Top 40 moments in 2023: 30-21

2023 has been a year to remember at the VAFA.

As we pull the curtain across to close out the year, VAFA Media has siphoned through the moments of the season and formulated a top 40.

Throughout this week, join Joe Pignataro in counting down to the #1 moment of the year. Today, we are counting down 30-21. Catch up on 40-31 here.

#30 – CHOPPER BREAKS THE XAV’S GAMES RECORD

When Matt “Chopper” Handley signed off at the end of 2022 with exactly 300 games to his name, over 800 goals and six premierships with the Old Xaverians it’s fair to say there’d be nothing left for this legend of the club to accomplish.

When he spoke to the RSN Xtra commentary team at half-time of Round 1, Chopper affirmed his position that he had retired. No more #29. For anyone who follows the game of Australian rules will know that lying is the second language of football. 

Due to injuries at the Old Xaverians, and unavailability. Chopper answered the call from the Reserves coach, Dave Landrigan, to come out of retirement for “One Last Dance.” And, what an ensemble he put together. 

Six goals in his return game in early June against Old Haileybury set the tone for the rest of the season. 43 goals at the end of the season. As each game completed, Chopper added another one to his total. 

Semi-Final weekend in the Reserves, the Old Xaverians were facing off against Old Scotch. The VAFA’s biggest rivalry, Scotch, were steaming towards the Grand Final, until Chopper decided to wind back the clock. 

Three final quarter goals including the matchwinner in front of the Old Xaverians bench to send the red and black mafia into the Grand Final. The match itself, incredible. Chopper’s six goal haul, phenomenal. And, to top it all off, the bloke who had officially retired twelve months earlier went past his Reserves coach, Landrigan as the clubs games record holder on the same day. 

A fortnight later, Handley added a seventh premiership to his name. The stuff of dreams. Is this the end of the road for the number 29? One thing is for sure, never say never. 

 

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#29 – OLD CAREY RETURN TO THE VAFA WOMEN’S COMPETITION

The Panthers were an inaugural member of the VAFA Women’s Competition when it launched in 2017. 

At the conclusion of 2019, and due to the impact of COVID the club was unable to field a side in 2021 and 2022. This year, Ryan Dobson was brought on-board to lead the resurgence. 

Some of the inaugural Panthers returned to the club, Dobson charged with recruiting new players. The opening game of the season was one to forget for Old Carey, being held scoreless against Power House. 

A week later the fortunes changed and by the end of the home and away season the club had finished second with a double chance in the finals. In somewhat of an upset victory, Carey were the first side booked into the Grand Final.

UHS-VU would turn the tables in the big dance and claim the clubs first Women’s premiership, but the Panthers proved themselves to be beyond competitive through 2023. 

From an early makeshift team that started the year to Grand Finalists, look out for what the girls will put together in 2024. 

#28 – THE RISE OF OLD CAMBERWELL AND PEGS NO ONE SAW COMING

So often over the last decade teams have climbed through the VAFA’s division ranks in consecutive years. Think of UHS-VU, the Preston Bullants, Williamstown CYMS. 

Rarely though do two teams follow the same trajectory for much of the season in the way PEGS and Old Camberwell did in 2023. 

Last year’s Division 1 Grand Final combatants opened up their respective Premier C campaigns in style, for the entire first half of the season occupying positions one and two on the ladder. With just one loss between them, that loss was handed to Old Camberwell from PEGS when met in round five. 

Old Camberwell finished the D1 2022 season in fourth and would go on a fairytale run through the finals before falling short to PEGS in the Grand Final. Season 2023 saw them finish as minor premiers, and promoted to Premier B before falling short on Grand Final day to Old Ivanhoe. 

PEGS missed out on a double chance in September on percentage only, and would fall at the first hurdle to the Parkdale Vultures but for two sides to make up the top four 18 games after promotion is no mean feat. 

#27 – A 10-GAME WINNING SEASON FOR BOX HILL NORTH

Box Hill North quickly became the surprise packet of the Division 4 Men’s season. It shouldn’t be downplayed for a moment the fact that the Demons went through 2023 winning 10 games during the home and away season, finishing with a double chance in the finals. 

The reason it’s being highlighted so prominently, this is a club that has won only 10 games between 2018 – 2022. 10 times across four completed seasons. Now 10 times in a calendar year. 

Unfortunately, the club was unable to keep its home and away season momentum going, meeting the dominant North Brunswick Bulls in the first week of the finals, they made a good fist of things. In the prelim, the Albert Park Falcons had timed their run to perfection and noticed the Demons were there for the taking. 

2024 will still see the side “promoted” with the VAFA moving to eliminate Division 4 Men’s next season. One thing is for sure, they’ll be a competitive bunch on the back of a strong pre-season. 

#26 – A FINAL FITTING OF EXTRA TIME 

As we moved into the back half of the home and away season; De La Salle, Beaumaris, Old Geelong, and St Bede’s Mentone/Tigers were fighting out the remaining two spots in the top four, with St Bernard’s and Fitzroy locking into the top two.

Third and fourth finished up going the way of the blue and gold in Beaumaris and De La. 

Meeting at Trevor Barker Oval, it was the Sharks who raced out to a five goal lead at half-time against the boys of the Dairy Bell. Trailing by 15 points at the final change and within striking distance.

