|
|
| Year 2007 |
|
Keema and a new breed of bushrangers
As players kicked there first footballs for preseason 2007 at Elgar Park, there was feeling of expectation in the air. Why shouldn’t there have been, the club had just come off its first final campaign in D1 the year before which had been built on the back of some genuinely gutsy wins. Those players who kicked those balls on those sunny Wednesday evenings in December had little idea what summer would hold for the Bushrangers, for by the time the club meet again in January the club had been turned on its head.
Over the summer Rob Drew, a member of the bushrangers team of the century, 2002 premiership player, best and fairest winner and one of the most talented players in the team, if not the competition, was offered a contract with EFL club Ringwood, to which he accepted and brang along Ash Middlin with him. Unquestionably it hurt the club that a player who had meant so much to it had left. But worse still the ongoing drought had forced the club from the schools ovals meaning pre-season training was reduced to one night a week, at varied locations.
Compounding the issue, the club was without a reserves coach, and without the services of former captain Brad Peake and Dan LeCordier who announced their retirement and best and fairest winner Andrew Laing who moved interstate. The situation meant momentum and enthusiasm, the life blood of a successful preseason was nigh on impossible.
Consequently the season started disappointingly. In sunny conditions at Como Park the club started its ‘07 campaign against Old Geelong, a team that the Bushrangers had accounted for twice in 2006. So it probably said something about the preseason that Old Geelong accounted for the Bushrangers by over 10 goals. A win against struggling Therry Penola interrupted disappointing performances against rivals, Peninsula and Prahran and a heart breaking last kick of the day loss to Old Parade. But against Hampton Rovers the club hit rock bottom, suffering a humiliating 150 point loss.
One could be excused for thinking that the spirit that lead the Bushrangers to so many great wins just one year before was nowhere to be found in the ‘07 team, having only one win from the first half of the season and starring relation in the face. But just like the ‘06 team, it was when the team had its back up against the wall that it produced its best football.
The first stage to redemption was a commanding win against Peninsula, Beal (6 goals) was brilliant as the team showed for the first time in 2007 what it was capable of. More wins were to follow against Therry Penola and Old Parade and all of a sudden the club was breathing again and the battle to starve of relegation was on.
Off field the club staged probably its most successful night since the 10 year dinner at the AFL Hall of Fame, the auction that night raised close to $9,000 for the club and the 90’s night a couple of weeks later was a huge success.
With more games at Domeny in the latter half of the year the club really began to fire again. Lead by one veteran and a plethora of younger players who started to play good football at senior level the Bushrangers lifted themselves off the matt. Jono Trend really started to stamp his authority on the senior side and first year players Tim Gray, Dean Letson, Nic Paton, Damien Pagon, Dean Letson, Tim Pottage, James Cordwell, Grant Smith and Daniel Vanderziel all played senior footy at a high standard. These additions helped the side to start playing the football it was capable of but it was James Keem who turned the season around 180 degrees.
It started with a massive 12 goal haul against top of the table Mentone and continued right though to the end of the season with another 12 goals against final four side Bulleen in the last round. Almost 50 goals in the last five games saw him streak to the top of the goal kickers table and had the rest of the competition sit up and take notice. It was probably the most dominant performance of any Yarra player in the clubs short history.
The strong finish to the season saw the bushrangers easily escape relegation and gave them confidence that they could be competitive in D1 in 2008. Club staward Rowan Thompson became the 3rd player at the club to play 200 games and long time servant Naomi Potts granted life membership of the club. Chris Beal won the seniors best and fairest, Ben Seegar was a popular winner of the reserves award while the footy trip headed north to the Gold Coast.
Overall it was a disappointing season. It had started poorly and struggled to gain momentum. But the strong finish had given the club a genuine sense of renewal, and most importantly a reason to be optimistic about season 2008.
|
|
| Year 2003 |
|
Running from the law for 10 years
So it was that the Bushrangers returned to the scene of their past failures to combat the ghosts of two failed attempts at gaining a foothold in D1. For all that had been said and done over the past 10 seasons, for all that had been achieved over the short existence of the Bushrangers, the one thing the club could not say with absolute certainty was that it belonged in D grade. Two previous assaults had been made both ending in relegation, and no matter how impressive the results from the previous season, respect from D1 would only be earned through D1 success… and what better time to turn these ambitions into reality than in 2003, the year the club celebrated its 10th anniversary.
