Nick Armistead
I’m starting this week’s piece by reminiscing for a moment.
As we were preparing for the 2016 VAFA season, I was trying to find my feet and learn as much as possible about this Melbourne-based Amateur competition. Six months earlier, I had little knowledge of the VAFA, assuming it was a direct descendant of the VFA for no other reason than the obvious. In fact, the only comparison I could draw from the Gippsland League where I grew up was that Old Xaverians seemed to be the metropolitan version of Maffra FC – the most successful team in modern history. They even shared the same red and black guernsey.
In an effort to absorb as much information as possible, I’d ask Michael Sholly, Sue Anderson, and Brian Goodman a litany of VAFA-related questions, with two specific responses striking a chord this week.
- “We encourage our clubs to seek out and appoint the best coaches they can afford because, at the end of the day, they’re the ones teaching our young men (and women one year later).”
- “The worst thing that can happen to any football club is ceasing to exist and losing their identity and their history.”
Coaching lessons
The first answer regarding coaches filtered its way to front of mind following the recent announcement of Uni Blues premiership coach, Heath Jamieson, departing the reigning premiers. Heath’s aim when arriving at the Blues for the 2019 season was to “change the conversation” regarding the Blues’ longstanding position in the VAFA’s top section but apparent dearth of silverware, and he certainly did that by leading them to an incredible William Buck Premier Grand Final victory against St Kevin’s OB.
The flag was one thing, but it was the commentary from the playing group that showcased a profound respect for Heath in a very short period of time. VAFA Media spoke to Ayce Cordy, Conor Lappin, Ben Capra, Tom Quinn, and Marshall Rippon at various times throughout the 2019 season and the overwhelming response to Heath’s leadership was one of deep-seated admiration.
Heath made no apologies for his hard-line stance on unacceptable behaviour, often dropping talented players to the reserves for weeks at time following undisciplined conduct on and off the field. On the flip side though, he instilled an incredible confidence in his players and helped them realise their potential. Marshall Rippon is the perfect example – a talented but admittedly disenchanted onballer who became the star small defender of the competition and runner-up in the Woodrow under Heath’s guidance.
It is for these reasons Heath will be sorely missed after just one season at the helm, but the lessons he taught will no doubt remain with the playing group for far longer than the 12 months in which he dished them out.
Further to this, imagine for a moment the lessons former AFL Umpire Michael Vozzo can teach the players at Yarra Old Grammarians after recently accepting the role of senior men’s coach. He officiated 281 games at the top level of our industry, including 28 finals and two grand finals.
I mentioned in the last edition the ability of VAFA clubs to attract great coaching talent, and it’s for this reason we celebrate and appreciate their involvement in our competition.
Preserving our club’s history by securing their future
The second response to my Amateur inquiry four years ago refers to the current issues faced by Albert Park FNC and their uncertain future.
Leader journalist, Paul Amy, wrote an excellent piece recently on the plight of the Falcons, a club established in 1954 as ANZ Bank. Their history is fascinating – three name changes and seven home grounds – and more recently they’ve formed a women’s team and paid for their own facility upgrades at Oval 20.
For more than two years the club has been chasing a long-term lease and associated improvements to their home base but are locked in a stalemate with Parks Victoria. The situation has ultimately left the power brokers considering relocation or even a merger.
A club with such a proud and incredible history, I encourage everyone to take a brief moment and sign the petition to help secure the Falcons’ future: http://chng.it/YxZv4rBSFD
Grand Final Week
If you hadn’t noticed (of course you had), this week was marked as the greatest on the VAFA calendar – Grand Final Week. In any other year, we’d be celebrating the women’s, U19’s and Divisional premiers already, while looking forward to the Premier section deciders this weekend.
Titus O’Reily would have delivered a cracking monologue at the William Buck Finals Lunch, while the best individual men’s and women’s players would have had their moment in the sun, dressed to the nines and kicking back with a few beverages at the VAFA Awards Night.
Unfortunately, it isn’t to be. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still get excited about what has happened in the past by reflecting on some of the greatest grand final performances in VAFA history. Before we start, if you haven’t seen the footage released by Old Paradians this week from their first-ever A Section flag in 1962, do yourself a favour – it’s an incredible throwback to the day they defeated MHSOB by 47 points.
