Wheelchair footy kicks off: Round 1 Recap
On Sunday, the Robert Rose Foundation Victorian Wheelchair Football League launched its new season with an exciting double-header at the Boroondara Sports Complex in Balwyn. Throughout the action-packed opening round, the Community Wheelchair Football League (CWFL) was also taking place alongside the VWFL. The CWFL promises to bring even more excitement and talent to the league in the coming years.
VWFL Results
Essendon VS Collingwood - 12:00pm
ESS 10.9 69
COL 9.7 61
This felt like deja vu for the VWFL - the last time these two teams played each other it was a preliminary final where Essendon came from over 20 points down to level the scores at full time, then go on to win in extra time. Fast forward to Round 1 2023, and it was an eerily similar game to that preliminary final as the Bombers rallied from 29 points down to come back and win, thanks to some Maraldo magic once again who slammed through the final 4 goals of the game in the last 5 minutes to pull off a miraculous comeback. It was a shaky start from both teams as at the end of the first quarter neither team had scored a goal, then the second term hit, and it was an absolute shoot-out! There were 7 lead changes in the second quarter alone as both teams found their groove. The second half began, and suddenly, it was the Riley Fitzgerald show. Much like the preliminary final he had 7 goals in the game, including the first 4 of the third quarter giving Collingwood a 29-point lead with only 3 minutes left in the quarter. Reigning league MVP Caleb Logan then stood up to show why is regarded as one of the best forwards in the game, bringing his team back into the game with 2 goals, including one on the siren to cut the lead to 17 points.
Caleb was back at it again in the fourth quarter, opening the term with a quick goal for the Bombers and it was game on! Riley Fitzgerald finally pegged one back for the Pies and it looked like Collingwood may finally beat the Bombers, until Sam Maraldo took over, he had 4 goals in the final 5 minutes of the game to ensure victory for the Bombers. It was an awe-inspiring performance once again from Maraldo, who in his first game as skipper put the team on his back to get them over the line. Essendon’s Scott van Gemert was instrumental in their victory playing an important role in the centre, going up against the one of the league’s superstars Josh Christian from Collingwood in what was an enthralling battle. Collingwood skipper Ben Jankovski chipped in with 2 goals and Will Crooks’s speed and tenacity was on show all day, but it wasn’t quite enough for the Pies as the Bombers once again pulled of a crazy comeback win!
Goals: Essendon: Maraldo 6, Logan 4. Collingwood: Fitzgerald 7, Jankovski 2
Leading players: Essendon: Maraldo, Owens. Collingwood: Christian, Fitzgerald
Richmond VS Hawthorn – 2:00pm
RICH 26.5 161
HAW 5.2 32
Reigning premiers Richmond went up against Hawthorn for their first match for the year. The Tigers turned it on for the Richmond AFL stars watching in the crowd, with Vincent Naidu opening his season with a bag of 10 goals and captain Chris Henderson not too far behind with 7 himself. Finn Broadbent was huge for the Hawks up forward, often being double teamed by some of the best defensive players in the game. Finn showcased all his skill, putting through 5 majors and looking like a major threat every time he was near the ball. Other positives for the Hawks were captain Joanna Argaet who battled hard all day, continuing her form from the national championships, and debutant Hayden Auber who showed he is going to be one of the players to watch this season. For the Tigers, this was a scary performance which would have put the rest of the league on notice. It wasn’t just the dynamic duo up forward either, with James Weinert and Miranda Charlton showing their class through the middle of the ground. If anyone around the league was wondering if Richmond were going to be the team to beat again this year, I think they just answered that question.
Goals: Richmond: Naidu 10, Henderson 7, Kotsanas 6, Mavroudis 3. Hawthorn: Broadbent 5
Leading players: Richmond: Naidu, Charlton. Hawthorn: Broadbent, Auber
CWFL Results
Essendon VS Collingwood - 11:00am
ESS 1.1 7
COL 5.6 36
Collingwood were in control of this game from the beginning. It was a dream start for debutant Jack Elliott, opening the Pies’ account within the first minute and they never looked back, having the first four goals of the game. There was a bit of magic from Essendon player James Gilders who scored on the three-quarter-time siren from long distance to give them some belief, however, it was Elliott who popped up again slotting his fourth to ice the game. Matthew Blunt, the centre for Collingwood, made a huge difference, with his height advantage wreaking havoc for the Essendon defenders. It wasn’t due to a lack of effort that the Bombers weren’t in this game, Kaleb Powell was dynamic getting around the court with serious pace, Ben Milton tried desperately to find some space and Kerryn Abblitt was excellent in defence. For the Pies, their leaders led from the front. Andrew Paddle presented hard all day taking plenty of marks in the forward half of the ground, whilst Alex Gale-Grime was a brick wall in defence repelling many Essendon forays forward. It was a bit of retribution for this Collingwood side who went down to the Bombers by 56 points in the CWFL Preliminary Final last year. Having not beaten the Bombers for a long time, this victory certainly would have been sweet for the Collingwood players.
Goals: Essendon: Gilders. Collingwood: Elliott 4, Paddle
Leading players: Essendon: Abblitt, Gilders. Collingwood: Elliott, Blunt
Richmond VS Hawthorn – 1:00pm
RICH 15.4 94
HAW 1.6 7
The Tigers’ community team picked up just as they finished last year with a fantastic performance to open their season. Although the scoreboard didn’t look too favourable for Hawthorn there were certainly some good signs. Gerard McCarthy was really starting to find his groove as the game went on and David Ralph had some really impressive moments including a few sensational groundball gets. Unfortunately for the Hawks, it wasn’t enough against this Richmond side that we all know is of top quality. For the Tigers, Mark Titford was massive with 6 majors and a few assists as well. Gary Overliese, Freya Munzel and Gabrielle Sharp were all fantastic in defence all game. Matthew Morris, who is renowned for his defence, chipped in with 3 goals, while regular forwards John Secombe and Bryant Parsons had 5 goals between them in what was an absolute all-round team performance from the Tigers who started their premiership defence perfectly.
Goals: Richmond: Titford 6, Morris, Parsons 3, Secombe 2, Yore. Hawthorn: Ralph
Leading players: Richmond: Titford, Parsons Hawthorn: Ralph, McCarthy
