VAFA ROUND 21_Col.indd - Victorian Amateur Football Association

UNDER 18
NORTHERN SIDES TRIUMPH
Nick Wald
Not unlike Round 16, the first week of finals in the
Under 18s was dominated by sides that originated in
the Northern division. Whatever is in the water up there
is working wonders for these sides as Rupertswood,
Werribee, UHS-VU/Flemington and St Bernards all
recorded impressive victories.
Harry Trott Oval was the setting for both of the Division
1 finals and it was Werribee v Old Camberwell opening
proceedings. This was never going to be an easy result
to predict, as both sides finished the season locked on 44
points. The only reason Werribee got to don their home
shorts was that they had a far superior percentage.
The Bees got off to a great start and went into quarter time
with a three goal advantage and when this margin was
extended to 31 points at the main break, it appeared that
they were on their way to a resounding victory. However,
Camberwell was not about to waste a season of hard work
and bomb out of the premiership race without a fight.
Coach Howard Mitchell delivered some inspiring words
in the rooms at half time and the Wellers rallied, booting
four goals to the Bees’ one in the third term. The margin
was a slender two goals in Werribee’s favour when the
final quarter started and OC was charging. To Werribee’s
credit they staved off the fast finishing Wellers and were
able to steady the ship with five final quarter goals. The
final margin was a seemingly comfortable 33 points, but
there were definitely a few nervous moments for the
eventual victors, especially in the third quarter. If one
had said that Camberwell would restrict Dillon Taylor
to just three goals for the game, I would have had my
money on an OC victory. To Werribee’s credit they found
ten different avenues to goal, with Taylor and the el
capitano Matt Turner the most prolific with three apiece.
Jarryd de Rose played a terrific game for the Bees while
Mark Brazzale and, as per usual, Harrison Levvey were
best for Camberwell. Unfortunately we say goodbye to
Camberwell for 2010 but they will undoubtedly return
next year hell bent on claiming the flag.
Werribee face a fired up Oakleigh outfit today after the
Krushers went down by 27 points to the flag favourites
Rupertswood. While semi finals generate copious
amounts of interest anyway, this match was particularly
intriguing given the nature of the only other clash
between the two dominant sides in 2010. The last time
they met, Oakleigh destroyed Rupertswood by 90 points
in what was the latter’s only defeat of 2010. This proved
to be no indication of what would unfold in this game
TODAY
Selections in BOLD
DIVISION 1
OAKLEIGH v WERRIBEE
DIVISION 2
ST BERNARDS v ST JOHNS
however, as Rupertswood recovered from a sluggish
opening half to post a solid victory and book a place in
the decider. Matthew Twentyman kicked four goals in
a dominant performance while Oakleigh’s Rodney Jetta
was outstanding with five. Rupertswood now have the
week off to freshen up for the big one while Oakleigh
will not be holding back in their cut throat clash with
Werribee today.
In Div 2, out at Dairy Bell, the Snow Dogs beat St Mary’s
Salesian with some comfort, while UHS-VU/Flemington
edged St John’s.
Bernies and the Saints were at it all afternoon in a low
scoring affair, until the last when the Snow Dogs put up a
brick wall and tore away themselves, adding five majors.
For the northern invaders, Andrew Graham slotted three
for the afternoon and James Weir kicked four in a best
on ground effort.
In the second-semi, St John’s was goalless in the first
and dobbed only one in the second term against the
UHSVUF. This slow start cost them the game, as the
nineteen point lead was insurmountable. After the long
break, the teams traded majors. William “Will” Williams
kicked three to put the Acronyms into the Granny.
LAST ROUND RESULTS
UNDER 18 DIV 1
SEMI FINAL 1
WERRIBEE 4.2, 10.6, 11.8, 16.13 (109)
OLD CAMBERWELL 1.1, 5.5, 9.8, 11.10 (76)
GOALS, WERRIBEE: M. Turner 3, D. Taylor 3, E. Turner 2, A. Imber 2, M. Luketic
1, C. Moloney 1, J. Green-Mc Neilly 1, M. El Hawli 1, B. Armstrong 1, B. Stoios 1
OLD CAMBERWELL: M. Klashovski 2, T. Sigalas 2, J. Crothers 2, M. Jeffers 1, J.
Kennedy 1, H. Levvey 1, S. Anjou 1, M. Cooney 1
BEST, WERRIBEE: J. De Rose, J. De Pellegrin, M. Fitzpatrick, E. Turner, C.
Moloney, B. Stoios OLD CAMBERWELL: M. Brazzale, H. Levvey, T. Schipper, N.
Lattuada, M. Le, M. Jeffers
SEMI FINAL 2
RUPERTSWOOD 2.2, 3.4, 10.7, 12.11 (83)
OAKLEIGH 3.0, 4.5, 6.6, 8.8 (56)
GOALS, RUPERTSWOOD: M. Twentyman 4, M. Said 3, J. Gay 2, M. Wilson 1, D.
Bourne 1, J. Dunn 1 OAKLEIGH: R. Jetta 5, L. Morin 1, P. Raso 1, C. Lavery 1
BEST, RUPERTSWOOD: B. Swallow, M. Twentyman, K. Murphy, B. Grech, M.
Said, J. Braddy OAKLEIGH: R. Jetta, S. Scott, M. Podesta, C. Parry, P. Raso, M.
Tate
UNDER 18 DIV 2
SEMI FINAL 1
ST BERNARDS 2.3, 5.4, 5.6, 10.8 (68)
ST MARY’S SALESIAN 3.0, 4.0, 6.2, 6.2 (38)
GOALS, ST BERNARDS: J. Weir 4, A. Graham 3, B. Morton 2, J. Pignataro 1 ST
MARY’S SALESIAN: S. Gusts 2, J. Weston 1, L. Hawkins 1, R. Nickless 1, C.
Docker 1
BEST, ST BERNARDS: J. Weir, P. Lenoury, S. Firth, J. Bennie, J. Pignataro, M.
Sulzberger ST MARY’S SALESIAN: Z. Kitchen, J. Evans, J. Weston, S. Gatehouse,
C. Docker, L. Hawkins
SEMI FINAL 2
UHS-VU / FLEMINGTON 2.1, 4.3, 9.5, 11.7 (73)
ST JOHNS 0.1, 1.2, 6.6, 8.11 (59)
GOALS, UHS-VU / FLEMINGTON: W. Williams 3, N. Devereux 2, K. Grimshaw 2,
M. Fogarty 1, M. Khodr 1, O. Conlan 1, H. Everist 1 ST JOHNS: Not provided
BEST, UHS-VU / FLEMINGTON: J. Saill (margariti), S. McSweeney, H. Everist, N.
Rowland, B. Kelly, W. Williams ST JOHNS: Not provided
THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2010 59