VAFA General Discussion

[bedford]

FWIW new vafa president creating a big footy account and the Herald Sun doing a write up on Div1-Div4 recruits, what other nuggets does 2024 have in store? Bedford as the new mod?

Happy to accept fwiw

 

[SeaSide]

Recent discussions on BF regarding clubs leaving the VAFA because they can’t improve without paying players have had mixed results.

There are valid reasons, not excuses, for clubs moving due to their geographic situation, which we all understand.
Geographical reasons include being surrounded by affluent district clubs and other factors related to distance.

There is no hostility towards clubs leaving for hopefully better opportunities. The list below shows that some Ammo clubs have succeeded, while most remain in a similar division as they were in at the VAFA.

We are familiar with the clubs and their situations. I’ve been part of a team once that was going nowhere in a very ordinary league that was also going nowhere. (Now the defunct Western Suburbs FL.)

It has taken 44 years, with many ups and downs (you all know the cliché), to reach the top levels of the VAFA. Some clubs, mainly because of their location, have benefited from moving to professional leagues. Willy CYs, when moving to the VAFA in 1983, attracted many local players—a trend that continues today.

I don’t intend to highlight only successful teams or clubs that faced struggles in the VAFA. To succeed, most former Ammo clubs, within their new environment, have to pay good players to join their teams.

It’s a culture shock! If most of the clubs had stayed, they would have been financially better off and still playing at a similar standard to the one at which they now play.

The list below shows former VAFA clubs that have absconded in the past 40 or so years.


Eastern Football League
Park Orchards Division 1
Waverley Blues
(Waverley Ammos and Mount Waverley-Burwood)
Division 2
Chirnside Park Division 4
Bulleen Templestowe Division 4

Northern Football League
Banule Division 1
Old Paradians Division 2
Thomastown Division 2
Ivanhoe Division 4
Bulleen Templestowe Division 4

Essendon District Football League
Rupertswood Division 1 (Second division)

Western Region Football League
Werribee Districts Division 1 (Extremely successful)
Point Cook Division 1
Albanvale Division 2

Southern Football League
Bentleigh Division 1
Heatherton (formerly Mentone CYMS) Division 3
South Mornington Division 3
Doveton Eagles (formerly St John’s Old Collegians) Division 4

 

[hansie]

Recent discussions on BF regarding clubs leaving the VAFA because they can’t improve without paying players have had mixed results.

There are valid reasons, not excuses, for clubs moving due to their geographic situation, which we all understand.
Geographical reasons include being surrounded by affluent district clubs and other factors related to distance.

There is no hostility towards clubs leaving for hopefully better opportunities. The list below shows that some Ammo clubs have succeeded, while most remain in a similar division as they were in at the VAFA.

We are familiar with the clubs and their situations. I’ve been part of a team once that was going nowhere in a very ordinary league that was also going nowhere. (Now the defunct Western Suburbs FL.)

It has taken 44 years, with many ups and downs (you all know the cliché), to reach the top levels of the VAFA. Some clubs, mainly because of their location, have benefited from moving to professional leagues. Willy CYs, when moving to the VAFA in 1983, attracted many local players—a trend that continues today.

I don’t intend to highlight only successful teams or clubs that faced struggles in the VAFA. To succeed, most former Ammo clubs, within their new environment, have to pay good players to join their teams.

It’s a culture shock! If most of the clubs had stayed, they would have been financially better off and still playing at a similar standard to the one at which they now play.

The list below shows former VAFA clubs that have absconded in the past 40 or so years.


Eastern Football League
Park Orchards Division 1
Waverley Blues
(Waverley Ammos and Mount Waverley-Burwood)
Division 2
Chirnside Park Division 4
Bulleen Templestowe Division 4

Northern Football League
Banule Division 1
Old Paradians Division 2
Thomastown Division 2
Ivanhoe Division 4
Bulleen Templestowe Division 4

Essendon District Football League
Rupertswood Division 1 (Second division)

Western Region Football League
Werribee Districts Division 1 (Extremely successful)
Point Cook Division 1
Albanvale Division 2

Southern Football League
Bentleigh Division 1
Heatherton (formerly Mentone CYMS) Division 3
South Mornington Division 3
Doveton Eagles (formerly St John’s Old Collegians) Division 4

Park Orchards weren’t in ammos from memory
Doveton eagles weren’t St. John’s -
They were Doveton amateurs

 

[Archangel17]

Park Orchards weren’t in ammos from memory
Doveton eagles weren’t St. John’s -
They were Doveton amateurs

Yep Park Orchards were a start-up club from their juniors and St John's are heading to the SFL but have nothing to do with Doveton

 

[SeaSide]

Yep Park Orchards were a start-up club from their juniors and St John's are heading to the SFL but have nothing to do with Doveton

Love the discussion

 

[Nepotism]

The Northern League is very prevalent. Ammos teams just cant keep their players in that region due to the $$$ on offer at local clubs so they have to jump ship and compete financially. Some of the $$$ on offer where laughably high a few years ago and players had no choice but to move on for the money.

