VFL 2026

[bedford]

Crowd about 1000 at RSEA Park today
Suns were too good and got first win
Max King played 2 and a half quarters - 55 mins game time

View attachment 2594381View attachment 2594382

2 kicks 2 handballs

 

[SeaSide]

That ship has sailed. Preston is gone and there is no Box Hill or Casey without their AFL partners. Clubs need dozens of volunteers, sponsors and staff. Nice concept but not happening.

Sad

 

[Walshawk]

The stand alone clubs already have all of those things, though.

Preston still exists at VAFA level and I'm of the opinion that Box Hill and Casey would be able to reactivate under their traditional identies, the infrastructure is there and the respective councils have a vested interest in keeping their clubs alive. If Preston can rise from the ashes of the Northern Blues, then so can the Stangs and Scorps. They were both prepared to go it alone during COVID when the VFL stand alones planned to have a season without AFL involvement.

I think people underestimate the ex-VFA clubs. No way would the competition ever be as popular as it was in the early days of Sunday football, but I do believe a reactivated VFL/A could succeed as a 2nd tier competition under the AFL the way the WAFL and SANFL operate.

There has been no one from the Scorpions involved at Casey since Brian Woodman GM left many many years ago. Melbourne supporters run that club and have since 2009. Similarly, there are no Mustang fans/staff/volunteers left at Box Hill. There is zero chance either club could get up as a stand alone. You won’t not get 10 people there if you called a meeting.

The Bullants in the VAFA is a different club to the one that was axed from the VFL.

 

[Rickee]

There has been no one from the Scorpions involved at Casey since Brian Woodman GM left many many years ago. Melbourne supporters run that club and have since 2009. Similarly, there are no Mustang fans/staff/volunteers left at Box Hill. There is zero chance either club could get up as a stand alone. You won’t not get 10 people there if you called a meeting.

The Bullants in the VAFA is a different club to the one that was axed from the VFL.

Again, you underestimate the power of nostalgia and the drive of the local council. You might think there is no way people would lower themselves to support a VFA club, but you'd be wrong. Look at Port Melbourne raising money through crowdfunding in 2017 (and winning the flag that year to boot). Look at Frankston, who reversed the AFLs decision to take their licence by reversing the clubs debt in record time. It has been done and it can be done again.

Preston Amatuers are not the Preston Football Club, but they have positioned themselves as the spiritual successor of the Bullants and are well positioned to step into that hole if required.

I'm realistic as well as idealistic, if I thought there was no way it would happen logistically, I would say so. But I think it would succeed. Which is probably why the AFL clubs are so resistant to it.

 

[Walshawk]

Again, you underestimate the power of nostalgia and the drive of the local council. You might think there is no way people would lower themselves to support a VFA club, but you'd be wrong. Look at Port Melbourne raising money through crowdfunding in 2017 (and winning the flag that year to boot). Look at Frankston, who reversed the AFLs decision to take their licence by reversing the clubs debt in record time. It has been done and it can be done again.

Preston Amatuers are not the Preston Football Club, but they have positioned themselves as the spiritual successor of the Bullants and are well positioned to step into that hole if required.

I'm realistic as well as idealistic, if I thought there was no way it would happen logistically, I would say so. But I think it would succeed. Which is probably why the AFL clubs are so resistant to it.

So you think people that stopped attending Box Hill games 26 years ago once they became Hawthorns reserves will have the interest and enters to basically start up a new club, find sponsors, volunteers, players, etc. There is zero chance of anyone who was involved last century putting that much effort into doing so. Preston Ammos would have no interest in the pressure of being a semi-pro club.

 

[Flyingleslieskite]

Again, you underestimate the power of nostalgia and the drive of the local council. You might think there is no way people would lower themselves to support a VFA club, but you'd be wrong. Look at Port Melbourne raising money through crowdfunding in 2017 (and winning the flag that year to boot). Look at Frankston, who reversed the AFLs decision to take their licence by reversing the clubs debt in record time. It has been done and it can be done again.

Preston Amatuers are not the Preston Football Club, but they have positioned themselves as the spiritual successor of the Bullants and are well positioned to step into that hole if required.

I'm realistic as well as idealistic, if I thought there was no way it would happen logistically, I would say so. But I think it would succeed. Which is probably why the AFL clubs are so resistant to it.

