One Day in Football
 

Hampton Rovers v Ormond

Boss James Reserve, Hampton, VIC

"The big day kicked off with the President's Luncheon where the room was filled to capacity with 150 people. Guest speakers included Mick Malthouse, David Parkin & Ross Smith. Will Thursfield tossed the coin shortly before both teams lined up for the playing of the Australian National Anthem.

With both teams filling the top two positions on the VAFA C Section ladder and playing for the Buxton Cup, it was a great contest. In the end, it was the Hampton Rovers 19.13 (127) defeating Ormond 17.10 (112). Rovers captain Matt Lawrence, playing in his 200th club game, was the leading goal kicker with six.

Hampton wore special one-off heritage jumpers for the game. The crowd was estimated at over 1000.

Later that night, a function was held for the 10-year reunion of the 1998 senior premiership. A great day with two powerful district clubs going head to head in the VAFA and celebrating Australian Football 150 Years."

- Cameron Voss

Emmanuel Hawks v Koroit under-12s

Allen Oval, Warrnambool, VIC

"It was a special day because I was made captain for the day. Mum was very proud of me - it being Mothers' Day and all. My dad coaches us. We don't score but we beat the opposition. At the end of the game Jordan Lewis from the Hawthorn footy club came over to talk with me. Our club is his old junior club. I had my photo taken with him and some of my family. Go Hawks."

- Harrison Lee

Logan City v Robina

Tansey Drive, Tanah Merah, QLD

Jared Brennan came down to Tansey Park and did the coin toss. He also played some Table Tennis with my friend and he even had as kick with me and my friend.

-Jason Bennett

Balmain Dockers v Wollongong Loins

Drummoyne Oval, NSW

"It has been 672 days since a Balmain Senior side has sung the club victory song however on Saturday at Drummoyne the song was sung loudly, not once but twice after the Dockers defeated Wollongong by 64 points in what was certainly a major upset for the season. It was 8 July 2006 when Balmain last tasted success, also against Wollongong."

-Mark Lee

Old Ivanhoe Grammarians v Old Paradians under-19s

Chelsworth Park, Ivanhoe, VIC

"It was a lovely cold Melbourne footy day at picturesque Chelsworth Park, nestled in bushland by the Yarra in Ivanhoe. Plenty of thermoses of tea, lots of dogs to chase and some good footy. It was a physical encounter, but the 'Hoes' thrashed the 'Raders' in the end, scoring an overwhelming 25.14 (164) to 4.8 (32). A good assortment of screamers and clangers, a few miracle goals and even a controversial red card thrown into the mix."

- Benny the dog

Jindalee Jags v Mt Gravatt under-14s

Jindalee Districts AFC, Jindalee, QLD

"It was quite a warm Mothers Day in western Brisbane with a heap of games to be played.

We arranged for a special 150 years birthday cake for Australian Football and cut it in a ceremonious way and then handed the slices to the deserved spectating mothers of all the players.

Two Brisbane Lions players, Matt Tyler & James Hawksley, visited our Jags ground to have a chat to all the teams playing during our under-14s grading day, and they tossed the coin for one of the games.

There was much rejoice."

- Mark Stummer

ATW Bundaberg v Hervey Bay

Frank Coulthard Oval, South Bundaberg, QLD

"It was a grand final replay from last year. Both teams are the high flyers leading into this round with 2007 runners-up ATW and defending champions Hervey Bay leading the competition by a massive two games over Brothers.
The game was intense, but the Eagles had learnt their lesson from last year and sailed away to win by seven points, 11.15 (81) to 10.14 (74).
Brisbane Lion Jed Adcock was there to do the coin toss, which was won by Hervey Bay and it was also a great experience for the under-17s to have a coaching lecture."

- Will Taylor

"What a great weekend of Footy it was: fierce competive rivalry, close games, first wins, unbeaten runs ended, a visiting Brisbane Lions young gun, AFL QLD showbags, kicking goals for both teams?, local junior footy, and even the umpires stopped arguing for a weekend, with no reports!

