The U19 Section 3 Grand Final was played to a fantastic level as Old Ivanhoe made up for the hurt of missing out last year to win the premiership against a gallant Marcellin.
The game was an absolute classic with the margin never creeping beyond a couple of kicks. As first Marcellin then Old Ivanhoe held the ascendancy. A couple of late goals to Xavier Burns of Marcellin leveled things up at the 20 minute mark of the last quarter. A sequence of behinds from Marcellin, gave them a two point advantage with little over a couple of minutes of play remaining, but then Old Ivanhoe lifted.
The minor premiers snatched a goal against the flow via a holding the ball decision on the wing. The umpire then correctly awarded a 25 meter penalty to bring eventual Harris Medalist (for best on the ground) Tyson Dean within range and he converted to give the Hoes a four point lead.
Old Ivanhoe managed a further goal and a behind to run out winners by 11 points. Dean was awarded the best on ground medal. The Hoes’ were coached by Brad Low on the day as Brad Shadbolt was on a plane and unable to get back in time, he landed as the game was just finishing allowing him to arrive in time to join the celebrations.
The genesis of Laura Kane’s journey to become one of footy’s most influential administrators can be traced back to her joining the VAFA’s Melbourne Uni women’s team as a 12-year-old.
“For many years, we dared to dream about being a serious footy club. We’ve managed to gain a different type of respect – the worthiness of being a ‘proper club’
The Premier Thirds competition delivered arguably the biggest upset of the entire VAFA season, with St Kevin’s claiming the flag in a 5-point thriller over Old Xaverians, who had finished
