2024 was the Year of the Two Blues in VAFA Premier Division 1 Men’s as Prahran finished the home & away season three games clear on top, then won their two finals over Parkside by 10 goals and 14 points to hoist the cup and earn promotion to Premier C .
Each VAFA Team of the Year is based on feedback and analysis from coaches, VAFA Media and umpires. And without further ado, here’s our 2024 VAFA Division 1 Men’s Team of the Year:
Prahran has 4 players (including the captain) as well as the coach – Rory Brodie, Matt Clifford, Mackenzie Mayne and League Best & Fairest Shaun Chapman, who has been named Captain, while their premiership coach Craige Milward got the nod as the Coach of the Year for Division 1 Men’s.
Ormond also has five representatives: Jeremy Simon, Rhys Kennedy, Harrison Burt, James Tsakonas, and Jackson Hille.
Runners-up Parkside have 4 players in the line-up, with defensive duo Luciano Logozzo & Max Balassone joined by Matt Holden and Benedict Douglas.
Old Peninsula have 3 reps, with last season’s VAFA Anytime Fitness Rising Star Bailey Payze alongside Hugh Peacock and Jake Lovett.
UHS-VU has two representatives – James Gilfillan, named at centre half-back, and spearhead Brandon Jackson, who booted 50 goals for the season, lining up at full-forward.
Kew also have two, with the Waters boys – Max & Ned – both receiving the honour.
While Elliot Brandon-Jones (Old Yarra) and Hugo Byron (Preston) were their club’s solo representative in 2024.
Congratulations to all players who have received the honour this season. It was a very competitive division with plenty of good players coming under consideration.
A Team of the Year from each VAFA section will be published on VAFA social channels over the coming weeks.