Whew! The weekend wrap – bundaberg.aflq.com.au for the full story"

- Bob Fordham

Toowoomba East Juniors v Dads & Mums

Rockville Park, Toowoomba, QLD

"The Toowoomba East Stingers decided to hold a parent/child game and family day to celebrate Australian Football 150 Years.

There was handball and longest kicking comps prior to the big game, and afterward came a 150 Birthday cake with the candles blown out by the oldest and youngest members of the club.

A few of us Dads woke up a bit worse for wear in the morning but all agree that it was a great night."

- Brett Kleidon

Winchelsea vs Invereigh

Eastern Reserve, Winchelsea, VIC

"The day started out with the junior netball and after that, most people headed over to the oval to watch the reserves play.

At half time we payed tribute, with a minute’s silence, to a well-known footballer who died suddenly late last year.

The reserves won in the end. Next up, the seniors the started on a high – it happened to be our first home match of the season, so most of the town was there.

Pity we got beaten…"

- Phillipa Drayton

South Cairns Cutters v Manunda Hawks

Cairns, QLD

"South Cairns Cutters are sitting atop the AFL Cairns ladder undefeated. Manunda Hawks are last years premiers.

The game was expected to be very competitive. The Cutters won the Game by 190 Points.

southcairnsafl.com.au"

- Peter Kennedy

Fitzroy Reds Vs South Melbourne Districts

W.T. Peterson Reserve, Fitzroy, VIC

"A huge day of D1 Amateur footy with a pre-game lunch featuring greats of the past from both clubs including Bill Stephens (Fitzroy) and Peter Bedford (South).

Fitzroy Reds won the inaugural Stephens / Bedford trophy with the last kick of the day after the final siren.

It was a great day of footy that reminded the many hundreds that saw the match of what a great game we all play."

- Ross Mitchell

Wilston Grange v Mayne

Hickey Park, Stafford, QLD

"Wilston Grange held a special night match against Mayne. Both clubs were formerly in QAFL. Both have long traditions and continue to play in AFLQ State League Div2. Wilston Grange won a hard game. Nigel Lappin and Ash McGrath were Lions players who attended the match. Tom Collier came along on Saturday to watch the juniors play.

Both Nigel and Ash stayed the whole game and commented on how good a standard the game was. Both were interviewed at half time in the clubhouse in front of a large crowd. They both remembered fondly how much the club atmosphere was like their home clubs before playing AFL. Both players were very friendly to everyone including my sister Lauren.

I hope they can come again another time."

- Sarah Butler

"My sister Sarah and I have gone to the footy club with mum and dad since we were born. My brothers used to play but are both injured and can  only volunteer to help the club like my parents do.

I will remember the night match because I finally got the courage to get my photo taken with an AFL player. Nigel Lappin was very friendly and didn't mind me going back to get the photo retaken as the first one was blurry. Nigel thought he may have broken the camera but it was not to be.

Wilston Grange beat Mayne by 4 goals and it was a good crowd for a local game."

- Lauren Butler

Willetton vs Wanneroo

Burrendah Park, WA

"The Willetton Blues held a ladies day (as it was day before Motehrs day) and to celebrate the 150 year community footy weekend. Our focus was on the contribution made by the  women around the club. Fremantle Docker Chris Tarrant visited the club and mingled with supporters, tossed the coin for the league game and even poured a few champagnes for the ladies.  A great day had by all, except for the result which saw Wanneroo get up."

- Jim Grace

Therry Penola v Old Paradians

John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve, Oak Park, VIC

"VAFA D2 Sen Round 5 - Therry Penola 15.15 (105)  Old Paradians 15.10 (100)

A goal after the final siren gave Therry Penola's its second win against Old Paradians. It was a close battle all game with scores fairly level at most changes.

