SANFL v VFL: Which is better?
Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 9:22 amSANFL vs. VFL – Which is better? - Contributed by heater31
Faced with a Saturday in Melbourne alone with no AFL footy to speak of what does a serious football fan do? Simple, he finds a game of Footy to watch and to really top it off a dose of nostalgia with a visit to the spiritual home of the Fitzroy Lions, The Brunswick St oval.
After taking a punt and getting on a tram that said via Brunswick St I slowly crawled my way towards my first destination the home of the Fitzroy Football Club from its inception until 1966. This visit was rather brief but still managed to squeeze in witnessing a quarter of football with the current day incarnation of the lions having home game in the Victorian amateur league with one would assume was the club’s reserves grade giving a Saint Kilda clad team a football lesson. With a visit to Brunswick St now crossed off the bucket list it was now onto the next destination and with a quick consult of my trusty map of the city’s public transport system it was much simpler than I thought to get from my current locale to the next, Home of Collingwood Victoria Park and normally a vicious place to visit.
Disembarking from a train at the Victoria Park Railway Station I soon found myself making my way to a place that possibly the most famous Football club in the country (due to their current day president) called home from 1892 until 1999. Today’s feature was the AFL club’s reserves team taking on Essendon’s affiliate Bendigo Bombers in a ANZAC day eve fixture in the VFL and according a majority of Victorian’s the best Football League outside of the AFL. Approaching the gates it soon became evident that the facilities were in need of some tender loving care. The old style AFL logo was still prominent and the big turnstile gates were hanging on for another year of operation. Upon approaching the ticket box the first similarity can be drawn between the two second tier leagues. There is no difference in price for entry to both leagues for non member adults, the AFL club’s memberships are honoured for the home side and seeing that the AFL blockbuster 24 hours later was a sell out to the general public a steady stream of supporters were filing their way into the ground to get a weekend footy fix. After making my way inside the ground and settling into a spot on the terraces of the now Roof less R.T Rush stand along the wing of this revered surface just after the first bounce. A noticeable difference upon arrival is the distinct lack of a VFL Record seller anywhere in the vicinity of the ground although plenty of spectators had a copy. Here in the SANFL if you don’t come across a budget seller you have simply arrived far too late in the game to get one.
On the ground both sides were trying to gain the upper hand in the match and a tight battle was witnessed during the first term. Collingwood taking a small eleven point lead into the first break and again the similarities between the SANFL and VFL were present. During the breaks in play spectators converge on the playing surface for either what SANFL fans refer to a ‘kick and catch’ or to the team huddle to listen to the coaches message. It is here there is one major difference that the centre square is not ‘for players and officials only’ the Council worker orange clad umpires are flanked by security guards and the two competing teams huddle in front of their respective benches much like a country football team. Here spectators are able to gain close access to these inspiring talks but still maintaining a respectable distance between the players perhaps West Lakes could learn from this. In the Bendigo huddle the Essendon senior coaching staff were present to lend a hand to the Bendigo coach Shannon Grant. It is here on the way back to my position on the outer wing I observed catering that would rival Adelaide’s own Amateur Football League. The supply of beer had run dry and the lines for the over-priced food were growing longer by the minute. It was sometime before I could return to my position at some point during the second term. Bendigo began to gain the upper hand subdue a very pro Magpie contingent in the Sherrin stand behind the goals and in the mean time reduce the gap to just 2 points at the main break kicking 4.6 to 3.1. Once again after the players disappear down the race to the change rooms under the Sherrin Stand spectators converge for a kick. In this league there is no visible promotion for kids to get into footy at all. At half time the entire surface is used as a kick and catch venue despite a large number of children present. The AFL Auskick program has well and truly brainwashed the Victorian parents/kids pushing them to the more expensive league.
During the half time break I was able to sit back and take in the surroundings and the seed was set for this piece. Not much has changed at all since 1999 when Collingwood played their last home game at the venue. Obviously things rapidly deteriorated from 2004 onwards when the magpies left for good. The R.T Rush stand had lost its roof recently as the temporary fencing was still in place for a portion due to construction of appropriate safety barriers. The other stands had fared better than the Rush stand. The Sherrin stand housed majority of the spectators as did the Ryder stand on the wing and the standing section of the Bob Rose stand (Social Club) was open. These structures looked to be in reasonable condition and look to live out the rest of their useful lives with the smaller crowds of the VFL. The old scoreboard was in some serious need of repairs. The black paint was fading, vandals had smashed most of the panels and a few numbers were haphazardly displayed. As a result there was no visible scoreboard for all patrons although a small one was present for the benefit of the spectators on the old social club side. Seeing as Collingwood have only began playing home games at the venue for the current season I cannot criticise too much but if the gossip around the ground is to be believed from the weekend as a possible VFL finals venue a more adequate scoreboard must be sourced.
