2 July - Victorian Amateur Football Association

DIVISION 1Darren DawsonALL TIED UPEach week throws up at least one surprise, andlast week was no exception with the season’s firsttie adding a further layer of intrigue. An absolutecracker of a contest down at the Fearon underlinedjust how even the competition is through themiddle rungs of the table. Depending on yourpoint of view, it was either a fitting result to anexcellent match, Willy got out of jail, or NOBSPCwas robbed of a deserved win. In the wash-up, itwas probably all of the above.Kicking with the aid of the sea breeze, the Nobbersgot off to an excellent start and led by 27 points atthe first break. The visitors, through powerhouseforward Todd Patterson (7 goals) and MartinPorter who was in everything, then clung on totheir advantage for much of the day. But Willy wasnot going to relinquish its proud home recordwithout a fight, and stormed home with 6.6 inthe final term. Brothers Ben and Jack Gray wereinstrumental in the CYs’ fight-back. When the sirensounded, the scoreboard revealed a one-pointvictory to North, and their celebrations rightlybegan. However, after a quick consultation thegoal umps determined that the scores were in factlevel! At present, it is difficult to quantify who isthe bigger loser of the two points in this deadlock.Maybe it was both teams.Peninsula threw everything at Banyule and, infact, booted eight unanswered majors after halftimeto lead the Bears – who appeared a little flat- just prior to the orange-break. But Banyule haveresponded to every challenge thus far in 2011,and held the brave Pirates goal-less in the last totriumph with a 22-point win. Best for Banyule wereAdam Masters, Luke French and David Gayfer indefence, whilst the visitors’ best were Nick Fisherand Stefan Barbour in the midfield.At Como Park, Old Geelong gained what could be10 very important percentage points when theyoutclassed Bulleen-Templestowe by 13 goals. TheBullants were three points up at quarter-time,but thereafter OGs piled on 18 goals to 6 in acomprehensive win. Callum McEvoy and RyanWood both kicked 4, whilst Charlie Fairbairnreturned to form for OGs. For BT, James Gaul wastireless, and Anthony Morabito continued hisexcellent season.As was expected, Parkdale posted a big win overOld Paradians at their Gerry Green lair. It probablywould have been an even greater margin if notfor wayward kicking by the Vultures, who kickeda somewhat wasteful 7.9 with the wind in the firstterm to effectively settle the issue. Best for theParkers were Brett Hampton, Mitch Grant andDave Robbins. Despite being on the losing team,David Boundy with five goals, was unstoppablein a virtuoso performance.Was the loss to Peninsula last week the wake-upcall required by Whitefriars? Many at the clubseem to think so, with the team being muchmore focused in their 62-point defeat of OldMentonians. Notable was the frugal Friars defence,which allowed the Panthers only two goals afterhalf-time, whilst they continue to hold an evenspread of attacking options: last week alonesaw ten players chip in with goals. Best for thePanthers were Rowan Ball and Darryl Stevens,whilst for Whitefriars defender Daniel Massarotticontinued his good from, and Rowan Mattinsonwas a strong presence in the ruck.TODAYSelections in BOLDOLD GEELONG v WILLIAMSTOWNPENINSULA v OLD MENTONIANSWHITEFRIARS v BANYULEOLD PARADIANS v BULLEEN TEMPLESTOWENORTH OLD BOYS/ST PATS v PARKDALE VULTURES8 THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2011SPORTS INJURY CASUALTY - OPEN 1-7 SATURDAY