All-Australian selectors have it easy. They are comforted by myriad wads of information to assist them in their task of picking the AFL’s best-of-the-best. Statistics, kicking efficiency, hard-ball gets, hand-ball receives, kicks to advantage. It’s all there for them in black and white. And, in truth, it must be mind-numbingly boring. But for your humble VAFA Division 1 scribe, it is an entirely different kettle of fish. I must rely on my own two eyes, along with the nominations of club correspondents and coaches (and for that, I thank you all). There are many wonderful footballers running around each week in this division, many of whom would not be out of place in the premier grades. One of the great pleasures for me this season has been witnessing most of the cream of the comp playing their trade.
When it came to selecting the team you see below, I decided that in the interests of objectivity I would pick two players from each team – except for the best two teams in the competition, from whom three players were chosen. As such, there are many fine players who have missed out (particularly from the dominant North Old Boys and Peninsula), and for that I apologise. Space prohibits me from detailing each player, but I am sure that most observers of Division 1 would agree that this team would take some beating.
Review: For the second week in a row, there were no real surprises. As far as the final four is concerned, fourth-placed Whitefriars’ comfortable victory over third-placed Old Geelong was foreseeable as it was on Friars’ dung-heap. While it will certainly give them confidence going into next week’s first semi-final, it must be said that neither team was at full strength. At the bottom of the ladder, Williamstown recorded their biggest and most impressive win of the season. That it was over Glen Eira made it all the more important, as they leap-frogged the Saints into eighth place and closer to the safety zone. MHSOB emerged the victors over Ormond in an entertaining tussle at the high school. The fact that the fifth-placed Unicorns have never really been in the finals hunt only proves how great the chasm between the top four and bottom six is. Meanwhile at the top of the ladder, NOB-SP thrashed St John’s while the Pirates ran their cutlasses through Old Mentonians. The Panthers were in the hunt early in the season, but have really fallen away: they have won only one of their seven.
Preview: North Old Boys – St Patrick’s will be looking toward next week’s bigger stage, but first they must face Glen Eira, who will throw everything at them. For the Saints, defeat equals relegation whilst victory may provide salvation. Even so, I cannot see NOBs losing focus. Whitefriars should continue their recent impressive form against a St John’s team who will be planning their mad Monday. Old Geelong host Peninsula at Como, and the Oggers will be looking to test themselves against a fellow finals team. Although they will perform better than last week, I cannot see them overcoming the powerful Pirates.
Williamstown travel to Gunn Reserve for the first time, to face an Ormond team who have endured a five-match losing streak. I am tempted to tip an upset, but I reckon the Monders might just pull something out of the hat at home. In the battle to determine who will be the “best of the rest”, the Panthers should have enough fire-power to outscore the Unicorns.
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