Back to the footy and Bendigo dominated the third term beginning to build a nice lead and with inclement weather looming over the ground looked to have it won. The skills were AFL like and this was no surprise given the number of AFL listed players on the ground. The only drawback here was the tactics employed in the AFL were rampant. Plenty of handballs and kicks backwards to the loose man were the order of the day. By three quarter time the Bombers had taken the lead by 22 points. Former Woodville-West Torrens player Hayden Skipworth had plenty of the football and former AFL Magpie Jason Cloke in his second stint with Bendigo was causing havoc for the Magpies defence. Sensing a win the Bombers huddle was overflowing with supporters looking to get a glimpse of the players and this kept the Bendigo officials on their toes ensuring no one was interfering with the players.
In the last term Collingwood threw the kitchen sink at the Bombers to avoid defeat on their own turf but were unable to penetrate the defence on a regular basis. AFL listed players Stewart Crameri (rookie 2010) and former West Adelaide player Tyson Slattery were influential during the last term. It was with these two Bendigo were able to rebound from defence setting up plenty of ball. In the end the Bombers were able to resist the attacks of the Magpies despite the efforts of Cameron Wood who on his way back to the AFL from injury put in a solid performance. Despite plenty of AFL experience in the Collingwood side (John Anthony, Shane O’Bree and Tyson Goldsack to name a few) Bendigo were able to put in a solid four quarter effort and walk away with a 30 point win and light drizzle falling over the ground right on full time. The majority of the 3000 odd crowd would file out of Victoria Park to the railway station disappointed hoping this was not an omen for the following day and this fickle Melbourne weather would hold off until we got home.
In summary there are some differences between the two leagues primarily being the skill level of professionals being the major one and the lack of club culture but if I had to chose which one I would have to say it’s the SANFL for me not just because I’m South Australian but just for the overall experience of attending the footy on a Saturday afternoon with the strong club feel around the ground and kids providing the halftime entertainment. Its how the footy should be.
Faced with a Saturday in Melbourne alone with no AFL footy to speak of what does a serious football fan do? Simple, he finds a game of Footy to watch and to really top it off a dose of nostalgia with a visit to the spiritual home of the Fitzroy Lions, The Brunswick St oval.
After taking a punt and getting on a tram that said via Brunswick St I slowly crawled my way towards my first destination the home of the Fitzroy Football Club from its inception until 1966. This visit was rather brief but still managed to squeeze in witnessing a quarter of football with the current day incarnation of the lions having home game in the Victorian amateur league with one would assume was the club’s reserves grade giving a Saint Kilda clad team a football lesson. With a visit to Brunswick St now crossed off the bucket list it was now onto the next destination and with a quick consult of my trusty map of the city’s public transport system it was much simpler than I thought to get from my current locale to the next, Home of Collingwood Victoria Park and normally a vicious place to visit.
Disembarking from a train at the Victoria Park Railway Station I soon found myself making my way to a place that possibly the most famous Football club in the country (due to their current day president) called home from 1892 until 1999. Today’s feature was the AFL club’s reserves team taking on Essendon’s affiliate Bendigo Bombers in a ANZAC day eve fixture in the VFL and according a majority of Victorian’s the best Football League outside of the AFL. Approaching the gates it soon became evident that the facilities were in need of some tender loving care. The old style AFL logo was still prominent and the big turnstile gates were hanging on for another year of operation. Upon approaching the ticket box the first similarity can be drawn between the two second tier leagues. There is no difference in price for entry to both leagues for non member adults, the AFL club’s memberships are honoured for the home side and seeing that the AFL blockbuster 24 hours later was a sell out to the general public a steady stream of supporters were filing their way into the ground to get a weekend footy fix. After making my way inside the ground and settling into a spot on the terraces of the now Roof less R.T Rush stand along the wing of this revered surface just after the first bounce. A noticeable difference upon arrival is the distinct lack of a VFL Record seller anywhere in the vicinity of the ground although plenty of spectators had a copy. Here in the SANFL if you don’t come across a budget seller you have simply arrived far too late in the game to get one.
