AROUND THE AMMOS – June 11, 2026

Read the latest weekly headlines around the VAFA — off the field and around the boundary line.

BIG V CHAMPIONS INDUCTED

Last Friday, June 5, the VAFA was pleased to induct three incredibly worthy Big V Club members as Big V Champions — Ian Rice, Matt Handley, and Dick Chandler.

All Big V representatives are automatically part of the Big V Club, but each year, several members of the group are elevated to Big V Champion status to acknowledge their achievements that span beyond wins and results.

Ian Rice was a mainstay at Collegians for many years, joining the Lions straight out of school in 1972, and went on to represent the Big V on 10 occasions between 1975 and 1980, including two years as captain and a Best of Ground performance against Western Australia. Watch the official Big V induction video on Ian Rice.

Matt Handley wore the Big V guernsey 12 times in his career, including as captain in 2015, 2016 and 2018. An eight-time VAFA Team of the Year member, Matt played 300 games for Old Xaverians, was awarded 12 club and four league goalkicking titles, won six premierships, and is still involved with Old Xavs as their Under 19 Premier Men’s coach. Watch the official Big V induction video on Matt Handley.

Clinton ‘Dick’ Chandler was a young rising star from Bright, plying his craft in the gold-rush town of Rushworth before moving to Melbourne with his employer State Savings Bank, where he worked as a clerk and began his Amateur football career. A regular member of the Big V throughout the 1930s, Dick played 11 matches, including the first All-Australian Amateur Carnivals in 1936 and 1938. Sadly, Dick passed away in 1969 at the age of 59, but he is remembered as an integral part of the Big V community.

GEOFF ‘CRACKERS’ McCRACKEN RECIEVES OAM

Old Scotch Football Club Life Member Geoff ‘Crackers’ McCracken was recently awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), for Services to Australian Rules Football, in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Geoff has been a much-loved personality and contributor to OSFC and the VAFA for over 60 years, and even today he still tirelessly curates the club’s history amongst organising past player reunions.

Amidst his playing career, during which he played 133 games from 1966 to 1980, Geoff also held extensive roles at OSFC including Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, OSFC Delegate to the VAFA, and Football Administration Manager. In 2012, Geoff was awarded a VAFA Certificate of Merit for his services, and in 2017 was awarded a Medal for his services as part of the VAFA’s 125-year celebrations.

In recognition of these significant achievements and service to OSFC, the Best and Fairest award for the Thirds (the team Geoff played most often with) has been renamed the “Geoff ‘Crackers’ McCracken Trophy”.

VAFA MILESTONES IN ROUND 6

Caulfield Grammarians’ Noah Sutherland made his VFL debut for Sandringham Football Club over the weekend. A rising star nominee in 2024, Noah’s elevation comes after a fantastic start to the year in William Buck Premier Men’s, averaging 30.3 disposals and 125.4 ranking points across seven games.

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After 263 VAFA games, 194 of which were played with St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, Tom Garside has announced his retirement and will play his final game on Saturday. After coming to the club as a junior, Tom became a part of the heart and soul of the club, and will be missed for both his talent on the field and his work ethic off it.

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Finely Griffett will celebrate 50 games for North Brunswick in Division 2 this weekend. A stout defender, Finn has a strong ability to attack the ball, and his offensive charges from defence are a sight to behold. Well done Finn.

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