Two Blues hunting two flags
“That was our line-in-the-sand moment. We didn’t lose again all year.” Craige Milward walked into a coaching interview with Prahran in the middle of October 2023 not sure what to
Learning about the history of the VAFA thanks to Holmesglen
Geoff Reilley
5 YEARS AGO – 2015
This year, Round 16/17 of the VAFA competition is dedicated to the THiCK & THiN campaign. Every club from William Buck Premier and Premier B, as well as a further 18 from Premier C – Division 4, has committed to partaking in the round, with home sides set to wear dark blue socks while away teams don sky blue. Led by a group of seven VAFA players, Thick and Thin aims to create awareness surrounding men’s mental health within the VAFA and normalise mental health concerns by encouraging team mates to have a conversation.
10 YEARS AGO – 2010
In Premier A Section, Old Xaverians went into second place on the ladder when they defeated De La Salle narrowly 11.7 to 8.13. De La appeared to be in control during the second and third quarters but a 5-goal last quarter by the Xavs was critical in a relatively low scoring match. Best – Colbert, Biddlecombe, Prowse, Shaw, Ball, Smith (OX) and Gotch, Lowe, Collins, Harris, Williams, Moloney (DLS).
In Premier B, Old Carey’s heavy defeat of Old Ivanhoe, 16.15 to 5.5, put them ahead of top team St Kevins who faltered at the hands of Old Haileybury. Carey had their game sewn up by half time (9.4 to 2.3). While the top two teams were almost certain of their finals participation, there were 5 teams in the running to fill third and fourth spot.
Three players were acknowledged as members of the 200 games club in this round. Manningham Cobra’s Joey “Junior” Trinchi was known for his fierce determination to get the hard ball in and under the pack and for constantly placing his body on the line. He was the ultimate team player and had already been honoured with life membership of his club. Along the way “Junior” had also been part of the leadership group and had won a number of individual awards. De La’s Peter “George” Hamilton had been a captain, best and fairest, premiership player, State rep and had been in the leadership core at De La for years. Brendan Colville was a key member of Marcellin’s B Section premiership in 2008 and was a committed and courageous player and leader. Usually a small defender, he was also known as one of the best tacklers for the Eagles.
15 YEARS AGO – 2005
There was a clear difference between the top five teams in A Section and the bottom five teams. Old Scotch were in 5th place with 10 wins and out of the top four only on percentage. Best of the bottom five was St Bernard’s with only 5 wins, the only interest for these clubs would be to see who would join bottom placed St Kevins to go to B Section. There was a crucial gap opening up between one and two with Old Haileybury smashing Old Melburnians 18.16 to 5.16 and because Old Xavs failed narrowly against Marcellin, 16.9 to 15.17, Haileyburians were now 6 points clear on top. The Xavs had fought back well in the final term with 7 goals and yet Marcellin always seemed in control.
In B Section, Caulfield Grammarians stayed in touch with 4th place with a win against North Old Boys 22.11 to 11.12. Brett Sinclair and Ben Gross with 12 goals between them led the way for the Grammarians and 9 goals to 1 in the final term was impressive. Best – Frater, Pennycuick, Sinclair (8), Foote, Hammond, Knight (CG) and Maplestone, Sheehan (4), Alsop, Flanders, Hosking, Tonkin (NOBS). Caulfield were only 4 points behind MHSOB (4th) and enjoyed a better percentage.
Under 19 Section 2 coaches were – Phiv Demetriou (Banyule-Viewbank), John Burke (Beaumaris), Sam Calogero (Caulfield Grammarians), Anson Brownless (Old Camberwell, Rob French (Old Carey), Greg Evans (Old Essendon), Ben Dunn (Old Melburnians), Leo Curran (Old Trinity), Greg Bradley (Rupertswood), Andy Dalrymple (Whitefriars).
25 YEARS AGO – 1995
In a thrilling A Section game, De La Salle defeated Old Scotch, 8.10 to 7.7 and in doing so replaced Old Scotch in the top four. Best players were Deveson, Greene, Murphy (3), Leonard, Bourke, Rennie (DLS) and Smith, Marx, McGill, W Matthews, Hodge, Polkinghorne (Old Scotch).
In B Section, Uni Blacks kept their finals hopes alive after defeating fourth placed Old Melburnians despite horrible kicking for goal. OMs were held to only 5.4 for the game while the Blacks kicked 7.24 including 1.12 in the second quarter. Blacks were now only 1 game behind OM’s and with a far better percentage.
Star Bulleen Templestowe player, Rick Demarte reached his 200th game against Old Xaverians. Rick had a brief stint with the Sydney Swans earlier in the season and had risen through the ranks at Bulleen Temp. He had also spent 3 seasons with Collingwood thirds.
David Segal played his 200th game for AJAX having started with the club’s juniors in 1970. David was one of the key players in AJAX’s rise through the grades and he was a member of the grand final sides in 1975, 1976, 1978 and 1979 and a dual premiership player in 75 and 79. David had also become a vice president and delegate for AJAX.
