All the talking points from the VAFA action
Premierships were won, promotion was earned and heroes were made as the VAFA’s finals series ramped up on the weekend. See how the coaches reacted and how it played out.
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It was a massive weekend of VAFA action with grand finals and preliminary finals played.
Here’s how full wrap.
PREMIER FINALS
Second semi-final: Old Brighton 10.7 (67) defeated St Kevins 8.13 (61)
It came down to the wire but Sam Flockart’s snap (see it below) was the match winning moment as Old Brighton pulled a rabbit out of the hat late against St Kevin’s to book their place in the grand final.
Old Brighton coach Marcel Bruin’s reaction
“We needed every second of the 120 minutes to log that final score to get us ahead just before the siren. We started really impressively, scoring early against the breeze but Skevs mids owned stoppages and their group owned territory up until half time, we found it difficult to score or keep control of the ball.
“We were able to break even at contest in the second half (needed a massive lift here) and shift the ball with more thought and purpose which helped generate some scoring opportunities. Was a monstrous third quarter from our boys into the breeze, their workrate and effort to compete made a big difference.
“Skevs are so good defensively, they set up so well behind the footy, we couldn’t get great looks inside forward 50. Spent a lot of time in between arcs and stoppage, pretty brutal and physical game. Ben Pryor kicked an incredible goal from the boundary to level scores and then somehow Sam Flockart burst out of a stoppage on to a loose ball inside forward 50 to put us ahead.
“A lot of incredible contributors, Sam Flockart worked tirelessly in the ruck against a gun ruckman in Billy Coates, Fraser Gregson, Jordy Segar, Nic Pavlou and Luca Macnab were super.”
First semi-final: Old Scotch 12.14 (86) defeated Collegians 6.6 (42)
A dominant last quarter was enough for Old Scotch to progress to the preliminary final after getting the better of reigning premier Collegians. Angus Symons starred in front of goal with three for the Cardinals with Charlie Cormack and Jack Brown also impressive.
Old Scotch coach Mark Gnatt’s reaction
“Our work rate in the first quarter was outstanding in holding them to no goals. From a coaching perspective point of view, it was important to recognise the conditions we were being faced with and how to handle those.
‘When we had the wind, we wanted to open up the corridor. You’re always assessing the risk against the reward and what it looks like. Once we got our game going, we were able to put it on the scoreboard.”
PREMIER B PRELIMINARY FINAL
De La Salle 9.12 (66) defeated Old Trinity 7.17 (59)
In a thriller at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, De La Salle booked its place in the top grade and Premier B grand final courtesy of a seven-point win. De La led at every break and eventually held on with Jacob Williams, Hugh Nicholson, Sean Fisher, Thomas Filipovic, Ryan O’Meara and Christian Algeri named among their better players.
De La Salle coach Nick Hyland’s reaction
“It’s been an emotional 24 hours for the footy club. The game was combative and hard fought for four quarters, it was a game of real momentum and who could capitalise on their chances. I thought they controlled the first 12 to 15 minutes of the last quarter and for the next 10 we were able to find some space, our skill execution let us down a couple of times but we were able to clean it up.
“Jake Williams kicked two clutch goals and they were critical in getting us over the line. I couldn’t have been more proud of how our players handled the situation in the last quarter especially after the amount of running they had done. We feel like we’re the fittest team in the competition and our results in last quarters have reflected it.
“Earning promotion is great recognition and reward for the work everyone around our club has put in throughout the year.”
PREMIER C PRELIMINARY FINAL
Hampton Rovers 11.10 (76) defeated Parkdale Vultures 10.9 (69)
In a seesawing contest, the Rovers kicked away to a six-goal to one lead with the win in the opening quarter before the Vultures worked their way back into the contest in the second. The third term was a struggle with both sides struggling for ascendancy as the Rovers kicked 1.5. Parkdale had most of the play early in the last but couldn’t put the territory dominance on the scoreboard. Eventually the rovers kicked two in a row and all but put the game beyond doubt.
