27 August - Victorian Amateur Football Association

Geoff ReilleyRETROSAMEAGAIN?12 Months Ago – 2010In D2 Section, hot favourites Banyule, did not haveit all their own way in the second semi and trailedby 3 goals at quarter time as Glen Eira made themost of their opportunities. Once Banyule gottheir noses in front in the second quarter, theymaintained a solid if not unsurmountable lead forthe remainder of the game. Their 11 point victoryleft Banyule with some homework in the weeksahead. Best – Brown (8), Christian, Drapac, Driscoll,Home (3), Braddy (Banyule) and Krull, Spink,Kohout, Diamond (3), Tsirogiannos, Stuchberry(Glen Eira). Old Paradians won the first semi andtheir way into the prelim the following week.D3 Section semis saw Albert Park eliminatedagainst close rivals Power House 10.9 to 5.9while La Trobe Uni were returning to Division 2following their hard fought victory over St Johns,11.6 to 9.4. Best – McLean, Wood, Russell, Harding,Farrell, McCormack (La Trobe) and O’Connor,Christiansen, Phaedonos, Mara, Dexter, Roberts(St Johns).Monash Gryphons celebrated their second semiwin over Mount Lilydale in Division 4 and felt wellplaced to enter Division 3 in 2011. They led fromstart to finish and had every reason to be confidentfor the grand final in 2 weeks time. Best – Malloy(5), Fletcher, Munro, Davies, Madden, Flowerday(Monash) and Rhodes, Gower, Moyes, Stewart,Maniscalchi, Gibson (Mt Lilydale). In a tight firstsemi, Manningham Cobras were too good forSouth Mornington who had been 4 goals in frontat half time but were overrun in the second half.5 Years Ago – 2006Fourth place was up for grabs in A Section betweenOld Scotch and De La Salle although each haddifficult challenges against the top two teams, OldHaileybury and Old Xaverians respectively. Scotchnever looked like winning against premiershipfavourites, Haileybury and went down by 11 goals.De La Salle however were considered a chanceagainst the Xavs but the Xavs were warming upfor another finals campaign and won convincingly16.9 to 8.11. Best – Ockleshaw, Mollard, Ruyg,Fleming, Lynch (6), Chatfield (OX) and Spithill,Morel, Keeley, Shields, Harris, Greenhalph (DLS).In B Section, it was a good warm up game for thefinals with Old Brighton holding off a fast finishingUni Blacks outfit 13.12 to 12.7. The Tonners wouldbe in the second semi and the Blacks, the firstsemi in the coming weeks. Best – Pirrie (6), Phelan,Dickerson, M Gadsden, Edge, Ewert (OB) andO’Connell, Purcell, Shaw, Jess, Van Kempen, Green(UB). Beaumaris congratulated Sean Coote onhis 100 th game while Caulfield Grammarians alsocongratulated “brothers-in-law”, Andrew Dockerand Richard Foote, on their 100 th ’s.10 Years Ago – 2001In A Section, Old Trinity had left their run too latefor despite their big win over Old Scotch 24.9to 14.11 they finished 4 points out of the four.The OT’s never looked like losing and Scotchfound it too big a challenge to catch Trinity whohad started brilliantly. Best – Ramsden, Collins,Parkin, Andrews (5), Hillas, Reynolds (OT) andPhillips, Beranger, Ashton, Crow, Aujard, McCarroll(Scotch).De La Salle were surprisingly defeated by Ormondin the final home and away game in B Sectionbut the D’s would still appear in the second semifinal. Ormond were brilliant in the second quarterwith 9 goals to 2 and they fought hard for theremainder of the game winning 18.9 to 17.12. Best– McConvill, Wilson, Robbins. A Grace, S Grace (6),Martinov (Ormond) and Bowdern, Morel, Goodier,Buckley, Spithill, J Hall (DLS).Steve Anderson completed his 200 th game andalong the way had collected multiple best andfairest awards and had also been runner up onthree occasions. A model clubman, Steve was stillplaying his heart out each week for his belovedHampton Rovers.20 Years Ago – 1991It was a huge game in C Section between Ivanhoeand State/Commonwealth Bank with the winnerto take fourth spot. Ivanhoe started strongly whilethe ‘Bankers’ struggled to get their game flowing,22 THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2011