2023 VAFA season
2023 VAFA season | |
---|---|
Date | 15 April − 15 September 2021 |
Teams | 63 |
The 2023 VAFA season was the 122nd season of the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA), the largest senior community Australian rules football competition in Victoria. The season began on 15 April and concluded on 15 September, with 63 teams participating across seven divisions under a promotion and relegation system.[1]
Following the conclusion of the season, Ivanhoe and Old Paradians left the VAFA to join the Northern Football Netball League, and Division 4 was abolished as a result.[2][3]
Association membership
[edit]Following the conclusion of the 2022 season, Manningham Cobras merged with Yarra Old Grammarians in order to keep both clubs viable on and off-field.[4] On 19 September 2022, the formation of Old Yarra Cobras Football Club was announced.[5][6]
In November 2022, the VAFA revealed Westbourne Grammarians Football Club would not field senior teams in 2023 (having meant to be relegated from Division 3) to Division 4), and would instead field a team in the thirds competition.[7] However, Westbourne announced on 31 March – around two weeks before the start of the season – that they would not field the thirds team, instead using 2023 to "regroup" as a club.[8]
On 23 February 2023, Premier C club Old Mentonians announced that they would go into recess and not field any teams in 2023 because of a player shortage.[9][10]
Name changes
[edit]Prahran/Assumption members voted on 30 November 2022 to revert to the club's traditional name of Prahran Football Club, which was reflected in the 2023 season.[11]
Additionally, Emmaus St Leo's renamed to Wattle Park Amateur Football Club due to "extenuating circumstances".[12]
Notable events
[edit]- Accounting firm William Buck signed a three-year extension with the VAFA on 24 April 2023, which included continuing the naming rights for the "William Buck Premier Division".[13]
- On 15 July, VAFA defeated Perth Football League 20.10 (130) to 17.9 (111) in extra time in a representative game, the first representative victory for the VAFA since 2018.[14][15]
- On 2 September, during the Division 3 semi-final between Elsternwick and Hawthorn, a Hawthorn player was allegedly punched in the back of a head by a spectator, later identified as former Hawthorn AFL player Shem Tatpu.[16] The player was taken to hospital while Tatpu was arrested by police, however he was later released from custody.[17][18]
Premier
[edit]2023 VAFA Premier season | |
---|---|
Teams | 10 |
Premiers | Collegians |
Minor premiers | Collegians |
Wooden spooners | Caulfield Grammarians |
Collegians won their 18th Premier Division premiership, defeating St Kevin's by 85 points.
Ladder
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Collegians (P) | 18 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 1707 | 945 | 180.6 | 60 | Finals series |
2 | University Blues | 18 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 1343 | 1149 | 116.9 | 52 | |
3 | Old Scotch | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 1638 | 1053 | 155.6 | 48 | |
4 | St Kevin's | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 1471 | 1084 | 135.7 | 48 | |
5 | Old Brighton | 18 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 1306 | 1221 | 107.0 | 36 | |
6 | Old Xaverians | 18 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 1347 | 1311 | 102.8 | 32 | |
7 | University Blacks | 18 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 1200 | 1352 | 88.8 | 32 | |
8 | Old Melburnians | 18 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 1222 | 1592 | 76.8 | 24 | |
9 | Old Haileyburians | 18 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 1103 | 1468 | 75.1 | 24 | Relegation |
10 | Caulfield Grammarians | 18 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 848 | 2010 | 42.2 | 4 |
Source: [19]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers
Finals
[edit]Grand Final | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday, 24 September (2:30pm) | Collegians | def. | St Kevin's | Elsternwick Park | [20] |
6.7 (43) 9.8 (62) 16.13 (109) 19.16 (130) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 1.0 (6) 5.4 (34) 5.6 (36) 6.9 (45) | |||
5: Ferguson, Mirra 2: Greene, Michie 1: Ong, Watson,Walker, Bazzani, Pocknee | Goals | 2: Kerr 1: Tucker, Mansfield, Hodges, Kennedy | |||
Ferguson, Mirra, Beilby, Cassidy, Hibbins, Michie | Best | Hodges, Critchley, Tucker, Richards | |||
Premier B
[edit]2023 VAFA Premier B season | |
---|---|
Teams | 10 |
Premiers | St Bernard's |
Minor premiers | St Bernard's |
Wooden spooners | Monash Blues |
St Bernard's won their 5th Premier B premiership, defeating Fitzroy by 31 points, although Fitzroy was also promoted to Premier Division for the first time since the club entered the VAFA.[21]
Ladder