2003 gave the club the chance to celebrate what even the most skeptical opponent could regard as a, flourishing club with a proud history, 5 premierships, 11 grand finals and 15 finals campaigns (between the 3 teams) were confirmation of this and the naming of the clubs senior and reserve teams of the decade was eagerly anticipated by all involved in the club.
The team than took the field in 2003 had not changed much from the all conquering line up of 2002. Fraser McVean retired Tim Hancock ventured overseas, while reserves, coach Row Davis stepped down from the coaching position to return to the playing list, replaced by Simon Taylor, off field Stephen La Get stepped down as president, replaced by club life member Rod Penaluna. What had changed was the opposition. No longer could Yarra expect virtual bye weeks against Kew or Oakleigh, instead they would meet perennial bogie teams Uni Blacks and Ajax and arch rival Aquinas. Age, experience and attitude would be called upon to ensure this was a stronger line up than that which graced this same battlefield two years earlier.
The season started well, with the seniors comfortably defeating Salesian, in front of a newly unveiled premiership flag at Domeney, in a replay of 2002’s grand final. However as coach Kilworth, entering a club record 3rd season at the helm, insisted, respect could only be earned through victory against the powerhouses of the D1 competition. Uni Blacks, a team destined for D1 finals presented the first of these opportunities. Round 2, perfect Autumn conditions, Yarra put down a large down payment on their respect mortgage with an exciting 10 goal win. The mood at the club was ecstatic, as Rick Pearce noted in his match report the club has “proved that it is truly capable of mixing it with the big boys of D1. Yes, Yarra has earned respect. But now they want more”
In droves the red yellow and black faithful from right throughout the clubs short history turned up in black tie to Caulfield Racecourse to celebrate the clubs first 10 years. The highlight of the night of course being, the naming of the club’s ‘team of the decade’ and ‘reserves team of the decade’. It was a great night and a fitting way commemorate what had been achieved both on and off the field, Tim Habben gaining the title captain of the team of the decade, while current coach Tim Kilworth was named coach of the decade.
Yarra spent the majority of the season hovering just out of the final four, gusty wins over finals contenders Banyule and Ajax where annoying cancelled out by disappointing efforts against struggling Aquinas and a season ending defeat at the hands of lowly Ivanhoe Assumption. The final result, fifth, but 1.5 games off forth was probably a fair summation of how the club performed in 2003, good but still work to do. As Kilworth pointed out frequently, without finals appearances D1 can become a graveyard in with which a club can grow stale, one only had to look across Maroondah Highway to rival Aquinas to see that.
Andrew Laing won a well deserved senior best and fairest, while James Strong took out the reserves title. James Keem won his third straight goal kicking award, the footy trip traveled south, on the ferry to Launceston. It was a frustrating season, but it had laid to rest any doubts over what grade the club belonged in, as Paul Pickering noted in a reserves match report, that despite the up and down nature of 2003, ‘One thing is for certain; like ‘The Bachelor’, ‘The Yarra Boys’ will return (to D1) next year with a hot new cast of charismatic crowd-pleasers.’ This could not be said of the last 2 attempts.
Links
Senior and Reserve Teams of the Decade
|
|
| Year 2002 |
|
2 From 2 in 2002
The seeds from which season 2002 blossomed where planted in a team meeting at the Blackburn Hotel in late November 2001. Still biting from the bitter disappointment of falling back to D2, a grade the club as a whole felt was below the standard of a young and classy outfit, the players committed to learning from the mistakes and wasted opportunity of season 2001, creating a set of team rules that would lead the club to success and coining the slogan “2 from 2 in 2002” which was to remain at the forefront of all players minds throughout the season.
An influx of younger players graduating from the U19’s, renewed enthusiasm, and greater commitment from the playing group, lead to stronger numbers at training throughout the summer. As a result Row Davis’ famous or infamous “Rotation Policy”, where reserves players where rotated in and out of the side regardless of form, became as much a part of reserves football as dew on the grass, of course the abolition of rotation for the finals series forced Davis to make a number hard decisions, but it ensured training numbers where high and places in both sides hard to come by.
Sporting a new look jumper, emblazoned with the bushranger mascot on the front and a red back the club returned to D2 in manor in which it had hoped with the seniors scoring a comfortable 65 point demolition, of Fitzroy Reds, on the large expanses of Brunswick Street Oval. The win gave the club the first chance to belt out the new addition to the clubs theme some “I’m a Big bad-bush-bushranger!” It’s fair to say the first time probably wasn’t done in unison or in tune, but with plenty more wins to come the boys got plenty of practice.