Frankston got their licence back because AFL Vic supported them and ran the VFL at the time, now its not the case

 

[Flyingleslieskite]

Mid season draft is in a month - who do we think from the VFL is getting picked?

 

[AussieNick1999]

Looks like the folks running the VFAFOOTY channel on Youtube have uncovered some more old VFA footage.

Round 14 1981 - Frankston vs Dandenong:

Round 4 1991 - Werribee vs Frankston (played at North Port Oval for some reason):

Round 14 1991 - Springvale vs Williamstown:

Round 14 1992 - Springvale vs Dandenong:

 

[bedford]

Tony Leonard when he wasn't a 3AW rat

 

[MortlockWatcher]

Most ABC matches were played on Saturdays at Port Melbourne in the early 1990s.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

Looks like the folks running the VFAFOOTY channel on Youtube have uncovered some more old VFA footage.

Round 14 1981 - Frankston vs Dandenong:

Round 4 1991 - Werribee vs Frankston (played at North Port Oval for some reason):

Round 14 1991 - Springvale vs Williamstown:

Round 14 1992 - Springvale vs Dandenong:

The Frankston-Dandy match was actually a Round 15 match. The round coincided with the first VFL senior match played on Sunday in Melbourne since the 1970 royal visit, with only 14,180 attending the 10 VFA matches that day (the aggregate was 30,750 a fortnight earlier).

Here is a preview, review and the match details from Round 15 extracted from a book that is currently in the works ...

SUNDAY AUGUST 2
​

News & Selections

VFA president Alan Wickes admitted that the VFA was running out of options now that the VFL had been granted access to Sunday football.

The Sunday Observer reported that Caulfield president Greg Smith had requested that the VFA give his club a fair chance in the revamp of the competition, saying that the club would be “shattered” if the association did not accept the Bears’ application to remain in First Division.

Frankston regained Brian Jones from injury but lost Glenn Casey with a broken jaw.

Dandenong’s Bryan Madden also suffered a broken jaw and his place was taken by half-forward Graham Henwood.

In a must-win game, Coburg made three changes with Merv Harbinson, Dean Hartigan and Shane McCarthy coming into the team for the injured Gary Pitt while Leighton Wood and Stuart Gibb were sent back to the Seconds.

Preston left out rover Ken Marks (hamstring) and Peter McCulloch and included vice-captain Brett Cooper and Shane Halas for the Bullants’ trip to Sandringham. Cooper’s recall was short-lived – after missing training on Saturday morning, he was banished to the sidelines.

Ladder leaders Port Melbourne welcomed back Vic Aanensen and Grant O’Riley for the trip to Geelong West while Graeme Anderson was forced out through injury.

Geelong West centre half-back Trevor Beaton returned to the Roosters’ team after being a late withdrawal with the ‘flu the previous weekend.

Prahran selected Luke Soulos and Grant Read to replace the injured Derek Hine and the out of form Gary Batt.

Yarraville coach Les Twentyman was suspended for four weeks by the Honorary Commissioners for two counts of umpire abuse in the match against Werribee. Roland Rogotowicz was suspended for two matches, as was Box Hill’s Ian Summers while Mustang teammate Brian Davis received a one-match sanction.

Camberwell’s Greg Spithill became the Cobras’ games record holder when he was named for game number 152 against Williamstown, passing the record set by Ken Freiberg in 1969. Spithill joined from Richmond in 1974.

Warwick Yates played his 150th game for Geelong West after joining the Roosters in 1974.

Port Melbourne’s Glyn Evans was set to play his 50th game for the Borough.

Sunshine confirmed that it had submitted its application for membership for the 1982 season and had no plans to be a party to a merger.

The VFL came out in support of South Melbourne’s plan to move to Sydney and also reported in the Football Record of a meeting between VFL and SANFL officials about the entry of a composite SANFL team into the VFL.


The Weekend’s Matches

Prahran recorded its third upset win in a row to jump two spots to fifth on the ladder and consign Coburg to sixth after the Two Blues won by 11 points. Reliable performers Peter Thorne and Glenn Dickson were to the fore once again for Prahran as well as Paul McDonald (three goals) while for Coburg, Rino Pretto, Laurie Curran and John Fitzgerald (three goals) stood out. It was Coburg’s seventh loss by less than two goals for the season.

