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VFL showcase compromised for AFL's greater good

By NorthPort September 24, 2014

From The Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
Full article - Click here

The VFL competition is in two minds and both collided on grand final day. One, it seems, wants to see the traditional VFA teams prosper, the another, which is becoming more dominant, is that AFL Victoria does not want it tagged as an AFL reserves competition.

Box Hill Hawks' handling of Cyril Rioli in the grand final loss to Footscray on Sunday is a stark example. Box Hill was six points up at three-quarter time, with injury concerns, but was unable to put the star Hawk back on the ground.

It is an issue for the VFL and the AFL to tackle. With more stand alone clubs on the horizon, the development of players would appear to be more important than success.
This year's premier – Footscray – is a prime example.

Coach Chris Maple has since day one, stated that player development was a far greater priority than on-field success. After the club's victory, he said: "I think it shows you can still develop and do OK.

"We haven't compromised (in finals) where we want to play players, the length of time we want to play them. Some weeks we've taken them off at half-time and things like that. We haven't changed that and we won't change it.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/vfl-showcase-compromised-for-afls-...

Footscray Bulldogs beat Box Hill in grand final to claim VFL premiership

By NorthPort September 21, 2014

From the ABC Website
Full article - Click here

A frenetic final quarter comeback has secured Footscray an emotional VFL grand final victory, with the Bulldogs beating reigning premiers Box Hill on Sunday by 22 points.

The AFL's Western Bulldogs chose to end their VFL affiliation with Williamstown last year and so for the first time in almost two decades, the name Footscray returned to elite competition as they entered a team in the Victorian league.

For the success-starved club and their supporters, the 16.13 (109) to 13.9 (87) grand final win was the Bulldogs' first major trophy since they won their only VFL/AFL premiership in 1954.

Despite Box Hill's loss, there was some good news for AFL affiliates Hawthorn as star forward Cyril Rioli made it through his first game in three months and declared himself fit for grand final selection next Saturday against Sydney.

To do what we have done is pretty special - words can't describe how I am feeling.
Footscray coach Chris Marple
Brad Sewell and Ben McEvoy were taken out of Box Hill's side on Sunday, adding to the selection intrigue that will surround Hawthorn in grand final week.

Box Hill led by three goals early in the last quarter, but mounting injuries took their toll.

Footscray celebrates first day flag since '54

By NorthPort September 21, 2014

From The Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
Full article - Click here


Footscray players celebrate with the premeirship cup after winning the VFL grand final match against Box Hill on Sunday.

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 4.2 7.4 10.7 16.13 (109) BOX HILL HAWKS 4.2 7.3 11.7 13.9 (87)
Goals: Footscray: L Jones 5, T Dickson 2, J Redpath 2, T Campbell, M Fogarty, J Grant, C Howard, D Pearce, J Tutt, T Young. Box Hill: J Sicily 3, M Hallahan 2, B Ross 2, S Collins, S Grimley, W Hartung, L Lowden, D Willsmore, A Woodward.
Best: Footscray: B Goodes, L Jong, L Jones, T Campbell, M Fogarty, S Darley. Box Hill: M Hallahan, J Sicily, W Hartung, A Litherland, B Ross, S Iles.
Norm Goss medal: B Goodes (Footscray).

Footscray won its first day flag of any type since 1954 with a 22-point victory over the Box Hill Hawks at Etihad Stadium in front of the biggest VFL grand final crowd in 25 years on Sunday.

For the success-starved Bulldogs supporters it was something of a long-awaited threepeat for the Bulldogs, given that they won back-to-back in 1923-24; the last time they were involved in the VFA, now the VFL.

And for Norm Goss Medal winner Brett Goodes, who collected 30 disposals, the win may also be family symmetry given that his brother Jake won his first senior flag with Stawell Swifts and his other brother, Adam, is hoping to cap off a hat-trick of their own with Sydney against Hawthorn on Saturday. "Hopefully the trifecta next week, no pressure Adam, but I'm sure he'll go all right," Goodes said.

Goodes helped engineered this win from his own boot in the opening term. He swooped on the loose ball, showing experience and patience and he nursed consecutive forward entries into his key forwards.

VFL GRAND FINAL TEAMS

By Robbo September 18, 2014

Footscray Bulldogs vs. Box Hill Hawks
Sunday 21st September
Etihad Stadium at 2:15pm

Footscray Bulldogs

B Austin Redpath Talia
HB Young Markovic Darley
C Howard Goodes Johannisen
HF Grant Jones Tutt
F Dickson Campbell Greenwood
R Cordy Jong Lower
Int from Prismall Perkins Pearce
Russell W. Hayes* Jensen
Fogarty Honeychurch Barry

Box Hill Hawks

B Brand Schoenmakers Cheney
HB Heatherley Litherland Ross
C Hartung Sewell Willsmore
HF O'Brien Woodward Rioli
F Grimley Sicily B.McEvoy
R Lowden Kelly Hallahan
Int from Murphy Lock Mirra
Collins Tobin P.McEvoy
Iles Andrews Papadopoulos*

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