Retrospective: Round 18

Learning about the history of the VAFA thanks to Holmesglen

Geoff Reilley

10 YEARS AGO – 2010

Elsternwick recorded a terrific win over La Trobe Uni and booked themselves a finals’ berth. After an even first quarter, the Wicks took control by the main break and stormed home to finish with a 19.8 to 8.13 victory. They would play Albert Park in the elimination final the following week. Best – Bedingfield (5), Convery (3), Smith, Glassenbury, Hayes, Mahoney (Elst) and McLean, Adamthwaite, McCormack, Harry, Wood (La Trobe). The Trobers were left to lick their wounds and prepare to face Power House in the qualifying final in a week’s time.

In Division 4, a spirited Box Hill North put paid to South Mornington’s finals’ aspirations with a great win, 19.12 to 14.19, leaving a grateful Eley Park in fourth position with a week of finals’ preparation ahead of them. In the windy conditions, a wasteful South Mornington kicked 3.9 to 2.2 in the first quarter. Box Hill North made no such mistake when their chance came with the blustery conditions favouring their end in the second quarter and led 10.8 to 4.9 at half time. South Mornington kicked 6.6 in the third term but it was not enough and the Boys from Box Hill cantered home 19.12 to 14.19. Best – Tiley, Harrison, Charles (4), Berlowitz (5), Desmond (3), Doney (BHN) and Foon, Wright, Hocket, Killen, W Spencer (3), Woodruff (SthMorn).

At Ivanhoe’s centenary year dinner, special mention was made of life member, John Miles, for his outstanding contribution over the past 60 years. Four-time premiership player in his 170 games, including the A Grade premiership in 1956, “Milesy” was a highly esteemed past player. But it didn’t end there; John had coached numerous junior teams at Ivanhoe, had been a member of the club committee since 1953 in various roles from Assistant Secretary to President. He was also a previous winner of the Best Clubman Award (by 2010 known as the John Miles – Best Clubman Trophy) and had been responsible for architectural, plumbing and building improvements at the Ivanhoe Club over many years. John had served the VAFA at executive level and had been awarded VAFA Life Membership in 1987. John also played a very handy game of ‘500’ on VAFA Interstate trips (and I speak from experience). John would like nothing better than another Ivanhoe flag in the current season (‘2015).

Jordon Heffernan played his 250th game for Old Camberwell having first played for the club in 1996. A former U19 best and fairest winner. Jordan had been a regular member of the 1st XVIIl over 12 seasons He was a premiership player in 2001 and 2007 and was a life member of his club.

15 YEARS AGO – 2005

In Division 2 the semi-finals went according to the positions in the top four. Old Geelong was ‘brutal’ in the first quarter against Rupertswood with 8. 6 to 2.2 but ‘The Woods’ fought back strongly in the second quarter and trailed by only 8 points at half time. It was a hard fought third term with Rupertswood straining to stay in touch, the difference 3 goals as OGS wasted a number of chances in front of goal. Old Geelong finished even stronger to win 18.18 to 12.8 and Rupertswood would need to come back via the preliminary final. Best – Bell, O’Brien (3), Vasey, Vickers-Willis, Casboult, Fairbairn (OG) and Burrows, T West, Gaunt, Brennan, Whitehead (5), McGovern (Rup).

The first semi saw Peninsula Old Boys also start superbly with an 8.5 quarter; Williamstown CYMS only able to kick a solitary goal. Peninsula continued on their merry way finishing well on top, 21.17 to 9.11 and with plenty of confidence for the following weekend against Rupertswood. Spearhead and skipper Payze would be a key player again in the prelim, his 10 majors in the semi taking his total to 101 for the season. Best – Murray, Payze (10), White, Powney, Atchison, Wood (Penin) and Manning, J Hynes, Hinsley, Kosmatos, McNamara, Ryan (Will).

West Brunswick easily won the first semi-final 12.14 to Old Westbourne 6.9 Best – S Benjamin, Edwards (3), Maguire, Miller, Smyth (3), Pietsch (WB) and Baulch, Walker, M Aquilina, Fairfield, A Miller, Hodgson (OW).

St Mary’s had the 1st semi pretty well sown up by half time and ran out winners over Hawthorn 16.16 to 9.12. Best – Graetzer, Ballantine, L Armstrong, C Armstrong, Waller, Ryan (StM) and Jackomos, Martin, Saulle, Lauletta, Rielly, Rice (Haw).

In the ‘For the Love of the Game’ column, the following coaches were said to be retiring from their respective positions – Mike McArthur-Allen (Mazenod), Peter Russo (Old Mentonians), Leigh Carlson (Old Trinity), Russell Barnes (St Bedes MT), Peter Smith (Albert Park), Steven Bell (Aquinas), Justin Paul (Bentleigh), Jon Edgar  (Monash Blues), Ange Sammartino (Nth Brunswick), Steve Maus (Old Carey), Brett Devlin (Power House), Earl Henderson (Sth Melb Districts) and Shane Mottram (UHS-VU). A number of these coaches were to go on to continue their coaching careers in the VAFA at different clubs.

