Well...thought we had seen it all before, but Violet Town's Craig Whelan has written himself into the record books with 34 goals against Ardmona on the weekend.
After a slow start with 4 goals in the first quarter, Whelan started getting the ball and proceeded to kick another 30. Violet Town scored 56.22 against 2.5
Barry Hall makes his return to the VCFL this weekend when he will line up for the Wang Rovers against Yarrawonga in the Oven and Murray Football League.
The incredible 35 game winning streak of the Horsham Demons is over after being beaten by contender Warrack Eagles on the weekend. Horsham are looking at 10 premierships in a row this year in the Wimmera League.
WorkSafe Victoria will host local businesses and footy fans at the WorkSafe Game of the Month between Noradjuha Quantong and Taylors Lake in the Horsham District League this Sunday as a part of the split Round 13.
AROUND THE GROUNDS
ALBERTON
- Fish Creek suffered its first defeat for the year against Korumburra Bena in a low scoring affair.
BENDIGO
- Kyneton had its first win in 31 games in the local grudge match against Castlemaine at Camp Reserve. Co-coach Nathan Thompson kicked 6 for the very happy Tigers.
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
- Bungaree jumped to the top of the ladder defeating flag
favourite Hepburn in a massive confidence booster.
BELLARINE
- Queenscliff defeated Barwon Heads by just a point in a shoot out. 17.15 to 17.14 the final score and Queenscliff still undefeated 12 and 0.
WIMMERA
- The giants have fallen.
GEELONG
- Joeys have edged to equal points with South Barwon at the top of the ladder with a great win against them. Robbo kicked 5 and state team squad member Lovick solid down back.
GOLDEN RIVERS
- Macorna has laid down the challenge by defeating top placed
Wandella.
HEATHCOTE
- North Bendigo continue their mid season charge by convincingly defeating last years' premier LBU.
MARYBOROUGH CASTLEMAINE
- Navarre had 75 scoring shots against Royal Park on the
weekend. Could've been a bigger blowout.
MPNFL
- Cranbourne roll on to 9 wins on the trot. They meet Narre Warren on the 14th about the only team that will test them in the league at the moment.
MURRAY
- Moama was victorious in the battle for the wooden spoon beating Tocumwal on the weekend.
PICOLA
- Jerilderie with an upset against the league leaders Blighty
SOUTH WEST
- Heywood got one back on league leader Westerns with a great win. Heywood looking at a premiership tilt in its first year in a new league.
HIGHEST SCORES
Violet Town, (Kyabram District Football League, Seniors - 2012) 56.22 (358)¶
Navarre, (Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League, 2012 Bendigo Bank Seniors) 44.31 (295)¶
By Jock Allan
LIKE the famous words from the classic Australian poem by John O'Brien, Ed Gannon's article on country football last Thursday would have left people thinking that football and netball is in crisis.
I would like to convey to all Victorians as a person who has witnessed "The Fevola Experiment" at Yarrawonga, just how positive it has been to the Yarrawonga-Mulwala area and the Ovens and Murray League.
Fevola has played in five home matches for Yarrawonga and has attracted 32,000 people, more than the total of the last three years' home matches.
He has played two away games, one at Myrtleford, where he drew over 3000 people. After that game, he donated his match payment to the Royal Women's Hospital.
Where else in the last 50 years has anyone been able to go and see a national TV star perform and kick 10 and 12 goals in a match and then be able to meet, have photos taken with him, then gain his autograph, all for the $10 entry charge?
In the five home and away matches, Yarrawonga has not had any security issues or alcohol-affected spectator problems.
One of the reasons is the quality of the crowds. Behaviour has been impeccable, which could be explained by the very high percentage of female attendees.
The fact that some female supporters haven't been to a match in 30 years, but have been to five home matches that Fevola has played in, surely is good for country football.
It is worth noting that AFL footballers coming to the Ovens and Murray is not new. Names like Bill Stephen, Bob Rose, Ken Fraser and Murray Weideman have thrilled country crowds, but fine weather, national TV exposure and people willing to travel great distances to see Fev play, have combined to give country footy a giant lift.
Thousands of people who volunteer and sacrifice a large part of their lives to keep country football and netball clubs running, right across Victoria, would have been appalled at Gannon's article.