The 2002 bushranger lineup was a new look outfit from the one that had taken the field in 2001. Tested senior players, Ash Drew, Andrew Laing and Fraser McVean returned from periods away from the club, players such as Chris Beal and James Parry made the successful step up to senior football from the under 19’s, while new players such as Sam Collie entrenched themselves in the Yarra line up. It was one newish face however that stood out, Dave Stevenson’s big frame was hard to miss at Centre Half Back, he was responsible for many big marks deep in defence and the formed the rock around which a tight and reliable back line was formed, including regular performers Sam Savage, Andrew Laing, Rob Drew and Rick Pearce.
The under 19’s, under new coach Pete Battle, also sported a very different look, with many players following Battle across town from Croydon rather than coming from the traditional source Yarra Valley Grammar School, the U19’s did it hard, inconsistent numbers at training made game days hard work, the final season result was perhaps an unfair result for the amount of effort Pete and a number of more committed players put into the season.
Regardless, both senior sides continued impressive seasons, comfortably accounting for old rival Old Carey and Peninsula, indeed in many matches Killa struggled to motivate the boys to keep their concentration against lowly Kew or Oakleigh, especially as the season progressed.
The shock of the season came in the round seven clash with unpredictable Bentleigh. A howling wind ensured play remained at one end of the ground the entire day. And for the only time that season the firsts found themselves on the wrong side of the ledger after four quarters to the tune of 24 points. It was a heated encounter both on and off the field however significantly every player, and supporter, went into their rooms after the game, as Kilworth recalled “they may have won the battle but they were not going to win the war!”
The return bout at Domeney, 10 weeks later was eagerly awaited, and the D2 pace setters didn’t make the same mistake twice, playing direct, clinical football the Bushrangers annihilated Bentleigh 21.15.141 to 9.8.62.
2002 will also be fondly remembered for the dramatic improvement in Thursday night diners, many thanks must go to Robyn and George Valoppi and Pauline Hipwell and Paul Wines, for their tireless efforts on Thursday night. Gone where meat pies with sauce, now the guys could expect full diners; chicken, lasagna or bangas n’ mash.
The home and away season was finished in commanding style, with a convincing 23.24 to 5.7 win over second placed Salesian, away. The true meaning of this result was hard to gauge with Salesian choosing to rest a number of players in what, with both positions 1 and 2 secure, was effectively a dead rubber. It did however ensure Kilworth’s chargers could lay claim to the becoming the most successful Yarra Valley team in a home and away season, finishing 4 games clear on top of the ladder with a 17-1 record. However, this could all stand for nothing in the do or die world of finals Football.
It had been a long, sometimes tedious season for the red hot premiership favorites, but as Rick Pearce noted in his semi final match report “the time of the year that carried with it the considerable weight of inevitability for this young, skilled, and focused Yarra Valley outfit – had arrived”
It was what the club had been waiting for since that team meeting 11 months earlier, finals football. The D2 finals took place at Central Reserve, the scene of the clubs previous finals foray in 1999, The seniors accounted for second placed Salesian, 14.15.99 to 10.12.72 , ensuring a return to D1 in season 2003, perhaps more unexpected, the reserves reversed the results of their past two encounters with minor premier Fitzroy to also progress to the big game, with a hard fought win earlier in the day. The stage was set for the biggest day in Yarra’s 9 year history.
Saturday, September 13, 2002. Bright Sunshine, a strong wind, blowing towards the Waverly Road end of the ground greeted the players that morning. It had been a big build up, messages and well wishes from past players had filled the clubs webpage, training was intense, the club was buzzing, but slightly nervous at what was at stake. Both seniors and reserves had accounted for their opponents, Salesian and Peninsula respectively, during the season and where expected to win. Nothing but 2 from 2 in 2002 would satisfy a club which had more than met any challenge put before them that year.
The reserves started the day in emphatic style, acting Captain Mark ‘Disco’ Davies (replacing veteran David Potter who had devastatingly been suspended late in the second semi) and veteran Dan Ireland where magnificent, kicking with the aid of a strong breeze the reserves booted 8 goals. However the reserves took their foot off the pedal, an unforgivable mistake in a game of such magnitude. Only two goals where scored into the wind by Yarra for the match and kicking into the wind in the last quarter, defending only a slight scoreboard advantage the bushrangers looked a spent force, until, as Paul Pickering stated in his Grand Final review ‘With just minutes left in premiership proceedings, Damian “The Sheriff” Ross effected a diving smother, thwarting a Peninsula forward-foray that looked certain gain them the lead and possibly the trophy.” It was without doubt the defining moment of the game, if not the season, Yarra where able to hang on to a 3 point win. And secure the clubs first reserves premiership.
