27 August - Victorian Amateur Football Association

UNDER 19Michael CollinsNick DuxsonWhilst the four was set, the battle for the doublechance was conducted at Brindisi Street as St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers hosted Old Xaverians. Most teamsheading down to Mentone feel very uneasy andthis queasiness would have been heightened as theTigers stormed to two goal lead at the first break.However this was their last roar as Xavs got theirgame into gear and piled on five unanswered goalsin the second. They didn’t let up in the second halfrunning out comfortable 54 point winners. DanielIaucione’s seventh brought him his half centuryfor the year whilst Charlie Woodley continued hisoutstanding form this year. The Tigers were bestserved by Sebastian Faulkner and Joshua Herron.Whenever the two University teams meet braggingrights around the crescent are up for grabs. Blueswere coming off the bye and judging by theirperformance in the first quarter had decided to putthe queue in the rack and begin exam preparations.Six goals to nil and the Blacks never gave them a sniff.Blacks’ form over the past month had been sound asthey had been getting close to better teams withoutmanaging a victory. Jonathon Bunge snagged sevenfor the victors whilst Cameron Turner and HarrisonMcKenna were everywhere. Daniel Zambon and SamDalton tried to rally the Blues boys in the second halfbut they were never going to bridge the gap.Beaumaris kept their form strong going into the finalswith a solid win over Old Scotch. They got out to athree goal lead early in the match and were able tohold of a defiant Scotch. In a high scoring affair Fitzroydefeated Old Melburnians by 35 points. SebastianKremmerer finished off his season in spectacularfashion booting 9 goals and winning the PremierUnder 19 goal kicking with 62 majors. Toby Hudson-Bevege was magnificent for the Lions and managedto cap off his best on ground effort with 4 goals.This week: On Sunday at Sandringham the two VAFApowerhouse clubs meet to decide who will go straightinto the grand final. After the success of last year, DeLa Salle has performed above expectations and goneabout their work in a professional manner. The Xavshave always thought they were a better combinationthan last year. This is going to be a beauty but I’mgoing to swing the red and black way only becausethe bye hasn’t been kind to clubs this year.The first semi pits seaside rivals in St Bede’s MentoneTigers and Beaumaris against each other. I have beenvery buoyant about Beaumaris all year and after adisappointing loss to the Xavs last week, they will goin as favourites. Beauy for me.Todd BeamesTIME TO TAKE THEDANCE FLOORSECTION 2A dead rubber between finals contenders OldEssendon and Marcellin brought about match of theround, with the Dons securing a hard-fought, eightpointwin. Trailing by 24 points at three quarter time,Marcellin fought back through Matthew Molloy andAlex-Sean Ioannidis, but to no avail. James Shinglerand Jackson Marr were among the Dons’ best.Wooden spooners Old Ivanhoe won their secondmatch on the trot, getting over the Northern Bullantsby three goals. Bullants ruckman Nathan Parkesstarred, while Jay Phelan and Todd Beames wereagain solid contributors.Five goals apiece to Sam Stacker and OscarFairweather led minor premiers Old Trinity to amassive 123 point win over Old Camberwell. Trinityheld the ‘Wellers to just one behind in the first half,with Edward Weatherson dominant. Stuart Quinnfought valiantly in defeat for the disappointing OldCamberwell outfit.Ajax had no solution for Collegian’s riddle – BillyRiddle, who booted seven majors and led his side to athumping 18-goal win. The Lions piled on nine goalsto one in the opening stanza, with Chris Jesavelukand Toby Goodman dominant. Ajax ‘superboot’Richie Simon split the sticks four times from limitedopportunities, topping off a wonderful season infront of goal.SECTION 3A look at the week ahead…Semi Final 1 (3v4) St Kevins vsCaulfield GrammariansCaulfield and St Kevins have had different seasons.Caulfield began the season with a bang, winningtheir first nine games and moving into the mergeddivision undefeated. They were the early premiershipcontenders before a mid season slump saw themlose five of their next seven. St Kevins booked theirspot in the finals with a seven game winning streakthroughout the middle of the season.Caulfield and St Kevins have squared off twice thisyear, with each side taking a victory. The first gamewas way back in round 7 when an undefeatedCaulfield were too strong to win by 22 points. In theirsecond encounter for the season, St Kevins showedthey were much improved from earlier on, winningby 36 points.Players to watch: Dan Campbell and Julian Staffieri(St Kevins) Tim Nixon, Will Osborn and Tyson50 THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2011SPORTS INJURY CASUALTY - OPEN 1-7 SATURDAY