It was worth the wait! Round 1 well and truly delivers

Right around the William Buck Premier competition this weekend, the return of VAFA football was welcomed with a smile.

So much so, Melbourne decided to put on its best early winter performance to make sure we all remembered what footy was like in the “good old days” before two interrupted years!

Old Brighton relished the conditions at Brighton Beach Oval, accounting for Old Trinity by 50 points. The margin could have been significantly bigger with an inaccurate opening term from the Tonners keeping the T’s within range, however a goalless second term saw that margin extend beyond doubt.

Anthony Zimmerman may well have claimed goal of the year in 2019 and 2021, he already has put forward his 2022 contender right on the stroke of half-time. Tom Yorgey and Harry Hill made it tough for the Trinity midfield.

It was a tight, tough affair out at T H King oval in Anthony “Plugga” Lynch’s first game as coach of the Skobbas, prevailing over Old Melburnians by 8 points.

Conditions proved tough for both sides with inaccuracy reigning supreme in front of goal. A goalless first term from OM’s saw St Kevin’s hold a 14 point advantage which was whittled down to 4 points at 3 quarter time. OM’s will rue missed chances in the final quarter with 5 behinds and some from gettable range.

Sam Tucker kicked the matchwinner to give Skobs their first set of 4 points for the year.

Over at the Snakepit, it was the bigger, experienced bodies of Old Xaverians running out 46 point winners against St Bernard’s to claim the Gary McAllister Shield.

After a relatively even first half of footy, Xav’s big off-season recruit really came to the fore with Aaron Vandenberg flexing his muscle, as well as getting on top in the ruck with first use to the midfield. They’re proving they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2022.

Ryan Schoenmakers, Troiani, Delaney and Soccio all hit the scoreboard with 2 goals each, while for the young Snowdogs Mahady, Farrell, Considine and Walters were amongst the best.

Caulfield and Collegians fought out a tough encounter out at Glenhuntly Oval, it was the purple army who set the tone early jumping out of the blocks with 4 goals to 1. Despite the Fields pegging that margin back to 7 points at the half.

It was a case of having too much to do in the final stanza trailing by 26 points. In what was a year to forget in 2021 for the Lions, it was a day to remember for them with Max Pinchbeck kicking 2 goals and the clear standout for Collegians, supported up forward by Oli Jackson, Dave Mirra and Ed Greene who all contributed with 2 goals apiece.

For the Fields, Declan Reilly continued where he left off in 2021 being named amongst the best along with Angus Cameron and Jared Risol.

It was all about the new kids on the block at Camberwell Sports Ground as Old Scotch and Uni Blues produced a classic to open the season. Much discussion had been made in the build-up about Scotch having 15 players under the age of 22 in the final line-up.

For a brief period of the third term where Uni Blues got on top there was a thought that maybe the youthful exuberance had run out of gas.

Mark Gnatt flipped the magnets and with some words of wisdom Old Scotch stormed home with 8 final quarter goals.

And in a frenetic final 2 minutes, Scotch had the lead, then lost the lead when Sam Grimley banged home his 7th goal, then regained the lead as Aidan Franetic went bang from 55m out. With the game still on the line in the final 30 seconds, Cooper Harvey produced the tackle of the day on Charlie Furphy which resulted in Hugo Brommell putting the icing on the cake after the siren to make the final margin 7 points.