[edit]Beaumaris were found to have fielded an ineligible player in their round 11 loss to St Bedes/Mentone Tigers and round 12 victory over St Bernard's.[22] On 18 July, the VAFA announced Beaumaris would lose the four premiership points that was gained in their victory, along with their "points for" score from both games. Beaumaris appealed the decision, but it was upheld on 4 August.[23]
As a result of gaining the four points that Beaumaris had lost, St Bernard's finished with a perfect season.[24]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | WF | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | St Bernard's (P) | 18 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1925 | 905 | 212.7 | 72 | Finals series |
2 | Fitzroy | 18 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1530 | 1184 | 129.2 | 48 | |
3 | De La Salle | 18 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1358 | 1135 | 119.7 | 48 | |
4 | Beaumaris | 18 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1553 | 1143 | 135.9 | 44 | |
5 | Old Geelong | 18 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1473 | 1266 | 116.4 | 44 | |
6 | St Bedes/Mentone Tigers | 18 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1485 | 1423 | 104.4 | 44 | |
7 | Williamstown CYMS | 18 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1436 | 1594 | 90.1 | 28 | |
8 | Old Trinity | 18 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 1031 | 1354 | 76.1 | 24 | |
9 | AJAX | 18 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 1085 | 1852 | 58.6 | 4 | Relegation |
10 | Monash Blues | 18 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 954 | 2114 | 45.0 | 4 |
Source: [24]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers
Finals
[edit]Grand Final | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 23 September (2:30pm) | St Bernard's 15.13 (103) | def. | Fitzroy 10.12 (72) | Elsternwick Park | |
|
Premier C
[edit]2023 VAFA Premier C season | |
---|---|
Teams | 9 |
Premiers | Old Camberwell |
Minor premiers | Old Ivanhoe |
Wooden spooners | Ormond |
As a result of Old Mentonians withdrawing prior to the start of the season, Premier C only had nine teams, with each having two byes and playing 16 games.[25] Additionally, only one team would be relegated to Division 1, instead of the usual two.[26]
Ladder
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Old Camberwell | 16 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1257 | 921 | 136.5 | 56 | Finals series |
2 | Old Ivanhoe (P) | 16 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1417 | 974 | 145.5 | 46 | |
3 | PEGS | 16 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1174 | 971 | 120.9 | 46 | |
4 | Parkdale Vultures | 16 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 1256 | 1086 | 115.7 | 38 | |
5 | Hampton Rovers | 16 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 1144 | 1233 | 92.8 | 28 | |
6 | Mazenod | 16 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 1014 | 1097 | 92.4 | 28 | |
7 | Old Carey | 16 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 1054 | 1161 | 90.8 | 24 | |
8 | Marcellin | 16 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 925 | 1407 | 65.7 | 12 | |
9 | Ormond | 16 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 1035 | 1426 | 72.6 | 10 | Relegation |
Source: [27]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers
Finals
[edit]Grand Final | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 23 September (2:30pm) | Old Ivanhoe 14.20 (104) | def. | Old Camberwell 9.8 (62) | Trevor Barker Beach Oval | |
|
Division 1
[edit]2023 VAFA Division 1 season | |
---|---|
Teams | 10 |
Premiers | Glen Eira |
Minor premiers | Glen Eira |
Wooden spooners | Ivanhoe |
On 7 June 2023, Preston Bullants parted wats with senior coach George Cotsonis, who was in his second season in the role. He was replaced by Tom Hill, a former Greater Western Sydney and Western Bulldogs-listed player.[28]
Following the conclusion of the season, in which they finished last, Ivanhoe left the VAFA and transferred to the Northern Football Netball League for 2024.[3] Preston was ultimately not relegated for the 2024 season as part of the VAFA's aim to keep all divisions at 10 teams each.[29]
Ladder
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Glen Eira (P) | 18 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 1593 | 969 | 164.4 | 64 | Finals series |
2 | Oakleigh | 18 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 1650 | 1114 | 148.1 | 56 | |
3 | Prahran | 18 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 1642 | 1047 | 156.8 | 52 | |
4 | UHS-VU | 18 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 1311 | 1230 | 106.6 | 40 | |
5 | Therry Penola | 18 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 1289 | 1177 | 109.5 | 40 | |
6 | Old Peninsula | 18 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 1363 | 1431 | 95.3 | 36 | |
7 | Kew | 18 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 1209 | 1218 | 99.3 | 32 | |