Preston brushed Sandringham aside to win by 72 points despite trailing by a point at half-time. Bob Heard and 167cm rover Adrian Marcon (five goals) tore the Zebras to shreds around the ground while Gordon Towan was impenetrable in defence. For Sandringham, Peter Mannix, David Droscher and David Pledger were standouts in a disappointing day for the home team.

Frankston maintained its grip on fourth spot with a 24-point win over Dandenong, but it took a 14.2 to 3.1 third quarter to earn its win. For the Dolphins, Gerald Lynn, Andrew Beaton (four goals) and Arthur Bell had a telling influence on the match while for the Redlegs, Graham Henwood and Glenn Townsend both kicked five goals and Lew Wright and Peter Knight played consistently throughout the match.

In the battle of the cellar dwellers, Caulfield leapt off the bottom of the ladder after a seven-goal third quarter helped the Bears record a 30-point win over Brunswick. Rod Morrison booted five for the winners and Phil Suttie and Pat O’Dwyer starred while for the Magpies, Barry Nolan, Ray Gunston and Brendan Ryan were players of note.

Port Melbourne moved to within one win of claiming the minor premiership after the Borough saw off the challenge of Geelong West by 34 points. Port kicked 9.5 to 2.4 in the first quarter and the Roosters were never able to seriously threaten the visitors’ from then on. Bill Swan, Jim Christou (seven goals) and Paul Goss wore the red and blue stripes with distinction while Malcolm Eddy, Tony Gilmore and Leigh Crichton were the better players for Geelong West.

In Second Division, a crucial “eight-point” clash saw a six-goal first quarter prove to be the catalyst for Oakleigh’s 45-point win at home against Werribee. The Devils trio of Kevin Collins, Trevor Ott and Keith Battersby were prolific in their team’s win while the Tigers main contributors were Stephen Douglas, Mike Reddenbach and Paul Menadue.

Camberwell and Williamstown fought out a battle of attrition with the Cobras returning home with the four points after a three-point win. Camberwell coach Leon Rice kicked four goals in a best on ground performance and he received solid support from Peter Howard and Drew Pevitt. The standout players for the Seagulls were Geoff Bebend, Greg Tweedly and Alun Owen.

Mordialloc maintained a grip on second spot on the ladder after a decisive 92-point win over Yarraville. A dominant third term where the Bloodhounds kicked 9.9 to 0.1 blew the Eagles out of the contest as Russell Bourne booted seven goals for the match and David Dunbar and Terry Walsh starred. The leading lights for Yarraville were Stephen McGhie, Wayne Squire and Russell Leitch.

Waverley confirmed its place in the finals with an emphatic 155-point win over Box Hill, restricting the Mustangs to just six goals for the match. Adrian McClure, Paul Angelis and Lance Styles combined for 17 goals while Geoffrey Clarke and Ian Lovel were also in the thick of the action. Peter Pettigrew, Warren Hale and Alan Dickinson were again amongst the Mustangs’ best players.

Northcote had a field day against Sunshine, kicking 20.11 to 1.8 after half-time – including 13.1 in the final quarter – to win by 137 points. Paul Hepburn, Phil Ryan and Rod Watts all kicked six goals while Matthew Ryan and Jeff Edwards were also solid contributors. For Sunshine, John Benson, Mark Grossman and Darren K. Jones were the best of a beaten bunch.
​

FIRST DIVISION RESULTS

PRAHRAN	1.3​	7.6​	11.10​	14.10 (94)​
COBURG	3.6​	10.10​	10.12​	11.17 (83)​

GOALS – (P): McCormack 4, McDonald 3, Austin 2, Thorne 2, Smith, Stone, Young. (C): Halsall 3, Ironmonger 3, M. Harbinson 2, Douglas, Herbert, Laidler.
BEST – (P): Thorne, Dickson, McDonald, McCormack, Twomey, McFaull. (C): Pretto, Curran, Fitzgerald, Burt, Ironmonger.​

UMPIRES: Ric Casey and Maurie Stabb.
CROWD: 1000 at Coburg.

