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

 

[andoman21]

The Premier grades i meant are always out before Xmas

Because that's where most of the interest is ..seriously...its not that big a deal is it? No club is advantaged or disadvantaged is they both don't know the draw...play on

 

[bedford]

Because that's where most of the interest is ..seriously...its not that big a deal is it? No club is advantaged or disadvantaged is they both don't know the draw...play on

WTF are you , it's always happened . Every other comp is out , is this an issue with womens footy

 

[footy2323]

WTF are you , it's always happened . Every other comp is out , is this an issue with womens footy

Have to agree with others here Bedford. It doesn’t really matter we have the dates for the year. Most leagues dealing with 1 or 2 divisions the Vafa dealing with 6 senior men’s divisions plus all the women’s, u19s & 3rds comps. A lot more than what other leagues have to deal with.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

Bunk Moreland posted this on the Eastern FNL board today.

Interesting reading.



Langwarrin has earned praise for becoming the first MPFNL club to implement the new under-19s player cap for 2026, setting a positive example for the competition.

The Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League has mandated that clubs cap their U19 numbers at 35 this year — with slight allowances for private school boys or Stingrays representatives — in a move designed to distribute talent more evenly across the competition and help struggling clubs boost their numbers.

Langwarrin announced its U19 list on Wednesday.

The club’s prompt action has been hailed as “a great story” by league observers, particularly given the club’s strong junior program.

Fresh off premiership success in both their under-17s and under-19s, the Kangaroos could easily justify holding onto every talented youngster in their system.

Instead, their early commitment to the cap provides significant benefits throughout the competition.

Players outside the 35-strong squad now have ample time to explore their options rather than being strung along with false hope.

They can establish themselves at clubs where they’ll receive regular game time, creating genuine pathways through reserves and seniors.

Several clubs have already contacted Langwarrin about their surplus players, demonstrating the initiative’s immediate impact.

The club has handled these inquiries professionally, earning further respect from their peers.

Importantly, the door remains open for players who may wish to return to Langwarrin in the future, maintaining positive relationships across the league.

It’s hoped other powerhouse clubs will follow Langwarrin’s lead.

The earlier clubs commit to the cap, the better the outcome for everyone involved, potentially ensuring nearly every club fields competitive numbers.

As one observer noted: “If everyone followed their lead, the competition would be in a much better place.”

Langwarrin’s Dave Kelly said his club had 63 expressions of interest for its under 19s this year.

“And then we had a selection committee that chose 45 to train on,’’ he said.

“Through natural attrition, we’re at that 35 plus our Stingrays and school kids right now.

“We’ve tried to do the right thing by the kids to say, ‘look, that’s where it’s at. If you want to play somewhere else we have connections at other footy clubs’.

“And do it early rather than wait until practice matches and keep them hanging on until March and April right before the season.’’

 

[Mr Platinum]

There’s two points that piqued my interest from this article. What are the real numbers and have they cast aside the strugglers? If so it’s pretty poor IMO.

“we’re at that 35 plus our Stingrays and school kids right now”
“And then we had a selection committee that chose 45 to train on,’’

 

[Jimmyjack]

There’s two points that piqued my interest from this article. What are the real numbers and have they cast aside the strugglers? If so it’s pretty poor IMO.

“we’re at that 35 plus our Stingrays and school kids right now”
“And then we had a selection committee that chose 45 to train on,’’

Mine too Mr P. Did they retain the most talented 35 and then discard the lesser lights? Article doesn’t say what, if any criteria was applied, such as length of time at the club. For example, did they take a gun recruit from another club over a battler who has been at Langy since U9s? Might well have been whoever registered first but some context would have been helpful before we laud the club for what they have done.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

The natural assumption is that they would pick the best 35 as you want to have the best playing list possible at your disposal.

 

[bedford]

Still no fixtures ! getting like the VFL

 

[God Yeah]

Bunk Moreland posted this on the Eastern FNL board today.

Interesting reading.



Langwarrin has earned praise for becoming the first MPFNL club to implement the new under-19s player cap for 2026, setting a positive example for the competition.

The Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League has mandated that clubs cap their U19 numbers at 35 this year — with slight allowances for private school boys or Stingrays representatives — in a move designed to distribute talent more evenly across the competition and help struggling clubs boost their numbers.

Langwarrin announced its U19 list on Wednesday.

The club’s prompt action has been hailed as “a great story” by league observers, particularly given the club’s strong junior program.

Fresh off premiership success in both their under-17s and under-19s, the Kangaroos could easily justify holding onto every talented youngster in their system.

Instead, their early commitment to the cap provides significant benefits throughout the competition.

Players outside the 35-strong squad now have ample time to explore their options rather than being strung along with false hope.

They can establish themselves at clubs where they’ll receive regular game time, creating genuine pathways through reserves and seniors.

Several clubs have already contacted Langwarrin about their surplus players, demonstrating the initiative’s immediate impact.

The club has handled these inquiries professionally, earning further respect from their peers.

Importantly, the door remains open for players who may wish to return to Langwarrin in the future, maintaining positive relationships across the league.

