LATEST FROM AMMO NATION

CHANGE AT THE TONNERS: Simon Williams has replaced Paul McCormack at the Beach Road Oval. http://www.obgfc.com.au/
WICKERS GET THEIR MAN: Elsternwick has appointed John Cesario as senior coach for 2012. For the last two years, John has been senior coach for Emmaus St Leo’s, and before that was involved at Hampton Rovers, coaching at every level from Under 10s to the senior team. The Wickers are excited to have such an accomplished and enthusiastic coach for the year ahead."
BUNTZ BACK AS TONNERS TAKE SHAPE: Old Brighton’s coaching panel is shaping up spectacularly well for 2012, according to President Rob Jakobi. Senior Coach Paul McCormack has been reappointed for the coming season, as has premiership Reserves Coach Ross Stewart. Adam Pirrie will again mentor the Tonners’ Under 19 squad. Simon Williams (Senior Assistant) and Ted Window (Thirds) were not available for reappointment, and have been replaced by the very experienced Brett Rose and Tom Buntz respectively. The charismatic Buntz returns to Beach Road after a two year sabbatical, having coached the U19’s with great success in 2009. The Tonners’ have booked the magnificent facilities at Murchison for practice matches on 31 March, but as yet have not confirmed an opposition club. If interested, contact coach Paul McCormack on 0439 343 804. 
SNOW DOGS SECURE EXPERIENCE DUO: St Bernard’s have picked up two experienced hands to help its coaches and teams prepare for its return to Premier section. Simon Atkins will be the Director of Football Development while Dean Laidley will assist the senior coaching group in planning for the pre-season and in-season training program and will provide hands-on assistance in terms of game style, ball movement and game day set-ups. 
TURTLES STAY STEADY: Eltham Collegians have re-appointed Alan Sutherland as Senior Coach after he led the club to the Div 2 finals, its highest level ever. Alan Quaife has been appointed Senior Assistant and Reserves Coach. Alan is an ex VFL/VFA player, who has won multiple premierships as a coach and player.  Bolstering the ranks further, Ben Gill has been appointed as fitness coach. As a fitness instructor and 2011 premiership centre half forward for Lower Plenty, Ben will complement Sab Ciavola, who came 3rd in the clubs B&F and 2nd in the Div 2 goal kicking. Sam Richardson went back to back winning the club’s B&F, holding off Andrew Hargraves, who returned to his best form following a knee reco.  
BLUE TWO: Uni Blues have appointed Fergus Watts as senior coach and signed Ian Prendergast as his assistant. Watts, formerly of Collegians and AFL clubs Adelaide and St Kilda, was an assistant to John Kanis in 2011, while Prendergast was on Carlton’s list and played in the SANFL. 
RALPH RETURNS: Old Xavs have added Michael O’Shaughnessy to their coaching panel. "Ralph", a brother of premiership coach Tim, was previously with GWS, Sydney Swans and was an assistant coach and powerbroker at Toorak Park in the late 1990s.
FROM THE FITZROY LION’S DEN: James McGee took out the Senior B&F, Drew Olarenshaw Reserves, Julian Turner U19s and joint B&F winners for the Clubbies were Michael Younger and Trent Coleman. Following the resignation of Tim Bell due to work and family commitments, Fitzroy has appointed Michael Pickering as Senior Coach. For more information on Michael and the other recent coaching appointments visit www.fitzroyfc.com.au. 
ANTS GET ANT: Bulleen Templestowe has signed former North Melbourne listed player Anthony Palmer as its new senior coach.  Palmer, 40, was a member of the all-conquering North Under 19 teams coached by Dennis Pagan that included many future Kangaroos stars including Wayne Carey and Anthony Stevens. 
Unfortunately for Anthony, he was hampered by serious back and hamstring issues which effectively ended his playing career at a young age. Palmer has most recently been an assistant coach at the Greenvale FC under former North Melbourne premiership rover, Anthony Rock. 
Palmer has a great historical link to the Bulleen Temp club. His father Don, who also played 50 games with North Melbourne from 1959-63,  coached the Bullants in 1981 & 1982 and his older brother Mal was part of the premiership team that took the club to A grade in 1983. The Bullants have a strong history when it comes to producing AFL stars.  The VAFA amateur club has sired more than 40 players into the top level of football – including Steve Silvagni, Robert Dipierdomenico, Greg Madigan, Gary Pert, Richard and Graham Osborne, Steve Easton, Duane Rowe and current West Coast Gun Luke Shuey. For more info, see www.btafc.com.au
XAVS WELCOME BACK TWO: The Red and Blacks have appointed premiership players Travis Ruyg and David Landrigan as assistant coaches. 
OGGERS GET FRANK: The OGs have just appointed Frank Dunell as its senior coach for 2012. Frank has prwvously coached North Old Boys, St Bernard’s and Old Essendon. He has also coached the Big V U23s and the 2005 All-Australian team in Ireland.