Football in the country is under enough threat from live AFL pay TV, volunteer burnout and outdated facilities. He should turn his attention to getting more money out of the AFL for country football where so many stars are born.
"The Fevola Experiment" has promoted the Yarrawonga/Mulwala area all over Australia. No amount of money could have bought that type of promotion. Everyone has now heard of the Yarrawonga Pigeons.
Brendan Fevola has been a credit to himself, acting impeccably, yet we still can't get away from a journalist trying to drag him down and with it country football.
As for the suggestion that the Ovens and Murray League has become hostage to the "shenanigans' of a former AFL star, that is far from the truth.
The league has never had so much good publicity and record attendances, and is the envy of all Victorian country football leagues.
Betting is nothing new in country football, as far back as I can remember there have been flutters between mates on country football matches.
At least now it is legal. Having a punt is part of the Australian culture, just ask any of our Diggers who survived the loneliness and boredom of war, playing two up.
I would like to challenge the writer to come to the Yarrawonga/Wodonga Raiders match at Yarrawonga on June 30 to experience something that so many people in northeast Victoria have been so fortunate to witness.
In the words of Bruce McAvaney, "It's been very, very special".
John Lawless is a local businessman, civic leader and a sponsor of both the Mulwala and Yarrawonga Football/Netball clubs
By John Lawless
Article first appeared The Herald Sun, June 20, 2012
The middle of the season is right upon us now, and most clubs are moving into the second phase of their year - looking forward to consolidating a finals spot, or looking for a few new recruits!
From a VCFL perspective it is always nice to be able to name our State Team squads and be able to work with country players at the top of their game. There was great interest from recruiters on the results of the WorkSafe Country Championships, and the VCFL State squads will be keenly watched by clubs as they try to find the next Barlow, Mumford or Smith.
The two senior teams travel to Wagga Wagga for the Australian Country Championships, while the Under 19 will play a stand-alone Challenge Match against the VAFA .
You can find the squads listed here - and we will keep you updated with anyinclusions or exclusions as the boys get into training.
Have a look at the VCFL Online Newsletter for more news from the VCFL - http://admin.vcfl.com.au/index.php?id=320
Around the Grounds
BALLARAT
- First loss to Sunbury for the season against East Point on the weekend. Cements East Point into the top 4.
EAST GIPPSLAND.
- Lucknow and Stratford played out a draw on Saturday. Amazingly it is the second draw of the season for Stratford. The two top teams in the league, Wy Yung and Paynesville played each other with the final margin just 2 points to the favour of Wy Yung.
GEELONG DISTRICT
- Thomson drew with Werribbee Centrals for the first blemish on their scorecard for the year. Scores 15.9 apiece.
HAMPDEN
- Camperdown's second loss for the year against Terang Mortlake. Just a goal the difference.
KYABRAM
- Violet Town stakes its claim as early favourites after defeating top of the table and perennial finalist Nagambie.
LODDON VALLEY
- Bears Lagoon Serpentine have fallen for the first time for the season. The reigning premier Bridgewater was the victor by 31 points.
MININERA
- Penshurst is clear on the top of the ladder after Tatyoon was defeated by Glenthompson Dunkeld by a point.
OVENS & KING
- Greta scored big - kicking 56.16. 352.
WESTERN BORDER
- Portland got their first taste of defeat for the year, beaten by 8 points against Millicent.
The Undefeated
ALBERTON - Fish Creek
BALLARAT - Redan
CENTRAL MURRAY - Kerang
COLAC - Forrest
ELLINBANK - Warragul Industrials
BELLARINE - Queenscliff
HORSHAM - Edenhope-Aspley
KYABRAM - Violet Town
MARYBOROUGH CASTLEMAINE - Carisbrook
MININERA - Penshurst
CASEY CARDINIA - Cranbourne
PENINSULA - Frankston YCW
MURRAY - Nathalia & Echuca United
SOUTH WEST - Westerns
WARRNAMBOOL DISTRICT - Panmure
WIMMERA - Horsham
YARRA VALLEY DIV 2 - Belgrave
Goalkickers
A massive haul of 22 goals puts Bradley Bell in the rarefied list of those players to kick of 20 goals in a match. His team mate Chris O'Connor kicked 14 in a day out for the forwards. Marc Holt has been in awesome form for Cranbourne and is without doubt one of the best power forwards in the game at the moment. Brent Arho kicked a lazy 8 for Tallygaroopna this week and moves to 84 goals for the season to lead all comers from across the nation in the race to 100.