 

[Max Leader]

The Northern League is very prevalent. Ammos teams just cant keep their players in that region due to the $$$ on offer at local clubs so they have to jump ship and compete financially. Some of the $$$ on offer where laughably high a few years ago and players had no choice but to move on for the money.

I know, but my mates up the road suffered way worse.

Hopefully the Ivanhoe Bears/Tigers can reverse the trend.

 

[Jimmyjack]

Recent discussions on BF regarding clubs leaving the VAFA because they can’t improve without paying players have had mixed results.

There are valid reasons, not excuses, for clubs moving due to their geographic situation, which we all understand.
Geographical reasons include being surrounded by affluent district clubs and other factors related to distance.

There is no hostility towards clubs leaving for hopefully better opportunities. The list below shows that some Ammo clubs have succeeded, while most remain in a similar division as they were in at the VAFA.

We are familiar with the clubs and their situations. I’ve been part of a team once that was going nowhere in a very ordinary league that was also going nowhere. (Now the defunct Western Suburbs FL.)

It has taken 44 years, with many ups and downs (you all know the cliché), to reach the top levels of the VAFA. Some clubs, mainly because of their location, have benefited from moving to professional leagues. Willy CYs, when moving to the VAFA in 1983, attracted many local players—a trend that continues today.

I don’t intend to highlight only successful teams or clubs that faced struggles in the VAFA. To succeed, most former Ammo clubs, within their new environment, have to pay good players to join their teams.

It’s a culture shock! If most of the clubs had stayed, they would have been financially better off and still playing at a similar standard to the one at which they now play.

The list below shows former VAFA clubs that have absconded in the past 40 or so years.


Eastern Football League
Park Orchards Division 1
Waverley Blues
(Waverley Ammos and Mount Waverley-Burwood)
Division 2
Chirnside Park Division 4
Bulleen Templestowe Division 4

Northern Football League
Banule Division 1
Old Paradians Division 2
Thomastown Division 2
Ivanhoe Division 4
Bulleen Templestowe Division 4

Essendon District Football League
Rupertswood Division 1 (Second division)

Western Region Football League
Werribee Districts Division 1 (Extremely successful)
Point Cook Division 1
Albanvale Division 2

Southern Football League
Bentleigh Division 1
Heatherton (formerly Mentone CYMS) Division 3
South Mornington Division 3
Doveton Eagles (formerly St John’s Old Collegians) Division 4

Good post. Would be quite a few others who have departed for various reasons and others who have gone from the paying comps to the VAFA. In addition to the other comments Waverley Blues had no affiliation that I am aware of to the ammos. Merger of 2 x SESFL/SFL clubs and a VFA club. Bentleigh originally an SFL club returned after a short tenure in the VAFA. South Mornington might have been the same. Doveton Eagles and St.Johns OC different clubs.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

Ivanhoe Div 3 NFNL (Joined 2024. Preliminary Finalist in 2025, narrowly missed finals in 2024)

Bulleen-Temp in Eastern, not Northern.

 

[Nepotism]

A lot of clubs think the grass was greener and bailed on their local affiliated league to join the Ammos only to realise with no money they can't keep their players, so they jump ship back to their local leagues. There is no quick fix; concentrating on getting your juniors right is the best alternative. The reason that teams are continually successful in the VAFA is due to great junior programs which keep replenishing their seniors. Of course, it is a lot easier for school affiliated OC clubs.

 

[Not Jonathan Brown]

A lot of clubs think the grass was greener and bailed on their local affiliated league to join the Ammos only to realise with no money they can't keep their players, so they jump ship back to their local leagues. There is no quick fix; concentrating on getting your juniors right is the best alternative. The reason that teams are continually successful in the VAFA is due to great junior programs which keep replenishing their seniors. Of course, it is a lot easier for school affiliated OC clubs.

An argument could be made that nowadays it's actually harder for an OC club (not in Prem A) than a district one. The increasing obligations related to child protection has made the ability to contact Year 12 students more restrictive than what it would have been 5-10 years ago. Add on this the fact that some schools have shifted their opinions of OC clubs and see them as a burden, which from speaking to some lower end clubs seems like more the case.

If you don't have someone directly working within the school to be that point of contact, it can really be a struggle.

 

[bedford]

May i ask , can a suspended player win a comp medal ?

 

[CARLTON2011]

An argument could be made that nowadays it's actually harder for an OC club (not in Prem A) than a district one. The increasing obligations related to child protection has made the ability to contact Year 12 students more restrictive than what it would have been 5-10 years ago. Add on this the fact that some schools have shifted their opinions of OC clubs and see them as a burden, which from speaking to some lower end clubs seems like more the case.

