Reckon the latest version of the VAFA Board looks as healthy as it has been for a long time.
Plenty of good club people who have done the hard yards before.
The country and suburban leagues have picked up their game around attracting talent. Cash is the main driver, however accommodation (for parents coming to watch as well), job opportunities etc are also on the table.
Career support has been the main weapon for VAFA clubs, however now it is...
Great to see 2 unheralded coaches take their respective sides into the big show. Personally I think the Tonners get it done, however the Cardinals are good enough to break the drought (last flag was 1978)
I actually think going back to A may make it harder for them, with the U19's having to make a big jump from Div 1 to Premier Reserves. Hopefully they have no retirements and the kids stick with them!
The Caulfield mark is largely fair. Wins & Losses define seasons. However the issue facing SBMT was the same at Caulfield, experienced players leaving for money (albeit the year before). For example the 22 that won the round 18 game had 9 players still U19 eligible and only 3 over 24 years of...
Caulfield finally put it together today, after showing signs of life for the past month. Nice to see the Reserves break their duck as well with a win.
But we are on the look for a new senior coach with Bluey stepping down this week. It was nice to get a win in his last game in charge. He...
The issue at Caulfield was the 30 odd Senior/Reserves players who left ($$$$) or retired after 2022. The numbers coming through the U19's are really solid and they are propping the club up, but it just takes time to fill the list back up. Having such a young club also exposes you to players...
Bluey's messaging to our players and coaches on umpires has been consistent for 18months and is the same thing you would have heard today. Doesn't mean they don't transgress and cop the result of it.
However I think only 1 of the 50m penalties was for back chat, the other 2 were a bit more...
The senior exodus from Caulfield after 2022 is well known. Lot's of reasons and crazy $$$ was a large part of it. However the relationship with the school is still very strong and the young kids are rebuilding the Fields back up. We have 2 Under 19's team (which is a stretch - but gives everyone...
This weekend's tips:
Beaumaris vs Old Geelong - The Sharks are struggling and while they are always better at home, I think OG's are travelling better.
Old Camberwell vs Caulfield Grammarians - If Caulfield kick straight they are right in this, but they haven't done that yet so am sticking with...
If Old Haileybury keep fielding that team that played on the weekend I can't seem them getting beat at the end of the year. The VFL kid who kicked 5 was unstoppable.
I thought they had a dip and still believe in the cause. They all came upstairs post game and look very united.
It is a tough place to travel too and we are now into the cold and wet of the year.
It would be a big upset, but Beauy are also a younger team and I don't think it is out of the...
Old Haileybury v Caulfield - The Bloods should win in Jim Paul's 200th.
Old Ivanhoe v De La Salle - Home ground advantage to be the difference in the game of the round.
Old Trinity v Old Geelong - Both are used to big grounds. OT just.
St Bedes Mentone v Old Camberwell - Wellers should get this...
Tips for Round 1:
Old Haileybury v Old Trinity - The Bloods top end is still bloody good and should be enough. Will be interesting to see whether OH have managed to solve their Reserves depth challenge.
Old Ivanhoe v Old Camberwell - Too good at home and travelling better.
Williamstown v Old...
Not sure if we have a tipping comp this year, but just in case:
Old Melburnians v Collegians - OM's appear to have recruited well and there is some mail they are confident going into this season. Collegians have lost some pretty important players but were a long way in front of OM's last year...
All I am hearing is that $$$ talks as VAFA clubs continue to leak players (some clubs much more than others) of all levels to suburban comps.
This trend will reverse at some point....but this seems a few years off yet
Habel and co (which included Dunnell & Ewart) pitched a big game on stability and responsible change at the last election. They treated Matthews and others with disdain and a lack of class. Habel's comments during the online AGM were particularly poor (at best a serious lack of EQ).
They...
Good to start the way too early predictions
1 Old Haileybury - While there are so many Seculls, they'll go close
2 De La Salle - Building and topping up nicely
3 Old Ivanhoe - Could really shake it up and flying as a club (loads of depth)
4 Caulfield - If top end stays fit they'll be in the mix...
I've heard Newton (President), Nicole Hall, Vicky Durston and Martin Kelliher were elected.
Not sure on who got the 2 year stint vs 3 year stint.
Amad goes next year and hopefully Habel with him.
Adults are back in charge now.
I think they'll bring in a Finance person to be treasurer to...
I have no issue with Premier clubs paying more. For the record most A Grade clubs (who didn't play finals) were forking out an extra $15k this year. Did D4 clubs get to pay $15k less?
The principle was sound but the roll out was pathetic in detail and a nightmare to work out. Thanks Tim!
The support of Serial Pest Ewart on this thread by relatively new posters is remarkable, some might say an amazing coincidence
Ewart, Habel & Ahmed got on last time by pushing life members for their proxies. MRC experience suggests a trend here.
Ewart has since taken legal action (another...
TOS only played a handful of games last year due to his body. I don't know if he's going around again or not as his business soaks up most his time (as it should). I did see Hugh Sandilands (who played some great footy last year) was at pre-season training already, so it's awesome to have his...
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.