By Jock Allan
WorkSafe Victorian Country Football LeagueBush Footy Alert At the Ground. In the Huddle. Around the Boundary
GRAINCORP JUNIOR CARNIVALS
While the focus has been on senior interleague football, importantly the Graincorp junior carnivals are underway also giving young footballers their first taste of representative competition.
This weekend sees a number of large junior carnivals including the Dandenong Junior Carnival and the Turner-Pickering Cup in Ararat.
Please call the participating leagues for more details.
4
Jun 6, 9, 10 & 11
Dandenong Junior Carnival
Dandenong
U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16
5
Fri 8th June
Ararat v Stawell (night)
Ararat
U13
6
Sun 10th June
Sunraysia Junior Carnival
Mildura
U11, U13, U15
GET TALKING TO YOUR GP
The VCFL in association with the EJ Whitten Foundation has launched a statewide campaign to encourage country men to get talking with the GP about their health.
Flyers and information materials have been sent to every GP clinic in regional and rural Victoria using the iconic story of Ted "Mr Football" Whitten as inspiration.
As we know, Ted Whitten died of prostate cancer in an era where men didn't talk about health issues, and early detection may have extended his life.
So...remember EJ - get a checkup today.
I have included links to a short video that you may wish to embed into your website or onto your Facebook pages.
VCFL TV YouTube Link:
http://youtu.be/2XSpI_C3PuQ
COPY THE FOLLOWING TO EMBED ONTO WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2XSpI_C3PuQ"
frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
CLICK HERE FOR MEDIA
RELEASE<http://www.vcfl.com.au/index.php?id=7&tx_ttnews%5Byear%5D=2012&tx_ttnews%5Bmonth%5D=06&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=726&cHash=1aabcef7261ac924a3b852ba353a10fb>
Image - L-R - Ted Whitten Jnr. (CEO & Trustee of the EJ Whitten Foundation), Doug Travis (Urologist & EJWF Board Member), Dean Rice (VCFL Training & Education Manager).
AROUND THE GROUNDS
2 senior draws on the weekend with good stories. New guys Stratford drew with the reigning Premier Lindenow in the East Gippsland League. Woomelang Lascelles were within any score to chalk up their first win for the season - they ran Hopetoun to a draw in the Mallee League.
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
- 4 teams sit on 6 and 1 at the top of ladder. Hepburn, Bungaree, Buninyong and Waubra.
OVENS & MURRAY
- Upsets galore in the Ovens & Murray. Corowa Rutherglen defeated Wangaratta against the odds. Bottom team Albury North defeated Myrtleford. The Wodonga Raider beat the Albury Tigers sending the premier back to third on the ladder. Wang Rovers sit on top, and still have Barry Hall to come into the side.
BELLARINE
- Queenscliff remain undefeated after dispensing with Ocean Grove by 6 goals in the top of the table clash.
WIMMERA
- Horsham United got their first win of the year with a 1 point nail biter against Nhill
CENTRAL MURRAY
- Kerang on a winning streak and demolished Balranald by 234 points.
GEELONG
- St Mary's gave South Barwon their first taste of defeat for the year. A smoky to go deep into the finals.
GIPPSLAND
- The Morwell Football Club will recognise Jack Huxtablefor receiving an OM on Australia Day for his over 50 years service to football on the Queens Birthday match against Traralgon. Jack is a VCFL Life Member. Oh...Aker is going to play for Morwell also.
GOULBURN VALLEY
- Tatura, Mooroopna and Rochester sit 6 and 1 on top of the ladder with Shepp United starting to get their season on track also.
GOALKICKERS
Christmas came early at Newstead with Dan Christmas kicking 16 majors. It was a big weekend for the forwards with plenty of guys kicking ‘Buddy' numbers. Veteran Lee Cox bobbed up with 12 for Hepburn in a good win. Brent Arho had another good week at Tallygaroopna and must be putting his hand up for State squad selection.