COBURG – B: Hartigan, Pretto, Laidler; HB: James, Douglas, Curran; C: Fitzgerald; HF: Cleary, McCarthy, Herbert; F: Halsall, Ironmonger, M. Harbinson; Foll: Milroy, Burt; Rov: Halbert; I/C: A. Harbinson, Allison.
PRAHRAN – B: Wallace, Foley, Warburton; HB: Twomey, Dickson, Reed; C: Stone; HF: Mills, McDonald, Young; F: Soulos, Smith, Austin; Foll: McFaull, Thorne; Rov: McCormack; I/C: Clarke, Ellett; Emerg: Torcasio, Batt.
​

PRESTON	4.2​	8.7​	16.10​	23.14 (152)​
SANDRINGHAM	6.7​	8.8​	9.12​	11.14 (80)​

GOALS – (P): Marcon 5, White 5, McGaw 3, Lorenzini 2, Meese 2, Brine, Bux, Halas, McEwan, McKeon, G. Marshall. (S): Bell 2, Hunt 2, Pledger 2, Beus, Callery, MacLeod, Mannix, Sims.
BEST – (P): Heard, Marcon, Towan, Eaton, Warren, Bux, White, Brine. (S): Mannix, Droscher, Pledger, Mercer.​

UMPIRES: Robert Croxford and Brian Oakley.
CROWD: 2000 at Sandringham.

SANDRINGHAM – B: Tim Mercer, Osborne, Adams; HB: Scott, Droscher, Sarau; C: Pledger; HF: Mannix, Hunt, MacLeod; F: Beus, Sims, Way; Foll: Muller, Hodges; Rov: Callery; I/C: Barkley, Bell.
PRESTON – B: Eaton, Towan, Bolger; HB: Gough, Warren, Bux; C: McEwan; HF: Cooper, McGaw, G. Marshall; F: Halas, Vann, White; Foll: Heard, Brine; Rov: Marcon; I/C: McKeon, Meese; Emerg: McCulloch.​

PORT MELBOURNE	9.5​	11.10​	13.15​	16.18 (114)​
GEELONG WEST	2.4​	3.10​	5.13​	10.20 (80)​

GOALS – (PM): Jim Christou 7, Davis 2, Kavanagh 2,O’Riley 2, Cook, Ebeyer, Swan. (GW): Eddy 2, Gilmore 2, Robinson 2, Bentley, Crichton, McDowell, Radojevic.
BEST – (PM): Swan, Jim Christou, P. Goss, Bradbury, Aanensen, Davis. (GW): Eddy, Gilmore, Crichton, Burnett.​

UMPIRES: Roy Groom and Murray Wilson.
CROWD: 1750 at Geelong West.

GEELONG WEST – B: Foott, Crichton, Torney; HB: Kranjc, Beaton, Robinson; C: Todd; HF: Browne, Bentley, McDowell; F: Ellis, Radojevic, Denmead; Foll: Yates, Gilmore; Rov: Eddy; I/C: Burnett, Cantwell; Emerg: Poulter, McCance.
PORT MELBOURNE – B: Evans, Doyle, Davies; HB: Bradbury, Dermott, Thompson; C: Swan; HF: Brice, O’Riley, Wilkinson; F: Ebeyer, Cook, Jim Christou; Foll: Aanensen, Kavanagh; Rov: P. Goss; I/C: Davis, Clark; Emerg: Johnson.​

CAULFIELD	6.10​	6.13​	13.19​	16.21 (117)​
BRUNSWICK	3.0​	6.2​	8.6​	13.9 (87)​

GOALS – (C): Morrison 5, D. Cooney 2, Milner 2, Davidson, Hogan, Lester, J. McDonald, Pearce, Rowe, Russ.
(B): Gunston 4, Hickman 2, Toy 2, Chandler, Cleary, Cubetta, Ryan, West.
BEST – (C): Morrison, Suttie, O’Dwyer, Ambler, Rowe. (B): Nolan, Gunston, Ryan, Whyley, Deans, Crotty.​

REPORT: M. Whyley (B) – striking J. McDonald (C) – reprimanded/not guilty.
UMPIRES: Bill Torney and Keith Ogston.
CROWD: 600 at Caulfield.