If you don't have someone directly working within the school to be that point of contact, it can really be a struggle.

On the contrary at my Club. The relationship between school and Old Boy/Girl Footy Club is getting stronger.
A recent infrastructure partnership has cemented the relationship for years to come for a win/win scenario.
It's never easy but getting together and chatting can make things happen.
Looking forward to 2026 already.

 

[Nepotism]

There is a big difference between the Prem A OC teams who are hand in glove with the schools and the lower level OCs where the schools look upon them with indifference and as a bit of burden. The rich get richer; the poor get the picture.

 

[God Yeah]

May i ask , can a suspended player win a comp medal ?

Unless the Ammos have downgraded some suspensions that allow you to be eligible, then I believe you can't.

Don't tell me there was an error in record keeping from last night?

 

[SeaSide]

Park Orchards weren’t in ammos from memory
Doveton eagles weren’t St. John’s -
They were Doveton amateurs

Thanks Hansie,
I think that in an exam I would have received a mark of 98%.
Rechecking, you are indeed correct.
Was the Doveton Ammos the team that wore the brown guernsey?

There is a big difference between the Prem A OC teams who are hand in glove with the schools and the lower level OCs where the schools look upon them with indifference and as a bit of burden. The rich get richer; the poor get the picture.

Mentone Grammar/Old Mentonions is a prime example

 

[SeaSide]

Ivanhoe Div 3 NFNL (Joined 2024. Preliminary Finalist in 2025, narrowly missed finals in 2024)

Bulleen-Temp in Eastern, not Northern.

Sorry, another mistake. Down to 97%.

 

[Manang Rover]

May i ask , can a suspended player win a comp medal ?

question should be 'how can a suspended player win a comp medal?'

 

[Nepotism]

There is freedom within, there is freedom without. Try and catch the deluge in a paper cup.

One rule for one and another set of rules for another.

 

[bedford]

Unless the Ammos have downgraded some suspensions that allow you to be eligible, then I believe you can't.

Don't tell me there was an error in record keeping from last night?

Didn't Luke Ashen get rubbed out during the season

 

[SeaSide]

Good post. Would be quite a few others who have departed for various reasons and others who have gone from the paying comps to the VAFA. In addition to the other comments Waverley Blues had no affiliation that I am aware of to the ammos. Merger of 2 x SESFL/SFL clubs and a VFA club. Bentleigh originally an SFL club returned after a short tenure in the VAFA. South Mornington might have been the same. Doveton Eagles and St.Johns OC different clubs.

Hansie wrote: -

Park Orchards weren’t in Ammos from memory - Correct!
Doveton eagles weren’t St. John’s - Half correct, read on.....
They were Doveton amateurs

According to www.iAsk.Ai - Ask AI:

The Doveton Amateur Football Club, also known as Doveton Amateurs St John’s Old Collegians for a period, ceased to exist as a unified entity in 1990 when it separated into two distinct clubs: St John’s Old Collegians Football Club and Doveton Football Club.

Initially formed in 1980 as St John's Old Collegians, the club competed in the VAFA with St John's College Oval as its home ground. In 1982, due to significant upgrade works required at the College Oval, the team relocated to Power Road Doveton and subsequently changed its name to Doveton Amateurs St John’s Old Collegians. This combined entity experienced some success, including a reserves premiership and a senior side runner-up finish in 1988.

At the conclusion of the 1990 season, the club decided to split. St John’s Old Collegians Football Club continued to compete in the VAFA, establishing its new home at Thomas Carroll Reserve. The other entity that emerged from this separation was the Doveton Eagles Football Club, which was formed in 1990 and also competed in the VAFA until 1994 before changing leagues. The Doveton Football Club, a separate and older entity founded in 1959, has a distinct history and has played in various leagues, including the Southern FNL.

The Doveton Amateur Football Club, also known as Doveton Amateurs St John’s Old Collegians for a period, ceased to exist as a unified entity in 1990 when it separated into two distinct clubs: St John’s Old Collegians Football Club and Doveton Football Club.

According to www.iAsk.Ai - Ask AI:

The other entity that emerged from this separation was the Doveton Eagles Football Club, which was formed in 1990 and
so, Hansie, we were both half right.
I'm back to 97.5%
SS

PS. Is this St John's FC the same club that is currently on the move?

 

[God Yeah]

Didn't Luke Ashen get rubbed out during the season

Luke Ashen

Oakleigh

Division 1 Men’s

Striking another person

1

3 down to 2*

 

[Manang Rover]

Didn't Luke Ashen get rubbed out during the season

2 for striking! VAFA have turned WOKE!

 

[SeaSide]

Sorry, another mistake. Down to 97%.

