2023 VAFA season

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Date15 April − 15 September 2023
Teams63
2023 VAFA season
Date15 April − 15 September 2023
Teams63
 2022
2024 

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.[1] The season began on 15 April and concluded on 15 September, with 63 teams participating across seven divisions under a promotion and relegation system.[2]

Accounting firm William Buck signed a three-year sponsorship deal extension with the VAFA on 24 April 2023, which included continuing the naming rights for the "William Buck Premier Division", continuing a partnership that began in the 2010s.[3][4]

The VAFA signed a three-year agreement with KommunityTV, News Corp Australia's live-streaming platform, which saw the platform exclusively broadcast 48 matches throughout 2024.[5] KommunityTV had broadcast 2022 finals matches as part of a trial arrangement.[6][7]

Association membership

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.[8] On 19 September 2022, the formation of Old Yarra Cobras Football Club was announced.[9][10]

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.[11] 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.[12]

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.[13][14]

Name changes

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.[15]

Additionally, Emmaus St Leo's renamed to Wattle Park Amateurs Football Club due to "extenuating circumstances".[16]

Notable events

  • During the round 8 match between La Trobe University and Elsternwick in Division 3 on 3 June, a 21-year-old La Trobe University accidentally slapped Elsternwick player Ashley Quinn (a Victoria Police officer) while marking the ball.[17] Quinn grabbed the player and punched him multiple times to the face, breaking his nose and causing the match to be temporarily halted.[18] Quinn fronted the Moorabbin Magistrates' Court in August 2024 on one charge of intentionally causing injury, and was sentenced to a six-month diversion.[18]
  • 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.[19][20]
  • 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.[21] The player was taken to hospital while Tatpu was arrested by police, however he was later released from custody.[22][23]
  • On 3 August, the VAFA announced that 33 previously-unnamed perpetual awards and trophies would be renamed to honour people "who have given distinguished service" to the VAFA or its clubs.[24][25]
  • St John's was removed from the Division 3 reserves grand final after it was found that they had fielded an ineligible player in the preliminary final against Box Hill North, with Box Hill North taking its place in the grand final against North Brunswick.[26][27]
  • Former West Brunswick reserves captain-coach Ron "Banjo" Patterson, who played a senior premiership in 1960 and won the reserves best and fairest medal in 1969, died on 17 March 2023.[28]
  • Former Old Haileybury player Alan Ross, who was part of the club's inaugural senior premiership in 1963, died in May 2023.[29][30]

Premier

2023 Premier Division season
Teams10
PremiersCollegians
18th Premier premiership
Minor premiersCollegians
JN Woodrow MedallistMarty Gleeson[31][32][33]
(University Blues − 19 votes)
Leading goalkickerDavid Mirra[34]
(Collegians − 48 goals)
 2022
2024 

Collegians won their 18th Premier Division premiership, defeating St Kevin's by 85 points.[35]

Ladder

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 Haileybury 18 6 12 0 1103 1468 75.1 24 Relegation
10 Caulfield Grammarians 18 1 17 0 848 2010 42.2 4

Source:[36]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Finals

Grand Final
Sunday, 24 September (2:30pm) Collegians def. St Kevin's Elsternwick Park [37]
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

Team of the Year

2023 VAFA Premier Team of the Year[38][39]
B: Matt Warren (Collegians) Marty Gleeson (University Blues) Luke McCleary (Collegians)
HB: Sam Sofronidis (Collegians) Campbell Moorfield (University Blacks) Brodie Steele (Old Haileybury)
C: Jim Bazzani (Collegians) Kenny Ong (Collegians) Tom Cutler (University Blues)
HF: Mitch Wallis (St Kevin's) David Mirra (c) (Collegians) Henry Brown (Old Scotch)
F: Charlie MacIsaac (Old Xaverians) James Tarrant (Old Scotch) Will Pocknee (Collegians)
Foll: Josh Steadman (University Blacks) Ben Harding (Old Melburnians) Luke Winter (St Kevin's)
Int: Tom Fisher (Old Brighton) Aidan Franetic (Old Scotch) Marcus Stavrou (Old Xaverians)
Brodie Easton (Old Scotch)
Coach: Jared Rivers (Collegians)

Club best and fairest

Club Winner Ref
Caulfield Grammarians Matt Clarkson [40]
Collegians Sam Sofronidis [41]
Old Brighton Tom Fisher [42]
Old Haileybury Durras Seccull [43][44]
Old Melburnians Ben Harding [45]
Old Scotch Aidan Franetic [46]
Old Xaverians Marcus Stavrou [47]
St Kevin's Cal Matheson [48]
Luke Winter
University Blacks Lachlan Knight [49]
University Blues Marty Gleeson [50]

Club leadership

Club Coach Leadership group Ref
Captain(s) Vice-captain(s) Other leader(s)
Caulfield Grammarians Guy McKenna[51] Joey McClelland[52] Harry Schaffer (vc), Jack Ellwood (dvc), Jack Webster (dvc) Oscar Roberts, Jasper Rouget, Will Vessely, Oscar Ursini [53]
Collegians Jared Rivers[54] Sam Hibbins Viv Michie, Corey Cassidy David Mirra, Luke McCleary, Matt Warren, Jim Bazzani [55]
Old Brighton Dan Donati[56] Harry Hill Tom Fisher, Michael Karayannis, Hamish Dick, Tom Yorgey [53]
Old Haileybury James Paul Brede Seccull, Brodie Steele Durrus Seccull, Jack Munro, Max Sinclair, Sam Loewe, Will Paul, Josh Gasparini [44]
Old Melburnians Jackson Paine Will Nichols Lachie Haysman, Ben Haysman, Ed Smart, Dan Coffield, Ed Michelmore [57]
Old Scotch Mark Gnatt[58] [53]
Old Xaverians Marcus Stavrou Billy Gowers (vc), Denis Symeopoulos (dvc), Alex Trigar (dvc) [53]
St Kevin's Anthony Lynch [53]
University Blacks Campbell Moorfield, Josh Steadman Lachlan Knight, Henry Bennett, Nick Hey [53]
University Blues Ayce Cordy [53]