CAULFIELD – B: Lester, Brasier, Saunders; HB: Suttie, Richards, N. Cooney; C: Ambler; HF: Pearce, Davidson, Milner; F: Morrison, J. McDonald, D. Cooney; Foll: O’Dwyer, Russ; Rov: Rowe; I/C: O’Brien, Hogan.
BRUNSWICK – B: Deans, Whyley, Huggard; HB: Nolan, Scully, B. Brown; C: West; HF: Gunston, Toy, Chandler; F: Bye, Ryan, Cleary; Foll: Hickman, Crotty; Rov: Callander; I/C: Cubetta, Kimpton; Emerg: Spinoso, Sahlberg.​

FRANKSTON	2.2​	3.5​	17.7​	19.9 (123)​
DANDENONG	4.6​	5.13​	8.14​	14.15 (99)​

GOALS – (F): Beaton 4, Serafini 4, Jones 3, Geddes 2, Mercoulia 2, Hunter, Kennedy, Kenter, Sala.
(D): Henwood 5, Townsend 5, Cousins, Heap, Wallace, Woodman.
BEST – (F): Lynn, Beaton, Bell, Sala, Boyd, Bond, Geddes. (D): Wright, Knight, Wallace, Woodman, Townsend.​

REPORT: P. Housden (F) – striking P. Thompson (D) – four weeks.
UMPIRES: Barry Fitzpatrick and Frank Vergona.
CROWD: 3000 at Frankston. (Live broadcast on ATV-10)

FRANKSTON – B: Bond, Humphrey, Docherty; HB: Bell, Housden, Hunter; C: Lynn; HF: Cole, Czarnecki, Kenter; F: Enbom, Serafini, Jones; Foll: Sala, Kennedy; Rov: Beaton; I/C (from): Boyd, Geddes, Mercoulia; Emerg: Gamble, Clifford, Lane.
DANDENONG – B: P. Knight, Wright, Horazcko; HB: S. Knight, A. Harper, Lukas; C: Cousins; HF: Henwood, Orton, Townsend; F: Thompson, Ross, Allison; Foll: Woodman, Wallace; Rov: Coventry; I/C (from): Lacey, McConnell, Powles, Webb.

​

	P​	W​	D​	L​	%​	PTS​
PORT MELBOURNE	15​	13​	0​	2​	162.2​	52​
PRESTON	15​	11​	0​	4​	140.9​	44​
SANDRINGHAM	15​	9​	0​	6​	105.1​	36​
FRANKSTON	15​	8​	0​	7​	93.2​	32​
Prahran	15​	8​	0​	7​	91.5​	32​
Coburg	15​	7​	0​	8​	110.8​	28​
Dandenong	15​	7​	0​	8​	96.6​	28​
Geelong West	15​	6​	0​	9​	81.8​	24​
Caulfield	15​	3​	0​	12​	77.9​	12​
Brunswick	15​	3​	0​	12​	68.1​	12​

LEADING GOALKICKERS: F. Cook (PM) 1-80; R. Hunt (Sand) 2-78; R. Serafini (Frank) 4-72; K. Smith (Prah) 1-58; J. Radojevic (GW) 1-58; S. Halas (Pres) 1-49.

SECONDS: Caulfiield 18.18 (126) d Brunswick 15.17 (107); Frankston 21.22 (148) d Dandenong 16.11 (107); Coburg 17.18 (120) d Prahran 10.11 (71); Port Melbourne 21.22 (148) d Geelong West 6.9 (45); Preston 15.22 (112) d Sandringham 16.15 (111).
THIRDS: Port Melbourne 38.41 (269) d Geelong West 3.0 (18); Coburg 23.11 (149) d Prahran 16.15 (111); Preston 15.10 (100) d Sandringham 10.7 (67); Dandenong 13.17 (95) d Frankston 13.16 (94); Brunswick 29.26 (200) d Caulfield 7.3 (45).
​

SECOND DIVISION RESULTS

OAKLEIGH	6.3​	11.8​	14.12​	18.18 (126)​
WERRIBEE	1.3​	6.8​	8.12​	11.15 (81)​

GOALS – (O): Wood 4, Taylor 3, Thomas 3, Collins 2, McDonald 2, Ott 2. Gill, Wenn. (W): Redenbach 4, Simmons 3, Douglas 3, Day.
BEST – (O): Collins, Ott, Battersby, Wenn, Taylor, Wood. (W): Douglas, Redenbach, Menadue, Simmons.​

UMPIRES: John Colosimo and Ross Morgan.
CROWD: 2000 at Oakleigh.

