Retrospective: Round 3

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Geoff Reilley

10 YEARS AGO – 2010

Collegians continued their excellent form in Premier with a solid win against De La Salle after a very even first three quarters. The final margin, 12.13 to 8.7, was an excellent result after the tough contest and Collegians shared top billing with the undefeated St Bedes Mentone Tigers. Best – Troon, Zimbachs, Bobeff, Strachan, Jorgenson, Harvey (Coll) and Moloney, Baxter, Williams, Carroll, Stinear, Hunt (DLS).

In Premier B, Old Ivanhoe held their no. 1 position with a convincing win over Hampton Rovers, 11.22 to 7.7 with the only blemish their poor shooting for goal. Best – Bence, Baldwin, Ward, Low, Curatolo, Bolzan (OI) and Woods, Ward, Devereaux, Fletcher, Carr, Curry (HR).

The Club Warehouse Rising Star was Callum Pohl (Old Trinity) who had transferred from Hurstbridge in the Northern Football League. Although still eligible for U19 football, Callum had been playing senior football with Hurstbridge for the previous two seasons and won that Club’s senior best and fairest in 2009.

Premier senior coaches were Paul McCormack (Old Brighton), John Kanis (Uni Blues), Erwin Leyden (Old Melburnians), Owen Lalor (St Bedes Mentone Tigers), Mark Hibbins and Simon Arnott (Collegians), Paul Dodd (Marcellin), Dave Madigan (De La Salle), Simon Lethlean (Old Xaverians), Peter Banfield (Old Scotch) and Brett Chandler (Old Trinity).

15 YEARS AGO – 2005

Jonathan Horn was not only the A Section scribe but was also writing excellent articles in the lead column each week, titled ‘Inside the VAFA’. For the VAFA Mothers’ Day weekend, Jonathan’s article pointed out that women were involved in virtually all the facets of the competition. It was a great article and highlighted many of the women making contributions across the VAFA. This tradition continues to this day and is testament to the quality of the competition and the general behaviour of those involved.

Werribee and St Johns were the only two undefeated teams in D3 although St John’s had to battle hard and came from behind against Power House in this round. Power House had a great second quarter and held a handy lead at half time. St Johns whittled the House’s lead by three quarter time and went on to get over the line by 5 points 8.11 to 8.3. Best – Walker, Gaget, Diaz, Hilton, Carmody, Pickering (St Johns) and West, Hill, Bishop, Benson, Sosic, Conway (P House).

D3 Coaches were Rohan Doherty (Kew), Steven Bourban (Monash Gryphons),  Jeffrey  Wilson (Old Westbourne), Brett Devlin (Power House), Ben McGee (St Johns), Earl Henderson (Sth Melb Districts), Tony Rowe (Tally Ho), Shane Mottram (UHSVU), Tim Ellis (Werribee) and Angus Hamilton (W Brunswick).

Box Hill North had a great win over St Marys in D4 Section 19.17 to 18.16 after the Saints came back into the game from a 7 goal deficit at half time. It was an entertaining last quarter with the Box Hill boys answering every challenge. Best – D Penny (5), Riscalla, Cook, Liston, K Oldfield. N Penny (BHN) and L Armstrong, Cummins, Harrison, C Armstrong, Purcell, Nicholson (StM). Tri Thoi played his 100th game for Box Hill North.

Fitzroy Reds congratulated Todd Clarke on his 100th game, the 26th player to reach this milestone for the ‘Redders’. Anthony “Cuzza” Carbone played his 300th game for Whitefriars as part of his stellar career in the VAFA. A great favourite at the ‘Friars’, Cuz was a terrific player, a pleasure to coach and good enough to represent the VAFA.

25 YEARS AGO – 1995

In A Section Old Melburnians were too strong for Ormond in a scrappy, wind-affected match and despite Ormond holding a 21-point advantage at half time. With only 17 fit players in the second half Ormond struggled against the pacy OM’s team who won 13.13 to 9.13. Best – Webb, Hewitt, Bromell, Useinov, Theodore, Fraser (OM) and Jobling, Gilmore, Sebo, Fraser, McConvill, Wills (Orm).

In B Section it was a cracking game between Old Haileybury and Old Paradians. The only noticeable advantage on the score board was at three quarter time with Paradians leading by 26 points, the first two breaks being much closer. Haileybury rallied in front of their home crowd to run out 1-point winners, 15.12 to 15.11. Best – Orton, Connell, Byrns, Plecher, Lappage, McKenzie (OH) and Philp, Geary, Harrison (5), Farrell, Nitsou, Vincent (OP).

Ted ‘Dutchy’ van den Akker played his 270th game to break St Leo’s playing record. Many felt it natural for Ted to go on and reach 300 games given his determination and fitness level.

35 YEARS AGO – 1985

Old Haileybury were holding a Past Players and Supporters Reunion to launch the club history ‘Play Hard and Play The Game’. In a great contest at Koonung Park, Bulleen Templestowe led Old Scotch by 40 points at half time, 13.4 to 6.6. and looked set for a big win. Scotch kicked 9.2 to 3.7 in the third term but the Bullants got their game in order in the last quarter to win by 4 points. Stephen Pace kicked 9 goals for Bullen Temp and Warwick Matthews kicked 5 from CHF for Old Scotch.

It was also a great game in the Under 19 top section between MHSOB and Ormond. The Monds kicked 6.3 to 3.1 in the first quarter, MHSOB kicked 13.5 to 1.0 in the second. Although Ormond held MHSOB in the last the High School boys hung on to take the game by 9 points. Best – Scrimis, Mortiz (8), Joyce (MHSOB) and O’Connor, Thompson, Wagland, Hankin (Ormond).

It was 150 games to Mark Tellefson (Old Paradians) and Jock Elmore (St Bedes).

45 YEARS AGO – 1975

Uni Blues skipper, Barry Church played his 150th game and had only missed 4 matches in 9 seasons. Eddie Hume (UHSOB), a member of the 1970 premiership team also recorded his 150th.

AJAX were delighted to welcome back the 1971 E Section Best and Fairest, Maurice Herzfeld after his absence overseas in 1974.

In A Section, Ormond crashed badly against Old Trinity who started well and finished even better to run out winners by 50 points. Johnston, Hansen, and Starr were best for Old Trinity, Shane Dove, Thomas and Adrian Graham were considered Ormond’s best.

Old Carey won a thriller in B Section by a solitary point against Collegians. Birrell, Kelaher and M Cooke (9) were voted best players for Old Carey.

Hayden (Royce) Hughes recorded his 100th game for Ivanhoe. He had started with the ‘Hoes’ at Under 15 level and graduated to become the senior team’s star forward.

55 YEARS AGO – 1965

In D Section, Fairfield were celebrating their 40th year of existence. They had a proud history and had only played in C and D Sections. In this round they faced top of the ladder, Old Geelong, and a win could see them slip into the top four. They day started badly in the reserves’ game when Old Geelong kicked 10.16 to Fairfield’s 1.6. At quarter time of the main game Fairfield held a 6-point lead. Old Geelong upped the ante in the second quarter and went on to win 20.9 to 6.8. Best – Mitchell, T Brown, Rasmussen (4), Stranger, Richmond, Blazey (Old Geelong) and Jamieson, Frencham (4), Keane, Venture, O’Dwyer, Swallow (Fairfield).