2025 VAFA Representative Games: Watch the senior men and women’s matches against Perth FL

It was a day of mixed results for the VAFA Big V in Saturday’s representative clashes, with one Perth side spoiling the centenary celebrations in a memorable contest. Watch the REPLAYS here.

The Perth Football League have spoiled the VAFA Centenary celebrations in a thrilling contest.

The Western Australian competition prevailed 14.14 (98) to 14.8 (92) to win a thrilling contest against the Big V men.

WATCH THE MENS REPLAY ABOVE AND THE WOMENS REPLAY BELOW

Daniel Harford’s VAFA side had the early running in the contest to lead at quarter time and the main break but the WA outfit just ate away at their opposition’s lead.

It was a high display of footy throughout which both sides can be extremely proud of.

Perth’s Connor West won the medal as best on ground following a terrific game.

Meanwhile, the VAFA Big V Women remain perfect.

Paul Groves’ side made it 6-0 for the Ammos representative team with a 6.8 (44) to 3.3 (21) win over the Perth Football League at Elsternwick Park on Saturday afternoon.

It was the perfect start to the Big V 100th centenary celebrations as a three-goal blitz at the start of the game set up the victory.

Skipper Taylah Watson was named the best player on the ground by the umpires after a dominant display in the middle of the ground.

Watson set the standard for the hosts winning plenty of footy throughout the afternoon and driving the ball forward at will.

Hannah Smith was the key target up forward with three goals including a clever snap in the second term after some fancy footwork around the contest.

Mia Cowan ensured her presence was felt with two goals including the sealer in the final term when she ran into an open goal.

Although she limped off late in the game with a rolled ankle.

Jacinta Baxter was named best by the Perth Football League and received a medal for that honour.

Chloe Colegate was judged best by the VAFA after a strong performance in defence for the West Australians.

REPLAY

Big V v Perth FL (Senior Women)

PREVIEW

Big V men’s coach Daniel Harford has a simple message ahead of this weekend’s clash with the Perth Football League.

“We are there to win games,” he declared.

The former Carlton AFLW coach has been tasked with rewriting the wrongs last year when the VAFA were beaten by their Western Australian opponents.

Both the men’s and women’s games will be streamed live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 1pm on Saturday.

“Working with the group for the last four to six weeks, you can see there is a real hunger to come together and succeed,” he said.

“When we were picking the side we went out with a mission of looking for guys who have experience, are energetic and are versatile. I think we’ve been able to put together a group who are pegs and can go into any hole.

“It’s an important year for the VAFA with their 100th anniversary of the Big V and that’s helping to create a great sense of energy.”

Harford said one of the biggest challenges had been working with the players in such a short time frame as they had to balance club commitments as well.

Former Carlton AFLW coach Daniel Harford will lead the VAFA Big V’s mens side this weekend. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“It’s always part of being involved in a representative game,” he said.

“It’s more about getting the guys to understand some of the concepts I might try introducing.

“We’ve put in work for different scenarios which we might need to land our hand to.”

With the opposition coming from the other side of the country, Harford said he had been working to get as much information together as possible.

“They’ve got some seriously good players,” he said.

“There’s a few from last year we’re aware of and other guys who have come into the squad look like elite talents.

“There’s going to be enormous challenges for both sides.”

Big V women intent on keeping undefeated run alive

VAFA Big V Women’s coach Paul Groves has a simple goal in mind heading into the weekend – keep the undefeated streak alive.

The Big V women are 5-0 in their history after narrowly holding on for last year’s win by just one-point against this weekend’s opponent, the Perth Football League.

They’ll meet again on Saturday at 1pm with the game to be live streamed on KommunityTV.

It will be a very different looking Big V side with just six players returning from last year’s side.

“With the aura of this game, being the 100th year of Big V footy, it’s been a pretty easy sell to get people on board,” Groves said.

“Unfortunately there’s challenges with some of the girls who are missing out but that’s a great thing as well because they’re so invested in what we’re trying to do.”

Coming into the game, players will have an opportunity to showcase their skills and perhaps catch the eye to earn opportunities at a higher level.

The Big V has two players with AFLW experience including Sarah Jolly from West Brunswick and Cecilia McIntosh from Glen-Eira/Old McKinnon.

VAFA Big V Women's coach Paul Groves addresses his side at the break. Picture: VAFA Media.

McIntosh, a Gryphons gun, is the only player from the Women’s Divisional grades to earn a call up.

“The best thing about Erin is I know what I’m going to get from a player of experience,” Groves said.

“There’s such diversity within our group. Players from last year have gone onto play VFLW footy which is fantastic and others have come back to community footy.

“Being back on our smaller home ground at Elsternwick Park certainly makes it interesting as well.”

Speaking on their Western Australian opponents, Groves said he was expecting a different looking team to last year.

“Sabreena McKinnon is always a player to watch out for on their side,” he said.