Star Mitiamo defender Luke Mitchell was crowned the LVFL Harding Medalist on Sunday following a sterling Season for the SuperRoos.

The 24 year old who has a springboard leap and provides the Super Roos with a great link from defence. Mitchell who was a Premiership player with the Super Roos last Season said this was best season at the Club on an individual basis ”I feel very lucky to have won this award, it is a great honor!! This has definitely been my best season at Mitiamo!! Since I started to play off a half back flank midway through last year my footy has really improved.”

Mitchell who has played 65 senior matches with the club also said a blistering Pre-Season had helped him bounced into the 2010 Season   ” I did have a really big Pre-Season which helped me get alot fitter and lift my work rate”.

Mitchell pulled 5 Best on Grounds which included scoring maximum votes to the final two rounds of the Home & Away Series. YCW speedster Chris Wilmott proved to be the runner-up with 19 votes while Marong midfielder Lee Franklin scored 18 of the Club’s 26 votes in the count. Bridgewater skipper David Coghlan polled 17 votes despite missing 5 matches while powerful Pyramid Hill midfielder David Fevaleaki also scored 17.

Mitchell progressed through the ranks of the Club to win the award ” I played all my junior footy at Mitiamo as I grew up on the family farm not to far away. Other clubs I have played for are Sth Bendigo, Redcliffe (Brisbane) and Aspley Hornets(Brisbane).”

The achievement sits amongst his finest in the game ”As for achievements would be making the VCFL u/18 rep side, Playing in a premiership for Redcliffe and most of all playing in the 2009 premiership for my home club!!”.

Asked why he thought Mitiamo had been unable to reach the lofty heights of the 2009 Season Mitchell said ”This season started out really good with some big wins and I felt that we had the side to go Back to Back but we struggled for form later in the season. With injuries to Morrissey, Orton, Lawry, Ginnivan, Dobbin and Grant we lacked a bit of depth leading into the finals.”

Welcome to Central Vic Footy Zeb, and Congratulations on winning a new award in the LVFL The Rising Star Award. There were some great nominations for the award you must be well pleased?

Thank you for having me. There were some qulity players that got nominated so it was good to win the award.

Your only 19, who have been the major influences on your football career do you believe?I’d say my Dad he always watchs my games and gives me some feedback on what I can improve on and also what I did well.

Zeb Broadent (left) pictured with his Mum Angela, Ron Barassi and brother Isaac  after the Mean Machine won the VCFL Work Safe Game Of the Month in May this year.

You also polled 13 votes in the Harding Medal, A fantastic effort given your playing in a team that will play in the Grand Final this weekend. How have you rated your Season personally?

I thought I had a good season but in saying that I just play my role for the team and always try and beat my opponent.

My biggest motivation was to come back and play with people that I’ve grown up with and to try and win a Premiership with my home town club.

What sort of goals do you have in your football career? Your part of the leadership team this year at Bridgewater do you have any Coaching ambitions down the track?
To win a flag with Bridgey would at the top of the list for sure. Honestly I haven’t thought about coaching but I would like to think that I would have a good crack at it I some stage of my career.

Bridgewater finished 5th last Season, what were your expectations leading into the Season about how the team might fare?Well as a team we set a goal back in march to finish top 3 which we did so. At the time I thought it was a realistic goal because we had a really solid preseason and the personnel to match it. This Saturday The Mean Machine will meet Calivil United who won an epic Preliminary Final clash that went into overtime, how do you view the teams chances this weekend?We have prepared as well as a team could leading up to this week. Calivil are a good finals side with some great players. If we can shut down a few of there handy on ballers to cut the supply to Nic Balic and the likes hopefully we can get over the line. We have a well balanced team all over the ground where players know their roles well and we go into this weeks match with confidence.I believe you father Mick is a Premiership player with Bridgewater, and that you were often at the Bridgey Footy as a kid over the years what would it mean to play in a Premiership with your home town that also features your 16 year old brother Isaac on Saturday?