The final quarter proved to be a classic finals contest with each side having nine scoring shots with the young De La Salle side converting their opportunities into five majors including one nearing the final siren to lock the scores at 84 apiece.

An intense extra time saw willing efforts from both sides, but it was Beaumaris’ Joel Cusack who delivered with a clutch goal a minute into the additional time that not only put the Sharks in front, but ultimately placed them into the Preliminary Final. Remarkably, the match was fought right to the clock with De La Salle’s in possession of the ball as the siren sounded.

#25 – MONASH CLIMB FROM LAST TO FIRST WITHIN 12 MONTHS

12 months ago the Monash Blues walked off the ground completing the 2022 Premier B Women’s season with 2 wins, and 12 losses next to their name. 

If a week is a long time in football, then a year is an absolute eternity. However, for the Monash Blues, they walked off the ground to complete the 2023 season and Premier B Premiers! 

An incredible turnaround of events in the space of 12 months. Led beautifully by Shane Chapman the Two-Blues were able to set up their season winning their first five games. 

Such was their defensive dominance, a staggering 14 times from 17 games they were able to keep the opposition to 1-goal or less.

With their men’s program having a tough year in Premier B, this trophy was certainly something to smile about when they overcame the Old Yarra Cobras by two points on Grand Final Day. 

#24 – AARON CLOKE HAS A MONOPOLY ON THE DIVISION 1 SHARPSHOOTERS TITLE

No one in the VAFA across the last five years has had such a dominance in front of goal than Aaron Cloke from Oakleigh. The sharpshooter has owned the forward 50 arc for the Krushers since he stepped foot on Scammell Reserve as an under 19. 

In 2023, Cloke, for the fifth straight season, won the Division 1 goalkickers award with 83. Following on from 75 in 2022. In 2021 he managed 35 in the shortened season, 99 in 2019 and reached triple figures in 2018. 

An incredible 388 goals across Division 1 men’s between 2018 – 2023. 

Next year it’ll be on the Premier C clubs to try and curtail the influence of Cloke after the Krushers reached the Grand Final on the back of an eight goal performance in the first final to give Oakleigh promotion for next season. 

#23 – FITZROY REACH WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY

This moment has been building at Brunswick St Oval since the club appointed Luke Mahoney as coach six years ago. 

Having won the Premier C title in 2018, the club set its sights on the finals in Premier B beyond that. A box they were able to tick in 2022, unfortunately, the season ended in heartbreak at the hands of Old Haileybury but the experience garnered left the Roys in no doubt they were capable of competing with the competition’s best. 

2023 saw the Roys finish second in Premier B, the only side they were unable to get ahold of during the season was St Bernard’s. The Snowdogs would again have their measure in the first final, but with the double chance the Roys went into the Preliminary Final confident of securing victory. 

Leaving nothing to chance Fitzroy opened up an early lead against Beaumaris. Extending the margin beyond five goals at half time and keeping the gap the same by three quarter time. 

While the Sharks mounted a final term comeback, the margin was somewhat beyond doubt and the true believers were able to enjoy an incredible moment of jubilation when the final siren rang out. Not only were the Roys in a Grand Final, but for the first time in the VAFA’s history, Fitzroy will play in William Buck Premier. 

The “younger brother” to University Blues, and University Blacks. Formerly known as University Reds have secured a place in the VAFA’s top flight. 

#22 – VAFA BIG V WOMEN KEEP THEIR UNBEATEN RUN ALIVE

The Big V Program returned in 2023, a welcome return at that. 2018 AFLW premiership winning coach Paul Groves announced the man to lead the Big V Women. A team that has had three starts prior to 2023 with three wins next to their name. 

Coming up against the Perth Football League was no mean feat. With St Kevin’s co-captain Bree Doyle announced captain of the Big V side, the girls were challenged early on in the contest. After a tight-tussle in the opening term, Paul Groves’ ladies were able to take the ascendancy into the second quarter opening up a 35 point lead, keeping WA to one major in the first half.

For every question Perth threw at the Big V during the third term, Paul Groves’ side had the answers. The air was sucked out of the WA balloon as the Vics took the ball the length of the ground and Cat O’Bryan (Coburg), Ella Baxter (Caulfield) were able to hit the scoreboard and send the margin out to 56 points with a quarter to play.

The Senior Women’s team now holds a 4-0 record in representative footy. Every player had a hand in this victory and should feel duly satisfied with their output in their performance.

#21 – AJAX CLAIM THEIR FIRST EVER WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP

The Ajax women’s program allowed themselves to dream in 2023.

Finishing the home and away season in fourth spot, one game clear of Whitefriars in fifth. The Jackers went into their first final against Oakleigh full of confidence after dismantling the Krushers by 60 points in the last round of the year.

The following week, the same blueprint for victory was implemented, holding Oakleigh goalless for the day and winning by 32 points. The preliminary final saw the Jackers keep the Gryphons to a solitary goal for the day, coming in the third quarter of the contest. They were able to pull away with multiple goals in the final term to book their place in the Grand Final.

By the time the big dance rolled around, the red, white and black were coming in full of confidence.

After one goal in the first half, the Jackers kept the momentum and fitness going right to the very end of the contest and finished in front at the final siren.

A fairytale run to complete 2023. And a victorious finals series that had to be seen to be believed.