8 | West Brunswick | 18 | 4 | 14 | 0 | 958 | 1527 | 62.7 | 16 | |
9 | Preston Bullants | 18 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 1203 | 1739 | 69.2 | 12 | Relegation |
10 | Ivanhoe | 18 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 886 | 1652 | 53.6 | 8 |
Source: [30]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers
Finals
[edit]Grand Final | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 16 September (2:30pm) | Oakleigh 6.13 (49) | def. by | Glen Eira 15.13 (103) | Trevor Barker Beach Oval | |
|
Division 2
[edit]2023 VAFA Division 2 season | |
---|---|
Teams | 10 |
Premiers | Parkside |
Minor premiers | Parkside |
Wooden spooners | Aquinas |
Parkside won their first Division 2 premiership, defeating Old Yarra Cobras (who were in their first VAFA season) by three points.[31]
Following the conclusion of the season, in which they finished 7th, Old Paradians left the VAFA and transferred to the Northern Football Netball League for 2024.[3]
Ladder
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Parkside (P) | 18 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 1589 | 958 | 165.9 | 60 | Finals series |
2 | Brunswick | 18 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 1476 | 1203 | 122.7 | 52 | |
3 | Old Yarra Cobras | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1572 | 1276 | 123.2 | 50 | |
4 | South Melbourne Districts | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 1416 | 1151 | 123.0 | 48 | |
5 | Whitefriars | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 1677 | 1416 | 118.4 | 48 | |
6 | MHSOB | 18 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 1341 | 1456 | 92.1 | 30 | |
7 | Old Paradians | 18 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 1227 | 1428 | 85.9 | 26 | |
8 | Bulleen Templestowe | 18 | 5 | 13 | 0 | 1041 | 1622 | 64.2 | 20 | |
9 | St Mary's Salesian | 18 | 4 | 13 | 1 | 1277 | 1625 | 78.6 | 18 | Relegation |
10 | Aquinas | 18 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 1213 | 1694 | 71.6 | 8 |
Source: [32]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers
Finals
[edit]Grand Final | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday, 17 September (2:30pm) | Parkside 10.8 (68) | def. | Old Yarra Cobras 10.5 (65) | Coburg City Oval | |
|
Division 3
[edit]2023 VAFA Division 3 season | |
---|---|
Teams | 8 |
Premiers | Elsternwick |
Minor premiers | Elsternwick |
Wooden spooners | Swinburne University |
Ladder
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Elsternwick (P) | 18 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 1936 | 1120 | 172.8 | 64 | Finals series |
2 | Hawthorn | 18 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 2234 | 1280 | 174.5 | 56 | |
3 | Canterbury | 18 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 1845 | 1142 | 161.6 | 56 | |
4 | Wattle Park | 18 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 1587 | 1324 | 119.9 | 44 | |
5 | Richmond Central | 18 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 1286 | 1581 | 82.4 | 28 | |
6 | Power House | 18 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 1382 | 1627 | 84.9 | 24 | |
7 | La Trobe University | 18 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 900 | 1769 | 50.9 | 12 | Relegation |
8 | Swinburne University | 18 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 948 | 2295 | 41.3 | 4 |
Source: [33]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers
Finals
[edit]Grand Final | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 16 September (2:30pm) | Hawthorn 12.6 (78) | def. by | Elsternwick 21.19 (145) | Box Hill City Oval | |
|
Division 4
[edit]2023 VAFA Division 4 season | |
---|---|
Teams | 6 |
Premiers | North Brunswick |
Minor premiers | North Brunswick |
Wooden spooners | Eley Park |
Division 4 was abolished at the end of the season and merged into Division 3.[2]
Ladder
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | North Brunswick (P) | 18 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 1970 | 631 | 312.2 | 70 | Finals series |
2 | Box Hill North | 18 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 1719 | 1340 | 128.3 | 42 | |
3 | Albert Park | 18 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 1436 | 1377 | 104.3 | 40 | |
4 | St John's | 18 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 1216 | 1413 | 85.0 | 32 | |
5 | Masala Dandenong | 18 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 1537 | 1496 | 102.7 | 28 | |
6 | Eley Park | 18 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 863 | 2466 | 35.0 | 4 |
Source: [34]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers
Finals
[edit]Grand Final | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday, September 17 (2:30pm) | North Brunswick 10.9 (69) | def. | Albert Park 8.6 (54) | Garvey Oval | |
|
References
[edit]- ^ "2023 VAFA FIXTURE CALENDAR" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2024.