The game was witnessed by are large crowd who turned up to support the focus of back to grassroots football on the weekend. A special luncheon was organised to thank our key sponsors and helpers who support the club. Key helpers and sponsor were acknowledged and a specially produced multimedia presentation played continuously on the big screen to help celebrate Australian Football 150 Years."

- Chief

Grow a mo for Moe

Kingsley Amateur FC, WA

"The Kingsley Amateur Football Club held a hugely successful fundraising Auction Night on the Saturday 10th May 2008, Community Football Weekend.

One of our popular young players Matt (Moe for his curly hair like the Simpson character) Gregory, was diagnosed with cancer last month.  Moe, who turned 21 a couple of weeks ago, is a very sick young man with some serious health hurdles ahead of him.

To support him in his battle, his footy teammates launched a ‘Grow a Mo for Moe’ fundraiser to help with his medical bills and contribute to his loss of income.  Over 100 of our players, coaches, dads etc are currently sporting very ugly moustaches and will do so until the official shave-off day on 1 June 08.

The club members also initiated this auction fundraising night.

The auction was a phenomenal success due to the fantastic support of our members and local community, including the Kingsley Junior Footballers who got right behind the event.  The crowd was better than we could ever have hoped for on a cold wet night, we had capacity numbers and the clubrooms rocked.

Many of the Kingsley club members donated sensational items for auctioning including signed Danny Green gloves, the jumper Brendan Fevola wore on the night grand final, a signed Juddy Carlton jumper, Matthew Lloyd signed Essendon jumper, Perth Glory jumpers, Socceroos jumpers, Eagles items, Dockers items, Aussie cricket memorabilia, wine, hampers – too much to mention.  Over 100 items generously donated.

We had many thankyous – too many to list.  Thank you to everyone who donated the amazing items, everyone who attended on the night, those who heated up the bidding and raised $35,000+ for the event and everyone involved. 

The auctioneer was blown away – he said that he has been to many events for sporting clubs, corporations etc, but he has never come across anything like the spirit on display that night.  The ‘brotherhood’ of grass roots footy was alive and well and on show for all to see.

A senior WA Amateur League official told us that this would be the biggest fundraiser he has ever heard of in amateur footy and passed on his congratulations.

We are all proud to be involved with amateur footy and we hope for Moe to have good health as soon as possible."

- Amanda McIlroy

Mitcham v Coldstream

Walker Park, Mitcham, VIC

"In the EFL Division 3 clash at Walker Park, Coldstream was too strong for Mitcham by 46 points.

With both sides searching for their first win of the season, the game was on for young and old in an evenly fought first quarter.

But the Tigers struggled to keep pace and Coldstream took the ascendancy through quick ball movement to feed its forwards.

With the result beyond doubt, the Tigers outscored Coldstream in the last quarter to add some respectability to the scoreboard.

Coldstream's Dave Trueman had a field day kicking five goals straight. Matthew Payne, Adam Mowat and Daniel Bolton were also among Coldstream's best.

James McWhinney kicked three goals for the Tigers."

- Travis Parnaby

Box Hill Hawks v Geelong

Box Hill City Oval, VIC

"A big crowd flocked to Box Hill City Oval, for the Hawks Round 6 VFL battle with Geelong.

Box Hill was searching for its first win of the season and to half-time matched the skills of last year’s VFL premier.

But the Hawks fell away in the third, allowing the Cats to kick five goals to one.

In a spirited final term, both sides went goal for goal but it was to be the Cats day.

Cat Travis Varcoe was best on ground with three goals while rover Steve Kenna battled hard for Box Hill. Both players and all umpires received commemorative coins to mark the 150th year of Australian Football.

The fans enjoyed getting up close to their heroes and listening in to what coaches Barry Mitchell and Leigh Tudor had to say to their troops.

Many families took the opportunity to have a kick on the ground at the breaks.

Children also enjoyed a Jumping Castle and Face Painting, as well as guest appearances and photo opportunities with AFL mascots Hawka and Half-Cat.

The two mascots also matched-up for a half-time celebrity race."

- Travis Parnaby