HIGHEST SCORE
Lindenow South, (Omeo District Football League, Seniors 2012) 43.23 (281)¶
BY Jock Allan
Responsible Gambling Ambassador Daniel Ward shares his journey with gambling, and why he is telling other country footballers about it.I am very happy to be part of this VCFL initiative in raising the awareness for responsible gambling throughout regional, rural and suburban Victoria.
I was fortunate enough to play 136 games for the Melbourne Football Club, one of those matches being an AFL Grand Final. It was during this period, when I should have been living the dream, that I began my destructive path to a gambling addiction.
Gambling doesn't start as a problem, for most people it starts out as a fun thing.
I agree, it is a great way to socialise and to relax after a hard day's work, it can make you feel better if you are a bit down, and certainly gives you a good buzz when you win.
For me though, gambling became a problem - and I ended up spending everything I had. Some nights I would run my car out of petrol because I had spent the last $20 on a bet.
When I started to gamble, I never thought that the cost to me would be any more than a couple of dollars that I could easily cover with the money I was making as an AFL player.
Little did I know at the time, but gambling would pull my life apart.
I was a gambling addict. I was a liar. I hurt every person I'd ever loved.
As a player and coach of a country club in the Central Murray Football League I understand just how important a football and netball club can be - not only to the players, but often to the community that they represent.
With the increasing availability of gambling on phones and computers it is getting easier every day for a person to gamble. It is also easier to lose. The risks of problem gambling - even in country communities - has never been greater.
When my gambling was beginning to become a problem I noticed that I spent a lot of time thinking about betting, and I was actually spending more time gambling than with my teammates, family and friends.
I started to avoid paying bills so that I could use the money for bets, and with this, came the lies I would use to cover up that I was gambling.
I also started to place bigger and bigger bets in an effort to chase my losses. I did this until I owed people a small fortune.
If this sounds like you, or one of your teammates, consider talking to someone about it and getting it out in the open.
I strongly encourage all players, members and supporters of country football and netball to keep this message ‘front of mind' during this weekend of football and netball, and for anyone who might feel that they have not got their gambling under full control to call the Gamblers Help Line service.
Daniel Ward
· Talking to a gambler about their problem isn't easy. Talk to Gambler's Help before you talk to them. Call anytime - 1800 858 858. Gambler's Help offers free, confidential support and advice for the family and friends of gamblers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Article first appeared www.vcfl.com.au Monday, May 14, 2012
The WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League and the Victorian Government have joined forces to raise awareness of Gambler's Help services and encourage young men in country football to gamble responsibly.
The VCFL is highlighting gambling messages through regional and rural Victoria as a partner in Responsible Gambling Week - culminating with an Awareness Round this weekend (May 19/20) across the state. The partnership will deliver responsible and problem gambling messages directly to young men in country football, who statistically are at greater risk of developing gambling problems.
CEO of the WorkSafe VCFL, Steven Reaper, said that the impacts of problem gambling can be particularly severe in country and regional communities,
"The Victorian Country Football League sees its role as a community and sporting leader and recognises the impact problem gambling has on the community. "It is estimated that for every person that has a gambling problem, another seven people are adversely affected - their partners, parents, friends and siblings", said Reaper.
"Many people like a punt, but the important message we need to get through to young people at football clubs is to set a limit and stick to it, and for anyone who is starting to feel that gambling is getting a hold on them to talk about the issue with a mate or Gamblers Help.
As a key part of the new partnership, ex Melbourne Demon and now Mallee Eagles coach, Daniel Ward will present the personal perils and pitfalls of problem gambling to local football clubs. Daniel has had a well publicised battle with a gambling addiction, and is using his experiences to mentor young men in the football community.
Daniel will next visit the Melton South FNC as part of this education program. "Young men are particularly vulnerable to risky gambling behaviour, more likely to take up interactive technologies and online betting, and less likely to seek help when they get in trouble, "said Reaper We want to communicate to our supporters and the broader community to gamble responsibly and keep their gambling in control."
The Sandhurst Football Netball Club is celebrating 150 years in 2012, originating at a meeting held on 3rd June 1861. Over its proud and successful history, the club has had a tradition of providing football to many local stars during its time. However, it is as a nursery for football champions that Sandhurst has a proud record, having 59 players play VFL/AFL since its inception.
Further to that we have provided a team of AFL stars and would challenge any club to put up its own team to beat it.