On the ground both sides were trying to gain the upper hand in the match and a tight battle was witnessed during the first term. Collingwood taking a small eleven point lead into the first break and again the similarities between the SANFL and VFL were present. During the breaks in play spectators converge on the playing surface for either what SANFL fans refer to a ‘kick and catch’ or to the team huddle to listen to the coaches message. It is here there is one major difference that the centre square is not ‘for players and officials only’ the Council worker orange clad umpires are flanked by security guards and the two competing teams huddle in front of their respective benches much like a country football team. Here spectators are able to gain close access to these inspiring talks but still maintaining a respectable distance between the players perhaps West Lakes could learn from this. In the Bendigo huddle the Essendon senior coaching staff were present to lend a hand to the Bendigo coach Shannon Grant. It is here on the way back to my position on the outer wing I observed catering that would rival Adelaide’s own Amateur Football League. The supply of beer had run dry and the lines for the over-priced food were growing longer by the minute. It was sometime before I could return to my position at some point during the second term. Bendigo began to gain the upper hand subdue a very pro Magpie contingent in the Sherrin stand behind the goals and in the mean time reduce the gap to just 2 points at the main break kicking 4.6 to 3.1. Once again after the players disappear down the race to the change rooms under the Sherrin Stand spectators converge for a kick. In this league there is no visible promotion for kids to get into footy at all. At half time the entire surface is used as a kick and catch venue despite a large number of children present. The AFL Auskick program has well and truly brainwashed the Victorian parents/kids pushing them to the more expensive league.
During the half time break I was able to sit back and take in the surroundings and the seed was set for this piece. Not much has changed at all since 1999 when Collingwood played their last home game at the venue. Obviously things rapidly deteriorated from 2004 onwards when the magpies left for good. The R.T Rush stand had lost its roof recently as the temporary fencing was still in place for a portion due to construction of appropriate safety barriers. The other stands had fared better than the Rush stand. The Sherrin stand housed majority of the spectators as did the Ryder stand on the wing and the standing section of the Bob Rose stand (Social Club) was open. These structures looked to be in reasonable condition and look to live out the rest of their useful lives with the smaller crowds of the VFL. The old scoreboard was in some serious need of repairs. The black paint was fading, vandals had smashed most of the panels and a few numbers were haphazardly displayed. As a result there was no visible scoreboard for all patrons although a small one was present for the benefit of the spectators on the old social club side. Seeing as Collingwood have only began playing home games at the venue for the current season I cannot criticise too much but if the gossip around the ground is to be believed from the weekend as a possible VFL finals venue a more adequate scoreboard must be sourced.
Back to the footy and Bendigo dominated the third term beginning to build a nice lead and with inclement weather looming over the ground looked to have it won. The skills were AFL like and this was no surprise given the number of AFL listed players on the ground. The only drawback here was the tactics employed in the AFL were rampant. Plenty of handballs and kicks backwards to the loose man were the order of the day. By three quarter time the Bombers had taken the lead by 22 points. Former Woodville-West Torrens player Hayden Skipworth had plenty of the football and former AFL Magpie Jason Cloke in his second stint with Bendigo was causing havoc for the Magpies defence. Sensing a win the Bombers huddle was overflowing with supporters looking to get a glimpse of the players and this kept the Bendigo officials on their toes ensuring no one was interfering with the players.
In the last term Collingwood threw the kitchen sink at the Bombers to avoid defeat on their own turf but were unable to penetrate the defence on a regular basis. AFL listed players Stewart Crameri (rookie 2010) and former West Adelaide player Tyson Slattery were influential during the last term. It was with these two Bendigo were able to rebound from defence setting up plenty of ball. In the end the Bombers were able to resist the attacks of the Magpies despite the efforts of Cameron Wood who on his way back to the AFL from injury put in a solid performance. Despite plenty of AFL experience in the Collingwood side (John Anthony, Shane O’Bree and Tyson Goldsack to name a few) Bendigo were able to put in a solid four quarter effort and walk away with a 30 point win and light drizzle falling over the ground right on full time. The majority of the 3000 odd crowd would file out of Victoria Park to the railway station disappointed hoping this was not an omen for the following day and this fickle Melbourne weather would hold off until we got home.
In summary there are some differences between the two leagues primarily being the skill level of professionals being the major one and the lack of club culture but if I had to chose which one I would have to say it’s the SANFL for me not just because I’m South Australian but just for the overall experience of attending the footy on a Saturday afternoon with the strong club feel around the ground and kids providing the halftime entertainment. Its how the footy should be.