At the time of the final siren the senior team was well into their pre-game warm-up. It could be argued that the motivational effect the win had on the seniors effectively knocked the final nail in the coffin for the underdog Salesian. Yarra started the main game strongly with Ash Drew and Keem scoring majors, ensuring a six goal to one first quarter, however when Salesian, kicking with the wind in the second term opened with the first 2 goals memories of the earlier game where revived. This was the last time Salesian where to even look competitive, goals to McVean, Middlin and Stone, saw the bushrangers headed to the dressing rooms with a 13 goals to 3 lead.
As Rick Pearce noted in his grand final match report “Kilworth pleaded to his troops to move in for the kill and Yarra responded with their best quarter of football all season.” The third quarter, the premiership quarter, defined the game, the day and the season. Ash Drew, Beal, Savage and even defender Andrew Laing scored majors and ensured that by three quarter time the game was over, the final quarter only delayed the inevitable, a 139 point victory to the bushrangers, and the season mission fulfilled - 2 FROM 2 IN 2OO2
Favourite Dave Stevenson claimed his first best and fairest, Ryan Collett took out a close count in the reserves while James Keem ensured he took home a second golden boot with 63 goals.
Links
Senior Premiership Team
Reserve Premiership Team
Senior Grand Final Report
Reserve Grand Final Report
10 Commitments
|
|
| Year 2001 |
|
One step forward, two steps back
With the damage of season 1999 now repaired the bushrangers could once again concentrate on achieving the long term goal of reaching C Grade. 1999 had been a blemish on an impressive march through the lower grades of the VAFA, it was the task of this side to ensure that it remained a blemish and not turn onto a scar by second failure at the D1 level.
It was always going to a tough season. Domeney Reserve was unavailable for both training and playing early in the season due to ground works. Club captain Michael Fung and Luke White’s work commitments took them overseas and interstate. Two time best and fairest Ash Drew and Andrew Laing would be backpacking around Europe, while club champion Fraser McVean and senior wingman Ollie Kysella retired. It was not just on the field that the club looked different, for the first time in 8 years Hayden Park would not be president replaced by the peoples’ president Stephen La Get, ably supported by a new secretary Dan Ireland.
Change however provides opportunity; Brad Peake would take over the captaincy, a role he would eventually hold onto longer than any other player. Rob Drew and Sam Savage made the successful transition to senior football, the later being rewarded with the tag of best first year player come presentation night while Rowan Davis, trying to overcome injury took up the reserves coaching position.
Although comfortable wins against Old Carey and Monash Uni suggested that holding onto a D1 position was a possibility for 2002, crushing defeats from Uni Blacks, Aquinas, and especially Old Camberwell, who accounted for the bushrangers by 136 points reminded the team they of the work to be done before they would be battling for promotion rather than survival.
Regardless of form on field the club was as strong as ever off it. In June, thanks to the work of Bart Drew, the club launched its website www.yvobfc.com.au, the first story was a brief match report from a disappointing day against Uni Blacks, probably not to the high standard Rick Pearce, Paul Pickering, Geoff Torney and the One Eyed Bushranger would set in the coming years but everything starts somewhere. 2001 also saw the first issue of the Nosebag, a light hearted bi-weekly publication penned by Matt Laing which lead to the inception of the highly sought after Nosebag player of the year, rewarding off-field achievement.
While the U19’s started strongly, loss of players to injury and senior selection hurt. Unfortunately the season will always be remembered for the ‘War at Whitefriars’ in which a melee forced play to be abandoned and the club receive a $1000 fine. To their credit the players fundraised the $1000 themselves, ensuring the club did not pay a cent.
As the season progressed, one game in particular loomed large on the horizon, a fork in the road, fittingly, a round 16 battle between traditional rival, the struggling Old Carey, would determine whether 2001 was the year Yarra took a foothold in D1 or slipped back to the depths of D2.