STATIONMASTERS GOING ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE: Peter ‘Rabs’ McBrearty will again be at the helm of Richmond Central for a record fourth season as senior coach. He will again be assisted by Bernie Lazzaro (Skills) and Kieran O’Dwyer (Fitness & Conditioning). The Senior B & F was won by 20 year-old recruit Ben (Mash) Ryan  – who joined the club early this year from Mansfield F. C. with his brother Nathan (Bangers) Ryan. Tied for second were stalwart Adam Fiske and another recruit, big Seb Angus.
BRETT TO ROWE MONDER BOAT: Ormond has appointed Brett Rowe as senior coach for 2012, Brett was assistant coach last season. He was drafted by Fitzroy in ’93 and then moved on to Box Hill in the VFL and played in a Grand Final against Sandringham. Brett has been an assistant at several clubs in the EFL and coached Nundawading in his own right.
MHSOB MOURN A GREAT: The Unicorns lost one of its real giants this week with the passing at 95 of LW (Len) Boyd-Gerny. A Big V representative in the 1930s, Boyd-Gerny was the leading goal kicker in five seasons in three Sections with Melbourne High, kicking 100 goals or more in each year from 1936 until 1939. He began 1940 with 44 goals in five games before the seaon was called off due to WWII. May he rest in peace.
OLD MELBURNIANS MAKE A CHANGE: Former Melbourne and Old Scotch player Nathan Brown has succeeded David Landrigan at the Junction. 
NEW BLOOD IS OLD BLOOD: Former Old Haileybury captain Darren Seccull has been appointed the club’s senior coach. A former assistant to Peter Nicholson in the Bloods’ 2006 Premier flag, Darren will be backed by Matthew Brewer and Stewart Loewe.
KRUSHER NEWS: Oakleigh has appointed Martin Stillman as senior coach to replace David Gately, who is joining VFL club Frankston. Stillman has most recently been an assistant coach at the Canterbury FC and has had more than a decade’s experience at TAC and VFL levels as an administrator.
SHEEHY BACK AS STEINBERG SALUTES: Bernie Sheehy will return to coach AJAX in 2012 as they venture back to Premier B. Vice-captain Warren Steinberg won the Jackas B+F from David Fayman and Rubin Winograd.
CHIS TOPS AT BLOODS: Tom Chisholm has won the Best and Fairest at Old Haileybury, narrowly from Brett Voss and Corey Millard. 
TWIGGY TOP BEAR: Michael "Twiggy" Christian – another Ireland tourist – has won Banyule’s Best and Fairest. 
DUNELL TOPS DARK BLUES: Sam "Death to Flying Things" Dunell won the Best and Fairest at Old Melburnians despite playing just 13 games. He won from Karl Lombardozzi and Jonno Nash.
TOP TRINITY: Rob Humann won the 2011 Old Trinity Best & Fairest award. Luke Pacconi finished a close second and Brendan Iezzi placed third.
ANOTHER IRELAND TOURIST WINS: Oakleigh’s Michael Harold won his third B+F on end, one of five players (who we know of!) on the Ireland trip to top the poll at their club.
"THAT’S IT" SAYS SUTTY: Veteran whistleblower Tim Sutcliffe has awarded his last free kick.
After 360 games, six Premier and 4 Premier B grand finals and fourteen representative games, the likeable Sutcliffe will focus on fun runs as well as pursuing other personal ambitions.
Tim won the Golden Whistle for Most Promising Umpire in 1993 and was twice VAFA Umpire of the Year (2003 and 2007). He toured Irelandwith the AAFC in 2008 and was awarded VAFAUA life membership in 2009.
Tim commenced his umpiring with the Yarra Junior Football League in 1987 before joining the VAFA in 1992.  From 1994 – 1996 Tim spent three years at the VFL, umpiring TAC Cup and VFL Reserves. In 1998 Tim returned to the VAFA and was selected to umpire his first Premier grand final in 2000.  
VAFA General Manager of Umpire Operations Brian Goodman reluctantly accepted Sutcliffe’s decision to retire. 
“I am sure all will wish Tim the very best in his future endeavours. His success has been due to his dedication, preparation, positive attitude and professionalism.
“One of the very pleasing aspects of Tim’s umpiring was the respect he earned in the eyes of players and club officials alike, with Tim always welcome at the after-match and club functions. 
“We will miss Tim enormously,” Goodman said.
HOPSCOTCH: Senior Big V coach and former Caulfield Grammarians mentor Dean Anderson and 2011 St Kevin’s coach Stuart Powell will join forces at the Cardinals for season 2012.
OLD IVANHOE: Owen Weatherley won the Best and Fairest, narrowly from Stuart Low and Simon Fragiacomo. Craig Hunter has been re-appointed as senior coach.

