6 points. In those days it was quite a trip down to Geelong, many visiting teams started slowly but one constant was the magnificent hospitality by the Geelong Amateurs at the after match!

Old Paradians had a real chance to gain a place in the B Section top four when they met Collegians. There is no doubt Paradians kicked themselves out of the game with a final score of 4.23! They lost by 5 goals!