► Tina Bartels

► Wyndham Weekly Article

VAFA: Werribee Districts Tigers score historic win
BY LANCE JENKINSON
02 May, 2012 12:00 AM

WERRIBEE Districts made a brave decision to use its own football factory ahead of outsourcing for its promotion season in the Victorian Amateur Football Association Premier B.

The Tigers' acceleration of youth was due in part to the mass exodus from last year's promotion-winning team but also the bold and innovative thinking of head coach Kirk Norton, who time and again has built and rebuilt the club's rise up the ranks with youth-laden teams.

History was made on Saturday afternoon when the Tigers claimed their first victory in the VAFA's second-tier competition and did it with an element of style in a 56-point drubbing of Old Brighton at the Brighton Beach Oval.

Tigers president Rod Harrington told the Weekly it was a day where a number of no-name youngsters arrived to validate the faith the club has in its development set-up and its liberal approach to trust untried youngsters with important roles in the senior team.

"It's about giving the kids a go," he said. "It's a young man's game and these guys coming through have put the club in good stead. We think if they're up to it, give them a go, see if they can perform and that's what they've done so far."

The Tiger cubs had their paw prints all over this win.

Chris Molivas, playing just his second game on the forward line, booted six goals to almost certainly wrap up the three votes from the umpires.

Jameel Sargent and Mitch Chadwick were two more from Tigers' under-age teams not content to just make up the numbers in their second senior games.

Daniel Schibeci is one of the many success stories of the Tigers' 'give the kids a go' theory.

Four years ago, he was blooded into the senior line-up as a 16 year old.

On Saturday, he ran out as co-captain of the Tigers and snared three goals.

"The depth of the club and these guys coming through from under-age footy and having an impact in the senior team is fantastic," Harrington said.

The Tigers' victory was all the sweeter after their gut-wrenching three-point loss to St Kevin's Old Boys in the opening round at Soldiers Reserve.

They hit the ground running in the first game, exceeding external expectations by doing so well, but ultimately coming up short in what Harrington described as both a "heartbreaker" and an "eye opener".

The heartbreaker was getting so close, the eye opener was the ability to compete with an established side at the level, which instilled belief into the side heading into the second-round trip to Old Brighton.

The Tigers carried that form into the Old Brighton game and turned it into premiership points.

They held the hosts to just five goals for the game.

The Tigers can travel to Old Ivanhoe with confidence for their third round encounter on Saturday considering the hosts were pummelled by St Kevin's to the tune of 92 points last start.

■ Old Westbourne Grammarians won a division 3 heart-stopper by three points over Power House at the Westbourne School Ground to give new coach Roger Hand his first win in charge.

■ Point Cook also rebounded after an opening round shocker in division 4 to hand out a 57-point hiding to the Manningham Cobras.

VAFA SCOREBOARD

Premier B: Old Brighton 5.8 (38) lt Werribee Districts 14.10 (94). Werribee Districts: Goals: C. Molivas 6, D. Schibeci 3, A. Alifraco, J. Sargent, A. Taylor, S. Callea, B. Kolang. Best: C. Molivas, D. Schibeci, A. Taylor, S. McCutcheon, M. Chadwick, J. Huxtable.

Division 3: Old Westbourne 8.9 (57) d Power House 7.12 (54). Old Westbourne: Goals: T. Whiting 4, S. Gill 2, S. Kidd, J. Mason. Best: P. Morris, J. Nikola, P. Hudson, D. Benn, S. Kidd, F. Pavez.

Division 4: Manningham Cobras 13.8 (86) lt Point Cook 22.11 (143). Point Cook: Goals: A. Marsh 6, P. Hegarty 3, M. Pozzuto 3, A. Auciello 2, D. Sidwell 2, J. Lampi 2, G. Russell 2, T. Cassidy, T. Wilson. Best: P. Hegarty, P. Auciello, D. Burton, J. Wallert, T. Cassidy, A. Auciello.

► Opening Bounce – Round 1

The season kicks of on Saturday, 21st April at Soldiers Reserve. Under 19’s start at 9:40am against Old Haileybury, Reserves start at 11:40am and Seniors at 2:00pm. There are 3 great games and the players are looking forward to the whole club's support to cheer them on.

The Seniors and Reserves are playing against St Kevins who are coached by Daniel Harford (ex AFL player and now SEN Radio Personality).

The club is looking forward to a challenging year on the field now that we play in Premier B grade, coach Kirk Norton is optimistic about the clubs chances this year and looking forward to the challenges playing in the higher level.

The Under 18’s are playing on Saturday at 9:20am at Sunbury against Rupertswood and this will be a tough challenge – coach Chris Burton is expecting a strong showing from the boys after a long preseason.

This week it is the Under 16’s turn to provide the afternoon tea (half time of Seniors game) on Saturday. Entry to the clubrooms for afternoon tea is $5.00 – please come and support the team. Everyone is welcome.

All junior games start this Sunday.

► Junior Training

► Volunteers Required

The Werribee Districts Football Club has opportunities for Volunteers to assist on Match Days.

Roles include Timekeepers, Team Managers, Goal Umpires, Scoreboard Attendants and Umpires Escorts. This is a great opportunity to be involved with a progressive and well organised Club.

For further information please contact Gavin Palmington on 0409 781 241 or gavin.palmington2@defence.gov.au.

► Herald Sun/CityLink 'Run for the Kids' 2012

► SHERRIN Junior Footy Boots

► Senior Practice Match

The club has a practice match this Saturday, 24 March, 2012 at Soldiers Reserve. The Club is playing the Clunes Magpies who play in the Loddon Valley Football league.

The Reserves start at 11:30am with the Seniors starting at 2:00pm.

A BBQ is on all day for those wishing to come and support the club. We hope to see you all there.

► Sponsorship

The club is actively seeking sponsors for the coming season. We have a couple of new sponsors but need plenty more.

If you have any links to an organisation that may be interested in sponsoring the club please contact Brad Syme on 0413 261 126.

► Facebook

Please note that the club's official Facebook page is werribee districts fc (official). Please LIKE our page as the more LIKEs we get the better we can promote ourselves to potential sponsors.

► Junior Coaches Announced

The Club would like to announce the following coaches for the 2012 season.

We welcome back some coaches from the previous season with a couple being promoted to the next grade.

We also welcome several new coaches who have plenty of experience and should compliment the quality of coaching of we have for this coming season.

We would also like to announce that Grant (Busta) Parker is the Junior Coaching Co-Ordinator for season 2012. Busta plans on having a Monday night skills session for players that need to address certain skills in their game. Busta can be contacted on 0410 303160.

We wish them all the best for the coming season and hope that all the players, parents and supporters get behind them.

► TeleChoice Club Registration Gift