- ^ a b "VAFA set to undergo competition restructure in 2024". Herald Sun.
- ^ a b c "NFNL Statement: Ivanhoe and Old Paradians to join NFNL". Northern Football Netball League. 17 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024.
- ^ "How the formation of the Old Yarra Cobras happened." Victorian Amateur Football Association. 4 November 2024. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Club history". Old Yarra Cobras. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024.
- ^ "OLD YARRA COBRAS FOOTBALL CLUB" (PDF). AFL Victoria. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 May 2024.
- ^ "How the Men's Division Sections will look in 2023". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 9 December 2022. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Westbourne pull the pin". Star Weekly. 31 March 2023. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Footy doing it tough in the bush and the 'burbs". The Age. 8 March 2023. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Lack of players forces VAFA club into recess". CODE Sports. 23 February 2023.
- ^ "Prahran Assumption FC". Prahran Football Club. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024.
- ^ "OUR STORY". Wattle Park Amateurs Football Club. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024.
It was decided towards the end of the 2022 season that the Animals would be changing our name due to extenuating circumstances, and landed on Wattle Park Amateurs Football Club.
- ^ "William Buck extends long-running partnership with the VAFA". consultancy.com.au. 24 April 2023. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024.
- ^ "VAFA v PFL: State Footy is Back". Perth Football League. 12 July 2023. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024.
- ^ "The Big V triumphs in an all-time classic". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 16 July 2023. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024.
- ^ "Former AFL player arrested over alleged attack at local footy game in Malvern East". 7NEWS.
- ^ "Former Hawthorn, Storm rookie arrested over alleged assault at amateur football match". news.com.au.
- ^ "Former AFL and NRL-listed player arrested, released without charge over alleged 'unprovoked' assault". 9News.
- ^ "2023 William Buck Premier Men's". GameDay. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Lions roar to the 2023 Premiership". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 24 September 2023. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024.
- ^ "Together we are all Fitzroy in 2024". Fitzroy Football Club. 8 February 2024. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024.
- ^ "VAFA Media Release". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 18 July 2023. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Beaumaris loses premiership points". Herald Sun. 4 August 2023.
- ^ a b "2023 Premier B Men's". GameDay.
- ^ "VAFA Premier C Men's preview: The list changes, players to watch, coaches comments and more ahead of season 2023". Herald Sun. 6 April 2023.
- ^ "VAFA Statement: Old Mentonians FC". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 23 February 2023. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024.
- ^ "2023 Premier C Men's". GameDay.
- ^ "Preston Bullants AFC is excited to announce that Tom Hill will be taking the reins as our interim Senior Men's Coach for the remainder of the 2023 season". Facebook. Preston Bullants AFC. 7 June 2023. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Pignataro, Joe (12 October 2023). "2024 Men's Premier & Divisional competition structure". Victorian Amateur Football Association. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "2023 Division 1 Men's". GameDay. VAFA Results Archive. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "Sunday, September 17, 2023". GameDay.
- ^ "2023 Division 2 Men's". GameDay.
- ^ "2023 Division 3 Men's". GameDay.
- ^ "2023 Division 4 Men's". GameDay.