25 YEARS AGO – 1995

St Leos Wattle Park demolished Yarra Valley Old Boys in the E East Section 2nd semi, 20.13 to 7.12. Best – Dincolantonio (5), Douglass, Gill, Armstrong, Kelly, Robinson (St Leos) and Livesey-Cole, Peake, Downs, McVean (4), McLeod, Fung (YV).

In the 1st semi Aquinas were far too good for Old Carey, 26.12 to 6.12. Best – Dunne (3), Wilkinson, Whelan (10), Kenny, Colliver, Boland (Aquinas) and Popplewell, Lord, Everett, Harris, Greenwood, Anderson (Carey).

In E Central Section North Brunswick came from behind at the final break to defeat Uni Reds 14.20 to 13.13. Best – “A great team effort” as submitted by Nth Brunswick and Arnott, Cook (5), Wright, Rowland, Perkins, McLennan (Uni Reds).

The first semi was won by Old Essendon easily over UHSOB 20.16 to 8.7. Best – Panagiotopoulos, Goodger, Tonks (4), Pigott, Turner, Gulbis (OEss) and Smith, Griffiths, Ryan, Fennessy (3), McLean, Williams (UHSOB).

The E South Section first semi was won by Power House, behind at half time but victors 16.10 over Oakleigh 14.14 at the final bell. Best – “Another fantastic team effort” was submitted by Power House and Heverin (4), Marshall (4), Moutis, Walsh, Brereton, McKenner (Oak).

35 YEARS AGO – 1985

In C Section, Banyule considered themselves a real chance in the finals and their strong win over Old Haileybury 18.8 to 12.13 only confirmed this. After a slow start the Bears came home strongly with 6 goals to 3 in the last quarter. Also, in C Section, Thomastown were only just outside the four and with a better percentage than the fourth placed team. Against Monash Blues, Thomastown controlled the game after Monash broke away in the first term with 7 goals to 2, Thomastown running out winners 16.14 to 12.7.

45 YEARS AGO – 1975

Uni Blacks were defeated by 10 points against St Bernards but held on to 4th position, as Ormond, who finished level on points, did not win by a big enough margin to overcome the percentage difference. It would be the first time in 10 seasons that Ormond had missed the finals.

The Umpires’ Association elected Alan Bishop and Ken Jorgenson to life membership. At an umpires’ social event (champagne and chicken dinner) at Ray Muller’s home, relatively new umpire, Fred Grubb, entertained the crowd with his repertoire of Al Jolson hits.

Geelong congratulated their evergreen rover turned wingman, Mick Allden, on 150 games. Mick had played in two premiership teams, C Section in 1966 and B Section in 1972. He had also won three club best and fairests and had represented the State in Hobart in 1969.

55 YEARS AGO – 1965

In A Section Coburg defeated Old Paradians 9.10 to 7.12 and it was Coburg’s 6 goals in the first quarter that set up the win. Best – Callahan, Scanlon, Condron, Carolan (3), Merrick, Gardner (Cob) and Parker, Quinlan, T Booth, Ford, Peyton, Boyle (OP). These two teams would go on to play one-another in the first semi-final the following weekend.

In B Section, Ivanhoe, who could not lose their fourth position in the top four, enjoyed a practice run for the first semi-final the following week by steamrolling Power House 24.23 to 5.3. Ivanhoe kicked 7 and 8 goals in the 2nd and 4th quarters. Best – Logan (43), Cairns, Grylewicz (6), Berry, Atkinson, Blackwood (Ivanhoe) and Hutchinson, Hughes, Alde, P Dakin, Sabey, South (PH).

Ormond were ‘tickled pink’ with the display of champion half forward, John Craig, who made a reappearance in the Reserves after weeks on the sidelines with injuries. John finished the day with 12 goals 12 behinds and Ormond stated that ‘Craigy’ was back in town!

65 YEARS AGO – 1955

The VAFA’s best and fairest awards had been decided and announced:

A Grade – R Fenton-Smith (Ormond) 19 votes, P Harkness (Uni Blues) 15 votes, R Oakley (State Savings Bank) and W Reynolds (Commonwealth Bank) both on 13 votes.

B Grade –  G  Hibbins  (Collegians) 37  votes,   I J Merrick (Coburg) 26 votes, R Ashbolt (Caulf Grammarians) 21 votes.

C Grade – B S Metcalfe (East Malvern) 24 votes, A Neale (Brunswick) 18 votes, D Hoffman (ES&A Bank) 17 votes.