VAFA: Stephen Anderson celebrates game 500, ladders take shape

A Hampton Rovers club favourite had a milestone moment in his 500th game while the VAFA’s stars turned up the heat in the finals race. Here’s everything you need to know from the weekend.

Josh Cowan in action. Photo: Andrew Batsch

There was a full slate of VAFA action on the weekend as the Premier divisions returned to the field.

Here is what we learned from the weekend.

OLD SCOTCH MAINTAINS THE GAP

The race for the Premier Men’s finals heated up on Saturday as the competition returned. Old Scotch maintained its one-game advantage in the top-four after overcoming a plucky St Bernard’s at Camberwell Sportsground. Ryan Valentine returned for his first game for the Cardinals since mid-June and turned in a best on ground display after time with Casey in the VFL. He was among the better players as captain Andy Jelbart was named the best player on the ground.

TWISTS IN PREMIER B FINALS RACE

The twists and turns of the Premier B season continued in the competition’s return as Saturday as gaps started to open in the ladder. Old Trinity and Old Geelong’s wins over Old Ivanhoe and Old Camberwell respectively saw a one-game gap open up between the losers and the top-four. Old Haileybury is going to take some stopping in the race for the top-two currently holding a two-game advantage after avoiding one of the upsets of the season against last placed St Bede’s-Mentone.

A MONSTER RETURN FOR PREMIER C

Ajax stormed clear at the top of the ladder after overcoming Parkdale Vultures by 19 points. Justin Vogel was among the best after he continued his impressive season of senior footy after he played half of 2023 in the club’s thirds side. Jake Wrobel and Brandon Efron were also best for Ajax.

Hampton Rovers was able to do its hopes of the double chance wonders after a 47-point statement win over previous ladder leader Old Carey. The two sides are now only separated by percentage. Rising star Will Crawford was best afield for Marty Pask’s side with Max Coughlin, Christian Carnovale and Lachlan Cairns also named in the best.

DON’T DISCOUNT MAZENOD

Mazenod’s 50-point win over PEGS might be looked back on the moment its finals campaign kickstarted. Led by Jarryd Raffa, who was best afield, the Nodders stormed to within one-game and percentage of the top-four. Andrew Kovac enjoyed a strong showing in front of goal with three goals. Jack Sullivan and Nick Peck were also strong performers.

ALARM BELLS FOR UHS-VU?

The break hasn’t been helpful for USH-VU’s form as they dropped to their fourth defeat in five games after going down to ladder leader Prahran. The Vultures have now dropped to third on the ladder and are behind Ormond on percentage in the race for the double chance. They’ll start as favourites against Old Yarra Cobras this weekend before a crunch clash against the Monders in a fortnight’s time.

ELSTERNWICK NEED A BOUNCE BACK

After back-to-back losses, Elsternwick has now slipped out of the Division 2 top-two. It has largely been a result of South Melbourne Districts hot form, as they now lead the race for the double chance. Elsternwick fell to fellow finals contender Whitefriars on the back of a best on ground performance from Jordan Knox. Christian Feher, who missed all of last season, was a key contributor with three goals.

Stephen Anderson was chaired off by his sons after the game.

MILESTONE MOMENT FOR ROVERS FAVOURITE

A shoutout to Stephen Anderson from Hampton Rovers who celebrated his 500th game. Playing for the club’s thirds team, Anderson managed to get two goals on the board in his side’s loss to De La Salle. More than 350 of the games played in his career have come in the VAFA. To make the moment more special, he was chaired off by his sons Ollie and Nick.

ST JOHN’S STATEMENT

We expected St John’s to be right in the contest against North Brunswick but no one expected that type of statement. They ran out 62-point winners to end the Bulls’ unbeaten run which stretched back to the start of the 2023 season. Clayton Emery, Jayden Rudd, Michael Ashman, Austin Waters, Jon Grima and Damon McCormack were all named in the better players for their side.

CAULFIELD TURNS FINALS RACE ON ITS HEAD

Caulfield Grammarians returned to action with a 20-point win over Collegians to close the gap on the Lions to just half-a-game in the race for the top-four. Serena Kuo produced her best game of the season with three goals to lead Caulfield while India Lehman, Georgia Foran, Charlie Anderson, Alannah Fyfe and Rosie Finster also impressed.