The criteria is that they are players who played for Sandhurst before they made their career in Melbourne. We believe that the coach of such a team must be Bob McCaskill, a man who redefined football for the Club but more importantly redefined football in Bendigo. His 14 years at Sandhurst saw the Bendigo Football League experience a golden era that saw a steady stream of players try their luck with the then VFL.
Leaving Bendigo in 1940 he went on to coach North Melbourne and Hawthorn before his untimely death in 1952. As with Sandhurst, Bob made an impact at both clubs that still stand as his legacy, creating a more professional and competitive environment.
Darren Lewis
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Fred Swift (Richmond)
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Brendan Edwards (Hawthorn)
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Mickey Crisp (Carlton)
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Ron Evans Medal (NAB Rising Star) 2007 Geelong Captain 2012 |
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Vin English (Carlton) |
Kevin Higgins (Geelong/Fitzroy) |
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Cyril Gambetta (St. Kilda)
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George Collard (Carlton/South Melbourne) 72 Games |
WHITE knight Glenrowan says it won't be paid a cent to help former AFL bad boy Brendan Fevola play for Yarrawonga on Easter Sunday.
In a complicated deal, the Ovens and King outfit yesterday confirmed Fevola would be cleared to it so he could serve a one-match ban for striking.
The two-time Coleman medallist will then be issued a day permit so he can play in the Ovens and Murray next week.
Under VCFL rules, Fevola can be issued eight day permits.
The deal, involving three clubs - Fevola's old outfit Narre Warren, Yarrawonga and the Kelly Tigers - will make Fevola eligible for the Pigeons' lucrative Easter Sunday blockbuster against Lavington at Mulwala.
Fevola's clearance from Narre Warren to Glenrowan was pending yesterday.
Former Yarrawonga coach John Gannon, now in charge at Glenrowan, said the deal was struck with Pigeons' president Glenn Brear at a Wangaratta-Yarrawonga practice match at Glenrowan almost a fortnight ago.
"A couple of weeks ago he (Brear) ran it by me and I didn't have a problem with it," Gannon said yesterday.
"If you can get 10,000 to the footy at Easter I think it's worth it."
Under the arrangement, Fevola will be a registered Kelly Tigers player for at least 28 days - he will play for Yarrawonga on day permits until he joins the Pigeons permanently.
Gannon said Glenrowan was getting "absolutely nothing" for the deal.
He said the club hoped the former Carlton and Brisbane forward, who would not actually line up for the Kelly Tigers, would visit and "hopefully sign some autographs".
"But he's got a pretty busy schedule with Dancing With The Stars.
"It would be nice if he had a soft spot for Glenrowan after what we've done."
The latest twist comes less than a week after Yarrawonga was allowed to switch two Sunday games to Saturdays so Fevola could meet Dancing With The Stars commitments.
Yarrawonga had wanted to start its season a week early to allow Fevola to serve the one-match ban and then play a week later at Easter.
The O and M agreed but backed down after other clubs objected.
Fevola, who is expected to play just home games for the Pigeons, also has a controversial deal for Myrtleford to pay him to play against it in round 4.
By Chris Mitchell
Article first www.bordermail.com.au 29 Mar, 2012
BENDIGO Football League club Castlemaine has distanced itself from the controversial radio comments made by Jason Akermanis about the late Jim Stynes.
Akermanis has signed to play a one-off BFL game for the Magpies against Kangaroo Flat at Castlemaine's Countrycars.com.au Oval on May 5.
Magpies' president Tony Walsh said today Akermanis would still play for the Magpies, but the club was distancing itself from the comments made by the Brownlow medallist and triple Brisbane Lions premiership player following the death of Stynes on Tuesday morning.
Speaking on Sunshine Coast radio station Mix 92.7FM yesterday, Akermanis labelled Stynes as "nasty'' and declared his state funeral was "overkill'', before later apologising for his comments.
"We're distancing ourselves from that issue and I don't think it needs any more air time," Walsh said.
"I think the family should be left alone to grieve, so we won't be commenting on it.
"Jason will still be playing the game for us on May 5. It's a good opportunity to get a well-known AFL player to help get a bit of interest back around the club again, so it's all still going ahead."
By Luke West
Article first appeared www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au 23 Mar, 2012
