A Section Premier A 2026

[From45SlightAngle]

The Tonners don't care; they have worked their backsides off to climb this Prem A premiership mountain. They now have a measure of respectability even though they don't have the meteoric history of some of the other clubs. Through their vaunted location in the juicy rich suburbs, theyhave set up the pathways system, so they are the school of choice for young aspiring junior footballers

As shown by the Ashcroft boys' choices.

Old Bwighton OCs have been trying since 2017 when they won Prem B so that's a long process. Realistically Old Brighton are given a huge advantage because they are the school of choice of the Sandringham Dragons so there is an unofficial rule that kids who go to Old Brighton Grammar get first dibs on the places in Sandringham Dragons.

The Sandringham Dragons have the best recent history in the TAC Cup so you can see how it all lines up for the rise and rise of old Brighton from a lowish Prem B team to the top of Prem A.

And the way the Sandringham Dragons system works, parents will be falling over each other to enrol their kids at Beighton Grammar if they think they have any football ability to all

So, this pathway and the Old Brighton connection to the SDs can only lead to the Old Brighton OC being perennially competitive with likely future success guaranteed.

BGS have won two APS premierships (one joint with Caulfield) since their 2014-16 three peat. Not sure what the issue is re students. I much prefer students, alumni and with a direct connection to the club, irrespective of their scholarship status, being the crux of the team unlike what we've seen in the past with SKOBAFL, UNIAFL, COLLEGIANSAFL etc. Nepo's garbage posting since the flag must mean he's an angry little man with a cardinal or kooyong catholic affiliation. call in the reinforcements, of the platinum and hippster variety

 

[Nepotism]

My observation is how Brighton Grammar has become the school of choice of the elites wanting their kids to prosper and have any chance to make it if they have a modicum of talent. You have reinforced what I have said as you have proven that. The other schools need to find a way to stand up. It hasn't happened haphazardly; it has been a planned operation but a lot of it has to do with the relationship between Brighton Grammar and Sandringham Dragons. With Brighton Grammar boys being given preferential treatment at the Sandringham Dragons level. This has led to any parent who thinks their kid has any talent in footy sending their kid to Brighton Grammar hoping that relationship will see them prosper at the Sandringham Dragons with the prospect of their kid being put under the eyes of the best recruiters in the land.

 

[Long time lurker]

BGS have won two APS premierships (one joint with Caulfield) since their 2014-16 three peat. Not sure what the issue is re students. I much prefer students, alumni and with a direct connection to the club, irrespective of their scholarship status, being the crux of the team unlike what we've seen in the past with SKOBAFL, UNIAFL, COLLEGIANSAFL etc. Nepo's garbage posting since the flag must mean he's an angry little man with a cardinal or kooyong catholic affiliation. call in the reinforcements, of the platinum and hippster variety

Nepo is a dead set half back flanker. He is only commenting here because nobody on D1 will engage with him. Forget the reinforcements, just ignore him.

 

[Nepotism]

Or engage in my observation about how Old Brighton has risen to the top of Prem A from being an obscure OC affiliated school team some ten years ago. I think my observation that the relationship between Brighton Grammar and Sandringham Dragons is very valid.

No other Prem A team quite has that type of relationship with any other TAC under 18 team and the other clubs need to pull their collective socks up.

 

[From45SlightAngle]

Or engage in my observation about how Old Brighton has risen to the top of Prem A from being an obscure OC affiliated school team some ten years ago. I think my observation that the relationship between Brighton Grammar and Sandringham Dragons is very valid.

No other Prem A team quite has that type of relationship with any other TAC under 18 team and the other clubs need to pull their collective socks up.

Would you have rathered them rise through the ranks with people with no affilaition to the school or club or students? Yes they may have been sent there for the football but that's life, and got a great education. From knowing a lot of the OBALUMNI mob, really good people - Harry Hill as captain case in point. It's not the amateur football clubs fault Sandringham and the school are pulling strings. If anything, the other clubs who recruit and pay big bucks for 6 pointers need to lift.

45 / signing out

 

[Nepotism]

No, I am on the side that the rise in ranks by Brighton Grammar is fine. Brighton Grammar people are on the whole, very good and generous. I am trying to explain how it happened. How the affiliation between Brighton Grammar and the Sandringham Dragons has made Brighton Grammar, the number 1 or number 2 ranked place to send your kids for footy in Victoria. It used to be Assumption or Parade or other schools. I am just saying the other Prem A clubs need to find a way to copy Brighton Grammar. They are the role model that other, bigger schools who may have become a bit too big for their boots, now need to follow.

 

[cisco]

No, I am on the side that the rise in ranks by Brighton Grammar is fine. Brighton Grammar people are on the whole, very good and generous. I am trying to explain how it happened. How the affiliation between Brighton Grammar and the Sandringham Dragons has made Brighton Grammar, the number 1 or number 2 ranked place to send your kids for footy in Victoria. It used to be Assumption or Parade or other schools. I am just saying the other Prem A clubs need to find a way to copy Brighton Grammar. They are the role model that other, bigger schools who may have become a bit too big for their boots, now need to follow.

Love your passion!! Why dont you become involved in a suburban football club and see how difficult it is to have success!!

 

[Nepotism]

Yes, you are right, it is difficult. There are plenty of factors involved that you can't control. Even after a fantastic season, you can have a Mare on Grand Final day.

 

[bedford]

People getting sucked into the Henry the 3rd

 

[ultimate warrior]

Could the success be similarly aligned with the sale of Kostka Brighton? Historically many a good old Xav (AFL players inc) hailed from that campus. Think those kids will now find there way to Brighton.