Premier B

2023 Premier B season
Teams10
PremiersSt Bernard's
5th Premier B premiership
Minor premiersSt Bernard's
GT Moore MedallistJack Sheridan[59]
(Old Geelong − 17 votes)
Ben Huggard[60]
(St Bernard's − 17 votes)
Leading goalkickerCaleb Lewis[61][62]
(St Bedes/Mentone Tigers − 49 goals)
 2022
2024 

St Bernard's won their 5th Premier B premiership, defeating Fitzroy by 31 points in the grand final to complete a perfect season.[63] Fitzroy was promoted to the highest grade the first time since the club entered the VAFA.[64][65]

Ladder

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.[66] 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 3 August.[67][68]

As a result of gaining the four points that Beaumaris had lost, St Bernard's finished with a perfect season.[69]

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:[69]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Finals

Grand Final
Saturday, 23 September (2:30pm) St Bernard's 15.13 (103) def. Fitzroy 10.12 (72) Elsternwick Park
  • Both teams promoted to Premier Division

Club best and fairest

Club Winner Ref
AJAX Benji Krongold [70]
Beaumaris Cal Heath [71]
De La Salle Christian Algeri [72]
Fitzroy Donovan Toohey [73]
Monash Blues Daniel Easson [74]
Old Geelong Harry Kol [75]
Old Trinity Ollie Scott [76]
Harry Thompson
St Bedes/Mentone Tigers Michael Barnes [77]
Caleb Lewis
St Bernard's Jordan Farrell [78]
Williamstown CYMS Jordan Busuttil [79]

Premier C

2023 Premier C season
Teams9
PremiersOld Camberwell
Minor premiersOld Ivanhoe
L Zachariah MedallistBilly Murphy[33][80]
(Old Ivanhoe − 27 votes)
Leading goalkickerRyan Macdermid[81][82]
(Parkdale Vultures − 54 goals)
 2022
2024 

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.[83] Additionally, only one team would be relegated to Division 1, instead of the usual two.[84]

Ladder

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:[85]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Finals

Grand Final
Saturday, 23 September (2:30pm) Old Ivanhoe 14.20 (104) def. Old Camberwell 9.8 (62) Trevor Barker Beach Oval [86]
  • Both teams promoted to Premier B

Club best and fairest

Club Winner Ref
Hampton Rovers Liam O'Driscoll [87]
Marcellin Matthew Capetola [88]
Mazenod
Old Camberwell James Allen [89]
Old Carey Tom Jepson [90][91]
Old Ivanhoe Patrick Naish [92][93]
Ormond Luke Kennedy [94][95]
Parkdale Vultures
PEGS Alex McLeod [96][97]

Division 1

2023 Division 1 season
Teams10
PremiersGlen Eira
Minor premiersGlen Eira
LS Pepper MedallistLuke Ashen[33][98]
(Oakleigh − 22 votes)
Rory Brodie[33][99]
(Prahran − 22 votes)
Leading goalkickerAaron Cloke[100][101]
(Oakleigh − 83 goals)
 2022
2024 

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.[102]

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.[103]

Preston was ultimately not relegated for the 2024 season as part of the VAFA's aim to keep all divisions at 10 teams each.[104]

Ladder

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:[105]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Finals

Grand Final
Saturday, 16 September (2:30pm) Oakleigh 6.13 (49) def. by Glen Eira 15.13 (103) Trevor Barker Beach Oval
  • Both teams promoted to Premier C

Club best and fairest

Club Winner Ref
Glen Eira Lachlan Myers [106]
Ivanhoe
Kew Max Waters [107]
Oakleigh
Old Peninsula Jake Lovett [108]
Prahran Rory Brodie [109]
Preston Bullants
Therry Penola Jackson Young [110]
UHS-VU Finn Urie [111]
West Brunswick Emlyn Nettleton [112]

Division 2

2023 Division 2 season
Teams10
PremiersParkside
1st Division 2 premiership
Minor premiersParkside
J Fullerton MedallistDaniel Wood[33][113]
(Whitefriars − 30 votes)
Leading goalkickerDaniel Wood[114][115]
(Whitefriars − 73 goals)
 2022
2024 

Parkside won their first-ever Division 2 premiership, and their first senior premiership since 1988, defeating Old Yarra Cobras (who were in their first VAFA season) by three points.[116][117]

Following the conclusion of the season, in which they finished seventh, Old Paradians left the VAFA and transferred to the Northern Football Netball League for the 2024 season.[103]

Ladder

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:[118]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Finals

Grand Final
Sunday, 17 September (2:30pm) Parkside 10.8 (68) def. Old Yarra Cobras 10.5 (65) Coburg City Oval
  • Both teams promoted to Division 1

Club best and fairest

Club Winner Ref
Aquinas Josh Glennie [119]
Brunswick Angus Ross [113]
Bulleen Templestowe Jack Anderson [120]
MHSOB Julian Eimutis [121]
Old Paradians Marcus Nolan [122]
Old Yarra Cobras Nick Zappala [123]
St Mary's Salesian Jack Elliston [124]
South Melbourne Districts Jamie Brooker [125][126]
Parkside
Whitefriars Daniel Wood [127]

Division 3

Division 4

References

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