Much was made of the battle, Michael Fung, in the lead up to the game, contributed an entire article to the Yarra v Carey rivalry on the club website, finishing with ‘so we have the clash that will seal Carey's fate and most likely ensure that Yarra stay in D1. This would be a fitting result.’
It was not to be. It seemed a shame that the boys saved their worst game of the season for the one that mattered most. Old Carey triumphed over a side that could not find top gear, indeed coach Kilworth recalls… “(this loss still) sits in my craw, as our weakest ever effort” The loss meant Yarra needed to defeat finalists St Leos and Ivanhoe/Assumption in the final rounds to remain in D1, despite improved efforts it was not to be.
Phil Valoppi was a run away winner in the best and fairest count, while Mark Davies lead home a strong field in the seconds, Luke Gillies took out the U19 count, while a large field made the trip to Echuca for the first footy trip away from Albury.
So it was that season 2001 had finished in the same manor in which the previous attempt at D1 had…in D2. The club was disappointed, but from that disappointment grew a steal eyed resolve to learn from the mistakes of the past. It is doubtful that that success of the following season could have been reached had it not been for the bitter disappointment of failing for a second time, at this higher challenge.
|
|
| Year 2000 |
|
If ever there was a changing of the guard at the club, this was it. Many senior players who had carried the club to its successes to date had either succumbed to injury or retired. Rod Penaluna, to date the club’s only secretary, had also changed roles by taking on the under 19 coaching role. It was a job that suited him well, as he had been one of the most influential in promoting under 19 football at the club.
Tim Killworth took his first role as a senior coach and Wayne Reddaway returned by answering a call to coach the reserves. Michael Fung was appointed club captain following his successful return from a knee injury. The club appeared to be much more settled than in 1999.
With the club having its first setback in 1999, the sole aim of the club in 2000 was to bounce straight back to D grade but the season did not start well. Three losses from the first three games and questions were being asked. Nothing appeared to really change after this, but the side started winning games and by mid season, had developed into a menacing force having defeated fellow finals contenders Thomastown, Salesian and Peninsula by margins in excess of 10 goals in successive weeks. Senior players started returning to the club and several of the younger players gained confidence as their places in the side were now assured.
The club entered the finals series in 2nd place, knowing that it had the capability to make the grand final – an achievement that would guarantee promotion. Against University Blacks in the 2nd semi final, a tremendous 2nd quarter which saw a 5 goal deficit converted to a 2 goal lead set the foundation for a emotive win. Luke White was in the best form of his career and his run was a contributing factor in the win.
Looking back to round 3, winless and down on confidence, the club had turned the season around and was now in the grand final and back in D grade for season 2001.
In the week off, the reserves continued their impressive end of season form by disposing of favourites Parkside with a goal to Steve Paske in the last 5 seconds of the game. His kick, the result of a down the ground free kick, set off jubilant scenes. The win also came after an astonishing game in which Yarra led by 7 goals at one point only to be overhauled and seemingly defeated.
The grand final was a let down for both sides, however. For the third time in Yarra’s history, both the seniors and reserves lost the grand final on the same day. The only consolation was that on this occasion, the victorious University Blacks were undoubtedly the best side of the year and deserved their victory.
But the year needs to be looked upon as a great success. The club had experienced its first major set back by being relegated in 1999 but was able to immediately recover. Furthermore, it did so with a new group of players, many of whom were only in their first year of senior football.
In a strange coincidence, Luke Taylor and Ash Drew once again tied for the senior best and fairest and Alex Joiner was a popular winner of the reserves award.
|
|
| Year 1999 |
|
David Kyle stepped down from the coaching position due to work commitments, which set the club back temporarily. Brett Davidson, ironically the Aquinas coach who defeated Yarra in 1996, took over with assistance from Tony Regan. The club returned to Domeney Reserve where the refurbished changerooms and social spaces provided a much fresher approach. Paradoxically, the new visitor’s changerooms were now much more spacious than before and this, combined with a weaker on field presence, resulted in fewer home wins for Yarra.
The captaincy was partly changed again, with Ash Drew joining Fraser Macvean in a dual role, which highlighted the impact he was having at the club at such a young age. Harking back to 1996, when the under 19s team was first formed, the elevation of Drew to the dual captaincy role highlighted the success of the under 19 concept.
The year started in fine fashion with a strong victory over Bulleen away from home but injuries to key players in that game started a terrible run of injuries which saw a total of 50 players used in the seniors during the year. One such player was Andrew Livesey-Cole, a 2 time premiership player whose career ended on this day. Such was the tumultuous nature of this turnover, that players selected later in the year sometimes had difficulty fathoming some aspects of their selection.
