Community
Victorians on show in the West as Grand Final approaches
24 SEP 2021 BY: WILL MICHAEL
Bailey Smith, Matt Stevic and James Jordon will be three of many Victorians representing community football clubs and leagues on Grand Final day
But whilst Victoria may not be hosting the game’s biggest occasion, a Melbourne and Western Bulldogs Grand Final has assured that Victoria, and community football across the state, will be well represented on the greatest stage.
Both clubs have a significant number of players who grew up in Victoria and played their junior football at clubs in regional and metropolitan leagues.
Former Mooroopna Cats, Clayton Oliver and Laitham Vandermeer
(L-R): Brett Rosebury, Jacob Mollison and Matt Stevic will umpire the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final. Picture: AFL Photos
Luke Beveridge wins a premiership with St Bede's/Mentone
Victorian Grand Final Players
For the second season in a row, the Toyota AFL Grand Final will not be played in Melbourne at the MCG.
But whilst Victoria may not be hosting the game’s biggest occasion, a Melbourne and Western Bulldogs Grand Final has assured that Victoria, and community football across the state, will be well represented on the greatest stage.
Both clubs have a significant number of players who grew up in Victoria and played their junior football at clubs in regional and metropolitan leagues.
WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country will be well represented, as former Mooroopna Cats, Clayton Oliver and Laitham Vandermeer could duke it out, whilst in his debut playing season, James Jordon will complete a mighty journey from Yarrawonga and the Ovens and Murray League to the Melbourne Football Club and a Grand Final.
Former Mooroopna Cats, Clayton Oliver and Laitham Vandermeer
And then there is the three Hampton Rovers made Demons (Christian Salem, Angus Brayshaw, Jayden Hunt), and the St Bernard’s Snowdogs come Bulldogs (Tom Liberatore and Mitch Hannan), as there is an abundance of Victorian talent in both sides.
>>> SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL VICTORIAN GF PLAYERS
The Victorian representation does not stop with the players either.
There are umpires—field, boundary, and goal—who have contributed significantly to our leagues and associations around Victoria and are now representing them on Grand Final day. Former West Gippsland Umpires Association field umpire, Matt Stevic will officiate his eighth consecutive Grand Final, whilst for Albury Umpires League product, Jacob Mollison, it will be his first.
(L-R): Brett Rosebury, Jacob Mollison and Matt Stevic will umpire the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final. Picture: AFL Photos
It has been an enduring journey for the coaches too, and for many of them, it was community clubs around Victoria that paved the way for their playing and coaching careers. Luke Beveridge cut his teeth at St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers, leading them to three straight premierships in the mid 2000s. Meanwhile, Demon’s assistant, Alan Richardson coached the East Burwood seniors to back-to-back premierships in the 1999/2000 seasons.
Luke Beveridge wins a premiership with St Bede's/Mentone
As AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan acknowledged in a statement to community football, it has been a tough year, but it is exciting for so many local football clubs and leagues around the state to be represented on the biggest day in the football calendar and to be acknowledged for the integral role they play in developing and supporting our elite talent from the grassroots level.
As we eagerly await the return of community footy in season 2022, we wish all the Grand Final participants good luck and congratulate you on your journey from grassroots football to the biggest stage of all!
Enjoy the Grand Final!
Victorian Grand Final Players
Melbourne
| Name | Community Club |
| Jake Bowey | Highett |
| Angus Brayshaw | Hampton Rovers |
| Bayley Fritsch | Coldstream |
| Max Gawn | Ormond |
| James Harmes | Devon Meadows |
| Michael Hibberd | Somerville |
| Jayden Hunt | Hampton Rovers |
| James Jordon | Yarrawonga |
| Ed Langdon | Glen Iris |
| Jake Lever | Romsey |
| Tom Mcdonald | Edenhope-Apsley |
| Jake Melksham | Oak Park |
| Clayton Oliver | Mooroopna |
| Christian Petracca | Beverley Hills |
| Christian Salem | Hampton Rovers |
| Charlie Spargo | Albury |
| Jack Viney | Ashburton |
Western Bulldogs
| Name | Community Club |
| Marcus Bontempelli | Eltham |
| Zaine Cordy | Ocean Grove |
| Bailey Dale | Edithvale-Aspendale |
| Josh Dunkley | Sale |
| Taylor Duryea | Wahgunyah |
| Mitch Hannan | St Bernard's |
| Lachie Hunter | Williamstown |
| Alex Keath | Shepparton |
| Tom Liberatore | St Bernard's |
| Jack Mcrae | Kew Rovers |
| Stefan Martin | Old Hailebury |
| Ed Richards | Hawthorn Citizens |
| Josh Schache | Seymour |
| Anthony Scott | Kew Comets |
| Bailey Smith | East Malvern |
| Roarke Smith | Sunbury |
| Adam Treloar | Noble Park |
| Laitham Vandermeer | Mooroopna |
| Cody Weightman | Beaconsfield |
| Easton Wood | Camperdown |
