I managed to get down to the Fitzroy ground on Saturday to see them take on Ivanhoe (or Ivanhoe West or something). A pretty close game with some good skills on display at times, the vistors ended up winning by just over a goal in the last 10 minutes.
I've never been there before but it was a great autumn day for footy. I only caught the last quarter but it was a good crowd (no alcohol at VFA matches) and the city skyline the perfect backdrop.
It was my young blokes (he's not 2 yet) first footy game and he was getting right into the cheering like a deadset feral, pretty funny actually. Hopefully I can get him to a few more local games this year. I'd planned to take him to the Bombers v Sandringham match but it was pouring down that day.
I managed to get down to the Fitzroy ground on Saturday to see them take on Ivanhoe (or Ivanhoe West or something). A pretty close game with some good skills on display at times, the vistors ended up winning by just over a goal in the last 10 minutes.
I've never been there before but it was a great autumn day for footy. I only caught the last quarter but it was a good crowd (no alcohol at VFA matches) and the city skyline the perfect backdrop.
It was my young blokes (he's not 2 yet) first footy game and he was getting right into the cheering like a deadset feral, pretty funny actually. Hopefully I can get him to a few more local games this year. I'd planned to take him to the Bombers v Sandringham match but it was pouring down that day.
Fine choice there.
Fitzroy games either home or away are very good viewing and there is incredible loyalty to them by the old 'Roys faithful.
Old Ivanhoe did get up in an upset (were stonemotherless last coming in but had beaten University Blues on top a few weeks back!)
Brunswick St Oval is a great seeing ground with the old stand and plenty of room in the outer.
The surprise this season is the collapse in Premier of premiership side Old Xaverians.
A record of 1-6 has the side sitting last on the Premier ladder. Whilst injuries have played their part, the collapse has been dramatic (and has been greeted with smiles at lot of other clubs at the same time).
So much so that senior coach Dom Berry got the sack this morning.
Doing a Premier match these days is worth $86 a game.
Premier B $80 and so on.
We seem to get regular pay rises. Keeps the car on the road lol.
Field umpires obviously get more?
I have played about 4 games out of 8 this season and am thinking I might need to get away from playing. I love Saturday arvo footy at the Local grounds and would love to get involved.
(round ball local ground this one) Got the captaincy of the 3rd's team at Gisborne Soccer Club this year. Struggling a little mainly due to numbers and having to forfeit (Doesn't bother me to much that just means il play 2's that week) nearly knocked off an undefeated top 3 side last week. Whole team was full of viets (you get a lot of mono ethnic clubs at our level) they led 0-3 at half time and we got it back to 2-3 but couldn't get the equalizer. I'll be playing 2's this week based on the fact that Epping City are my ■■■■■. Dominated twice last season including scoring my first goal.
Saw Abers v Strathmore. Close for the first quarter and then Strathmore blew Abers away. Mark Blake wasn't playing so that maybe had a lot to do with it.
Strathmore looked pretty good but then again Aberfeldie were terrible. Constantly turned the ball over and our old friend Reimers was one of the worst culprits too. Not sure what was wrong with Courtney Johns but he was barely on the ground and unsighted.
Also good to see Douttas get their first wn. They have been knocking on the door for a while. I'd be surprised if they finished bottom now as they have a few winable games coming up.
Old Trinity's win sees them in 3rd in Premier on percentage behind St. Bernards (University Blacks are smashing everyone on top), whilst Old Brighton's loss has them behind Old Xaverians on percentage in 9th but a game clear of St. Bedes Mentone. The latter host Xavs next week.
Great win by Northern Saints on the weekend and that has now lifted them to 3rd bottom. They have a chance to stay up now as I can see two wins in the last half of the season.
The team in trouble is Marby. They are a shadow of their former selves and seem to be getting regularly belted the last month or so. And they have a worst percentage now than both Douttas and Northern.
Up the top end the two clear standouts are Avondale Heights and Strathmore. Smokey could be Greenvale who have all of a sudden started coming good but I still think they are a way off the top two. Not convnced about either Keilor or Abers. Airport West are improving and play a good brand of footy however their percentage is ■■■■■ and that could cost them at the end of the year for finals.
Some good games this week.
Greenvale v Avondale - we will see where Greenvale are really at after this week. Win this and they become contenders and a team to be scared of again.
Marby v Airport West - absolute must win for both teams.
Douttas v Abers - local derby and IMO Douttas are playing better at the moment. Abers lose and a few results go against and all of a sudden they become a big chance of missing finals which would be criminal considering th elist they have.
Congrats to Steve "Macca" McCarthy on 650 games as a field umpire, bringing it up out at Marcellin last Saturday as they hosted Parkdale, where his son plays in the reserves.
VAFA Umpires Round this week will see umpires head to club training sessions. I'm heading to Point Cook tomorrow night.
Saw about 15 mins after half time of Douttas v Abers and that was enough for me. Abers were miles in front at that time and the standard was pretty bad with the wind.
Drove down the road to see Marby v Airport West and was confronted by what seemed to be a 7 goal wind blowing to the Moonee Ponds end. At 3/4 time Marby were 5 goals in front. One of the AW players had a shot on the siren from about 35m out and failed to make the goal square. After seeing that you knew that a 5 goal lead wasn't enough.
AW came out firing in the last 1/4 and managed to bang on 8 to win by 15 points. Marby now in huge danger of the drop.
In other matches, Avondale beat an improving Greenvale to retain their unbeaten streak. Keilor too good for Northern and Strathmore too good for Pascoe Vale.
Some massive games this week with the top 4 and bottom 4 all playing each other.
Northern v Marby: If Saints win they are just about safe for the year. A Marby win really opens up the relegation fight.
Abers v Avondale Heights: Abers are getting some players back but I am still not overly convinced.
Airport West v Greenvale: 5th v 6th. A loss for either means making finals will be extremely difficult.
Strathmore v Keilor: This should be a great match. Strathmore win and they almost cement top 2. Keilor win and they come into flag contention again.
Douttas v Pascoe Vale: A loss for PV will see them drop to 10th and with a bad % means they are in huge relegation trouble. A win will mean they are 3 games clear of Douttas and reasonably safe.