2026 Division 3 Women’s Team of the Year
The Division 3 Women’s season culminated in a nail-biting Grand Final, with minor premiers Parkdale Vultures clinching a 5-point victory over Old Haileybury, who had come from third to knock
Big V Champion: Matt Handley (Old Xavs)
Matt Handley became the first Old Xaverian to be accorded LIFE MEMBERSHIP of the club while STILL PLAYING.
He made his senior debut in Round 5 of 2006, booting an incredible 7 GOALS with his FIRST 7 KICKS in senior football. He LED strongly. He MARKED strongly. He FINISHED strongly.
It would be a sign of things to come…
For the next 18 seasons, Matt was a towering figure for the Red & Black, becoming just the second player to play 300 GAMES, booting 883 GOALS, including 12 CLUB & 4 LEAGUE GOALKICKING TITLES & winning 6 PREMIERSHIPS – including 5 SENIOR A-GRADE FLAGS – in a golden era for Xavs.
An 8-TIME VAFA TEAM OF THE YEAR member, he was also a cornerstone of the Big V program, wearing the famous jumper a DOZEN TIMES, including as CAPTAIN in 2015, 16 and 18. He was a wonderful leader who galvanised his BIG V team-mates and led from the front.
He is STILL INVOLVED in giving back to his club, the VAFA and the game as Old Xaverians’ Under 19 Premier coach.
Officially named a BIG V CHAMPION in 2026 – the great MATT ‘CHOPPER’ HANDLEY:
More News
More
VAFA Board Nominations
The VAFA is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for election to the VAFA Board at the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM). Four (4) Directors are required to
All in, All Conquering: Conway’s Woodrow triumph
Sam Conway’s footballing journey began as so many of his generation did – at local Auskick, dreaming of a career in the big time. In Sam’s case, it was at
Connect with the VAFA
