IF winning meant nothing, if the title of the best community football league in Melbourne – if not the country – wasn’t on the line, then the game would still be a must-see event.
The 1v2 play-off in Saturday’s Metro Championships between the Eastern Football League and the Victorian Amateur Football Association reads like a who’s-who of community football.
League best and fairest winners, goalkicking machines, club captains and some of the most decorated players in Victoria will be on show in the final match of the Metro Championships at 3.35pm.
But this group of supremely talented footballers, many of whom have tested themselves at AFL and VFL level, haven’t put their hands up to play an exhibition match.
No, this is a contest that means the world. For on the line are the reputations of two very proud football competitions.
MATCH DETAILS
When Saturday March 29 – 3.35pm
Where: Visy Park, Carlton
Enter: Gate 5 (opens at 10.30am)
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for concession card holders, U16 free
CLICK HERE for live streaming on Saturday
An all-encompassing Metro Championships hasn’t been played since 1999, leaving the matter of which competition deserves to be regarded as the best, the cause of endless debate at Melbourne’s many watering holes.
The EFL and VAFA went head-to-head in 2009 and 2012 in stand-alone fixtures with the boys from the VAFA victorious on both occasions.
But the two encounters were nail-biting affairs and if the same ferocity and skills can be matched on Saturday, then the huge crowd expected at Visy Park are in for one hell of a game.
Both leagues have appointed experienced men to lead their charge.
EFL coach Daniel Donati is a premiership player with Casey Scorpions (then Springvale) in the VFA and Noble Park in the EFL, and added to his trophy cabinet as a coach with back-to-back Division 1 titles with Balwyn in 2012 and 2013.
Donati’s squad boasts the best of the competition’s top two divisions with Dean Grice and Matt Polkinghorne the only representatives of those further down the tree.
Balwyn guns Taylor and Rennie Gilchrist, Jeff Gobbels and Ryan McMahon will play alongside Vermont’s Tom Schneider and Ryan Mullett, with a strong contingent from Noble Park also in the mix.
EFL CEO Phil Murton said it was a squad the league was proud to have represent it.
“I know Daniel Donati is very excited about the squad that we’ve got together and how the game has been embraced by our players,” Murton said.
“Their commitment to training has been first class and we know they are looking to represent themselves, their clubs and the league with distinction.
“We just hope that at the end of the day we have our noses in front.”
In the VAFA camp, coach Simon Lethlean – a five-time premiership player and dual premiership coach with Old Xaverians – has also enjoyed a rich pool of talent to choose from.
Five club captains, the services of former AFL listed midfielders Tom Roach, Adam Bentick and Simon Hogan, along with the inclusion of champion goalkicker Brendon Goss, has the VAFA well prepared to hold on to the No.1 ranking.
Star on-baller Chris Waller (Old Xaverians), named best-on-ground in last year’s Premier Division Grand Final, said the squad would relish the chance to test themselves against the best from the EFL.
“Everyone has a lot of respect for one another and they’re a great bunch of blokes who I have really enjoyed the chance to get to know,” Waller said.
The silky smooth mover (pictured above next to the EFL’s Justin Van Unen) also fired a parting shot at his EFL counterparts, in regards to the large pay checks rumoured to be handed out in the competition.
“Well, if they really are paid that much then they should probably win, shouldn’t they?” Waller said in jest.
That question will be answered when the VAFA vs EFL clash kicks off at 3.35pm on Saturday at Visy Park.
CLICK HERE for more information on the Metro Championships