A Section VAFA Premier 2026

[andoman21]

given the curriculum and general history of the schools, Wesley being alternative compared to Xavier and St Kevins, the number of boys is not a good indication of why they aren't as good Andoman/Briza.

45 /

Curriculum? Do tell? Love to hear how that is different and affects anything. Just stating facts about numbers as they always pull out "we are a coed school" argument. They have more boys than Xavier whose enrolments ahve decline 20% in the past 5 years but have a new boss for next year!

 

[Mr Platinum]

Any chance you can check your typing and spelling before posting? It’s making my small brain hurt.

 

[andoman21]

Any chance you can check your typing and spelling before posting? It’s making my small brain hurt.

I didn;t go to a asp schoool

 

[SeaSide]

I’d be concerned if blokes in their 30’s were offered school scholarships

Ha!

 

[SeaSide]

Just pay players mums $60k to work in the canteen instead

That's nasty.

 

[Mike Olotripo]

I didn;t go to a asp schoool

Sorry, that doesn't exclude you from being able to structure a sentence with correct spelling and grammar.

Also, I did notice that Heidelberg, who have won the last four flags on the trot in the northern league aren't starting pre-season until the end of January. I wonder if any VAFA premier clubs have thought about doing the same thing?

 

[BennyGan]

Does anyone know where I can watch this years u19s grand final without having to be signed up to HS?

 

[localfootylegend23]

Sorry, that doesn't exclude you from being able to structure a sentence with correct spelling and grammar.

Also, I did notice that Heidelberg, who have won the last four flags on the trot in the northern league aren't starting pre-season until the end of January. I wonder if any VAFA premier clubs have thought about doing the same thing?

Food for thought! Pre xmas always a bit of a piss take just gathering interest and getting around each other, real stuff starts first session back in jan. A good month off getting on the piss etc ruins any gains made pre xmas

 

[Mike Olotripo]

Food for thought! Pre xmas always a bit of a piss take just gathering interest and getting around each other, real stuff starts first session back in jan. A good month off getting on the piss etc ruins any gains made pre xmas

Yes, I think the idea of training pre Christmas is purely just to get blokes into a routine and around one another again.

It is not the ideal way to start in that you train hard, have a month off, then go again for a 10 week slog before the start of the season.

 

[Max Leader]

I bet every Registration Secretary must hate this time of the year, especially when you receive an email from:

notifications@playhq.com

Bring on 1st December.

 

[Mr Platinum]

Jake Behnk from St Bedes off to Saints VFL

Nice player but St Bede’s are in C Grade Bedders!

 

[bedford]

Nice player but St Bede’s are in C Grade Bedders!

But what you didn't tell as is that SKOBS will be his home club , it's a joke

 

[SMP]

Curriculum? Do tell? Love to hear how that is different and affects anything. Just stating facts about numbers as they always pull out "we are a coed school" argument. They have more boys than Xavier whose enrolments ahve decline 20% in the past 5 years but have a new boss for next year!

Believe the reference is more towards Wesley’s evolved cultural shift. Hate the phrase our American buddies use, but perhaps co-ed liberal arts, more in environment than literal. Entrenched co-ed, IB, multi campus, multi cultural, multi regional off campus presence, etc. While a large student count (boys yes…) no longer a “jock” culture, some but limited sport scholars (nb. Footy imports). Not the same any more, unlike the oft mentioned winners of recent APS footy flags. They just celebrated a 15 year reunion for the 2010 APS flag, with the likes of Toby Greene, Sam Frost, et el.
Unless they do take the heavy import path will stay this way, moderate success.
Unlike how they’ve lifted in Aths, X Country…
So the Xavier, etc quoted boys numbers while not huge, will hold a footy edge given the culture being held, plus arguable as a go-to for Catholic families. In being one of few excellent schools for that side of the fence.
However big volume of boys does not always link to footy heroics…EG: Melbourne Grammar, Scotch…
Some established schools prefer Jack of all trades, not eggs in 1 basket…

 

[Jimmyjack]

Curriculum? Do tell? Love to hear how that is different and affects anything. Just stating facts about numbers as they always pull out "we are a coed school" argument. They have more boys than Xavier whose enrolments ahve decline 20% in the past 5 years but have a new boss for next year!

I didn’t attend an APS school so have no insights into the various cultures and philosophies. But like many I had friends and relatives or children of friends of relatives who did. One particularly close relative has kids who attended Wesley. By all account it is an outstanding school, but I am led to believe that they are more inclined to offer scholarships for academic and artistic pursuits rather than sport. Also seem to have a broader demographic. A look at the list of alumni suggests they turn out many high achievers in the world of business, law, politics etc. Clearly football is not a priority and accordingly the number of students (boys) is not necessarily an indicator of success on the sporting field. One thing for certain is that as an Old Boys club they have been as good as any in the last 15 or so years. Since 2010 they have played in 7 (I think) ‘A’ grade GF’s for 3 flags.

