The key to VAFA Big V success against Bendigo

A Big V star said it was some of the most fun he’s had on the footy field in some time as the VAFA claimed an extra time thriller against Bendigo. Here’s how it played out and 10 players who impressed.

Luke Mahoney addresses the VAFA Big V team.

It was an all-time classic and it was the VAFA’s Big V side who prevailed.

The Premier B-Division 3 team claimed a 10-point win in extra time over the Bendigo Football Netball League on Sunday afternoon, in a game which will long live in the memory.

Immediately in the post-match presentation Bendigo coach Simon Rosa declared he “hopes it continues” and it was the perfect way to sum up the contest.

With a strong breeze at their back, the VAFA kicked 7.3 to 3.1 in the opening quarter with the last four goals of the term coming in just six minutes.

But after the first break, it felt like Bendigo controlled most of the contest gradually eating into the visitors’ lead taking the lead for the first time late in the third.

The last quarter was largely spent in Bendigo’s forward half of Queen Elizabeth Oval but they weren’t able to kick clear.

Big V skipper Callum Linehan laid a desperate tackle which put Michael Hartley off as he sprayed it wide with around five minutes to play. The Big V eventually scored the point it needed to send the game to extra time.

Bailey Payze, out of Old Peninsula, gave the VAFA the lead in extra time against the wind with a classy finish. Running towards the boundary on the wrong side, he cleverly dribbled the ball home.

Both sides traded several points before James Allen kicked the seal in the second allotment of extra time.

Jordan Busuttil won best on ground for the VAFA and summed it up perfectly.

“I haven’t enjoyed my footy that much in a very long time,” he said.

“The expectation was for it to be that really high level footy but I didn’t expect it to be that fast and good.”

South Bendigo's interleague representatives. Photo: Facebook.

HERE’S WHO IMPRESSED

Jordan Busuttil, VAFA

He’s on a VFL list for a reason and you’d expect him to be back in the state league next weekend. The Williamstown CYMS best-and-fairest was brilliant from the first bounce and was able to break open the game with his skills by foot. When the rain came in the second half, he was the cleanest player on the ground. Kicked a goal to cap off his performance.

Callum Crisp, Bendigo

Did most of the ruck duties for his side against the dual threat the VAFA presented in Boston Dowling and Jack Sheridan. Often sat a kick behind the play but worked well with his midfield.

Michael Hartley, Bendigo

Was the man to get his side going when they looked in a spot of bother at quarter-time. Battled well with Linehan all day. Didn’t need much of it up the ground to have an impact as he consistently made the right decisions.

Darcy Lowrie, VAFA
His direct opponent, Fergus Greene, finished with a couple but the Fitzroy gun was brilliant in defence. Was aggressive with his positioning and it allowed him to come off and support teammates.

Cobi Maxted, Bendigo

While Greene and Hartley might have been the big names up forward, Maxted had arguably the greatest presence. Consistently crashed packs and read the ball well. Finished with three goals. He’s a star.

Michael Nicholls, VAFA

Spent most of the afternoon across half-forward and brought the same goalkicking ability he has shown for Old Geelong at club level this season. Worked hard up and down the ground and eventually finished with three goals. None was more important was his brilliant set shot against the wind in the last.

Bailey Payze, VAFA

On another day could have easily had a handful. Usually started as a deep forward but his work rate saw him link up between the arcs often. Old Peninsula hope he brings this sort of stuff to the finals.

Lachlan Tardew, Bendigo

Was best afield for his side and was one of the leading midfielders on the ground. The Bendigo skipper found plenty of the footy and was able to get speed on the game.

Zachary Vescovi, Bendigo

Took a brilliant intercept early and it set to the tone for his performance. A tough as nails defender who thrived in a contested game of footy. Kicking skills were a feature out of defence.

Riley Virtue, VAFA

Toiled away in the middle all day and was often in and under packs. Provided nice clean hands in tight and showed why he’s a star for Beaumaris.

The key to VAFA Big V success against Bendigo

VAFA Big V Premier B-Division 3 coach Luke Mahoney had a clear goal in mind when it came to picking his side.

With over 50 senior teams worth of players to trawl through, Mahoney was determined to bring together a side which had “great balance”.