Hampton Rovers coach Marty Pask’s reaction
“It was a real final, a real contest all day. Parkdale are a very talented team with a lot of talented players, we knew we had to be good at certain things if we were going to win the game.
“I was pleased we got off to a good start with the wind because in the first final against Old Carey we got jumped. I thought we were really brave with our ball movement throughout the game, especially by hand into the win. Our backline held up all day. Max Van der Straaten, Joel Melnjak, Hugo Lay, just to name a few. Our midfield applied a lot of pressure, it was an event team performance.
“We’ve ticked the first box of getting promoted but ultimately there is a premiership there to be won now.”
DIVISION 1 GRAND FINAL
Prahran 5.6 (36) defeated Parkside 2.10 (22)
In wet and wild conditions at Martin Reserve, it was minor premier Prahran who came away with the Division 1 premiership. Prahran led by 16 points at halftime before the two sides kicked just three goals between them in the second half.
Best on ground: Shaun Chapman, Prahran
Prahran coach Craige Milward’s reaction
“Being back in the Premier divisions is where we want to be. I probably didn’t realise how important it was to the footy club until I spoke to a few people around the place on Saturday night. Off the field, the club is run like a Premier division club and the facilities warrant us playing that level of footy. It gives us a better opportunity to bring recruits in.
“Despite the conditions we faced, we just had to keep playing our game and both side really brought it at the contest. We had only averaged 41 points against for the season and we were confident the defensive side of our game would hold up. We were able to get the footy on the outside and it gave us some opportunities to score.
“Shaun Chapman was huge for us. For his first goal he bollocked his way through the pack. He was brutal all day. He’s about 6’4” and is usually a key forward. But we’ve played him as the old school ruck rover sometimes as well. Not many opposition have a defender who is big and as mobile as Shaun.”
DIVISION 2 GRAND FINAL
Elsternwick 4.17 (41) defeated Brunswick 3.10 (28)
After a tight first half with Elsternwick leading by a goal at the main break, the Wickers broke the game open in the third quarter with 1.8 and could have been out of sight if not for inaccuracy in wild conditions.
Best on ground: Blake Pantas, Elsternwick
Elsternwick coach Peter Higginbotham’s reaction
“I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished a premiership is extremely hard to win but back to back very special. It’s history making, it’s the first time in the club’s 118 year history that we’ve won back-to-back flags. Also it’s been 38 years since the club has been in Division 1.
“With Brunswick’s bigger stronger midfield and key players we knew that pressure would be key. Our focus was to take away their time and space. The players executed it perfectly, I’m very proud of them.
“Blake Pantas was given the best on ground which was extremely deserved, he was so clean around the contest.”
DIVISION 3 PRELIMINARY FINAL
Canterbury 8.8 (56) defeated North Brunswick 4.6 (30)
Both sides were greeted with wild conditions at Martin Reserve, Hadfield. Canterbury looked in control late in the third before a couple of late goals to the Bulls set up a grandstand finish. Eventually the Cobras regained their composure and came away with a place in the grand final.
Canterbury coach Josh Ward’s reaction
“It’s been challenging to reach a grand final having come from fourth but it’s extremely satisfying to be there. It’s three years in the making for the club who were in a difficult position when a large part of this core group came together about three years ago.
“The weather meant we had to change our plan a bit. Mitch Szabo was sensational. Usually a good defender, we brought him up the ground to try and nullify the spare North Brunswick likes to have around the footy. He was the difference in the end, with his ability to get on the lead and keep the ball moving forward quickly.
“We’ve got some guys who should be right in the mix to come back this week. Mark Collins will be a test on Thursday, he’s been in the top-three in our best and fairest the last couple of years. Nick Szabo is back from injury and he’s one of the best players in the competition.”
Why hotly debated VAFA finish was correct
The VAFA has backed in one of its umpires, described as having “balls of steel”, for paying a free kick and 50m penalty after the siren in a tight grand final. See the vision here.
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