Dad played in the 1985 senior flag with Bridgey so it would mean a heap to me personally to hopefully win this one with Isaac aswell. Growing up Bridgey never had much succsess.It would mean a lot to our hole club and blokes like Andrew Ferguson and Brad Wickham who were here all through the tough years at Bridgey.

Thanks for speaking with Central Vic Footy Zeb, and all the best come Saturday in the 2010 LVFL Grand Final.

Thanks keep the work up with the website it’s a great read and great for footy in the area.

THE ZEB BROADBENT RISING STAR NOMINATION AS POSTED IN THE ELVEE.

  Zeb Broadent of the Bridgewater Football Club is one of the LVFL most promising rising stars. Broadbent now aged 18, came up through the Mean Machine ranks and was the skipper of the Club’s 2008 Under 17’s Premiership. 

 After spending the 2009 developing with BFL Club Eaglehawk, Broadbent returned to his home club where he impressed with his commitment and work rate over the summer months and was elected in the Club’s leadership ground. 

Playing in a variety of roles this season Broadbent is a strong mark overhead, and provides plenty of drive for the Bridgewater side with his attacking run and carry play. He had the honour of winning the VCFL medal in game of the month against Mitiamo with a super performance in May and has turned in several other big performances in Season 2010.  A local farmer, he is set to play a big role in the Mean Machines finals campagin come September. Zeb Broadent a LVFL Rising Star!

2010 Seniors

HEATHCOTE v. LBU
Grand Final - 04/09/2010

Heathcote                               0.0,  6.5,  7.5,  8.8  (56)

LBU                                     4.3,  4.4,  5.7,  5.9  (39)

GOALS, Heathcote :
B. Chapman 2, B. Jacques 2, M. Millard 1, J. Condon 1, C. Sargeant 1, T. Tobin 1

LBU :
S. Murphy 2, J. Halloran 1, B. McPhee 1, K. Oliver 1

BEST, Heathcote :
T. Tobin, S. Thorsen, J. Condon, M. Millard, L. Bell, A. Mellington

LBU :
A. Sims, J. Halloran, A. DOHNT, M. DOBSON, M. Bongiovanni, N. O’Brien

MATCH REPORT:

2010 Reserves

HEATHCOTE v. LBU
Grand Final - 04/09/2010

Heathcote                               1.1,  2.1,  6.7,  6.9  (45)

LBU                                     1.2,  3.6,  3.6,  5.8  (38)

GOALS, Heathcote :
M. Waters 2, S. Korp 2, A. Thomas 1, B. Sheppard 1

LBU :
S. Fraser 1, R. Baldock 1, J. Maddison 1, J. Mundie 1, C. Jones 1

BEST, Heathcote :
S. Korp, B. Carboon, J. Hancock, L. Ring, L. Lomax, A. Ring

LBU :
L. Crameri, J. Ireland, J. Mundie, J. Maddison, R. Baldock, B. Lipscombe

MATCH REPORT:

2010 Under 17s

LBU v. HUNTLY
Grand Final - 04/09/2010

LBU                                     1.2,  7.3,  8.8,  11.14  (80)

Huntly                                  1.0,  1.1,  3.2,  3.2  (20)

GOALS, LBU :
J. Mundie 5, G. Broad 3, T. Eade 1, H. Chappel 1, R. Woodland 1

Huntly :
D. Ryrie 2, L. Nash 1

BEST, LBU :
J. Mundie, H. Chappel, T. Reeves, G. Broad, L. Bish, M. Angove

Huntly :
J. Cowling, B. Quin, J. Homewood, J. Daley, C. Mountjoy, L. Nash

MATCH REPORT:

The story of the weekend in regional Victoria was the havoc caused by the rain and
subsequent flooding in wide parts of the state.

Significant flooding in townships and extensive road blockages made it difficult,
and in some case impossible, for players, teams and spectators to venture out of
their towns to meet their fixture. Other ovals were inundated, making it impossible
to hold football and netball.

