Northvale Junior Football Club to fold: Former AFL legend Warwick Capper pays tribute

A JUNIOR footy club that nurtured the likes of Warwick Capper, Barry Mitchell, Heath Black and Ashley Hansen has been forced into early retirement after almost 50 years.

A MULGRAVE junior footy club that nurtured the likes of AFL legends Warwick Capper, Barry Mitchell, Heath Black and Ashley Hansen has been forced into early retirement after almost 50 years.

Northvale Junior Football Club, based at Wellington Reserve, was formed in 1970 but this season will be the last time its red and white outfit will be seen in the South Metro Junior Football League.

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Ever-decreasing numbers of players in recent years has finally taken its toll on the Swans, who had to call on a dozen players from Glen Waverley Hawks to fill the second team it needed to field to compete in the league this year.

Club president Gerard De Filippis said it was “very sad” for not only the club, but the whole community.

Warwick Capper marks over Chris Langford during the 1987 Hawthorn v Sydney Swans game at VFL Park.

Sydney Swans footballer Barry Mitchell circa 1988.

Capper, who played for Northvale as a 16-year-old, said he was sad to hear the club was closing and remembered it had a strong following.

“It was good times playing over the road from the ground where I took mark of the century at Waverley,” he said.

“I was only there one year I played ruck/full forward, won the best and fairest, league best and fairest.

“Next year I went to Sydney and the rest is history, it was Capper-mania.”

Local Northvale junior footballers (L-R) Fabian Di Domenico, Jaime Battaglia, Joshua King, Nikolas Kosavic, Nathan Cypriotis, Tyson Smith, Beau Chambers and James Dr Filippis. Picture: AAP/James Ross.

He said he kicked about 70 goals in his one season at Northvale.

“Good club, good blokes; we made the finals, I think top four, we didn’t win the premiership though.”

Capper said Northvale should have had more support from the AFL.

“It’s bad when clubs go under. It’s expensive to run and it’s not easy.

“The AFL should have given them some money. They should do more for the grassroots.”

Mr De Filippis said a diversifying demographic in the area was reflected at the club, most notably when one team had players from 14 different nationalities five years ago.

An ageing population, the growth of the popularity of soccer and the shutting down of the club’s Auskick program all contributed to the Swans’ demise.

The club’s final home games will be on Sunday, August 5, with the under 14 team playing at 10am, followed by the under 17s at 11.30am, with past players, coaches and the community invited for the farewell.

The South Metro Junior Football League did not respond for comment.