Zebras trample all over Bullants

By Robbo August 06, 2007
From The Age
Reported by Chris Walker

SANDRINGHAM again stamped its authority over the VFL with a commanding 62-point victory over the depleted Northern Bullants at Trevor Barker Beach Oval yesterday.

The Zebras controlled the game from the opening bounce, racing to a 32-point lead by quarter-time.

The structured and polished ladder leaders turned the match into a virtual training drill, with some inaccurate goalkicking being the only real chink in their armour.

The Bullants battled hard all day but the home side was simply too talented.

Nick Sautner booted seven goals to widen his lead at the top of the goal-kicking table.

With 52 goals for the season, the 30-year-old full-forward is almost a certainty to win his seventh "Frosty" Miller Medal — awarded to the VFL's leading goalkicker. He will become the first player in the history of the VFA/VFL to win seven goal-kicking titles.

Sandy Zebras canter in

By Robbo August 06, 2007
From Herald Sun
Reported by Geoff Poulter

DESPITE Lance Whitnall's encouraging return, the Northern Bullants were unable to halt rampaging Sandringham at Trevor Barker Oval yesterday.

The Zebras steamed away to win by 62 points to move two games clear on top of the ladder with three rounds remaining.

Carlton captain Whitnall, back after several weeks recovering from a knee injury, was busy and lively.

He looked fit and sharp in collecting 17 possessions and kicked 1.1 in a brief stint in attack.

He was rested before the last quarter.

Bullants coach Barry Mitchell was pleased with Whitnall's performance but unsure whether he would require another hitout in the VFL before returning to the AFL.

DOLPHINS WIN THRILLER

By Robbo August 05, 2007
From Frankston FC Website
Reported by Michael Robinson

Frankston have kept their finals hopes alive with a thrilling 2 point win over Werribee at Frankston today.

The Dolphins got off to a great start kicking the 1st 3 goals of the game before the Tigers got on the board. Frankston lead by 16 points at quarter time.

Frankston got off to a good start in the 2nd quarter kicking an early goal then Werribee hit back kicking 5 of the next 6 goals and although Frankston had more of the play the margin was just 1 point to the Dolphins at half time.

As 3rd quarter got underway Frankston again started well but just couldn't put in on the scoreboard with Werribee fighting back late to set up a big last qaurter as the Dolphins went to the last change just 5 points in front.

In a tense final quarter it was goal for goal as everytime Frankston got a goal clear the Tigers would fight back. With the game in the balance Justin Berry kicked a behind but was pushed in the back and as the umpire ruled that the behind had been scored Berry was given another kick from straight in front and he kicked his 6th goal to give the Dolphins an 8 point lead with 4 minutes to go.

Academies to develop youngsters

By administrator August 04, 2007
From the Herald-Sun

Reported by Michael Horan
Full article Click here

THE creation of two AFL academies to develop elite players - one in country Victoria and the other in Melbourne - is one of five recommendations approved by the AFL Commission.

The other four measures, which are aimed at bolstering the VFL and the feeder system by which players progress to AFL clubs, are:

THE alignment between AFL and VFL clubs continues to be a key component of elite football in Victoria;

VFL and TAC Cup clubs be fully integrated to form one, regionally based, entity;

INVESTMENT to improve the quality and effectiveness of each entity; and

THE VFL evolves to play a more substantial role in Victorian football.

AFL Victoria chief executive Peter Schwab said while his organisation preferred there be no changes, club-wise, to the VFL next season, the recommendations did not rule out the possibility of AFL clubs fielding stand-alone teams in the future.

VFL links set to continue

By administrator August 04, 2007
From The Age

Reported by Chris Walker
Full article Click here

MOST Victorian-based AFL clubs are expected to retain their affiliation with the VFL, AFL Victoria chief executive Peter Schwab said yesterday.

After meetings with key stakeholders, including Victorian-based AFL clubs, VFL clubs, the AFL Commission and AFL Victoria, the AFL second-tier review committee provided recommendations on the direction of the VFL that were agreed to in principle by the AFL.

The AFL Commission's support of the review committee's findings will be finalised next month, with its recommendations forming the basis for continued investigation and discussion expected to be complete by mid-2008.

The primary recommendation was that alignment between AFL and VFL clubs would continue to play a big role in elite Victorian football.

Cats set for Coburg visitors

By Robbo August 04, 2007
From The Age
Reported by Chris Walker

WITH four rounds to play in the VFL home-and-away season, round 17 could prove pivotal to the make-up of the top eight come finals time.

The Coburg Tigers travel down the Princes Freeway today to play the rampant Geelong Cats at Skilled Stadium in the morning AFL curtain-raiser.

The Cats boast the most potent forward line in the competition, kicking an average of 116 points a game. They also have the most miserly defence with an average of only 79 points kicked against them each week.

The Tigers, who have not lost a game since round 11, will rely on their athleticism to out-run the Cats. They will be missing suspended midfielder Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, who has enjoyed a wonderful month of football, but will regain Andrew Krakouer, who was omitted from the Richmond side.

Tigers coach Andy Collins is a supporter of the AFL curtain-raiser concept, believing it provides the crowds with added value.

"It's great for the fans to be able to see their club's players run around in the VFL. I would travel down to Skilled Stadium every week if it meant we could play a curtain-raiser."

Coburg Tigers flag intentions

By Robbo August 04, 2007
From Herald Sun
Reported by Geoff Poulter

SECOND-placed Coburg Tigers are keen to test themselves against the two main flag contenders in the final four rounds.

They clash with Geelong (third) this morning at Skilled Stadium and then face an away game against ladder-leader Sandringham in Round 20 on August 25.

"They are clearly the class sides of the competition this year," Coburg coach Andrew Collins said this week.

"It is an exciting challenge to play at Geelong this week and then we've got Sandringham in a couple of weeks."

Collins is also chuffed about playing the curtain-raiser to the Geelong-Richmond game.

"I would encourage the VFL to do that bit more," he said.

"There are some special games played as curtain-raisers to an AFL game when it could easily have been VFL games.

"We have that opportunity with the alignments.

"It would be great to have the Coburg Tigers playing on the MCG before the Richmond Tigers (Coburg's affiliate)."

Bendigo Bombers future safe after AFL says… VFL alignments to stay

By Robbo August 04, 2007
From Bendigo Advertiser

THE Metricon Bendigo Bombers' future appears safe with the AFL Commission yesterday approving in principle to a review that supports the continued alignment between AFL and VFL clubs.

The AFL second-tier review committee has presented five recommendations on the status and direction of the VFL.

Among the recommendations, approved by the AFL Commission and supported by AFL Victoria – the governing body of the VFL – are "alignments between AFL and

VFL clubs will continue to be a key component of elite football in the state".

There had been some exploration earlier this year of a national reserves competition that would replace the various-state based competitions, including the VFL, which would have put grave doubt over the future of the Bendigo Bombers.

However, a national reserves competition has now been ruled out, and the review committee recommendations support Bendigo's alignment with Essendon.

"We were never worried because we thought it was heading this way from all the feedback we've been getting along the way," Bendigo

Bombers' acting general manager Peter Lodewijks said yesterday.

Pages