It’s hoped other powerhouse clubs will follow Langwarrin’s lead.

The earlier clubs commit to the cap, the better the outcome for everyone involved, potentially ensuring nearly every club fields competitive numbers.

As one observer noted: “If everyone followed their lead, the competition would be in a much better place.”

Langwarrin’s Dave Kelly said his club had 63 expressions of interest for its under 19s this year.

“And then we had a selection committee that chose 45 to train on,’’ he said.

“Through natural attrition, we’re at that 35 plus our Stingrays and school kids right now.

“We’ve tried to do the right thing by the kids to say, ‘look, that’s where it’s at. If you want to play somewhere else we have connections at other footy clubs’.

“And do it early rather than wait until practice matches and keep them hanging on until March and April right before the season.’’

Successful club can treat it's Under 19's as pseudo rep side and completely dominate the competition.

Not sure it's the equalisation celebration it was supposed to be.

I still maintain that something like this wouldn't work, kids want to play with mates or stay connected with the school they went to. No team to play for in a social standard that suits my mates and I, well, we walk away from the game.

 

[footy2323]

Still no fixtures ! getting like the VFL

Who cares we have dates! You know who you’re playing this year that’s what matters!

 

[JS#35]

I don't mind stirring bedders from time to time but I do agree the Fixture should probably be out by now. It's not volunteers organising it, people are literally paid to run this comp...and they don't do it all that well

 

[eth-dog]

I don't mind stirring bedders from time to time but I do agree the Fixture should probably be out by now. It's not volunteers organising it, people are literally paid to run this comp...and they don't do it all that well

They got back to work on Monday. They set a timeline for fixtures. Bedders just being cranky as usual.

 

[JS#35]

They got back to work on Monday. They set a timeline for fixtures. Bedders just being cranky as usual.

Yeah fair. Wasn't aware they'd set a timeline. Looking forward to 2026 regardless and more of cranky Bedders

 

[bedford]

Yeah fair. Wasn't aware they'd set a timeline. Looking forward to 2026 regardless and more of cranky Bedders

And maybe the person doing them got the arse , only a rumour

 

[bedford]

They got back to work on Monday. They set a timeline for fixtures. Bedders just being cranky as usual.

Love it mate , just common sense

 

[eth-dog]

And maybe the person doing them got the arse , only a rumour

Mark? Interesting.

 

[God Yeah]

Marcellin advertising that U/19's flay for free in 2026 as well as receiving training and club branded merch. Not a bad recruiting strategy considering a lot of the kids at the school go straight back to their junior NFNL clubs.

First time I've seen something like this, I'll be interested to see if other clubs look to go down this path.

 

[bedford]

Marcellin advertising that U/19's flay for free in 2026 as well as receiving training and club branded merch. Not a bad recruiting strategy considering a lot of the kids at the school go straight back to their junior NFNL clubs.

First time I've seen something like this, I'll be interested to see if other clubs look to go down this path.

OAFC has done it in the past

 

[MortlockWatcher]

Where I am in Perth, there are about six clubs in close proximity. One club started off with no fees for colts (under 20) and then they all followed suit soon after.

In recent years, one club that regularly struggled for numbers went down the track of no fees and free gear but most clubs have followed suit so that they don't fall behind. One even went with free boots for colts who were new to the club, but they worked out after one season that it was a costly exercise and didn't continue the practice.

 

[CARLTON2011]

My Club did it with Woman's team to re start us in the Competition for the first couple of seasons after Covid. Worked very well and the harmony, team performance and numbers has been excellent. Obviously can't do it long term but to kick start a team it can work.

 

[Champ or Chump]

I think it's a GREAT idea to encourage more youth to play the game - so agree with it.

That said, in some quarters you could suggest it is a form of commercial inducement to play. It's always been an interesting conundrum of what constitutes 'inducement' and what doesn't over the years within the Ammo's.

 

[andoman21]

I think it's a GREAT idea to encourage more youth to play the game - so agree with it.

That said, in some quarters you could suggest it is a form of commercial inducement to play. It's always been an interesting conundrum of what constitutes 'inducement' and what doesn't over the years within the Ammo's.

that's all good in the northern league

 

[Champ or Chump]

that's all good in the northern league

I believe it's all good in all paid competitions, just asking if it is in the VAFA? Can you also offer senior players the same thing?

But what I am also not sure about - does it/should it sit in a clubs salary cap in paid competitions?

 

[localfootylegend23]

Marcellin advertising that U/19's flay for free in 2026 as well as receiving training and club branded merch. Not a bad recruiting strategy considering a lot of the kids at the school go straight back to their junior NFNL clubs.

First time I've seen something like this, I'll be interested to see if other clubs look to go down this path.

Parade offered free fees for everyone one of their last years in VAFA,

You'd be crazy not to offer them (u19's/kids) some kind of discount if not the whole fee for free. Show them the way and invest in them and you'd get a lot of them back

 

[bedford]

Poor Port Melbourne with the new GM from the VAFA