Victorian Amateur Football Association: Big White V takes care of Adelaide Footy League in rep clash

After a loss on home soil two years ago, the Big White V gained a measure of revenge from the Adelaide Footy League with a thumping 50-point demolition of the Croweaters in Adelaide on Saturday.

Josh Freezer in action for the VAFA against the Adelaide Footy League on Saturday. Picture: Dean Martin

After a loss on home soil two years ago, the Big White V gained a measure of revenge from the Adelaide Footy League with a thumping 50-point demolition of the Croweaters in Adelaide on Saturday.

On the back of 13 individual goal kickers and with state pride on the line, the VAFA rep team played perfect football on the wide open spaces of the Thebarton Oval and came home with a commanding 20.20 (140) to 14.6 (90) win.

Big V coach Stuart Powell was pleased as punch after the win and paid credit to the team as a whole.

“It was a great day and everybody came together well today,” he said.

“We went into the contest with a well-balanced side and we wanted a team that could compete in tight when required and then play a wider outside game when that was required as well.

“Everyone needed to be switched on as the South Australians had a strong group of players that had played a lot of SANFL football and were very experienced.”

With regular weekly foes becoming friend for a day, the Vics had winners all over the ground and former Melbourne and Fremantle AFL player Viv Mitchie (Collegians) was voted best afield.

Josh Freezer (Old Melburnians) received the Spirit of the Big V award.

An excited Powell was challenged to come up with a list of his best players.

“It was a real team effort,” he said. “We had a lot more run in the game than SA and we kicked away when the game opened up in the second half and, really, we had winners on every line.

“Viv Mitchie was terrific, Tom Paule (Old Melburnians), Anthony Scott (Old Trinity), Antony Forato (De La Salle), Courtney Hylton (Collegians) and Josh Freezer (Old Melburnians) were also very good players for us.”

VAFA’s Corey Cassidy marks against Aaron Stewart and Tristan Carcuro. Picture: Dean Martin

With captain George Burbury (Collegians) and SKOBs forward Billy Kanakis both bagging three goals, and a couple each from Mitchie, Al Armstrong (Old Melburnians) and Lachy Dornauf (Uni Blacks) thrown in, the Ammos boasted a nice spread of goalkickers.

“Everybody did their bit whether they were forward, back or on the ball, the whole team came together nicely,” Powell said.

WOMEN’S MATCH: Vics dominate in Adelaide

The VAFA women again came up trumps in representative football, scoring a 37-point win over the Adelaide Footy League at Thebarton Oval on Saturday.

After having 19 scoring shots to two, and being in total control of the game, a lopsided scoreline of 6.13 (49) to 2.0 (12) underlined the Vics’ dominance.

Coach John Kanis could not have been happier with the performance of his charges.

“They did everything I asked of them and really I am very happy with all the girls,” he said. “We used the old Victoria style of keeping the contest tight and hard and we didn’t let them run at all.

“We focused on tackle pressure and we got the game played on our terms.

“All 22 players did something at some stage and all the girls earned their spot in the side.”

Sarah Cameron (St Kevin’s) kicked three goals while Ruby Grounds (Melb Uni), Taylor Padfield (Marcellin) and Dani Calautti (Kew) dominated the wide open spaces.

And Kanis hinted at a great opportunity that may be looming for the Ammos’ best women.

“I believe there is a possibility to take the girls over to Ireland next year just like the VAFA men’s team,” he said. “We just have to wait and see, but it’s on the cards.”

Victorious once again