Now that team will be looking to make in two wins in as many years against the Bendigo Football Netball League when it travels to central Victoria on Sunday.

“We wanted flexibility,” Mahoney said.

“We wanted to be able to flip the players around because we know there are going to be moments where guys are going to have to switch positions.

“There’s some pretty exciting midfielders and rucks in particular from Premier B who are going to be good to watch but everyone has earned their way into this side for a reason.”

Old Trinity big man Boston Dowling looks set to play a big role in the ruck for the Big V while Williamstown CYMS gun Will Bokma is one of the leading figures in the midfield brigade.

“This is a great opportunity for the guys to represent the VAFA in what is a 100th year celebration,” Mahoney said.

“It’s a super challenge against a Bendigo team which has a lot of their big guns in.”

Sunday’s game will start at 2pm at the Queen Elizabeth Oval with the under-19s to kick start the day at 11.30am.

Inside Marcellin’s big response

Bernie Dineen is honest about where his side is at.

Marcellin picked up its third win of the season on Saturday — a 47-point victory over Parkside — which sees a trio of sides all locked a 3-9 heading into the VAFA double bye.

The Eagles are now eighth on the ladder and outside of the Premier C relegation zone on percentage.

“We really set ourselves for this one,” he said.

“In the context of the relegation battle and the season, it’s nice to go into the break with some winning momentum. We had games earlier in the season we had statistically dominated but didn’t put it on the scoreboard and then the next few weeks we had a real flat spot.

“We made a concerted effort to get the boys up for it and they delivered.”

It’s a cliche but Dineen described the weekend as an “old school team performance”.

The post-match review gave it away.

“Every week we put the names in the middle of the whiteboard. If you stay in the middle, we as a coaching group think you’ve broken even. If you go right, you’ve probably won your contest, go the other way and you’ve probably been beaten,” he said.

“A week ago we had only about five guys who had only broken even, all 22 were in the middle or better on the weekend.”

Marcellin coach Bernie Dineen. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The highly respected Shaun Tyquin was best afield for Marcellin as he got back to his peak form according to Dineen.

“He’d been in reasonable form then had a couple of quieter weeks,” he said.

“We had a chat on Thursday night and then again on Saturday morning about simplifying his game and not overthinking it. We saw him at his best on the weekend.

“He always work hard defensively and his tackle pressure was at another level.”

Marcellin also unveiled youngster Joshua Kol, who booted two goals, and Dineen was pleased with his performance.

“We’ll see more of him hopefully. He’s just finished school footy and made a really nice start,” he said.

“Tom Dennis had some nice moments on a wing and James McArdle was solid as well. Josh Daniel rucked for probably 25 per cent of the game and took some really big marks especially when we were going against the wind.

“Aidan Prato put in a solid performance after we put it on him.”

Dineen also highlighted the performance of Matthew Perazzola, a new face at the club this season.

“He’s got a few mates at the club and came down about Round 2,” he said.

“He’s a lively type and managed to kick a couple which was great to see.”

NEW LADDER LEADER EMERGES

The Premier Men’s competition has a new ladder leader in Old Xaverians after the weekend’s results. St Kevin’s got the better of Old Brighton by 27 points led by a best afield performance from Cameron Hodges to leave the Tonners vulnerable. Dan Donati’s Xavs side took full advantage with a big win over St Bernard’s. In his first senior game of the season, Julian Gangi had an impressive influence with three goals. Marcus Stavrou put together a huge performance with 35 disposals.

BAZZANI FIRES IN BIG COLLEGIANS WIN

Jim Bazzani was at the forefront of Collegians’ monster win in the context of the relegation battle. The star midfielder finished with 34 disposals, 18 clearances and 157 Premier Data ranking points in the 12-point win over reigning premier Old Scotch. Josh Walker (28 disposals) and Ben Van Twest (27) were among the other major ball winners.

CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS JUMP INTO THE FOUR

Caulfield Grammarians is now into the Premier B top-four and it came on the back of some big performances in the win over Old Geelong. Josh Hutchings was the highest rated player on the winning side with 161 ranking points after finishing with 23 disposals and 15 tackles. Sam McInerney was his side’s biggest ball winner with 35. Old Geelong gun Jack Sheridan put together a massive performance including 19 disposals and 12 tackles.