Retrospective: Round 12

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Geoff Reilley

10 YEARS AGO – 2010

Glen Eira won a very important game in D2 Section against Old Westbourne, both clubs vying for a top four position. It was a low scoring affair and Glen Eira wasted some opportunities in the first quarter with 3.7 to 0.2. They continued to kick inaccurately but were never seriously challenged by the Westbournians and won 6.14 to 5.8. Best – Tsirogiannis, Massis, Higgins, Kohout, Spink, King (GEira) and Walker, Hudson, Benn, Pavez, Connors, Hudson (OWestb). Glen Eira remained in third position with plenty of work to be done by Old Westbourne, now 6th.

La Trobe Uni and St Johns seemed certainties for the D3 finals with 11 wins apiece but below them, any two of seven clubs could fill the third and fourth spots. Albert Park strengthened their third position with a very impressive win over West Brunswick 16.16 to 3.6. The goals were well shared for Albert Park and their defence was simply miserly. Best – Lanigan, Maunder (3), Payne (3), Murnane (3), Hayes, Cain (APark) and Touzel, MacGugan, Hayes, Brown, Martin, Germon (WB).

In D4 Section, Swinburne surprised Eley Park with their endeavour and provided an upset, winning 15.13 to 12.15. The Uni boys may have opened a possibility for finals’time and the Sharks’loss was not what they wanted at this stage of the season. Best – Manning, Wild, Elliman, Higgins, Wood, Hyman (Swinburne) and Viola (3), Marsiglio, Sahlstrom, Davis, Robinson, Bugeja (Eley Park).

Division 3 senior coaches were Nathan Dallas (Albert Park), David Smith (Elsternwick), Mark Murray (Hawthorn), Leigh Cole (Ivanhoe), George Lattouf (Kew), Dean Sheldrick (La Trobe Uni), Martin Pike (Powerhouse), Joe Lenders (St Francis Xavier), Matt Jones (St John OC), Shannon Monagle (West Brunswick), R Watts (UHS-VU) and Andrew Stone (Yarra Valley OB).

The leading ‘sharpshooter’ in the VAFA was Paul Tsoucalas for Oakleigh in the Under 19 South 2 Section. His 10 majors in this round took him into the 60’s and Paul was a real chance to kick the ‘ton’ if his form continued.

15 YEARS AGO – 2005

The combined Victorian Country Football League team were worthy winners of the Brian Molony Cup at Sportscover Arena, 13.13 to the VAFA’s 8.14. The VAFA trailed all day but at one stage looked as though they may pull off a remarkable come- from-behind victory but the ‘boys from the bush’ determined not to let the game slip and drew away again to win comfortably. Andrew Lowcock (Uni Blues) was a constant headache for the VCFL early on at centre half forward and Justin Arnold (Old Xavs) and David Biggs (Old Essendon) were impressive in the heavy conditions. Down 23 points at half time, the ‘ammos’ had their work cut out. In the second half, Daniel Flaherty (Old Essendon), David Boundy (Old Paradians) and Murray Pitts (Beaumaris) all stood out for the VAFA. Others to hold their own were Travis Ruyg (Old Xavs) and Leigh Hendra (Old Brighton).

St Bernard’s congratulated one of its most admired and respected competitors, Ben Loughlin, on his 150th game. Ben had played on many bigger opponents over the years and was a courageous utility player. Beginning in the U19’s in 1996, Ben’s highlight was the A Grade premiership in 2002 in which he played a significant role.

Tim Beasley broke St Bedes Mentone Tigers club record for 1st 18 games when he ran out for the 244th time. Tim was the only player to have played senior football with St Bedes Old Collegians Football Club and St Bedes/Mentone Tigers AFC from E Section right through to B Section. Tim had been runner-up in the senior Best and Fairest in 1988 and 1990 before winning the senior Best and Fairest on no less than 7 occasions. He also won VAFA Best and Fairests in 1990 and 1991 as well as being a State representative player in 1992 and 1993. Tim was awarded life membership of his club in 2000 and was named a Club Legend in 2004.

25 YEARS AGO – 1995

In E East Section, the match of the round was between Old Carey (4th) and Bulleen United (5th) and a win to Old Carey would send them 2 games clear. Carey started well with four goals straight in the opening quarter while Bulleen had enough chances but kicked 2.4. At half time it was a 2-point lead to Bulleen United. Carey’s track form had been to date, two good quarters and a failure to consolidate in two and was driving their coach, John Wise to distraction. Well, it happened again as Bulleen took the lead at the final break, 9.7 to 7.6 with the C’s not impressive. Although Carey attacked often in the final term, the evergreen champion and multiple award winner, Bulleen’s Dick Morley, controlled the show with great marking and intelligent disposal as his team took the points and were now only 1 game behind Old Carey. Best – Portbury, Morley, Horsfield, Hickey, Perry, Thompson (Bulleen United) and Bryce, Campbell, Popplewell, Greenwood, Morrison, Vasilopoulos (Old Carey).

