PFL Men triumph over Victoria in historic win
09 Jul, 2024
A scintillating display from the PFL Men’s side saw them stun the VAFA by a 23-point margin at Steel Blue Oval.
You have to wind back the clock to 1991 for Perth’s last victory over the Vics in an open aged match after 2003’s 170-point loss ultimately put an end to senior state football.
After the heartbreak of last year’s extra time loss to Victoria on away soil in the PFL’s return to state footy, Craig White and his men were out for redemption this time around.
Perth led from the front all afternoon in their inspiring 11.10 (76) to 7.11 (53) win against Victoria.
VAFA v PFL WATCH THE FULL REPLAY
Kingsway’s Kyle Halligan opened the scoring after an impressive contested mark and set shot from just inside the 50-metre arc before Charlie MacIsaac hit back for the Vics a few minutes later with a set shot snap.
Kingsway’s Kyle Halligan celebrates an early goal.
The Big V peppered the goals but couldn’t find a major to capitalise on their forward half pressure. Clean ball movement via measured kicking along the wing saw the PFL get the ball inside 50 through Curtin Uni Wesley’s Nathan Spooner who delivered it on the chest of his club teammate James Corner. A straight kick saw the VAFA’s work undone and Perth went into the first break with a 3-point advantage.
The second quarter saw a fast start by the Vics, with Nicholas Pavlou finding himself with the ball in hand after some heavy pressure applied by the Big V’s forwards. Pavlou’s goal put the VAFA back in front, but that’s where the PFL took control of the quarter.
Successive straight kicks from Kyle Halligan, Julian Hulten and James Corner in a 5-minute burst suddenly had Perth ahead by 15 points and full of confidence. Sam Laube pulled one back for the VAFA before Fremantle CBC’s Julien Hulten hit straight back, followed by Kingsway’s Trey Kennedy kicking truly with about 5 minutes to go in the half.
Fremantle CBC’s Julian Hulten celebrates a goal with teammates.
A five goal second quarter from Perth saw them looking at taking a 23-point lead into halftime, but Sam Tucker had other ideas with a classy running goal right on the siren for the Vics.
Tensions rose in the third term, and it was clear both the PFL and VAFA were looking to attempt to stamp their authority on the match. An early goal from Nathan Spooner for Perth was quickly answered by Nathan Boucher from the VAFA. Spot fires appeared at various times across the ground, and it seemed to be working in the Big V’s favour, with momentum slowly shifting their way.
As seen in the first quarter, Victoria just couldn’t capitalise, with four straight behinds only trimming the margin to 12 points. With only minutes remaining in the third quarter, it seemed the two sides were playing with different footballs. The PFL found it easy going forward with impressive link-up play through the middle of the ground, while the Big V repeatedly turned the ball over in the defensive fifty, gifting Perth shots at goal. Whitford’s Max Walters’ late goal extended the lead to 20 points at the final change.
Whitford’s Max Walters extends the lead to 20 points.
The gulf in skill level continued to haunt the Vics in the last quarter, preventing them from making any meaningful inroads into the margin. After Charlie MacIsaac slotted his second goal of the day early in the final term, Perth threatened to blow the game away with their forward fifty pressure, forcing many turnovers but only managing 5 behinds in a row.
Curtin Uni Wesley’s Chris Leonard, however, has no such problem with his 48-metre set shot sailing through for a goal, seemingly sealing it for Perth.
Curtin Uni Wesley’s Chris Leonard celebrates a late goal.
With 9 minutes to go, the Big V upped their work rate. Aggressive ball movement through the corridor found Sam Tucker on the end of a strong contested mark in the forward pocket. He kicked truly to trim the margin down to 18 points, keeping the visitors alive.
Once again though, the Vics just couldn’t match Perth’s field kicking. A poor kick out of the goal square resulted in a ball-up and a subsequent free kick to North Beach’s ruckman Josh Chapman. From 50 metres out, right in front, Chapman made no mistake, extending the lead back out to 24 points.
A late behind to Victoria’s Marcus Stavrou meant little as the PFL celebrated moments later when the final siren rang on an incredible day of representative football.
Fremantle CBC’s Matt Ward made it a family affair for the day, claiming best on ground honours with 33 disposals and 10 marks, matching his sister’s effort earlier in the day. Old Brighton’s Will Lewis was named best afield for the VAFA.
Fremantle CBC’s Matt Ward with one of his 33 disposals through the midfield.
FINAL SCORES
PFL: 2.1, 7,3, 9.5, 11.10 (76)
VAFA: 1.4, 4.4, 5.9, 7.11 (53)
GOALS
PFL: K. Halligan 2, J. Corner 2, J. Hulten 2, C. Leonard, T. Kennedy, M. Walters, N. Spooner, J. Chapman
VAFA: C. MacIsaac 2, S. Tucker 2, S. Laube, N. Pavlou, N. Boucher
BEST
PFL: Matt Ward (Fremantle CBC)
VAFA: Will Lewis (Old Brighton)
