The three teams to represent AFL Victoria Country this Sunday against the VAFA have been announced.
Match schedules:
WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country No.1 v VAFA Seniors - Junction Oval, Melbourne at 2.00pm
GrainCorp AFL Victoria Country No.2 v VAFA B to Div 4 - Harry Trott Oval, Albert Park at 11.15pm
EnergySafe AFL Victoria Country U19 v VAFA U19 - Junction Oval, Melbourne at 11.15am
The best of AFL Victoria Country's affiliated leagues will be on display this Sunday in three matches against the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
As was the case in the 2011 when these representative teams last played, three high-class games of football are expected.
When the Brian Molony Cup was last awarded it was the VAFA who prevailed over AFL Victoria Country No.1 in the premier match by six points, while the country boys were big winners in the Challenge Cup (AFL Victoria Country No.2 v VAFA B – Div 4).
Sunday's games mark 20 years that the two competitions have met bi-annually at senior level. Prior to that matches were played irregularly, with U19 matches being played annually.
At U19 level, AFL Victoria Country (formerly the VCFL) has triumphed in the past two encounters with strong wins in 2011 and 2012.
With AFL recruiters now searching far and wide to secure the best talent, players from all sides have the chance to possibly take their footy to a new level, just as Matt Taberner did last year.
After being named best on ground in the U19 match for the VCFL, Taberner, from Myrtleford, was eventually selected by Fremantle in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft and only a few weeks ago made his debut at the elite level.
Other players to also have gone on to the AFL from these matches include Sam Dunnel (Old Melburnians/VAFA – St. Kilda), Ariel Steinberg (Imperials/Sunraysia FNL/VCFL - Essendon) and Daniel Nicholson (University Blues/VAFA – Melbourne).
Regardless of who wins on Sunday, representative matches are wonderful opportunity for players to test their abilities at higher standard and an experience that they will remember long after their playing days are over.
WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country's three sides are selected after the WorkSafe Country Championships, which were held in May and saw 36 leagues compete.
After weekly training sessions and countless selection headaches, WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country coaches, Peter Knights (No.1 side) John Cossar (No.2) and Damian Sexton (U19) have settled on their final line ups.
The three matches wouldn't be possible without the many volunteers, including selectors and support staff, who give up their time to help out. WorkSafe and the sponsors of AFL Victoria No.2 (GrainCorp) and the U19s (EnergySafe) also play a pivotal role in allowing the players to get a taste of representative action.
Finally, the umpires from WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country's V/Line Academy should also be congratulated for being selected to officiate in the three matches. The V/Line Academy was established to develop and coach talented young umpires and this experience at representative level will be an important step in their on-going development.
May the best team win.
Click here to see the full team lists.