ANIMAL HOUSE: Emmaus St Leo’s has appointed former AFL umpire Michael Vozzo as senior coach. A former St Leo’s student, Vozzo umpired 280 games in the big league, but now turns to coaching. He will be assisted by Ash Duncan. Paul Baranello won the Best and Fairest, his fourth with the club.
OLD CAREY: Old Carey’s B&F last Sat night was held in the MCC Members Dining Room and was attended by 200.  Cam Howat topped off an excellent season by winning the award.  The Panthers announced the reappointment of Trevor Rowe as senior coach for 2012 and inducted three more life members, Al Stewart-Holmes, Richard Oppy and the retiring Andrew Kent.  The trio have been wonderful servants of the club, with 30 years of combined service.  
WILLIAMS TOPS AT DLS: Sam Williams has won the Best and Fairest at De La Salle after being runner-up in 2010. He won from Tom Moloney and Jake Gotch.
NODDERS GIVE CONNOLLY THE NOD: With Pat Steinfort accepting a role with the Adelaide Crows, 2011 Assistant Adrian Connolly will lead Mazenod in 2011.
IRELAND TOURISTS WIN AT THEIR CLUBS: Cameron Lee (Werribee Districts), Ryan Colbert (Old Xaverians) Daniel Strachan (Collegians) and Cameron Howat (Old Carey) all won their respective club best and fairest awards.
MICK DWYER TO LEAD BRINDISIANS: U23 Big V and All-Australian coach Mick Dwyer will return to club coaching in 2012, taking the reins at St Bede’s Mentone Tigers. Mick previously coached at Old Haileybury, leading them to Premier section. He has played a massive role in the resurgence of representative football in the VAFA.
POWER DUO: Jeff Scotland and Tony Miller will be Senior Co-Coaches at Power House for season 2012. Jeff Scotland played 292 games with Power House, winning the Seniors Best and Fairest in 1995. Jeff was PHFC Senior Playing Coach during 1993-1994. He also successfully coached the VAFA Under 19 State Team. He was also Club President in 1995 and 1996 and has served as Senior Assistant Coach on numerous occasions over the past 15 seasons. Tony Miller played 118 games with Power House and represented Victoria on numerous occasions during his playing career. He coached De La Salle to the VAFA B Section Senior Premiership in 2003 before continuing his coaching career at A Grade level with St Kevins.Tony also coached the VAFA Under 19 State team.
Bomberland: Tough on-baller Daniel Ryan comfortably won his second Senior Best & Fairest from gun forward Daniel Flaherty and promising young midfielder Brad Jones. In coaching news, former De La Salle player Len Hannah has been appointed as the new Under 19 Coach and club stalwart Stuart Dale has been appointed as Reserves Coach for the 2012 season. The Senior Coaching position is currently available for potential applicants and an announcement will be made shortly.
No Harf Measures for SKOB: SKOB has appointed Daniel Harford as Senior Coach for season 2012. Midfielder, forward and defender Phil ‘Filthy’ Edgar has won the Best & Fairest Award for 2011.

SMS goes for proven winner: St Mary’s Salesian has appointed Erwin Leydon as their senior coach. He coached Old Melburnians to the Premier B flag in 2009. 
Top Tiges: U23 State Captain Jack Hellier won the B&F from senior Big V skipper Luke Wintle, with VAFA Rising Star winner and U19 State Capt Dan Garside winning the Best First Year Player Award. Owen Lalor will not be continuing as SB/MT coach in 2012 and the Brindisians are seeking a new mentor.
Mattinson top Friar again. Rowan Mattinson has won Whitefriars B+F for the second consecutive year, taking the prize from Danny Hogan and Andrew Hill
Fletcher wins third-straight Rovers B+F: Leigh Fletcher won his third consecutive senior best & fairest for the Rovers, comfortable winning the 2011 Bob Cave Medal at the Presentation Night held Saturday at the club.  http://www.hamptonrovers.com.au/news/news.php?newsid=1333 Uni Blacks appoint favourite son: The Blacks have appointed Matt Kempton as coach for season 2012. More here St Bernard’s Gus Mitchell Medal to Andrew Merrington: Andrew topped off a great return to St Bernards OC FC by winning the Club’s Best & Fairest. Despite being used in various roles across the ground Andrew’s 83 goals for the season was easily the Club’s leading goalkicker. More here.
Old Paradians name Boundy: David Boundy will be the playing coach of Old Paradians in 2012. Sean Miller has won the club’s best and fairest award in 2011. More here.
Districts sign Quon: South Melbourne Districts has appointed Anthony Quon as senior coach for 2012. Quon was U19 Coach of the Year in 2009 with Hampton Rovers. Seb Mahoney won the B+F. More here.

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