 

[FWIW]

FWIW it seems Brighton have good connections in t-shirt printing as well. All boxed and ready to be handed out post game. Gutsy

 

[AM]

FWIW it seems Brighton have good connections in t-shirt printing as well. All boxed and ready to be handed out post game. Gutsy

Briza's outfit did the same a few years back.

 

[Jascave]

Looking at the crowd that went to the VAFA Premier Grand Final last week vindicates the decision to move the game to the public holiday Friday. One of the biggest crowds to attend a A Section/Premier Grand Final in recent years.

 

[bedford]

Looking at the crowd that went to the VAFA Premier Grand Final last week vindicates the decision to move the game to the public holiday Friday. One of the biggest crowds to attend a A Section/Premier Grand Final in recent years.

Your best

 

[andoman21]

Vafa sponsors did the tee shirts not Brighton...did something similar in the 19s this year a well...xavs thirds have had hats made for years and unfortunately a "threepeat" one for the premier thirds side fell flat last year.

 

[bedford]

Vafa sponsors did the tee shirts not Brighton...did something similar in the 19s this year a well...xavs thirds have had hats made for years and unfortunately a "threepeat" one for the premier thirds side fell flat last year.

So sad about the Premier 3rds

 

[Max Leader]

Vafa sponsors did the tee shirts not Brighton...did something similar in the 19s this year a well...xavs thirds have had hats made for years and unfortunately a "threepeat" one for the premier thirds side fell flat last year.

Our mob were happy about that.

 

[XXXXAFL]

Looking at the crowd that went to the VAFA Premier Grand Final last week vindicates the decision to move the game to the public holiday Friday. One of the biggest crowds to attend a A Section/Premier Grand Final in recent years.

3-3.5k
Similar to last year
I hope the extra security were paid proper Public Holiday rates along with all others working the event.

 

[Sergeant Schultz]

It just shows how incompetent they are that after all the advantages they have and all the work behind the scenes to get their football scholarships in order, it still took old Bwighton forever to win a flag and that was more because the other teams in Prem A had slacked off in standard.

This was not a vintage year for Ammos footy. The current standard of Ammos footy isn't that high compared to past years and also shown by the interstate game result the last two years.

And Old Bwighton still needed Will Lewis to come back from the VFL and win the Jock Nelson Medallist and win the game for them. There was Will Lewis and then there was daylight as far as the standard of play on the day.

Where do we see the standard of VAFA against the other suburban comps nowadays?
How would OB go against the Heidelberg team that has powered through the Northern League the last 4 years?
I think the 2018 SKOB and 2023 Collegians outfits would have beaten any other club teams in those years but that Heidelberg team seems to keep getting stronger and peaking now.

Did watch the first half of the Eastern League final online and must say I was a bit underwhelmed by it.
Balwyn seemed an eclectic mix of ex AFL, VFL talent and local lads some of whom might be fringe VAFA A grade players

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Where do we see the standard of VAFA against the other suburban comps nowadays?
How would OB go against the Heidelberg team that has powered through the Northern League the last 4 years?
I think the 2018 SKOB and 2023 Collegians outfits would have beaten any other club teams in those years but that Heidelberg team seems to keep getting stronger and peaking now.

Did watch the first half of the Eastern League final online and must say I was a bit underwhelmed by it.
Balwyn seemed an eclectic mix of ex AFL, VFL talent and local lads some of whom might be fringe VAFA A grade players

Personally I think the VAFA is the superior league at the moment. The top end of suburban footy has always been dominated by clubs that bought success but the points system has levelled that out to a degree. It's been a very good thing for competitiveness and it means the very top sides aren't as strong as they used to be - they simply can't be.

At the same time you have had private schools chasing APS football success via scholarships which has in turn boosted the old boys clubs and obviously the points system doesn't impact that.

The Eastern league is strong, the GF was a pretty shit game, as can happen with grand finals particularly with the windy conditions that always seem to hit Melbourne at this time of year. FWIW I didn't think the VAFA GF was a great game either, but overall I would say it is the strongest comp at the moment.

 

[bedford]

Personally I think the VAFA is the superior league at the moment. The top end of suburban footy has always been dominated by clubs that bought success but the points system has levelled that out to a degree. It's been a very good thing for competitiveness and it means the very top sides aren't as strong as they used to be - they simply can't be.

At the same time you have had private schools chasing APS football success via scholarships which has in turn boosted the old boys clubs and obviously the points system doesn't impact that.

The Eastern league is strong, the GF was a pretty shit game, as can happen with grand finals particularly with the windy conditions that always seem to hit Melbourne at this time of year. FWIW I didn't think the VAFA GF was a great game either, but overall I would say it is the strongest comp at the moment.

Balwyn were on the max 46 points

 

[Nepotism]

Where do we see the standard of VAFA against the other suburban comps nowadays?
How would OB go against the Heidelberg team that has powered through the Northern League the last 4 years?
I think the 2018 SKOB and 2023 Collegians outfits would have beaten any other club teams in those years but that Heidelberg team seems to keep getting stronger and peaking now.

Did watch the first half of the Eastern League final online and must say I was a bit underwhelmed by it.
Balwyn seemed an eclectic mix of ex AFL, VFL talent and local lads some of whom might be fringe VAFA A grade players

VAFA should always be the strongest competition outside the VFL in Victoria. Thats a given. Other than Heidelberg in their prime which as you say is a consistent powerhouse and a Mick McGuane led Keilor that of course had salary cap issues. I'm comparing it to previous VAFA years when I think the standard was higher.

 

[bedford]

I wondered how long the troll would take to post

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Balwyn were on the max 46 points

And had two ex AFL players as grand final emergencies, who couldn’t play because of the points! Amazing but it’s the system at work

 

[andoman21]

Our mob were happy about that.

why is that max?