I've put Bulleen Templestowe FC in both Eastern and Northern.
What a Club!

 

[random observer]

Recent discussions on BF regarding clubs leaving the VAFA because they can’t improve without paying players have had mixed results.

There are valid reasons, not excuses, for clubs moving due to their geographic situation, which we all understand.
Geographical reasons include being surrounded by affluent district clubs and other factors related to distance.

There is no hostility towards clubs leaving for hopefully better opportunities. The list below shows that some Ammo clubs have succeeded, while most remain in a similar division as they were in at the VAFA.

We are familiar with the clubs and their situations. I’ve been part of a team once that was going nowhere in a very ordinary league that was also going nowhere. (Now the defunct Western Suburbs FL.)

It has taken 44 years, with many ups and downs (you all know the cliché), to reach the top levels of the VAFA. Some clubs, mainly because of their location, have benefited from moving to professional leagues. Willy CYs, when moving to the VAFA in 1983, attracted many local players—a trend that continues today.

I don’t intend to highlight only successful teams or clubs that faced struggles in the VAFA. To succeed, most former Ammo clubs, within their new environment, have to pay good players to join their teams.

It’s a culture shock! If most of the clubs had stayed, they would have been financially better off and still playing at a similar standard to the one at which they now play.

The list below shows former VAFA clubs that have absconded in the past 40 or so years.


Eastern Football League
Park Orchards Division 1
Waverley Blues
(Waverley Ammos and Mount Waverley-Burwood)
Division 2
Chirnside Park Division 4
Bulleen Templestowe Division 4

Northern Football League
Banule Division 1
Old Paradians Division 2
Thomastown Division 2
Ivanhoe Division 4
Bulleen Templestowe Division 4

Essendon District Football League
Rupertswood Division 1 (Second division)

Western Region Football League
Werribee Districts Division 1 (Extremely successful)
Point Cook Division 1
Albanvale Division 2

Southern Football League
Bentleigh Division 1
Heatherton (formerly Mentone CYMS) Division 3
South Mornington Division 3
Doveton Eagles (formerly St John’s Old Collegians) Division 4

There's a few others I can think of (other than those posted above).
Mt Lilydale (EFNL) - now North Croydon / MLOC
St Francis Xavier (SFNL) - now Narre South
Southern Dragons (SFNL) - not clear on this. Think they started in SFNL, came to VAFA, went back to SFNL then died.

But your point is right - they are still near the level they were in the VAFA (near the bottom). Other than the Dragons, obviously.

Add on this the fact that some schools have shifted their opinions of OC clubs and see them as a burden, which from speaking to some lower end clubs seems like more the case.

Think there may be something to this.

A number of clubs seem to have downplayed their school connections:
Mt Lilydale OC - now North Croydon / MLOC.

Others have divorced their old schools altogether:
St Leo's Emmaus Wattle Park (VAFA) - now just Wattle Park. I think one of these schools ceased to exist years ago.
St Francis Xavier (now SFNL) - Narre South Saints.
North Old Boys - now just call themselves Brunswick (unclear whether name change or outright separation).

Some have merged to survive:
Salesian (with St Mary's) - VAFA.
Yarra Valley OB (with Manningham Cobras) - VAFA - though Yarra seems to be the dominant partner.

And others have just died:
Old Mentonians
Old Westbourne

Don't know how much old school character / influence school sides now in other comps retain - Rupertswood (EDFL), Eltham Collegians (NFNL) and Old Paradians (NFNL).

 

[bedford]

There's a few others I can think of (other than those posted above).
Mt Lilydale (EFNL) - now North Croydon / MLOC
St Francis Xavier (SFNL) - now Narre South
Southern Dragons (SFNL) - not clear on this. Think they started in SFNL, came to VAFA, went back to SFNL then died.

But your point is right - they are still near the level they were in the VAFA (near the bottom). Other than the Dragons, obviously.


Think there may be something to this.

A number of clubs seem to have downplayed their school connections:
Mt Lilydale OC - now North Croydon / MLOC.

Others have divorced their old schools altogether:
St Leo's Emmaus Wattle Park (VAFA) - now just Wattle Park. I think one of these schools ceased to exist years ago.
St Francis Xavier (now SFNL) - Narre South Saints.
North Old Boys - now just call themselves Brunswick (unclear whether name change or outright separation).

Some have merged to survive:
Salesian (with St Mary's) - VAFA.
Yarra Valley OB (with Manningham Cobras) - VAFA - though Yarra seems to be the dominant partner.

And others have just died:
Old Mentonians
Old Westbourne

Don't know how much old school character / influence school sides now in other comps retain - Rupertswood (EDFL), Eltham Collegians (NFNL) and Old Paradians (NFNL).

Glen Eira trying bullshit with McKinnon high , not working