All the biggest talking points from the weekend’s VAFA action

A St Bernard’s favourite made a shock return, Old Xavs bolstered by two huge inclusions and the hottest talking points. It’s all in the VAFA Verdict.

Tom Sullivan is back for St Benard’s. Picture: AAP/ Chris Eastman

The VAFA’s weekend action had a lot to take in.

We’ve tried to break it all down in our newly named review, the VAFA Verdict.

WELCOME BACK

No you’re not seeing double, St Bernard’s had two Tom Sullivans on the weekend and both were named in the best. Tom Sullivan, who has played 11 games this season, was named best afield. The man who shares the same name and also impressed was two-time premiership star Tom Sullivan who played his first game of the season. The Snowdogs champion, who is a three-time club champion, slotted straight into the line-up and delivered as Steve Alessio’s side secured a crunch win over Uni Blacks to jump out of the relegation zone.

“He’s down in Port Fairy and he’s put his hand up to play the rest of the year. He’s kept himself super fit. We’re glad to have him back,” Alessio told this masthead.

It might have only been game one but he recorded 23 disposals and 128 ranking points according to Premier Data. We dug into vision and it was as if he hasn’t lost it. Super clean. What a late addition.

LET’S TALK THE OLD XAVS’ MIDFIELD

The double bye has brought about a huge double addition to the Old Xaverians’ senior side. Ex-AFL gun Dan Hannebery and club champion Denis Symeopoulos have slotted seamlessly back in. And it’s no coincidence Dan Donati’s side have won the last two and jumped into the top-four. Hannebery is making up for lost time after playing just one game last season, injured in the opener. Symeopoulos announced his retirement at the end of 2023 but has answered the call to help his side’s finals push. Hannebery had a game-high 40 touches and 15 clearances on Saturday following on from 32 and 11 in his return. Throw him in the mix with Sam Fisher and Marcus Stavrou, it’s simply huge.

RISING STAR’S SPECIAL MOMENT

Williamstown CYMS are excited about the potential of Zac Provest and you can understand why. He produced a special run down tackle and goal to salvage a goal against first place Old Haileybury in Premier B. Along with Harry Miller, Provest finished with three goals in an impressive display. Oskar Manton was a monster with 22 disposals and 10 rebound 50s for the home side. It was a result which left the CYS a game-and-half behind Caulfield Grammarians in the race to avoid relegation.

LET’S HOPE HE GETS THE VOTES

Scott Whillas is having a massive season for PEGS but his efforts on Saturday weren’t enough to get the win over Glen Eira / Old McKinnon. Premier Data tells us he had 44 touches, 17 clearances and a whopping 211 ranking points. He was named sixth best on PlayHQ. We think he’ll take maximum votes in the club’s best-and-fairest. We’re wondering how the umpires saw it.

WE’VE MISSED YOU MITCH

We had been wondering where Mitch Brown was, unsighted since round 8 but he’s been back in action the last two weeks. The Parkdale Vultures gun was a little quiet in his return against AJAX, kicking just one. He exploded against Oakleigh on Saturday with nine goals. He now has 57 goals in nine matches. Is the ton on track? He will only play one other finals bound side on the run home. With a finals campaign in line, could he reach triple figures? Just a fun fact, he’s not even currently the leading goalkicker, that’s a title which belongs to Richie Simon.

Parkdale gun Mitch Brown. Picture: Valeriu Campan

BEWARE OLD PENINSULA

The Division 1 club has laid out a bold plan for its future, what it wants in a new coach but the current situation is the Pirates are one of the hottest teams in the VAFA and are pushing for a finals place. With a thumping win over Therry Penola on the weekend, Old Peninsula climbed to fifth on the ladder, a game and percentage out of the top-four. Bailey Payze is firing, Kurt Thiele has been sensational and Jake Lovett continues to impress.

THE GREAT ESCAPE OF AQUINAS?

Let’s start by saying we’re not trying to put the mozz on Aquinas here, but they’ve been super impressive since the Division 2 bye. They’ve won two out of three and pushed ladder leader Brunswick all the way. They remain in the bottom two but are now just half-a-game behind Wattle Park who they beat on the weekend. A classic ‘eight-pointer’ awaits against last placed Bulleen Templestowe this weekend.

St Mary’s Salesian are set for a big end to the season. Photo: VAFA Media/Dennis Timm.

THE DIVISION 2 SHAPER

You’d expect St Mary’s Salesian to have all but secured its place in Division 2 next season with a month to play. But the Saints have a big role to play in the final make-up of the ladder, at either end. Their next three weeks are competition leader Brunswick, finals contender Hawthorn and relegation candidate Wattle Park. Turn the results in their favour and they will have a massive platform to build off next season.

ARE THE BULLS SEEING RED?

North Brunswick has suddenly dropped two games in a row, both to fellow finals contenders, and have lost top spot on the ladder to St Johns. It’s not panic stations just yet for the Division 3 contender but there must be a few concerns that they’re also at risk of now losing the double chance.