PEGS – Division 1 (2017)
The first on this list goes back to 2017 when PEGS came from 57 points down at the 18-minute mark of the second quarter and ran out 13-point winners over St Mary’s Salesian. Yes, you read that correctly – a 70-point turn around on the biggest stage of all. Big man and PEGS stalwart Robert Baddeley led the charge in the ruck with a BOG display and Dane Pound was named the Divisions Coach of the Year. Perhaps just as entertaining is Dane’s acceptance speech about the stress levels he experienced during the game…
Caulfield Grammarians – A Grade (1970)
The Fields’ one and only A Grade pennant also sits comfortably as the most unlikely and hard-fought flag in history. Entering finals in third spot on the ladder and without a win against either of the top two sides – Coburg and Ormond – the Fields certainly did it the hard way. They were forced to come from 17 points down in the elimination final against MHSOB and then found themselves in a similar position when they were 24 points down at 3QT of the preliminary final against Ormond. After coming from behind in their previous two finals, the grand final was a different storyline altogether. Coming up against the minor premiers and 1969 champions, Coburg, the Fields dominated from the outset and led by 39 points at 3QT. While the Fields arguably put the cue in the rack at that point, the game was far from over as Coburg piled on eight goals to two in a blistering fourth quarter before the Fields held on by two points – the lowest winning margin in A Grade history.
St Bedes/Mentone Tigers – C Grade (2006)
I know what you’re thinking – how on earth does the C Grade flag rate as the best? After all, the Tigers went on to become the only team in VAFA history to win three consecutive flags while climbing the top sections from C (2006) to B (2007) to A (2008). Well, it’s simply because the game that started the famous run from Luke Beveridge and his men was an all-time shootout that resulted in a one-point win over Ajax. 21.12 (138) vs 21.11 (137) – the highest scoring grand final in C Grade history. So close to losing, yet the commencement of one of the great runs (see featured photo from 2008).
Old Xaverians – A Grade (2000)
Since forming as a club in 1923, it took Old Xavs until 1981 to win their first A Grade flag. However, it wasn’t until the mid-90’s when they staked their claim as an all-time powerhouse, winning six consecutive premierships in the VAFA’s top section and ending with a dominant 45-point victory over St Bernard’s in 2000. The only other time in history this feat has been achieved was when University Blacks tasted victory in 1938-39 and again from 1946-49 either side of WWII. Amazing.
West Brunswick – Premier B Blue Reserve (2018)
While the women’s competition has only been around for a short time, it has certainly produced its fair share of September excitement – most notably when West Brunswick’s reserves side saluted in 2018. Coming up against Old Geelong, the Westies were down and out at 3QT, trailing by 22 points and failing to register a score. However, the famous ‘yoink’ signifying a grand final comeback reverberated around the ground as the Westies piled on four unanswered goals in the fourth term for a thrilling two-point win. Perhaps they took some inspiration from the boys in 2015 (see below).
1-pointers
The most thrilling grand final results have occurred just 12 times throughout all senior sections in the history of the Association. Not once in Premier but three times each in both Division 2 and 3.
Year |
Premier |
Opponent |
Section |
2017 |
St Mary’s Salesian |
West Brunswick |
Women’s |
2015 |
West Brunswick |
Emmaus St Leo’s |
F Grade (Div 3) |
2010 |
Beaumaris |
Caulfield Grammarians |
C Grade (Prem C) |
2010 |
La Trobe University |
St John’s |
F Grade (Div 3) |
2006 |
SBMT |
Ajax |
C Grade (Prem C) |
1998 |
Marcellin |
Old Ivanhoe |
B Grade (Prem B) |
1997 |
University Blacks |
North Brunswick |
E Grade (Div 2) |
1987 |
Aquinas |
Whitefriars |
F Grade (Div 3) |
1974 |
Fawkner |
Old Geelong |
E Grade (Div 2) |
1972 |
Parkside |
Old Brighton |
D Grade (Div 1) |
1971 |
St Pat’s |
La Trobe Blacks |
E Grade (Div 2) |
1959 |
Footscray |
Ajax |
D Grade (Div 1) |
As ever, enjoy your weekend and the final round of the AFL’s home and away season. There’s plenty of our club’s younger players having an impact at the moment – see Adelaide’s Lachy Sholl (St Bernard’s), GWS’s Jake Riccardi (St Bernard’s) and Sydney’s most recent debutant Joel Amartey (Beaumaris).