2021 VAFA season

2021 VAFA season
Date10 April − 2 September 2021
Teams66

The 2021 VAFA season was the 120th season of the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA), the largest senior community Australian rules football competition in Victoria. The season began on 10 April before it was curtailed on 2 September 2021 without premierships awarded, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2]

No automatic promotion and relegation was applied following the season, and clubs who finished in the bottom two or highest four positions on the ladder would instead have to formally apply on whether to be promoted or relegated for the 2022 season.[3]

This was the first time the VAFA had curtailed a season since 1940, when competition was suspended due to World War II.[4]

Background

[edit]

2020 season cancellation

[edit]

The 2020 VAFA season was meant to have been the 120th season of the VAFA.[5]

On 17 March 2020, the VAFA announced that the season would be postponed until 2 May because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] However, the season did not resume amid ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, and was officially cancelled on 1 July without a game being played.[7][8]

Prior to the planned start of the 2020 season, Peninsula Old Boys renamed to Old Peninsula Football Club after introducing a women's team.[9]

2021 season and abandonment

[edit]

The 2021 season began on 10 April, with the senior men's home-and-away season scheduled to end on 28 August before a finals series would be held.[10]

On 15 August, the VAFA cancelled the remaining home-and-away games, but stated their intention to still hold a finals series.[11] However, following the extension of Melbourne's sixth COVID-19 lockdown, the VAFA announced on 1 September that the season would be abandoned without any premierships awarded.[12]

Notable events

[edit]
  • Fitzroy's Donovan Toohey kicked a goal after the siren to defeat St Bedes/Mentone Tigers by three points in Premier B on 22 May.[13]
  • Caulfield Grammarians won a senior game in A Section/Premier Division for the first time since 1987.[14]
  • Former Hawthorn player Jacob Campbell died from cancer on 28 May 2021.[15][16][17]
  • In July 2021, antisemitic graffiti was spray-painted on the clubrooms of AJAX Football Club (which is the first and only fully Jewish Australian rules football club).[18] The incident was condemned by the VAFA as an "abhorrent and unlawful racial attack", and the Beaumaris Football Club would later be awarded with a Medal of Courage from the Anti-Defamation Commission for its stance against antisemitism and racism.[19][20]
  • In August 2021, a Richmond Central player recorded Kew players training (against COVID-19 lockdown rules) at Richmond Central's home ground, Kevin Bartlett Oval, and was also involved in a verbal confrontation with Kew coach Ian Aitken.[21] Kew said it did not sanction the training session, and the VAFA did not sanction the club, however they did refer Aitken to AFL Victoria.[22]

Premier

[edit]
2021 VAFA Premier season
Teams10
Minor premiersSt Kevin's
Wooden spoonersOld Trinity
← 2020
2022 →

Ladder

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Old Xaverians 11 9 2 0 1060 626 169.3 36
2 St Kevin's 11 9 2 0 910 619 147.0 36
3 Old Brighton 11 8 3 0 948 807 117.5 32
4 Caulfield Grammarians 11 7 4 0 1041 892 116.7 28
5 University Blues 11 6 5 0 851 930 91.5 24
6 Old Melburnians 11 5 6 0 879 818 107.5 20
7 St Bernard's 11 5 6 0 831 845 98.3 20
8 Old Scotch 11 3 8 0 619 932 66.4 12
9 Collegians 11 2 9 0 693 894 77.5 8 Can apply for relegation
10 Old Trinity 11 1 10 0 648 1117 58.0 4

Source: [23]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.

Premier B

[edit]
2021 VAFA Premier B season
Teams10
Minor premiersUniversity Blacks
Wooden spoonersParkdale Vultures
← 2020
2022 →

Ladder

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 University Blacks 11 10 1 0 1042 541 192.6 40 Can apply for promotion
2 Beaumaris 11 9 2 0 917 505 181.6 36
3 Old Haileyburians 11 9 2 0 1039 688 151.0 36
4 De La Salle 11 8 3 0 937 679 138.0 32
5 St Bedes/Mentone Tigers 11 4 7 0 853 828 103.0 16
6 Fitzroy 11 4 7 0 852 912 93.4 16
7 Williamstown CYMS 11 4 7 0 761 940 81.0 16
8 AJAX 11 4 7 0 568 804 70.7 16
9 Old Carey 11 3 8 0 589 828 71.1 12 Can apply for relegation
10 Parkdale Vultures 11 0 11 0 399 1232 32.4 0

Source: [24]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.