Ash Drew and Luke Taylor tied for the best and fairest with Bruce Morrison and Rohan Davies also sharing the reserves award.
The Club 18, continuing a tradition of early finals action for the club, made the grand final in only its second year. Unfortunately, it was unable to triumph on the day.
After the season, Brett Davidson was replaced as senior coach. It was hard on Davidson, as he had endured the club’s worst run of injuries since it formed. However, he will be remembered also for contributing to the culture of the club by supporting and attending the club’s first end of season trip, which was enjoyed immensely by all those who took part.
|
|
| Year 1998 |
|
The club finally won its promotion to D grade which signalled the end of one-sided victories and the start of an era where wins would be only achieved from sustained four quarter efforts. In a slap in the face, the VAFA restored the E grade competition to its previous format and Kew and Carey, defeated by Yarra in the 1997 finals, also won promotion. It ended 3 years of E grade football during which Yarra seemed the most inconvenienced. It also meant that for this year only, four teams would be relegated from D grade.
To add to the challenge, the club had to move its home games away from Domeney Reserve due to redevelopment of the changerooms which denied it a significant home ground advantage. Temporary accommodation was found at Bulleen Park.
Also, for the first time, the club entered a team in the Club 18 competition. A team for former players who found full time training and/or game day participation difficult due to other commitments but wanted to keep in touch with the club. Interestingly, it was Bruce MacFarlane, the man who had had such an input in forming the club in the first place, that set the wheels in motion for the Club 18 team.
Strangely, one of the highlights of the year was a loss. In a game against eventual premiers Whitefriars, Yarra went down valiantly in what was possibly the best game ever played by the club. In a high marking shootout, Lucas Rees dominated centre half forward against the eventual winner of the league best and fairest award. It was a reflection of this performance that players at Whitefriars later commented that this game was their toughest for the year.
Other highlights of the year were stirring victories against Monash Blues and Parkside but the club eventually fell short of the finals by one game. It was the first time in the club’s history that it was not contesting the finals series. To highlight the evenness of the competition, Yarra also avoided relegation by one game. The last few rounds were made all the more pressurised by the fact that with 3 rounds remaining, 6 teams could either make the finals or be relegated.
Yarra held on and were buoyed by the under 19s first premiership since joining the competition. It was a fitting reward for coach Ashley Wain who had guided the reserves to their last two grand final losses. The club took another step forward by making the optional decision of promoting the under 19s to the higher grades following this victory. It was another courageous decision that was later vindicated by the quality of opposition that future under 19 teams would face.
Jason Koenen, a fine servant of the club, was awarded the best and fairest with Mark Davies taking reserve honours.
|
|
| Year 1997 |
|
David Kyle was appointed senior coach, replacing David McCormack and immediately had an impact when taking the players on a preseason camp to Gembrook. The camp involved a mix of relaxation and training but most of all, demonstrated that he would be working hard on communicating with the group of players. Fraser Macvean took the captaincy following the retirement of Tim Habben.
Kyle brought a change of game plan to the club which took a while to adopt. In round 10, the senior side took such a beating from Old Carey that the pre-arranged mid-season meeting was being billed as a “crisis talk”. Kyle, and his assistant, Brendan Ruddy, insisted that the club had fulfilled its objectives in the first half of the season. The following week, Yarra reversed the result of its round 2 clash with Kew to reinvigorate the club. The game included a spectacular 1st quarter from Macvean, who booted five and also took the greatest mark seen at the club so far.
With one round to play, the club was 2nd on the ladder but needing to win its last game to secure the double chance. In a finish that couldn’t have been made any tougher, Yarra had to travel to Chirnside Park and compete in a howling gale that rendered scoring at one end virtually impossible. Holding an inadequate 19 point lead at three-quarter time, Kyle and the Yarra supporters called for one last effort in the final quarter. In an effort that still seems improbable, Yarra scored two behinds into the wind, the only scores into the wind for the whole match, to hang on for victory by those two points. It was a rousing victory and the entire club seemed to be singing the song on the ground at the end of the match.
That victory provided the impetus for the finals series. In another day of diabolical weather, Yarra defeated top placed Carey in the 2nd semi by 40 points, their first defeat since round 1 and entered the grand final full of confidence. Matthew Laing, in a change of roles, tagged dangerous Carey playmakers out of the game but also had a major influence himself. In the week off, the club turned its attention to the under 19s who had reached their first finals series and the club was on a tremendous high.