Those leagues that did play in the heavy and wet conditions had some incredible
results with a number of matches going down to the wire in low scoring contests.
Parking and ground access issues created further logistical challenges for host
leagues across the state.

A number of leagues have been forced to make changes to their finals series
fixtures, and the flow-on effects to junior leagues and neighbouring leagues will
play out over the coming weeks.

Many thanks must go to the local Fire brigades and SES volunteers who assisted at
venues and on roads to ensure the safety of patrons and participants over the
weekend.

CANCELLATIONS & POSTPONEMENTS

Lexton Plains Football Netball League - Grand Final.
Postponed until Sunday 12th September
Rod Ward - 0400 611 310

Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League - Semi Finals
Saturday & Sunday Matches Cancelled
Semi final will be scheduled next week, with the Grand Final taking place on Sunday
September 26th.
Rod Ward - 0400 611 310

Bendigo Football Netball League
All matches this weekend have been cancelled.
All games to be played next Saturday.
Grand Final to take place on Sunday September 26th.
Steven Oliver - 0400 204 013

Bendigo Junior Football League
All Preliminary finals cancelled this weekend.
Matches rescheduled for next week.
John Hewitt - 0407 844 729

Castlemaine District Junior Football League
Grand Final was postponed due to poor weather and access.
Grand Final will be fixtured on Sunday 12th September
Jim Moran - 0418 377 930

Ovens & King Football League
Preliminary Final postponed until Saturday 11th September
Grand Final now on 18th September
Sandy Thomas - 0419 572 106

Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League
All finals cancelled on Sunday.
Rescheduled to play for next weekend.
Jenny Bain - 0412 836 591

Goulburn Valley FL
Due to road closures out of Benalla, the Under 18 fixture was postponed.
Rescheduled under lights at Deakin Reserve. 7pm Tuesday 7th September.
Keith Wellman - 0417 161 778

THE PREMIERS
Despite all this, we still had 4 Grand Finals run and won on the weekend.

Heathcote District Football League
Heathcote have gone through the season undefeated and have claimed the senior
Premiership for the 2010 season. LBU put up a great fight in very difficult
conditions. Heathcote also won the Reserves flag against LBU, while LBU got some
redemption in the U17’s by defeating Huntly.

Picola & District FL - South West
Strathmerton are the premiers in the North West Division after defeating Yarroweyah
by 14 points. There was just 1 point the difference at 3 quarter time. Strathmerton
kicked 2 goals 7 points in the last term to go away with the win. Starathmerton cam
from 4th position on the ladder to win this senior flag.

Upper Murray FL
Bullioh have made it a 3-peat with a 6 goal win over Federal. Conditions were worse
than sodden day at Tallangatta Valley. Bullioh - 6.4 d. Federal - 0.4. Federals
didn’t score in the 2nd or 3rd quarters, by which time Bullioh had their 6 goals on
the scoreboard.

Warrnambool & District FL
Kolora-Noorat have beaten hot favourite Dennington by 8 points. Kolora-Noorat have
gone back to back. Kolora kicked with a stiff breeze in the 1st quarter and got away
to a valuable 6 goal lead. VCFL rep Ben Fraser held his nerve to kick 3 goals in the
second half to steer Kolora home

GRAND FINALS NEXT WEEK
A full board of Grand Finals this weekend across the state, and with no AFL football
on Saturday arvo we imagine there will be a bit of interest in them. We just hope
for a bit of sunshine to make the experience a pleasant one for the spectators and
participants.

Alberton FL
Foster is through to the Grand Final against Stony Creek after beating Foster by
just 5 points. This is a battle between 1 and 2 after the regular season. At
Inverloch.

Bellarine FL
Drysdale have won their way through to another Grand Final after beating Queenscliff
on the weekend. Drysdale will meet Geelong Amateur at Spring Creek Reserve.

