VAFA Clubs In Focus: Recent Episodes
VAFA Media
Joe Pignataro and Nick Armistead zero in on all of the clubs that make up the VAFA. Looking back on the history of the club, the champions that have come through the club, what makes the club tick and the stories over the years that have become club folklore.
Formed way back on the 15th of April 1921, the Old Scotch Football Club has established itself as one of the most fascinating sides in the V.A.F.A. Inclusivity was the goal at the turn of the century, dropping Collegians from their title & welcoming a Women’s team that has quickly become a force to be reckoned with.
Hear fascinating insights from club historian Geoff McCracken, modern-day champion Jack Bull, current club President Tim Shearer and 1978 A-Section Premiership coach Laurie Aghan.
100 years down, with many more to come, Joe Pignataro and Nick Armistead take you through the storied history of the Cardinal, Gold and Blue.
Since 1963 the Beaumaris FC has been a tried and true, family-run football club starting out predominantly in the juniors. Since 1995 they have been part of the VAFA, and joined a long line of VAFA clubs to win a premiership in their debut season.
Join club historian Ron Nicholson as he takes us back through the years and Andy Sheldrake who was the first player to run out in a Sharks jumper on April 20, 1963. Jason Mifsud is the club's longest serving coach, 2x AFL premiership superstar Guy McKenna is the current coach, while on the women's side we speak to current co-captain and diehard Richmond fan, Ellen Wood.
A club that is extremely proud of its history, Joe Pignataro and Nick Armistead take an in-depth look at everything bayside, with one of the strongest district clubs in Australia.
Time codes: 11m – Ron Nicholson31m – Andy Sheldrake53m – Jason Mifsud1:20m – Guy McKenna1:45m – Ellen Wood
Since 1987, Aquinas Old Collegians Football Club have been a proud member of the VAFA. Their inaugural year in the competition netted them the club's third premiership after they came across from the Eastern Suburban Churches Football Association where they had been since 1981, winning back-to-back titles in 1983/1984. The club has endured multiple relegations, heart-breaking finals losses, personnel changes and a 21-year premiership drought before standing on the dais once again in 2017.
Hear all about the history of the club from Sean O'Loughlin and Peter Wright who have been there since day 1, Andy Whelan, who is 1 of only 2 players to win 4 senior premierships with the Bloods plus current senior coach Ash Naulty and captain of the women's side Taylor Leslie!
Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club faced some roadblocks when they initially came forward to join the VAFA in the early 60's, however were granted access in 1964 and played their first game on April 24th of that year. Since then, they've become a constant performer in the VAFA, winning premierships and tasting success in almost every section.
Join club founder Andy Harris, legendary coach Kevin McLean, long-term scoreboard operator & 60's star John McKenzie, Channel 10 News' Nick Butler and the current coach + superstar player in his own right Jarrod Gieschen as they delve into the history of Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club
Arguably the most recognised logo in Victorian football is the FFC monogram, with one of the richest histories in the VFL/AFL dating back to 1883. Fitzroy Football Club is the only club to compete in the VFA, VFL, AFL and the VAFA. Old Fitzroy & the Reds officially merged in 2008, who were formerly known as the University Reds - The third side blooded from Melbourne University back in 1955.
Join Joe Pignataro and Nick Armistead delving into the history of Fitzroy with the greatest Roy of all, champion Kevin Murray, former Reds greats Ross Stevenson & Peter Hille, current captains Julian Turner and Jess Hayes, and President Joan Eddy
TIME CODESJoan Eddy - 14:40 Peter Hille - 25:20 Ross Stevenson - 38:00 Kevin Murray - 55:40 Jess Hayes - 1:22:00 Julian Turner - 1:32:00
Formed in 1929 by Lou Arthur, Frank Mount and Perce Matthews, Old Paradians boast one of the most dominant periods in VAFA history winning 6 A-section Premierships in 7 years through 1962 - 1968 - claiming 3-peat's on 2 occasions. The club in the modern day may look different to that of half a century ago, but the same spirit, passion and determination is evident every weekend at Garvey Oval.
Hear about the incredible journey this club has been on from Vin Arthur, Pat Mount, Dom Spillane, Peter Brabender, Daniel Spitty and Chris Kandilakis as Old Parade Amateur Football Club is put in focus.
Ormond is the 12th oldest football club in the VAFA, their formation began in 1931 with their first games being played in 1932. They are one of the competitions "most winningest" teams playing in 49 Grand Finals across all sections through their history.