On grand final day, Kew, who had beaten Carey the week before, were a menacing force who played with a totally different game plan to Yarra. However, on the back of Gavin McLeod’s stirring first half, Yarra went into the main break with a 6 goal lead.
How that lead evaporated into a 2 point deficit early in the last quarter is unknown, but suddenly a terrible feeling that another year in E grade was approaching steeled the team into weathering the early quarter Kew storm to kick 6.6 without reply. After Kew hit the lead, a 10 minute period of no scoring was breached by Fraser Macvean’s brilliant running goal from the boundary. Following that, goals to Peake, Peterson, Peake again, Scales and Macvean sealed a memorable victory. In many ways, the victory was more rewarding than in 1994 as the club was expecting to win this game, had prepared for it all season and then delivered when it counted. The only misfortune for the club was the loss by the reserves in the grand final. For the second year running, the side chose the worst game of the year to put in their worst performance.
Brad Downs won the senior best and fairest, Paul Telford again won the goalkicking but as in 1994, injury prevented him from taking a deserved place in the premiership team. His double misfortune must be one of the most disappointing aspects of the club’s history. Tim Gentle won the reserves best and fairest award.
|
|
| Year 1996 |
|
Looking back at 1996, it appears to be the year that signalled a changing in not only personnel, but in outlook also. The club realised that the future could not be guaranteed if it was only drawing new players from the current circle of friends and family of the club and with that shift in thinking, the club made its most important decision in its history when it fielded an under 19 team for the first time.
During the year, coach David McCormack was not shy in selecting Under 19 players for the senior team if their form warranted it. It also signalled that the club was prepared to risk disaffecting senior players in order to promote youngsters. Looking back, it was the best decision the club’s committee have made to date as the majority of the club’s current players started in the under 19s.
John May was appointed coach of the inaugural under 19 team and Josh McConnell was captain.
The season was familiar those gone by in that the club marched into its 4th successive finals series and then straight into the grand final by beating Aquinas in the 2nd semi final, despite being 5 goals behind at quarter time. The reserves also qualified for the grand final and the club look poised to add two premiership flags to the club rooms.
Unfortunately, the reserves managed to turn in their worst first half display of the year and although they recovered, went down to Aquinas by less than a goal. In the senior game, Aquinas, inspired by the tragic death of a team-mate earlier in the year, were just too solid across the whole day and won by 6 goals.
It was a disappointing day for the club which had begun with high expectations. From 40 games in E grade, the club had lost just 7 matches but 3 had been finals including one grand final. David McCormack pondered upon his 2nd year of misfortune and the club galvanised itself for another campaign in E grade. Probably the most disappointing aspect of the grand final was that the club fielded possibly its strongest team of its short life but failed to achieve what it had set out to.
Fraser Macvean won the club best and fairest and also won the league best and fairest. It was a deserved achievement as he had demonstrated some fine skills throughout the year as well as the ability to take the crowd pleasing overhead mark. Cameron Ross won his 2nd reserves best and fairest award and Paul Telford won his 2nd leading goalkicker award.
In the under 19s, Ashley Drew won the first best and fairest.
|
|
| Year 1995 |
|
Wayne Reddaway stepped down as senior coach to be replaced by David McCormack. Scott Alderson took the reins of the reserves. After being elevated to E grade, the VAFA changed the structure of the competition which resulted in many of the vanquished 1993 and 1994 opponents also being “promoted” to E grade. In addition, only the premiership team would qualify for promotion. It was frustrating but the club was confident that it could continue to move through the grades.
Once again, it was evident that several sides would not be competitive in this competition and Yarra had many easy victories. The season was marred by on field incidents in one game against Chirnside Park which resulted in several Chirnside Park players receiving lengthy suspensions. In the same game, club vice-captain Paul Martin sustained a terrible injury to his leg which effectively ended his career.
On the positive side, the team raced through the middle of the season winning 15 games in a row before the final round clash with St Leo’s Wattle Park. The result of that game shocked Yarra, with St Leo’s winning by over 100 points. The following week, Yarra had to again front up to St Leo’s in the 2nd semi final. In a bizarre selection, Jason Koenen, who had not played all year, was called into the side to curb St Leo’s rampaging full forward. Unfortunately for Yarra, this was the role that Paul Martin would have occupied.