Premier C

[edit]
2021 VAFA Premier C season
Teams10
Minor premiersMonash Blues
Wooden spoonersPreston Bullants
← 2020
2022 →

Ladder

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Monash Blues 11 10 1 0 1033 525 196.8 40 Can apply for promotion
2 Old Geelong 11 9 2 0 945 738 128.1 36
3 Ormond 11 7 4 0 993 779 127.5 28
4 Old Ivanhoe 11 7 4 0 903 745 121.2 28
5 Mazenod 11 7 4 0 942 785 120.0 28
6 Hampton Rovers 11 5 6 0 1022 883 115.7 20
7 Marcellin 11 4 7 0 848 775 109.4 16
8 Old Mentonians 11 4 7 0 811 928 87.4 16
9 UHS-VU 11 2 9 0 540 1280 44.9 8 Can apply for relegation
10 Preston Bullants 11 0 11 0 597 1272 46.9 0

Source: [25]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.

Division 1

[edit]
2021 VAFA Division 1 season
Teams10
Minor premiersOld Camberwell
Wooden spoonersBrunswick
← 2020
2022 →

Ladder

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Old Camberwell 11 10 1 0 1032 623 165.7 40 Can apply for promotion
2 Whitefriars 11 10 1 0 1101 677 162.6 40
3 Kew 11 9 2 0 985 693 142.1 36
4 Prahran Assumption 11 7 4 0 816 688 118.6 28
5 St Mary's Salesian 11 5 6 0 814 915 89.0 20
6 Therry Penola 11 5 6 0 748 953 78.5 20
7 PEGS 11 4 7 0 843 837 36.4 16
8 Old Peninsula 11 3 8 0 641 944 67.9 12
9 Oakleigh 11 2 9 0 776 1013 76.6 8 Can apply for relegation
10 Brunswick 11 0 11 0 580 993 58.4 0

Source: [26]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.

Division 2

[edit]
2021 VAFA Division 2 season
Teams10
Minor premiersGlen Eira
Wooden spoonersPower House
← 2020
2022 →

Ladder

[edit]

Bulleen Templestowe forfeited their round 10 game against MHSOB.[27][28]

Pos Team Pld W WF L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Glen Eira 11 11 0 0 0 1170 446 262.3 44 Can apply for promotion
2 MHSOB 10 9 1 1 0 1306 516 253.1 40
3 West Brunswick 11 8 0 3 0 932 597 156.1 32
4 Old Paradians 11 8 0 3 0 892 764 116.8 32
5 Ivanhoe 11 6 0 5 0 865 743 116.4 24
6 Manningham Cobras 11 4 0 7 0 739 877 84.3 16
7 Aquinas 11 4 0 7 0 756 958 78.9 16
8 Yarra Old Grammarians 11 2 0 9 0 708 1116 63.4 8
9 Bulleen Templestowe 10 1 0 10 0 581 1265 45.9 4 Can apply for relegation
10 Power House 11 1 0 10 0 543 1267 42.7 4

Source: [29]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.

Division 3

[edit]
2021 VAFA Division 3 season
Teams8
Minor premiersHawthorn
Wooden spoonersAlbert Park
← 2020
2022 →

Ladder

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Hawthorn 11 8 2 1 930 680 136.8 34 Can apply for promotion
2 Parkside 11 8 2 1 950 711 133.6 34
3 Emmaus St Leo's 11 8 3 0 1162 615 188.9 32
4 Richmond Central 11 8 3 0 1185 702 168.8 32
5 North Brunswick 11 4 7 0 962 840 114.5 16
6 Canterbury 11 4 7 0 870 908 95.8 16
7 Westbourne 11 3 8 0 558 1185 47.0 12 Can apply for relegation
8 Albert Park 11 0 11 0 410 1386 29.6 0

Source: [30]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.

