division one - Victorian Amateur Football Association

EDITORIALMichael ShollyThere is no rest this weekend for the Division andunder age sections as the Premier sections take abreather. The split round usually accommodates asenior representative match but this week only ourUnder 19’s will be pulling on the Big V against theVCFL.Whilst the rep program may be considered bypeople as the major reason we have the bye it isactually done to spread the finals over a longerperiod and allow more opportunities to usebetter grounds and for the VAFA to administer thematches with higher quality umpires.July can be the toughest month of the footballseason, where holidays in a warmer climate seems amuch better option than slugging it out on muddygrounds in freezing conditions. However theseare the weeks where you can position yourselfin your league. The next three weeks will decidewhether your club moves forward to finals, escapesrelegation or you have a nervous August pickingup the live scores app every minute to check thescores from around the grounds.Assuming anything this far out is a dangerousoccupation, however the first rule of senioramateur footy is to beat the threat of relegation. Inmost cases you need to win six matches to ensurefootball in the same section next year. I know thisvaries greatly and you can be fortunate enough tostay up with four and go down with seven wins,but these are rare occurrences. Don’t think if youhave four or five wins now that you are safe. Thisprovides motivation for those sitting at the tail ofthe ladders.six games your next target is 11 wins. Eleven winsgenerally gets you a spot in September action. Theonly side guaranteed to date is South Morningtonwho are undefeated in Division 4. After Saturday thethree ladder leaders from Divisions 1 – 3 may jointhem; North Old Boys/St Pats, Bulleen Templestoweand Yarra Valley OB. Each of these teams have onlylost once this year and after the weekend may beable to focus on the double chance.In the junior sections only Werribee Districts in theUnder 18’s are undefeated. In Under 19 Premier OldXaverians suffered their first loss of the season tothird placed St Bernard’s opening up the race forthe double chance. De La sale have regained thelead on percentage and their second side sits atopthe U19 South section.Northern Blues (formerly Northern Bullants)entered our ranks in the U18 competition in 2009.Their juniors have progressed and they currentlyhave two teams, one in Premier B Thirds and theother is currently on top of U19 Section 3. We willfollow their progress from a junior club, to possiblyrepeating the path of Werribee and Rupertswoodin recent times.On Sunday the Under 19’s play the VCFL. In recenthistory of these matches the VCFL lead 3 - 2 andwe look forward to evening up the ledger. DanNicholson captained this team two seasons agobefore being drafted to Melbourne and he returnedto present the jumpers to the players on Thursdaynight. Co-captains have been appointed for thematch. Lachlan Ferguson (Collegians) has playedin all three representative teams this year; seniors,U23’s and now U19’s. An incredible achievement.He will be joined by Dan Garside (St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers) who captained the team last yearand won the Club Warehouse VAFA Rising Star.For those fortunate enough to have won more thanCover photo: Nick Baum St Mary’s SalesianThe Amateur FootballerTHE JOURNAL OF THE VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONJuly 14, 2012 $3.00 Vol. 12 No. 12THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 20121