 

[andoman21]

I didn’t attend an APS school so have no insights into the various cultures and philosophies. But like many I had friends and relatives or children of friends of relatives who did. One particularly close relative has kids who attended Wesley. By all account it is an outstanding school, but I am led to believe that they are more inclined to offer scholarships for academic and artistic pursuits rather than sport. Also seem to have a broader demographic. A look at the list of alumni suggests they turn out many high achievers in the world of business, law, politics etc. Clearly football is not a priority and accordingly the number of students (boys) is not necessarily an indicator of success on the sporting field. One thing for certain is that as an Old Boys club they have been as good as any in the last 15 or so years. Since 2010 they have played in 7 (I think) ‘A’ grade GF’s for 3 flags.

My point is Curriculum is not the right word-you are talking about culture and priorities. They have won as many APS flags in the last 15 years as Xavier-and theirs was a "real" one, not a six game season.

I was just pointing out the people, many of whom I assume wouldn't have known, that they have more boys than Xavier, whose numbers have plummeted (down 19% in 5 years) under the current ( soon to be gone) Principal-a hard thing to achieve considering there are only 7 all boys independent schools. The old boys haven't won a senior final since 2016 as well.

 

[From45SlightAngle]

andoman21 has really missed the mark here for mine and clearly has a hatred for Xavier, but a lot of people do. We all miss the mark Ando/Briza. Curriculum is the right word for mine.

Back to footy methinks.

I have heard whispers of a massive signing at the Hedgeburners.

45 /

 

[bedford]

Amazing when i went to school at Melbourne high briefly , they had such a massive footy program and the same at Uni High, some absolute stars at the time and cricket as well

 

[Mr Platinum]

I didn’t attend an APS school so have no insights into the various cultures and philosophies. But like many I had friends and relatives or children of friends of relatives who did. One particularly close relative has kids who attended Wesley. By all account it is an outstanding school, but I am led to believe that they are more inclined to offer scholarships for academic and artistic pursuits rather than sport. Also seem to have a broader demographic. A look at the list of alumni suggests they turn out many high achievers in the world of business, law, politics etc. Clearly football is not a priority and accordingly the number of students (boys) is not necessarily an indicator of success on the sporting field. One thing for certain is that as an Old Boys club they have been as good as any in the last 15 or so years. Since 2010 they have played in 7 (I think) ‘A’ grade GF’s for 3 flags.

They would have 20 kids on athletics scholarships under Tim O’Shaunnessy.

 

[Mr Platinum]

andoman21 has really missed the mark here for mine and clearly has a hatred for Xavier, but a lot of people do. We all miss the mark Ando/Briza. Curriculum is the right word for mine.

Back to footy methinks.

I have heard whispers of a massive signing at the Hedgeburners.

45 /

They need more than one and whilst I’m at it, why do we care about Collegians? They won the flag one year and got relegated the next so are now in B grade.

 

[Max Leader]

andoman21 has really missed the mark here for mine and clearly has a hatred for Xavier, but a lot of people do. We all miss the mark Ando/Briza. Curriculum is the right word for mine.

Back to footy methinks.

I have heard whispers of a massive signing at the Hedgeburners.

45 /

Lachie Keefe back to his old club. May be needed to possibly replace Dowling and Thompson (he is always rumoured to be retiring). Just speculating.

No Billy Murphy is not going to OT as previously intimated.

 

[bedford]

Lachie Keefe back to his old club. May be needed to possibly replace Dowling and Thompson (he is always rumoured to be retiring). Just speculating.

No Billy Murphy is not going to OT as previously intimated.

Your gun Ruck playing VFL ?

 

[andoman21]

andoman21 has really missed the mark here for mine and clearly has a hatred for Xavier, but a lot of people do. We all miss the mark Ando/Briza. Curriculum is the right word for mine.

Back to footy methinks.

I have heard whispers of a massive signing at the Hedgeburners.

45 /

That "retort" says it all...I didn't realise I was dealing with someone so limited. Stick to facts ..much easier.

I understand you have a few connections at hedgeland......

 

[Mr Platinum]

Lachie Keefe back to his old club. May be needed to possibly replace Dowling and Thompson (he is always rumoured to be retiring). Just speculating.

No Billy Murphy is not going to OT as previously intimated.

36 year old ruck in A Grade footy? Wow.

 

[Max Leader]

36 year old ruck in A Grade footy? Wow.

I think he’d still do ok. I bet it’s Tomlinson, he played one game with them last year.

 

[Mr Platinum]

I think he’d still do ok. I bet it’s Tomlinson, he played one game with them last year.

He signed at Sorrento last week.