Central Highlands FL
Hepburn (5.9) defeated Buninyong (2.4) in terrible conditions at Learmonth. Hepburn
to face Daylesford in the Grand Final in a replay of the 2009 Grand Final. There was
no team that scored higher than 40 points in the matches across all grades at
Learmonth.

Colac & District FL
Irrewarra-Beeac accounted for Alvie by 6 goals to book a Grand Final berth against
Birregurra - another replay of last years Grand Final. Birregurra beat
Irrewarra-Beeac by 1 point in the Semi Final.

Geelong District FL
Werribee Central beat East Geelong by 2 points. East Geelong inaccurate with 8.12
with 8 more scoring shots. Werribee to meet Bell Post Hill in the Grand Final, who
defeated them by 60 points in the Semi Finals.

Golden Rivers FL
Nullawil through to the Grand Final after defeating Murrabit by 8 points. They will
play Wandella next weekend to continue a great rivalry this year. Wandella were
victors in the Semi by just 5 points.

Lexton Plains FL
After being postponed this weekend - Skipton and Lexton will meet this week in the
Lexton Plains Grand Final.

Loddon Valley FL
Like Lazarus, Calivil United is through to another Grand Final beating the much
favoured Pyramid Hill 7.7 - 4.17. Calivil meet Bridgewater in the Grand Final next
week at Backhaus oval in Golden Square.

Mallee FL
Ouyen United 13.14 defeated Jeparit Rainbow. Ouyen to meet **

Mid Gippsland FL
Morwell East into the Grand Final against Trafalgar. Trafalgar with the form across
the year.

Mininera District FL
Tatyoon turned the tables on last year’s Premier to win their way to the Grand
Final. Tatyoon will play Glenthompson Dunkeld in a match many feel is too close to
call. Change of venue sees the Grand Final played at Lake Bolac.

MPNFL - Nepean
Somerville were big winners over Red Hill, stopping the run of the much improved
team. Will meet finals favourites Sorrento next week.

North Gippsland FL
Rosedale are through to the Grand Final with a convincing win over Gormandale. Sale
City wait for their first Premiership tilt in 20 odd years with a weeks rest and a
stack of confidence.

Picola District FL - South East
Tungamah through to a Grand Final looking to defend their title against Shepparton
East. Shepp East have had an outstanding season, and have just 1 match to put the
icing on the cake.

South West District FL
In another close match, Westerns are through to another Grand Final after beating
Tyrendarra by 3 points. Westerns take on Coleraine in another replay of the 2009
Grand Final.

Sunraysia FL
Irymple has beaten Wentworth to go through to the Sunraysia Grand Final. Robinvale
awaits - refreshed and red hot favourites.

Tallangatta FL
In a nail biter, Yackandandah were 3 point winners over Thurgoona in a low scoring
match (2.13 - 2.10). Yack will meet Beechworth in the Grand Final in a clash between
1 and 2. Beechworth looking for redemption after losing last years GF.

Wimmera FL
Nhill have won their way through to a Grand Final after defeating  Warrack Eagles in
the Prelim. Nhill have been big improvers this year in the Wimmera. The all powerful
Horsham Demons will be their opponent on the day and looking at 8 Premierships in a
row.

Yarra Valley MDFL - Div 2
Yarra Junction defeated Kinglake in a very tight tussle on Sunday. Yarra Junction
will meet Yarra Glen in the GF in the hills. Yarra Glen to go in as favourites.

Jock Allan
Events & Promotions Manager
WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League

 

HEATHCOTE’S HEROES! 2010 HDFL PREMIERS.

The township of Heathcote is in party mode following Premiership wins in both Senior and Reserves Grades of Football.

It proved to be a landmark weekend for the Saints given it is the first time they have won Back to Back Premierships at Senior level and the first time the Seniors and Reserves have made it a Premiership double in one Season.

It will a day that will long be remembered in Heathcote District Football history with the wet conditions and wild weather causing other competitions in Country Victoria to postpone their matches.

It looked like it could be a miserable day for the Saints early when LBU bounced out of the blocks in the trying conditions to continually attack the goal front.