OAKLEIGH – B: C. Heverin, Hartley, Edwards; HB: Splatt, Matthey, Ansell; C: Batttersby; HF: MacDonald, Ott, Fotiniotis; F: Wood, Thomas, G. Heverin; Foll: Wenn, Collins; Rov: Taylor; I/C: Miller, Gill.
WERRIBEE – B: Menadue, Gudde, Lancaster; HB: Parkes, Hughes, Douglas; C: Jack; HF: Mitchell, Price, Simmons;
F: P. Smith, Day, Redenbach; Foll: Siderow, Breen; Rov: Asling; I/C: Mercuri, Taylor; Emerg: Membrey, Comben.
​

CAMBERWELL	7.3​	11.4​	14.4​	15.8 (98)​
WILLIAMSTOWN	4.4​	6.9​	7.9​	14.11 (95)​

GOALS – (C): Rice 4, Hammond 3, Hirst 3, Stevenson 2, Neilson, Oliver, Teakel. (W): Fairley 3, Owen 3, Raunik 3, Tweedly 2, Eudey, Kelly, Smith.
BEST – (C): Rice, Howard, Pevitt, Oliver, Hipworth, Spithill. (W): Bebend, Tweedly, Owen, Cutajar, Kelly, Goetz.​

UMPIRES: Neal Griffith and Greg Hutchinson.
CROWD: 1500 at Williamstown.

WILLIAMSTOWN – B: L. Taylor, Miller, Matthews; HB: Selvidge, Kennedy, M. Taylor; C: Tweedly; HF: Owen, Goetz, Kelly; F: Fairley, Raunik, Smith; Foll: Eudey, Bebend; Rov: Cutajar; I/C: Wilsher, P. Sinnott; Emerg: J. Sinnott, Bryceson.
CAMBERWELL – B: R. McFee, Spithill, Cahill; HB: Pevitt, Wright, Hipworth; C: Chamberlain; HF: Rice, Stevenson, Teakel; F: Neilson, Hammond, Howard; Foll: Oliver, Judd; Rov: Hirst; I/C: Rourke, Phillips; Emerg: Cowley.
​

MORDIALLOC	5.5​	6.8​	15.17​	20.22 (142)​
YARRAVILLE	3.1​	6.4​	6.5​	7.8 (50)​

GOALS – (M): Bourne 7, Deaton 3, Guy 2, O’Hanlon 2, Pagnoccolo 2, Rogerson 2, Peter Bardoel, Walsh.
(Y): Richards 2, Smith 2, Brown, Leitch, Simpson.
BEST – (M): Dunbar, Walsh, Mason, Deaton, Moore, Lang. (Y): McGhie, Squires, Leitch, Ryan, Phelan, Richards.​

REPORT: K. Parker (M) – striking W. McMahon (Y) – reprimanded/not guilty.
UMPIRES: Barry Budge and Brian May.
CROWD: 630 at Mordialloc.

MORDIALLOC – B: O’Hanlon, Dunbar, Moore; HB: Watters, Lang, Peters; C: Walsh; HF: Deaton, Paul Bardoel, Peter Bardoel; F: Pagnoccolo, Bourne, Mason; Foll: Guy, Batty; Rov: McIlwraith; I/C: Parker, M. Kerin; Emerg: Marghereti.
YARRAVILLE – B: Cook, Simpson, Norris; HB: Squires, Page, McMahon; C: Ryan; HF: R. Leitch, Smith, M. Leitch; F: Richards, Fotheringham, Phelan; Foll: McGhie, Brown; Rov: Martin; I/C (from): Priest, Rogozic, Alphey.
​

WAVERLEY	5.1​	15.5​	22.7​	31.10 (196)​
BOX HILL	1.2​	2.2​	4.5​	6.5 (41)​

GOALS – (W): McClure 8, Angelis 6, Styles 5, Lovel 4, McEwin 2, Pritchett 2, Venville 2, Beddoe, Vear.
(BH): Cruse, A. Dickinson, B. Dickinson, Lawther, Robinson, Taylor.
BEST – (W): Clarke, McClure, Styles, Lovel, Howell, Alexander, Carlson, Brick. (BH): Pettigrew, Hale, A. Dickinson, McCann, Lennox.​

REPORTS: M. Harvey (BH) – abusive language – reprimanded/not guilty; W. Hale (BH) – striking S. Beddoe (W) – reprimanded/not guilty; G. Dickinson (BH medico) – abusive language.
UMPIRES: Alan Bloom and Ian Thomson.
CROWD: 750 at Box Hill.