Although scores were tight for the first quarter and a half, Yarra were still shell-shocked from the result of round 18, knowing that at any moment, St Leo’s may again unleash another barrage of goals. It wasn’t quite as bad as the last round, but the eventual margin of in excess of 14 goals had many players doubting that Yarra could beat St Leo’s in the grand final – if we even got there.
The Preliminary Final against Aquinas was a disappointing affair. Although beating Aquinas twice during the season, Yarra just never really got going and bowed out of the finals series in two games. Only three weeks before, the club was lining up against St Leo’s with the possibility of securing top place going into the finals. Lachlan McIntyre, hard as nails, was the best for Yarra Valley.
For the reserves, it was a similar story. For the second year in a row they had made the finals but were unable to match their more experienced opponents.
Gavin McLeod won the senior best and fairest, with Cameron Ross and Dan Ireland sharing the honours for the reserves.
|
|
| Year 1994 |
|
Following the relative success of 1993, the club was promoted to F1 grade in 1994.
The season followed a similar path to 1993 with the club regularly vying for top position with Oakleigh. During the year, Jarrod Dickson succumbed to injury and was replaced by Tim Habben as captain of the senior team whilst David Potter established himself as a genuine leader of the reserves side.
The year was notable for the large gulf that had emerged between the top three or four sides and the rest of the competition. One week, Yarra would be battling for a top two position with either Oakleigh or St Andrews, only to hammer the likes of Eley Park or Eltham Turtles by 35 goals the next week. It could be frustrating but it was also a lot of fun. In later years, when AJAX dished out a 30 goal drubbing to Yarra, it was not difficult to determine which end of such a victory the club would prefer to be on.
The club made the finals again but lost the 2nd semi final to Oakleigh. The following week, in driving rain, the club managed to hold out a fast finishing St Andrews by 2 points to earn a spot in the grand final for the second successive year. Travis Reddaway and Matthew White were the best for Yarra in this game. In the grand final, scores were level early in the last quarter, when Yarra, with many younger bodies than their opponents, seized the running in the last 10 minutes to slam on 5 unanswered goals and secure the club’s first premiership after only two years in the competition.
On the day, Matthew Simpson bagged 7 goals and Michael White made the best of his late inclusion in the side to kick two important last quarter goals. Cameron Box won the senior best and fairest award and Jon Savaris the reserves.
|
|
| Year 1993 |
|
The VAFA approved YVOBFC’s entry to the competition in 1993 and Yarra would be playing in the newly named, F2 grade, effectively G grade re-badged. Wayne Reddaway was appointed coach of the club and Jarrod Dickson the club captain. Haydn Park assumed the role of President (his football knowledge was initially questioned when he allegedly had difficulty identifying the current wearer of the number 5 jersey for Geelong, his AFL team) and he was supported by the appointments of Rodney Penaluna as Secretary and Ian Downs as Treasurer.
The club would play at Domeney Reserve in Park Orchards with some games also played at the Yarra Valley school if necessary.
The club got off to an auspicious start winning its first game by 10 goals and signalling the arrival of Matthew Simpson as a full forward of note with 13 goals in round 1. After 6 rounds, the club was undefeated.
The club was successful in reaching the finals but was soundly beaten by Oakleigh in the grand final. Only Brad Downs could have claims to have beaten his opponent on the day. Matthew Simpson kicked his 100th goal in the grand final and Bryce Ford was a surprise winner of the first senior best and fairest with Nick Ford winning the honour for the reserves first season. It can be stated that the club’s first season was successful in achieving its primary goal of being competitive.
|
|
| Year 1992 |
|
The formation of the Yarra Valley Old Boys Football Club (“YVOBFC”) can largely be attributed to a meeting between friends in February 1993 at the residence of former students Bruce McFarlane and Cameron Box. On that evening, approximately 20 past students and friends got together and discussed the formation of a football club to enter the Victorian Amateur Football Association (“VAFA”) in 1993.
During 1992, several past students and friends, came together one night a week at the Croydon Soccer Club to train in dim light under the guidance of Dennis King. During the year, the club arranged to play the VAFA G grade sides in friendly fixtures in order to demonstrate to the VAFA that the club could regularly field two teams in the competition proper in the following year.
It was during these practice games, some played in strange locations on suspicious playing surfaces, that it became evident that sufficient interest was being generated to compete in G grade the following year.
|
|
|
|