Dean Felsenthal, a quality wingman with Caulfield Grammarians, played his 200th game. Dean had won the Juniors best and fairest in 1974 before graduating to the senior team. Dean’s pace, marking and handball skills were highly valuable to his team and provided great entertainment for the Caulfield supporters; he was also an excellent clubman.
35 YEARS AGO – 1985
In A Section De La Salle registered an important win over top four team Ormond 6.12 to 3.13 placing them in 5th position and level on points with the fourth team. Ormond didn’t handle the heavy going anywhere near well enough. Best – Maher, Greene, Murphy, Vitacca, Hanrahan, Leonard (DLS) and A Mehrten, McAsey, Kingston, Russell, Gilmore, Sutherland (Ormond).
Uni Blacks’ loss to Old Paradians in B Section may well have cost them a place in the finals. In a low scoring game, the Blacks drew close at three quarter time but Paradians were solid in the tight going to win 7.12 to 5.6. Best – Nelson, Considine, Jackson, Fahey, M Wood, P Wood (OP) and O’Halloran, Costello, Gibney, Marks, Vaughan, Thompson (Blacks).
B Section senior coaches were Ray Keane (AJAX), Peter Chisnall (Caulfield Grammarians), J Ryland (Kew), Neil Le Lievre (Marcellin), Greg Tootell (Old Brighton), Peter Yeo (Old Melburnians), Gerard Sholly (Old Paradians), John Wise (Parkside), Vince Laragy (St Kilda CBC) and Michael O’Donnell (Uni Blacks).
Steve Laussen played his 100th game for Collegians having joined the club after being a member of Wesley College’s 1979 premiership team.
The finals’ venues had been announced and over the 4 weeks the following grounds were to be utilised – Elsternwick Park, Camberwell Sports Ground, Melbourne Uni, State Bank (Oval 4), Parkside, St Bernard’s, Northcote, Monash Uni, Bulleen United, Harry Trott, and Brunswick.
45 YEARS AGO – 1975
A Section finals’ aspirants, Coburg, remained in contention after they defeated the powerful Uni Blacks combination 12.15 to 10.21, Coburg moved into 5th place, the Blacks held on to 2nd. Best – O’Brien (3), Leckie, King, Hutchinson, Handley, Mann (Coburg) and Bellingham, Larkins, Simon Costello, Clarke, Holmes, Perrett (Uni Blacks).
Caulfield Grammarians held on to their 4th spot when they defeated Marcellin Old Collegians narrowly, 14.11 to 14.9. Morphet (4), Watson, Clarke, Dickeson, Tootell, Bierwirth were best for Caulfield and C Price, McDonald, C Mahon, Power, Gartner, O’Sullivan (Marcellin).
55 YEARS AGO – 1965
In C Section, Hampton Rovers had a narrow but very valuable win over St Bernard’s. It virtually made sure of the Rovers finishing with a double chance in the finals. The Rovers were behind at every break but were stronger when it counted at the finish – 10.16 to 10.10. Best – Fullager, Deal, Dorey, Devery, Mackenzie, Smith (HR) and Mitchell (3), J Perrett, Overman, Tobin, Collins, Considine (StB).
In D Section Brunswick made sure of the position in the top four with a good win over ANZ Bank 15.18 to 6.4. Best – Mansfield, Quinn (3), Ball, Trinder, Mimmo (3), Donnelly (Bruns) and Pearson, Firth, Grant, Halcolm, Jackson (3), Child (ANZ).
Tooronga Malvern’s reserves captain coach, Bert Liddell, was easily best on ground against National Bank. Bert played well into his 40’s and was still supporting the combine many years later when in his late 80’s. Bert’s grandson, Mark Liddell, was a key player for Caulfield Grammarians in their rise up the ladder and was a triple premiership player for his club.
The tribunal were again proving they wouldn’t stand any nonsense when they rubbed out Brunswick’s official runner for 4 weeks after he abused the field umpire and an Old Brighton junior player copped 8 weeks for striking a Glenhuntly player after the final bell.
65 YEARS AGO – 1955
Old Melburnians (2nd) sounded a real warning to top team Ormond by running away with the game in the second half to win comprehensively 19.16 to 11.4. OM’s had difficulty deciding their best among the many good contributors on the day, but they highlighted the performance of Cromby for his skilful handball and play on game. They also said Wallace displayed his ‘magical disposal’ and Ramsden was the ‘pinnacle’ of determination. Ormond’s comments included ‘Graham Schrober was their most successful player’. Ormond also rued the unavailability of Stock and Rundle due to leg injuries. The OM’s were now only 2 games behind Ormond but neither side could miss out playing in the second semi-final in a few weeks’ time. Both Uni Blues and Uni Blacks, 3rd and 4th respectively, had a mortgage on the first semi-final.
“That was our line-in-the-sand moment. We didn’t lose again all year.” Craige Milward walked into a coaching interview with Prahran in the middle of October 2023 not sure what to
Umpire growth and retention is a key strategic focus of the VAFA, which is pleased to announce a 2.5% increase to umpire match fees for 2025. This financial investment will
The Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) is thrilled to announce a four-year extension of its major partnership with Holmesglen Institute. The Holmesglen logo will continue to feature prominently on all