Big-name recruits, off-field controversies dominate local footy in 2019
From big-name recruits to a junior football club’s “staggering” deceit, there was plenty of big news in suburban Melbourne football this season. Check out the top stories of 2019.
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There was no shortage of interest in suburban football in 2019.
From the Western Region to the Mornington Peninsula, from big-name pre-season recruits in March to the AFL Draft in November, there was big news breaking throughout the season.
Tom Bell’s decision to sign for Northern Football League club Greensborough was by far the biggest story of the year, read by more than 70,000 people.
The top 10 stories were viewed by almost 500,000 people and included junior football controversy, a father-son gun at Collingwood and a life ban at the tribunal.
Western Bulldogs premiership hero Tom Boyd continued to be a lightning rod for interest even after retiring and returning to his junior club, Norwood.
Boyd’s decision to join VAFA club St Kevin’s was the fifth biggest story of 2019, just ahead of his debut for the Norsemen in June. He was also the centre of the 21st and 37th stories.
Recruiting was by far the most popular category with 30 of the top 100 stories, while AFL Draft news and on and off-field controversies also reached double figures.
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Tim Michell, Diamond Valley Leader, March 6
Former Carlton and Brisbane midfielder Tom Bell caused quite the stir in the Northern Football League when he signed with Greensborough. Find out why he chose the Borough.
2. JUNIOR FOOTY TEAM KICKED OUT OF FINALS FOR “STAGGERING” DECEIT
Paul Amy, Mordialloc Chelsea Leader, September 3
A Mordialloc under-13 team was stripped of match points and missed finals for an action so unbelievable an official said he didn’t know “how the club would expect to get away with it”.
3. CLUB TO APPEAL BAN FOR BROKEN NECK BUMP
Toby Prime, Knox Leader, May 1
An Eastern Football League club, whose player suffered a broken neck in a horror bump, appealed the six-week ban handed out to the opposition player.
4. COULD YOUNG DAICOS BE AS GOOD AS FAMOUS FATHER?
Toby Prime, Monash Leader, October 20
There could be another father-son gun in the pipeline for Collingwood with 16-year-old Nick Daicos included in the Vic Metro AFL Academy hub.
5. “BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED”: BOYD’S VAFA BACKFLIP
Toby Prime, Maroodah Leader, November 12
Tom Boyd’s move from the Eastern Football League to the VAFA left one club “bitterly disappointed” it missed out on the signature of the Western Bulldogs premiership player.
6. TOM BUOYED BY RETURN TO LOCAL FOOTY
Toby Prime, Knox Leader, June 30
After announcing his AFL retirement in June, Western Bulldogs premiership hero Tom Boyd kicked two goals in his return to his junior Eastern Football League club.
7. MARTIN CONTINUES REMARKABLE RUN OF BEST-AND-FAIRESTS
Paul Amy, Greater Dandenong Leader, September 27
Noble Park champion and former Collingwood midfielder Kyle Martin claimed the Bulls’ best-and-fairest for the fifth year on the bounce and the seventh time overall.
8. LOCAL FOOTY PLAYER OUT FOR LIFE AFTER COWARD PUNCH BAN
Ben Higgins, Whittlesea Leader, August 21
A Mernda footballer copped a 12-week suspension from the Northern Football League tribunal, triggering a life ban, after a coward punch in the final game of the season.
9. REVEALED: DEER PARK SALARY CAP INVESTIGATION FINDINGS
Luke D’Anello, Maribrynong Leader, August 15
A 10-month investigation into Western Region Football League club Deer Park’s salary cap saw the club face a string of charges.
10. PRIZED RECRUIT JUMPS SHIP MID SEASON
Paul Amy, Port Phillip Leader, June 28
Billy Hartung’s arrival at VAFA club St Bedes Mentone was met with much fanfare but after only seven games the former AFL winger jumped ship to the Southern Football League.
😬| DID THIS CROSS THE LINE?
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) September 15, 2019
It's the dramatic moment which decided a @footyefl grand final today.
Story via @T_Prime2: https://t.co/TVlSoYfKMn pic.twitter.com/Yp75fE2ZkT
11. VETERAN AFL UMPIRE BACKS INCH-PERFECT CALL
Toby Prime, Whitehorse Leader, September 15
The Eastern Football League Division 2 grand final between Mitcham and Ringwood will go down in local footy folklore after a controversial finish after the final siren.
12. REVEALED: THE A-Z OF AFL DRAFT HOPEFULS
Paul Amy and Luke D’Anello, Leader, November 25
From Mohammed Abou-Eid to Sam Zevenboom, more than 800 hopefuls from around the country put their name forward for the AFL national draft.
13. SON OF EX-AFL DEFENDER FIRES FOR WESTERN JETS
Luke D’Anello, Maribrynong Leader, August 5
Archi Manton – son of Carlton cult hero Glenn – starred for NAB League outfit Western Jets this season and his five-goal haul against Oakleigh Chargers earned him plenty of plaudits.
14. BRENDAN FEVOLA STARS FOR HASTINGS
Simon McEvoy, Frankston Standard Leader, April 22
Two-time Coleman Medallist Brendan Fevola put on quite a show in his debut for Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League club Hastings, but his goalkicking radar was way off.
15. JACANA FORFEITS SENIOR, RESERVES FIXTURES
Luke D’Anello, Hume Leader, May 10
The writing was on the wall when Jacana pulled out of its Essendon District Football League Division 2 seniors and reserves fixtures against Northern Saints.
16. EDFL CLUB SET TO PULL PLUG ON SEASON
Ben Higgins, Hume Leader, May 24
A player exodus and financial issues forced Jacana to finally cancel the rest of its season in the Essendon District Football League’s Division 2 but the club will return for 2020.
17. GIOBBI GETS TWO WEEKS FOR HIT ON SOUTH CROYDON STAR
Toby Prime, Knox Leader, September 3
Rowville midfielder Ben Giobbi was slapped with a two-week ban for a late hit on South Croydon’s Matt Jones that knocked the star midfielder unconscious.
18. ASSOCIATION BOSS DEFENDS “AMATEUR” STATUS OF VAFA
Paul Amy and Toby Prime, Leader, November 14
A wave of former AFL players joining VAFA clubs forced the league to defend its amateur status amid rivals questioning how players were being lured without match payments.
19. MYERS TO GIVE NFL DEFENDERS NIGHTMARES
Ben Higgins, Northcote Leader, November 10
Northern Football League Division 1 club Northcote Park secured one of the recruits of the off-season when former Essendon star David Myers signed on for 2020.
20. COBURG SECURES TIGERS PREMIERSHIP STAR FOR 2020
Ben Higgins, Moreland Leader, November 1
VFL strugglers Coburg kicked off a strong off-season recruiting campaign with Richmond VFL premiership star Jacob Ballard.