27 August - Victorian Amateur Football Association

DIVISION 4Simon FullerTHE REAL STUFF STARTS NOWThe home and away season has come to itsconclusion and the teams who have occupiedthe top four spots since round eight are still there(and in the same positions) two and a half monthslater. It sets up a fascinating first week of finals atVermont.Richmond Central had the Bulldogs at home and,with second spot up for grabs, depending on theother results, they were keen to put them awayearly. Peter McBrearty would have been frustratedwith the first quarter, as the Snakes registered tenminor scores for to go with their five goals. Thecoach would have been happier with the returnof skipper, Sean O’Connor, who kicked five. Afterextending the lead at half time, the marksmanshipfrom Central improved significantly in the secondhalf, with fifteen goals. Ricky ‘Cantstandya’Costanzo had his best game for the Snakes andBen Ryan, who has really finished the seasonwith a flourish, was at his dynamic best in themiddle. Mark Pozzuto, with his four goals, was thestandout for Point Cook.The Sharks knew they needed a massive winagainst Chadstone to have any hope of taking thedouble chance and Jon Edlich, Corey Cresswelland Kirk Lindsay obliged with a combined twentygoals. After a fairly competitive first term, Eleygot off the leash in the second and third quarters,piling on fourteen goals to three. The Sharksmanaged to put thirteen more majors on theboard in the final quarter to blow the marginout. Fairbanks helped himself to another bagfor Chaddy and Nick Boothman never gave up.Dave Bennett and Sam Thomas joined the majorgoalkickers as the best for Eley Park.With their two rivals recording massive wins, theRazorbacks managed to hold on to second withan eighty point win. After the uni jumped out toa comfortable early lead, the Demons fought backwell, to still be hanging around at the final break.Swinburne was able to show its class in the finalquarter, ramming ten goals through to finish withthe substantial victory they required. DamonGreen was terrific for the pigs up forward witheight and Phil Wild was BOG. Dan had five snagsfor Box Hill North.The X-Men headed up to Allard Park to take onNorth Brunswick and, like the other Division4 finalists, they ended up recording a big win.The SFX ressies got the day started on a highnote, winning their virtual elimination final andhanging on to fourth spot. In the firsts, it was overat quarter time, with the lead nearly out to fifty.While North was able to keep things even in thesecond and last stanzas, the damage was donein the first and the third, with the X-Men winningby 79 points. Lucas Day and Dwayne Scott led theway for the X-Men, while the coach, Chris Van Damwas magnificent. Kenneth Zuidema paced NorthBrunny with five and Simon Mair was a standout.The Tigers finished the season on a sour note,losing a thriller to the Cobras. Manningham ledall day, before a furious fightback by the Tigersnearly snatched the win. Scott McPherson hadanother great game with six goals to ensure theManningham faithful had something to cheerabout as they head into the offseason. SamWright did everything he could, but it was afrustrating end to a disappointing season forSouth Mornington.Finals football starts this weekend out at Vermontwith the second semi on Saturday, betweenSt Francis Xavier and Swinburne Uni. It will befascinating to see who controls the midfield battle,TODAYSelections in BOLDSEMI FINAL 2ST FRANCIS XAVIER v SWINBURNE UNIVERSITYSEMI FINAL 1RICHMOND CENTRAL v ELEY PARK SHARKS14 THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2011SPORTS INJURY CASUALTY - OPEN 1-7 SATURDAY