BOX HILL – B: McCann, Lennox, Harvey; HB: Hale, Saunders, Rich; C: Pettigrew; HF: Lawther, Robinson, Cruse; F: Kainey, Taylor, Withers; Foll: Harper, Connolly; Rov: Dickinson; I/C: Kiker, B. Dickinson.
WAVERLEY – B: Alexander, Csoti, McEwin; HB: Carlson, Clarke, Howell; C: Holdsworth; HF: Beddoe, McClure, Lovel; F: W. MacDonald, Angelis, Brick; Foll: Styles, K. MacDonald; Rov: Venville; I/C: Pritchett, Vear.​

NORTHCOTE	5.8​	9.14​	16.24​	29.25 (199)​
SUNSHINE	2.2​	7.6​	7.9​	8.14 (62)​

GOALS – (N): Hepburn 6, P. Ryan 6, Watts 6, Jurgenstein 5, Peart 3, Whiteman 2, Edwards. (S): Menadue 3, Williams 2, Brown, Chatterton, Cochierella.
BEST – (N): M. Ryan, P. Ryan, Edwards, Peart, Whiteman, Hepburn. (S): Benson, Grossman, Jones, Vella.​

UMPIRES: David Bradshaw and Reg Steere.
CROWD: 950 at Sunshine.

SUNSHINE – B: Benson, Gore, D.K. Jones; HB: Mitchell, Grossman, Price; C: S. Hunt; HF: Axon, Chatterton, Menadue; F: Williams, Maney, Davis; Foll: Brown, Meredith; Rov: Cochierella; I/C: Campbell, Ormston; Emerg: Patterson, Vella.
NORTHCOTE – B: McIntyre, Hyde, Armstrong; HB: Courts, Peart, M. Ryan; C: Minnitt; HF: P. Ryan, Graham, Megna; F: Jurgenstein, Hepburn, Sanders; Foll: Roulston, Dilorio; Rov: Edwards; I/C: Watts, Weightman.​

	P​	W​	D​	L​	%​	PTS​
CAMBERWELL	17​	13​	0​	4​	152.3​	52​
MORDIALLOC	17​	13​	0​	4​	145.3​	52​
WAVERLEY	17​	12​	0​	5​	167.0​	48​
WERRIBEE	17​	11​	1​	5​	135.9​	46​
Oakleigh	17​	11​	0​	6​	133.8​	44​
Northcote	17​	10​	0​	7​	117.1​	40​
Williamstown	17​	9​	1​	7​	108.8​	38​
Yarraville	17​	3​	0​	14​	70.3​	12​
Box Hill	17​	2​	0​	15​	55.4​	8​
Sunshine	17​	0​	0​	17​	34.7​	0​

LEADING GOALKICKERS: P. Stevenson (Camb) 2-96; R. Bourne (Mord) 7-92; P. Angelis (Wav) 6-76; K. Leece (Werr) 0-65; P. Wood (Oak) 4-56; P. Hepburn (N’cote) 6-51.

SECONDS: Northcote 25.18 (168) d Sunshine 4.4 (28); Oakleigh 18.16 (124) d Werribee 13.14 (92); Waverley 20.16 (136) d Box Hill 6.3 (39); Williamstown 20.10 (130) d Camberwell 8.10 (58); Mordialloc 28.23 (191) d Yarraville 7.9 (51).

THIRDS: Yarraville 57.20 (362) d Mordialloc 2.6 (18); Oakleigh 14.12 (96) d Werribee 10.11 (71); Waverley 22.16 (148) d Box Hill 7.7 (49); Camberwell 23.12 (150) d Williamstown 17.8 (110); Northcote 24.18 (162) d Sunshine 3.8 (26).

​

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

Late 70s - 80s was peak VFA mainly with Ch 0/10. 2nd division was brilliant as well ..used to go into rooms at ht and after the game when we were kids.

 

[SeaSide]

Good points made - how different things would have been if the promotion relegation system proposed in the 40s between vfl and vfa eventuated, would have been a game changer and in my opinion for the better. Needless to say such a thing now is out of the question and will never be contemplated in the future.