LBU forward Sean Murphy sparked Cats fans when he converted a snap from a throw in and another three majors would follow for the term. The powerful play of John Halloran was causing the Saints some headaches while Adrian Dohnt was still showing his great ability with some clever play.

At quarter time the crowd was somewhat shell shocked with the Cats 4.3.27 to 0.0.0 lead. LBU did have the breeze although many pundits thought it may only take 5 or 6 goals to win the Premiership in the waterlogged conditions.

The Saints as they did all Season when they were challenged stayed composed and when Coach Brent Chapman finished neatly to draw first blood for his Heathcote side the momentum of the match underway a significant shift.

In and under specialists Joel Condon, Marc Millard and Brent Jacques were busy at work while when the Cats went forward experienced campaigner Anthony Mellington and star defender Luke Bell were quick to intervene.

By half time the Saints were in command of a 13 point lead, a handy one in the conditions.

The third quarter promised to be a crucial chapter, could the Cats kick away to put the pressure on the Saints? or would the Saints take control of the contest?.

History was made at Tannery Lane yesterday when prolific onballer Cameron Hall took out the 2010 Senior Best and Fairest for the Strathfieldsaye Football Club. Hall becomes the first ever player to win the prestigious award twice, after winning the inaugural award last year.

A consistent season saw Cam take out the highest club honour, polling 122 votes - 22 ahead of fellow onballer Dermott Smythe, with leading Storm goalkicker Lachie Sharp coming
third.

In the Reserves, burly forward Dale Cameron was a runaway winner to take his
first club best and fairest award on 95 votes - 38 votes clear of runner up
Brodie Rogers who was missing for the latter half of the season due to his
promotion to the senior ranks.

In the Under 18’s a close voting battle was contested, with Daniel Hamilton
winning the title, 4 votes clear from Jake Robertson.

As with the senior football award, the A grade netball best and fairest
award saw last year’s winner Kristen Wilson claim the title with 26 votes
from runner up Ashlee Barbetti on 21 votes. Newcomer to the Club this year,
Lisa Evans was the A Reserve winner with Collene Johns and Jarni Hansen
winning the B grade and Under 17’s respectively.

Presentation of these awards will be held at the Storm’s presentation night
on Friday 15th October at St Francis of the Fields, Strathfieldsaye.
Football
Seniors winner: Cameron Hall 122 votes
Runner - up: Dermott Smythe 100 votes
Reserves winner: Dale Cameron 95 votes
Runner - up: Brodie Rogers 57 votes
Under 18 winner: Daniel Hamilton 78 votes
Runner - up: Jake Robertson 74 votes

Netball
A Grade winner: Kristen Wilson 26 votes
Runner - up: Ashlee Barbetti 21 votes
A Res Grade winner: Lisa Evans 21 votes
Runner - up: Gemma Ralli 19 votes
B Grade winner: Collene Johns 14 votes
Runner - up: Alyce Huggard 13 votes
17 & Under winner: Jarni Hansen 20 votes
Runner up: Eden Furness 19 votes

An unusual sight was spotted on the Avoca Public Park today.

With the oval being covered with water Spider Field took the opportunity to test out a surf ski.

Lexton Plains Football Netball League - Grand Final.
Postponed until Sunday 12th September
Rod Ward - 0400 611 310
Access to Nth Ballarat was made impossible due to flooded roads.

Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League - Semi Finals
Saturday & Sunday Matches Cancelled
Semi final will be scheduled next week, with the Grand Final taking place on Sunday
September 26th.
Roads to Dunolly have been closed and blocked since early morning.
The Avoca river has broken its banks and flooded the football precinct.
Rod Ward - 0400 611 310

Bendigo Football Netball League
All matches this weekend have been cancelled
All games to be played next Saturday
Steven Oliver - 0400 204 013

Bendigo Junior Football League
All Preliminary finals cancelled this weekend. Matches rescheduled for next week.
John Hewitt - 0407 844 729

Central Highlands Football League - Preliminary Finals
Despite severe flooding at Newlyn, Clunes, and Creswick (including football
facilities) the Prelim Final at Learmonth is going ahead. CHFL had a meeting at 10am
to determine the state of play.
Difficulties for teams to make the ground due to water over roads.
Diane Ryan - 0448 524 429

Heathcote Football Netball League - Grand Final
Despite flooding of local rivers and road closures, the Heathcote Grand Finals
continue to be played.
Trevor Arnel - 0417 354 697

East Gippsland Football League
As of 1pm - the EGFL were struggling with the heat! 22 degrees and dry.
Rod Twining - 0407 347 727

Mornington Peninsula Football League
3 venues playing today - although the fire brigade was called in to pump water off
the ground.
Sue Jones -

Bulldogs and Bombers clash for Grand Final spot.

The Bendigo Bank Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League
first and second semi finals take place this weekend, with the 2nd semi
final at Dunolly on Saturday between Maldon and Avoca, and the 1st semi
final at Avoca on Sunday between Rovers and Carisbrook.

A big crowd is expected on Saturday to witness the battle between the
Bulldogs and Maldon and a great contest is assured. Maldon defeated Avoca in
Round 12 at their only encounter for the season. The Bulldogs were
undermanned on that occasion and only went down by 16 points on the tight
confines of the Maldon oval despite missing key players such as Tony
Bellenger and Chris Lakey.

Maldon finished the season on top of the ladder and in doing so earned a
weeks rest last week which has allowed the top of the table team to have
their playing list in peak condition in readiness for the big game. Avoca
won a hard fought match against Rovers last week and will be eager to show
that their loss to the Bombers last time around was only a mid season
glitch.

Shaun Carroll, David Carroll and Tom Cain were in outstanding form against
Carisbrook in the final home and away game for the season, but the Bombers
have good all round depth with the likes of Hayden Kelly, Julian Lockwood,
Joel Cross and Marc Carroll all capable of turning it on, while Wes Bell and
Justin Trevan provide forward pressure and will be tough to match up on.

Avoca will have a full list to pick from this time around and it will be a
great contest in the middle with Julian Field, Sam Kaye and Lachlan Edwards
all in good form against Rovers last week. Ben Harrison is a class player
and he can go forward if necessary. Nathan Coghlan returned to form last
week and Mitch Etherton has improved as each week progresses and is more
than capable of going into the midfield.

In a battle that could go either way, Maldon finishing minor premiers may
give the psychological edge to the Bombers and they may just get over the
line in a very tight finish.

The Elimination final on Sunday between Rovers and Carisbrook will also
provide a great contest as the experienced finals campaigners in Carisbrook
will go in as slight underdogs against the Rovers who are the big improvers
of the season.

Justin Harris has finished the season in grand form and stood out in last
week’s Qualifying final loss to Avoca as did Jayden Hind who has the ability
to kick quick goals. Scott Sellers is also in good form and also has the
ability to go forward and finish off. Tristian Gillies has been very
consistent all season and he can break the lines with run and carry and will
need to be closely guarded.

Carisbrook were strong in the second half last week against Newstead, but
had their backs against the wall when Newstead threw down the challenge late
in the game, but to their credit they withstood the challenge to stay alive
in the final series.

Tom Wright and Jackson Bowen are in outstanding form late in the season and
were again the key players last week. Luke Robinson also performed admirably
and Ben Kick was everywhere and sent Brook forward regularly. Kick has been
a great inclusion to the side after missing most of the season through
injury.

A thrilling draw was the result of their only clash of the season in Round
nine. Rovers controlled play for the majority of the game on that occasion,
but Carisbrook stormed home with five goals to one in the final quarter to
level the scores with seconds remaining. Liam Offer and Paul Hofman played a
major role in Carisbrook’s revival in that game and will need to be at their
best if Carisbrook is to win this game.

Another close game is expected but Carisbrook’s finals experience may just
get them over the line.