From The Sunday Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
Full article - Click here

Geelong is the hot favourite to exert its dominance and produce its third VFL flag in seven years when it takes on the Box Hill Hawks in what is expected to be an epic grand final on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

George Horlin-Smith, the winner of last year's Norm Goss Medal for best on ground in the premiership win over Port Melbourne, said Geelong's success was reward for its tough, uncompromising style of football.

''We pride ourselves on our contested ball in the VFL, we want to be the hard team to play against,'' Horlin-Smith said.

''I guess whether it's the AFL or the VFL, we still want to be a really tough side and good in the contested situations.''

Comment thread here: http://www.vflfooty.com/node/8738

From the Bendigo Advertiser
Reported by Travis King
Full article - Click here

BENDIGO Gold chairman Tim Dickson has declared a new era for the club after announcing its Victorian Football League survival on Friday.

Dickson revealed the Gold has succeeded in its survival campaign at the club's business luncheon.

The Gold has met its targets of 500 members for next season and increased sponsorship.

The club has also negotiated with council to use Epsom-Huntly Recreation Reserve to run a commercial venture on an interim basis.

"This process that our club has been through will produce a new era for our club," Dickson told the luncheon.

Comment thread here: http://www.vflfooty.com/node/8619

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 22
TAC CUP GRAND FINAL
Dandenong Stingrays vs Eastern Ranges at Etihad Stadium 10:30am
VFL GRAND FINAL
Geelong vs Box Hill Hawks at Etihad Stadium 2:15pm (ABC1TV,SEN 1116,Aussie Digital,Vision Australia Radio,ABC Local Radio,K-Rock,3WBC)

Gates Open: 10am

Admission: $20 Adults $15 concession are available at the gate or through Ticketmaster(from 9am Monday) http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/VFL-Grand-Final-tickets/artist/1350867

From the Ballarat Courier
Reported by Melanie Whelan
Full article - Click here

IF MANAGED well, North Ballarat Roosters' decision to axe its development team will fast-track how the game is evolving in Ballarat community clubs.

There are so many logistical issues yet to come into play - and the club has assured it will work with all parties to smooth these out. It already has for most.

But the basics are this: the Selkirk Roosters are competitive players in arguably the nation's best state league; the club works closely in partnership with North Melbourne, including access to Kangaroos' facilities and tactical assessments; players are exposed to AFL-listed players, with by playing with or against, every game.

Players on the Roosters' list, which will be cut to about 35, will be expected to step straight into Victorian Football League games when needed.

Those not needed could be playing at your community club.

This will mean the Roosters will need to strengthen relationships with their players' designated clubs to ensure the best for all parties.

Entire article: http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1761261/ballarat-football-will-improv...

Comment Thread: http://www.vflfooty.com/node/8719

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14
AFLV Development League Grand Final
Williamstown vs Box Hill Hawks at Northport Oval 10:45am
VFL 1st Preliminary Final
Geelong vs Williamstown at Northport Oval 2:10pm (ABC1TV,SEN 1116,Aussie Digital,K-Rock)

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15
YOUNG GUNS Game at 11am
VFL 2nd Preliminary Final
Box Hill Hawks vs Werribee at Northport Oval 2:10pm (ABC1TV,SEN 1116,Aussie Digital,Vision Australia Radio,3WBC)

From The Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
Full article - Click here

Port Melbourne is expected to churn out more mature-age recruits in the lead-up to this year's AFL draft with midfielder Chris Cain already being linked to Fremantle, which is renowned for picking up late bloomers.

Heading into a semi-final against arch-rival Williamstown at North Port Oval on Saturday, Cain, who has generally spent most of his eight seasons at Port as a half-forward flanker, believes a move to the midfield has paid dividends this season.

"I've been able to play a bit more in the midfield and that's probably helped me go forward and back instead of just playing forward, over the last few years,'' Cain said. ''Some of our better players going down in the midfield has given me an opportunity.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/ports-chris-cain-shows-vfl-a-ferti...

ABC local radio Ballarat this morning announced that North Ballarat will not be fielding a DL side next year. Fitzy said it was unsustainable, and that players not required for the Roosters could play in their local teams. No mention in Ballarat Courier.
No mention of this was made during the "Inside Mail" program on 3RBA 102.3, by announcer Paul Taylor, Fitzy or the Ballarat FL bloke, Liam Brady. I expected comments as to how the Roosters having no DL team will affect Ballarat and other leagues.