Greg Hutchison to lead the Big V Men’s

After three long years, Big V representative footy is back in 2023. The VAFA is pleased to announce former Old Brighton coach, Greg Hutchison has committed to coaching the Big V Men’s Team. 

Hutchison has been a long-serving member of the VAFA coaching fraternity. Joining Old Brighton in 2015, he coached the side for 8 seasons, which made him the club’s longest serving senior coach, and a winning record that is the envy of the competition. 

He was the driving force in creating a Tonners side that played a tough, competitive and exciting brand of football guiding them to a B Grade Premiership in 2017 and the A-Grade Grand Final last season.

“Very rarely does the opportunity to coach a representative team arise and to be considered for, and then be appointed to coach the Big V is rather humbling.” Hutchison told VAFA Media. 

“I have been very fortunate to have coached in the VAFA for 8 years and have coached against some outstanding talented players and to have the opportunity to work first hand with the elite of the competition and challenge them to showcase their talent whilst at the same time supporting and making their teammates better is an exciting thought.”

Outside of the VAFA, Hutchison’s football journey goes back to 1975 where he made his VFL debut for Melbourne. Going onto play 96 games for the Demons across 9 seasons. 

His coaching career took him to Prahran in the VFA, a caretaker coaching role at Melbourne, an assistant coaching role at Richmond, senior coach at Casey Scorpions in the VFL. 

The Senior VAFA representative side has played 172 times since its first match against South Australia back in 1925. 

In that time, the VAFA has won 141 matches, a winning percentage of close to 82%. The average winning margin for the senior Big V is 55 points and the longest streak of wins stretches 19 matches from 1962-1969. 

The Senior Men’s side have had four years to reflect on the loss to AFL Vic Country at Ikon Park in 2019, and will be out for redemption on Saturday, July 15 against the Perth Football League. 

“It is the only Victorian senior team to be playing and after being in hiatus since 2019 we have the chance to display what the VAFA stands for and the players selected they can represent their club and competition with great pride.”

“Ultimately to be acknowledged as being one of the best 22 players in arguably the best stand alone Senior competition in the state is a huge honour and for a player to have his name added to the honour roll of previous Big V players should entice all players, young, old, experienced and inexperienced to strive for the honour to be a part of something that is rarely replicated and will live with them for years to come.”

‘Hutch’ takes over the reins from Stu Powell who oversaw the program from 2016 – 2019 (4 games: 2 wins, 2 losses). During his time in charge, Powell orchestrated two of the greatest victories in Big V history against AFL Vic Country (82 points) and the Adelaide Footy League (50 points). 

“We are thrilled to have secured the services of such an experienced and successful senior coach in Greg Hutchison” said Jason Reddick, CEO of the VAFA who couldn’t be more pleased that Hutchison accepted the role.

“With an extensive coaching resume’ at the highest levels of AFL, VFL and VAFA, not only does Greg have terrific credentials for the role, he also has a great passion for the Amateur competition and a strong desire to deliver a high performing VAFA Representative Men’s team.”

The Big V selection committee will begin its process at the conclusion of this weekend (Round 3 of the VAFA season) before the squad of players is announced in the coming weeks.