VAFA: Old Xaverians sign former Melbourne powerhouse Aaron vandenBerg
An AFL Demon and VFL Blue are two top signings for Old Xavs for the 2022 VAFA Premier section season.
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Old Xaverians has one of the best midfields in amateur football.
Today it got stronger when the VAFA Premier power confirmed it had secured former Melbourne favourite Aaron vandenBerg.
VandenBerg, talented and wholehearted but often on the injured list during his AFL career, retired after his club’s premiership.
He played four games this year and finished with 47 after making his debut in Round 1 of 2015.
He had been drafted as a rookie.
“Vanders has made a significant contribution over his seven years at the club. His ability to set standards on and off the field has been significant in our growth over this period,” Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb told the club website.
“I know our supporters loved the brutal way that Vanders played the game. His performances in some big games for the club, including the 2018 AFL finals series will be long remembered.
“We wish Vanders all the best for whatever comes next.”
Next is the VAFA and Old Xaverians as he decides to focus on his career rather than chase a second AFL club.
In another recruiting coup for Xavs, 200cm Ed Delany has joined the club after being on the Carlton VFL list this year.
Delany attended Xavier College, had a stint with the Greater Western Victoria Rebels and received the first Bond University Riewoldt family AFL Excellence Scholarship.
He played five games for the VFL Blues this year.
Delany will be a ruck option for Old Xaverians given the departure of former St Kilda big man Jason Holmes, who has returned to the US.
Captain Marcus Stavrou took Xavs’ best and fairest, an award to go with his Woodrow Medal in VAFA Premier.
Stavrou won from former AFL player Dan Robinson and Hayden Troiani.
Defender Jack Whitehead was best first-year player.
Coach James Byrne has been reappointed senior coach, and Michael Darvell joins Matt Firman and Marcus Baldwin as assistant coaches.
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