AND it could have led to an English Soccer League scenario where a third and fourth division could have existed under Division 2 VFA/L thus giving all Victorian clubs an opportunity to work their way into the VFL.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

In 1980, we were close to a scenario where football in Melbourne would be re-structured. The VFA First Division would have been the top tier with Second Division below it and under that, there were to be as many as six divisions comprising VMFL clubs. Promotion and relegation would have taken place throughout that system, however the VFL insisted on all players in the metropolitan area being zoned to a VFL club and VFL clubs having first call on players, which the VFA and VFU objected to.

The VFL was always going to ringfence their competition and protect their 12 clubs.

Had the 1980 concept occurred and things panned out the way they did with the VFL, the VFA First Division would now be the state league with multiple divisions below that.

 

[bedford]

In 1980, we were close to a scenario where football in Melbourne would be re-structured. The VFA First Division would have been the top tier with Second Division below it and under that, there were to be as many as six divisions comprising VMFL clubs. Promotion and relegation would have taken place throughout that system, however the VFL insisted on all players in the metropolitan area being zoned to a VFL club and VFL clubs having first call on players, which the VFA and VFU objected to.

The VFL was always going to ringfence their competition and protect their 12 clubs.

Had the 1980 concept occurred and things panned out the way they did with the VFL, the VFA First Division would now be the state league with multiple divisions below that.

And probably wouldn't have been long term if say a Rupertswood had to go to Seaford etc , good concept in theory

 

[Dogs till i die]

And probably wouldn't have been long term if say a Rupertswood had to go to Seaford etc , good concept in theory

Agree, would have been better with maybe, 3 divisions then regionalised to reduce travel and maintain the history of the current suburban leagues - EFL, NFL etc.

 

[Dogs till i die]

Good win by Willy at Windy Hill today, down by 28 at HT.

Think the last time they played at WH was the 1988 VFA GF losing to Coburg in front of 24,000 app. A few less there today apparently.

 

[Flyingleslieskite]

Good win by Willy at Windy Hill today, down by 28 at HT.

Think the last time they played at WH was the 1988 VFA GF losing to Coburg in front of 24,000 app. A few less there today apparently.

No theyve at windy hill since, 2016 or 2017 the last time

 

[MRobbo]

First time Williamstown have beaten Essendon in an away game since May 8 1886
That game was at East Melbourne Cricket Ground

 

[The_General#1]

First time Williamstown have beaten Essendon in an away game since May 8 1886
That game was at East Melbourne Cricket Ground View attachment 2600644

Joel Fitzgerald what a game. MSD Smokey?

 

[dodgyville]

Really enjoyed the Richmond v Frankston games on Friday. Very evenly matched teams and Frankston was briefly in the top 10 until the rest of the weekend's games played out! Richmond had a very good defender in #57, Mutaz El Nour.

 

[MRobbo]

Southport new premierships favourites (odds Bet365)

 

[MegaA]

AND it could have led to an English Soccer League scenario where a third and fourth division could have existed under Division 2 VFA/L thus giving all Victorian clubs an opportunity to work their way into the VFL.

Yes one of the beauties is that it allows fresh teams to compete and your not playing the same sides time and time again.

 

[MegaA]

In 1980, we were close to a scenario where football in Melbourne would be re-structured. The VFA First Division would have been the top tier with Second Division below it and under that, there were to be as many as six divisions comprising VMFL clubs. Promotion and relegation would have taken place throughout that system, however the VFL insisted on all players in the metropolitan area being zoned to a VFL club and VFL clubs having first call on players, which the VFA and VFU objected to.

The VFL was always going to ringfence their competition and protect their 12 clubs.

Had the 1980 concept occurred and things panned out the way they did with the VFL, the VFA First Division would now be the state league with multiple divisions below that.

Around that time period that concept of promotion relegation with the vfl came up again (theirs talk of it on a pre match grand final clip on you tube ) - may not have been impossible for the vfa clubs to compete then as the devise wasn’t as great.

 

[MRobbo]

After this weekend’s Round 7 games

4 teams will have their 2nd bye - Footscray, Port Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast
3 teams yet to have a bye- Coburg, Essendon and Sandringhsm

In fact when Sandringham have their first bye in Round 10, Gold Coast have their 3rd and last bye that round