In E Central Section, Uni High School Old Boys almost made certain of finals’appearances with a big‘come- from-behind’ win over Old Westbourne who had led at three quarter time 6.12 to 5.8. It was a huge last quarter (9.4) by UHSOB as they posted a winning score of 14.12 to 7.16.  Best – Burns (4), R Smith, D Smith, Strachan, McLean, Bone (UHSOB) and Dangerfield, Leonard, O’Malley, Billman, Stapleton, Evans (O West). Old Westbourne had to be careful now to avoid relegation in the coming rounds.

St Mary’s were proud to announce that Terry (Froggy) Ymer reached 350 games for his club, the second Saints’ player to achieve this milestone. Terry had won many awards along the way culminating in life membership in 1989. Although diminutive in size and frame, Terry’s superior fitness and ability to remain injury free had given him the longevity. Everyone at St Marys hoped Froggy would go on to achieve the 400-game mark.

35 YEARS AGO – 1985

In E Section, it looked as though the eventual premiers may be between Preston and Heatherton, Preston being the strong favourites with only one loss to date, Heatherton having lost 3 games. Elsternwick (3rd) and Peninsula Old Boys (4th) may have had other ideas, both recording big wins in this round. Elsternwick had the biggest victory however with a score of 38.20 to Old Carey’s 6.7. The goals came from everywhere as the Wicks ran riot. Best – Farrington (3), Karipidus (6), Rosewarne (5), Thompson, Firth, Hill (E’Wick) and Endall, Mead, Jackson, Macauley, Benton, McMahon (OCarey).

In  F  Section,  Monash  Whites   were   determined to remove themselves from the bottom two by defeating ANZ Bank 21.12 to  18.16  on  a weekend of  high  scoring  affairs.  Best –  Ralph   (5),   Farley (4), Gemmola, De Face, Brooker (MonashW) and Bryceson, Coffey (7), McKillop, Murray, Szeitz, Townsend (ANZ).

45 YEARS AGO – 1975

Monash Blues (5th) kept their final four hopes alive in A Section when they scored a 5-point victory over Uni Blacks who only remained in the game with their accurate kicking (12.3).

North Brunswick congratulated Ian Duncan on his 100 games. Ian was a foundation member of North Brunswick and had given the club wonderful service on the field as well as coaching the U14, U15 and U17 teams with great success.

On top in Junior Section 1, Coburg went away in the last quarter of an exciting game to defeat the fourth team, Ormond 17.18 to 13.7. Best were Mick Brown, C Green, N McAuliffe, M Findlay (6) for Coburg and Handley, Boyanton, Purcell for Ormond.

50 YEARS AGO – 1970

Bill McGrory played his 400th game for Glenhuntly. Bill went on to become a well-regarded coach in the VAFA in later years while his son Denis, a highly regarded player for Glenhuntly, also became an U19 coach at De La Salle in later years.

Old Scotch suffered their second successive defeat when they were well beaten by Geelong at Geelong who almost doubled the ‘Scotchies’ score. This left Uni Blacks and Geelong with one defeat apiece, 8 points ahead of Old Scotch and St Bernard’s were in the top four on percentage from St Bernard’s.

The only undefeated team at this stage was Coburg in A Section, 8 points ahead of Ormond with MHSOB a further 8 point behind. Caulfield Grammarians, Monash Blues and De La Salle were the main challengers to the top teams.

After 13 rounds, in A Section, Rod McFarlane (Coburg) was on top of the goal-kickers with 94. Other leading ‘sharpshooters’ were P Wayman 71 (Alphington) B Section, B Davis 63 (UHSOB) C Section.

60 YEARS AGO – 1960

In B Section, top side De La Salle (7.11) lowered their colours to Kew (10.9) enabling Kew to hang on to their fourth position. Best – Woods, Lumley, Snell (Kew) and Conway, Kelly, Dillon (DLS).

Ormond, struggling to stay in A Section, kept up with Old Xaverians for much of the game before succumbing 11.4 to 12.11. Best were Sanders, G Keogh, Storey (Old Xavs) and Hatton, O’Connell, Burdekin (Ormond).

Photo: JamesDPhotography