Join club historian Alan Naylor, 1950 A-Section Premiership hero George Raphael, modern day legend Simon "Digs" Keleher, current President Richard Simon and the VAFA's greatest ever coach Mike McArthur-Allen as they take an in-depth look at the Ormond Amateur Football Club.
Since 1955, De La Salle have been part of the VAFA and played out their inaugural season in E-Section, where they claimed the premiership. Within 6 years they were playing in A-section and are one of a few clubs to never drop below B-Section since this time.
6 A-Section pennants sit proudly in the Waverley Oval clubrooms with club legends Barry Lyons, Bernie Dunn, David Lowe, Andrew MackIntosh, Brian Waldron and Matt O'Callaghan joining Nick Armistead and Joe Pignataro to tell everyone how special this football club is to them.
Since 1920, Caulfield Grammarians have been part of the VAFA. Sitting proudly in the Glenhuntly Road change rooms is the 1970 A Grade pennant, winning under the most unlikeliest of opportunities. Across their centenary in the VAFA they are 1 of only 2 sides to win Premierships in the top 5 sections of the competitions.
Hear all things Caulfield Grammarians with club historian Geoff Reilley, club life member George Voyage, current President Peter Small, gun players Julian Dobosz and Irena Malliaras plus the clubs media manager Tommy Flanagan.
Since 1923 the Old Xav's have been part of the VAFA. After years of underperforming, they started to put the wheels in motion with a Division pennant in 1976. The flag of 1981 became the first of the 14 A-section flags that sit proudly in the clubs home base of Toorak Park. Arguably, the best performing team in VAFA history came from Old Xav's from 1995 - 2000 winning 6 A-Grade premierships in a row! A feat that is unlikely to be matched.
Enjoy the history of Old Xaverians Football Club through the eyes of former President Jack Bowen, current President Matt Cosgrave, club games record holder David Landrigan & 3x Premiership coach of Xav's Barry "Bones" Richardson.
West Brunswick were born into the VAFA in 1959, 12 months later they secured their first club Premiership and by 1964 were competing in B Grade. In recent years they've scaled great heights to win Premierships in the Divisions and both their men and women sides have become accustom to "yoinking" a win from nowhere in big games!
Joe Pignataro & Nick Armistead delve into the history of West Brunswick with Steve 'Ocker' Fyffe, former President Ben Sexton, current President Beth Cook, Polly Fletcher and current coach, Nick Mitchell.
North Melbourne CBC was first formed in 1932. It was re-formed in 1963 by past pupils of St Joseph’s CBC North Melbourne, joined the VAFA in E Grade and won their first flag in 1964. By 1968, NOBs had achieved promotion to A Section, the first and only club to be promoted through the grades in consecutive years. After returning briefly to B Grade NOBs moved back into A Section in 1972.
Throughout this edition, Joe Pignataro and Nick Armistead delve into the history of the Brunswick Football Club with icon Bruno Conti, current President Jarryd Brown, 300 game veteran Scott Sleep and the woman who was pivotal in aligning the Brunswick Renegades with Brunswick, Kim Hennessy.
Collegians Football Clubis the oldest club in Amateur football; indeed, it is older than the VAFA and is the only founding Club of the M.J.F.A./V.A.F.A. still in existence. In 1891, L.A. Adamson established an Old Boys’ XVIII. In the following year, the club formally became Collegians Football Club. Collegians are the most successful VAFA club in terms of the number of premierships won in the top tier of the VAFA.
Hear from Mark Hibbins on the history of the Hibbins family with the club, icon of the Lions "The Chief" Alec O'Brien, 2x Premiership player & media mogul Shura Taft, plus Nick Roach - past player and currently on the coaching panel about his love affair with Collegians.
Since 1963, St Bernard's have been the "boys from Essendon" and trips by opposition clubs to the Snakepit have not always been kind to them. VAFA Media reflects on the 3 A Grade Premierships the club has won, telling the story of how the club came to be and the long honour roll the club boasts.
The Albert Park Football Club was created in 1954 under the name ANZ Bank. Over the years they've had 3 name changes, 7 different home grounds, a host of club champions. Sadly though, no senior premiership to their name. 5 times they've made the Grand Final and fallen short on all 5 occasions.
VAFA Media talks to the people inside the Albert Park Football Club and finds out about what makes this club tick.