THE PULSE — 12 June 2026

 REPRESENTATAIVE FOOTBALL

The VAFA Representative Football Program kicked off last Friday with 270 guests attending the VAFA’s annual Big V Luncheon, presented by CitiPower, held at the RACV City Club.

This was another great occasion with a real positive vibe in the room as past players from the 1966, ’76, ’86, Big V teams reunited to renew friendships and swap tales of their exploits.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the presentation to Ian Rice (Collegians) and Matt Handley (Old Xavierians) who were both inducted as Big V Champions, along with the posthumous induction of Clinton ‘Dick’ Chandler (State Bank).

Then it was the turn of our current day Men’s and Women’s representative players to receive their Big V guernseys ahead of the clash with Adelaide Footy League. First time coach Tom Purcell (Women’s) and returning coach, Daniel Harford (Men’s) spoke glowingly of the players and their commitment to the Big V program. Both programs had a significant number of first time players, so it was an extra thrill for them to receive their first Big V guernsey.

Our Women’s team entered Norwood Oval for the 2pm Saturday game, determined to build on their 6 game unbeaten run since the very first Women’s Representative team took to the field in 2017. Brilliantly lead for the second year in a row by Captain Taylah Watson (West Brunswick), the women were electric in their ball movement and jumped to a commanding quarter time lead that extended throughout the game to an ultimate 63 point victory. The two Vice Captain’s also proved themselves worthy of the leadership title with Scotch’s Jordan Mifsud a key target up forward with 3 goals, and Caulfield’s Jacinta Baxter, starring with 44 disposals, 10 clearances and 10 score involvements, to be awarded the Spirit of the Big V award, along with the best on ground medals awarded by the umpires and the opposition.

It was terrific to see the amount of Victorian families, Club representatives, and friends that had travelled across the border to support the team. A special shout out to Caulfield and West Brunswick crews who were prominent in their vocal support of our Women’s team!

Brighton’s Harry Hill again lead our Big V Men’s team for the twilight match. Unfortunately, it was the Croweaters who started strongest before our lads fought back to narrow the margin to 16 points by quarter time. Despite the best efforts of St Bernard’s Ben Huggard who was used in various roles, teammate Mitch Hughes (awarded best player by the opposition) and Uni Blacks backline pillar Campbell Moorfield, the scoreboard was never closer than 22 points in the third quarter. The South Australians led by ex-AFL player Mitch Grigg in the middle with 40 possessions, were dominant around clearances and forcing us into turnovers, to ultimately run out winners by 71 points.  Felix Flockhart was a deserved recipient of the Spirit of the Big V award, with his proud parents on hand to see his dominant performance.

The reputation of our competition is intricately linked to the successful tradition of our Big V performance, so we will leave no stone unturned to ensure we are best prepared to reverse this result in the return match next year.

In the meantime, we now turn our attention to the B-D3 team coached by Jarrod Gieschen and the Under 19 team coached by Paul Gilmore, who will host the Goulburn Valley at Revo Fitness Park (Elsternwick Park Oval No 1) on Saturday 11^th July.

We hope to have a big showing of VAFA support for these teams to cheer them on to victory!

Jason Reddick

VAFA CEO