Division 4

[edit]
2021 VAFA Division 4 season
Teams8
Minor premiersElsternwick
Wooden spoonersBox Hill North
← 2020
2022 →

Ladder

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Elsternwick 11 10 1 0 1709 385 443.9 40 Can apply for promotion
2 South Melbourne Districts 11 10 1 0 1355 443 305.9 40
3 La Trobe University 11 6 5 0 873 946 92.3 24
4 St John's 11 6 5 0 777 862 90.1 24
5 Eley Park 11 4 7 0 732 986 74.2 16
6 Masala Dandenong 11 4 7 0 749 1203 62.3 16
7 Swinburne University 11 2 9 0 658 1141 57.8 8
8 Box Hill North 11 2 9 0 479 1366 18.2 8

Source: [31]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Economou, Alex (9 February 2021). "Long-time Greek amateur footy and cricket stalwart joins Australia's honours list". Neos Kosmos. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  2. ^ "The Hawthorn Spartans return for the VAFA 2021 season". Neos Kosmos. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  3. ^ "VAFA Update: Relegation & Promotion". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 28 September 2021. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Amateurs Conclude". Trove. The Age. 24 June 1940.
  5. ^ Ryan, Peter (5 May 2020). "Snapshot: Stranded on 399 waiting for football to resume". The Age. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  6. ^ "VAFA makes decision on 2020 season". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024.
  7. ^ "VAFA pulls pin on season after latest lockdown". The Age. 1 July 2020. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024.
  8. ^ Morris, Tom (1 July 2020). "Exclusive: Victoria's biggest local footy competition pulls the pin on 2020 season". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024.
  9. ^ McEvoy, Simon (9 March 2020). "VAFA 2020: Old Peninsula Football Club rejuvenated ahead of Division 1 season". Herald Sun. Mornington Peninsula Leader. Archived from the original on 21 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  10. ^ "2021 William Buck Premier Men's Fixture". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 8 February 2021. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024.
  11. ^ "VAFA Statement: COVID Update". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 15 August 2021. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024.
  12. ^ "VAFA, Joint League Statement: 2021 Season Cancelled". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 2 September 2021. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024.
  13. ^ Higgins, Ben (23 May 2021). "Donovan Toohey goals after the siren, Fitzroy beat St Bedes-Mentone". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  14. ^ "VAFA Premier: Caulfield Grammarians rout Old Trinity". Herald Sun. Leader. 3 May 2021. Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  15. ^ Hawthorn Amateur FC [@HawthornAFC] (2021-05-29). "The club is saddened to inform everyone Jacob Campbell passed away yesterday surrounded by family at Peter Mac" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2024-09-28. Retrieved 2024-09-29 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ "Jacob CAMPBELL". mytributes.com.au. Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 28 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Jacob Campbell". GameDay. Hawthorn AFC. Archived from the original on 28 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  18. ^ Zlatkis, Evan (25 July 2021). "'A cowardly act of pure hatred'". Australian Jewish News. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  19. ^ VAFA [@VAFA_HQ] (2021-07-26). "This must stop" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2024-09-28. Retrieved 2024-09-29 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ "Beaumaris FC receive Medal of Courage Award for stance against racism". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  21. ^ "VAFA calls on AFL Vic to investigate lockdown training session". Herald Sun. Leader Community News. 4 August 2021. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  22. ^ "VAFA Statement". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 3 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  23. ^ "2021 William Buck Premier Men's". GameDay. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  24. ^ "2021 Premier B Men's". GameDay.
  25. ^ "2021 Premier C Men's". GameDay.
  26. ^ "2021 Division 1 Men's". GameDay. VAFA Results Archive. Archived from the original on 28 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  27. ^ "2021 Division 2 Men's Round 10". GameDay. VAFA Results Archive. 19 June 2021. Archived from the original on 21 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  28. ^ Cenic, Daniel (21 June 2021). "VAFA 2021: 'Extraordinary' injury list forces Bulleen Templestowe to forfeit seniors and reserves". Herald Sun. Manningham Leader. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  29. ^ "2021 Division 2 Men's". GameDay.
  30. ^ "2021 Division 3 Men's". GameDay.
  31. ^ "2021 Division 4 Men's". GameDay.
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