For the Love of the Game

Matthew Donald, Brayden May, Hugo Higginbotham & Dylan 'Cench Footy' Humphries are on hand to take you through another enormous weekend of VAFA results, news and analysis. This week, the boys catch up with: Westbourne Grammarians coach (and Western Bulldogs legend) CHRIS GRANT, after his team posted its first-ever Premier Women's victory; Caulfield Grammarians skipper JACK ELLWOOD, who starred in the Fields' critical win over Uni Blacks. Plus: Holmesglen Under 19 Premier expert LACHIE MOIR talks us through the weekend's results & looks ahead to Round 7; CENCH-WATCH - Little tidbits from around the competition, plus his patented CENCHY SHOUTOUTS; BIG BAGS - Who set the scoreboard ticking over this week? TON WATCH - The chasing pack is closing in on Mitch Brown! Find out who. TIPS - Can Matty continue to make up ground on Brayden? All this and more, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!

Jason Bennett, Matty Donald & Brayden May break down all the action, news and results from Round 5 of VAFA action - every senior Men's & Women's section, and more! This week, the boys catch up with: BRENDAN FEVOLA after his weekend appearance for Eley Park in Thirds Div 5 action. Hear about Fev's day out at Shark Park, why he loves community footy and how it helped him fall in love with the game again. Plus, injury news and what he played through to be out there on Saturday! Old Trinity star HUGO McGLASHAN, who talks us through the T's 4-game winning streak, how they've adjusted so well to being back in William Buck Premier Men's after 4 years, his Big V experience, and plans for tackling Fortress Brighton this weekend. St Bede's/Mentone Tigers Holmesglen Under 19 Premier skipper LIAM NAPIER, ahead of the Tigers' local derby rivalry clash against Parkdale Vultures this coming weekend. Liam talks us through the rivalry, why it's so intense and what to look out for this Saturday on KTV. Plus, our regular favourites: Holmesglen Under 19 Premier scribe LACHIE MOIR reviews Round 5 and previews Round 6; BIG BAGS - who kept the goal umpires busy in Round 5? TON WATCH - Is Mitch Brown still in front? TIPS - Matty is flying high after tipping 13/14! And we premiere a BRAND NEW SEGMENT - CENCH-WATCH, as DYLAN 'Cench Footy' HUMPHRIES runs us through the entertaining bits & pieces of news from around the competition, and gives a couple of CENCHY SHOUTOUTS to worthy recipients. All that and MORE - FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!

With the first month of footy in the books for VAFA season 2026, Jason Bennett, Matthew Donald & Brayden May dissect an incredible Round 4 of comebacks right across the VAFA! The boys catch up with: University Blacks gun JAMES CLARK, who talks us through them snapping Old Brighton's 20-game winning streak at Fortress Brighton; Beaumaris Senior Women's coach DAMIAN FARROW, who takes us behind-the-scenes through the Sharks' tumultuous last 18 months, and how they've come through it stronger as a club; Holmesglen Under 19 reporter LACHIE MOIR talks us through another thrilling weekend of young gun action. Plus, the regular favourites: TON WATCH - Four bags of 7 led the VAFA this week; BIG BAGS - Has anyone made up ground on our goalkicking leader, Parkdale's Mitch Brown? TIPS - Matty 'Kiss of Death' Donald is having all sorts of trouble with his own specialty section, Prem B Men's! Who will he curse this week? All the scores, ladders and regrading info from right across the VAFA Men's & Women's competitions - FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!

We're three rounds into VAFA season 2026, and there's already PLENTY to talk about! Jason Bennett, Matthew Donald & Brayden May are back for their weekly breakdown of everything that's going on around the League, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME. This week, the boys catch up with: FITZROY coach JACK DALTON, who talks us through his first 3 weeks in the senior role, leading the Roys to a perfect 3-0 start. How has he gone about re-energising Brunswick St Oval after back-to-back relegations? GLEN EIRA/OLD McKINNON coach MEL KUYS, who led the Gryphons to their first ever win in Premier B Women's over the weekend. Mel tells us about the challenges of recalibrating expectations after winning 35 of 36 over the past two seasons to claim back-to-back flags. Now the Gryphs face a brand new challenge. Holmesglen U19 Premier scribe LACHIE MOIR talks us through an incredible start to the season, which has seen 9 of the 15 matches decided by 11 points or less! Plus, all the usual goodies: BIG BAGS - 4 players kicked double-figure hauls in Round 3, including a perfect dozen! TON WATCH - We'll check the goalkicking leaderboard in the race for the ton! TIPS - The unpredictability across all comps is making for a tipping nightmare! Along with full scores & ladders from all senior men's & women's competitions. It's all right here, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME! And you can also WATCH THE SHOW on our VAFAHQ YouTube channel!

Jason Bennett, Matthew Donald & Brayden May dissect a thrilling Round 2 of VAFA action, which saw upsets aplenty across the sections in both the men's and women's competitions. The boys catch up with: Old Trinity premiership coach DONALD McDONALD after his team's massive upset of Old Xaverians at Toorak Park. How did the T's pull THAT off & what does it mean for their broader campaign? Fitzroy player & VAFA Media Premier B Women's expert LAUREN ATKINSON, who tells us about the Roygirls' promising start to the season in Premier Women's, and shares her thoughts on the opening fortnight of Premier B Women's. VAFA Media's Holmesglen Under 19 Premier reporter LACHIE MOIR fills us in on results and reactions from Round 2 and looks ahead to Round 3. Plus, the usual assorted favourites: BIG BAGS - 9 goals was the best return of Round 2. Who was it? TON WATCH - Who leads the men's and women's comps in the race for the magical 100? TIPS - Matty had a stinker in Round 2. He's got some work to do if he's to make up ground this coming weekend. All that and more, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME - also available to enjoy as a VODCAST on the VAFAHQ YouTube channel!

The VAFA’s back for 2026! Jason Bennett, Matty Donald & Brayden May take a long, lingering look at everything that happened across Round 1 of the competition in a jam-packed edition of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME. The boys review EVERY SENIOR SECTION of the Men’s & Women’s competition, as well as Holmesglen Under 19 Premier with VAFA Media expert LACHIE MOIR. Plus, they catch up with: Old Haileybury coach GUY MARTYN, after his team came from 32pts down to defeat Uni Blacks in Guy’s first game as Bloods coach; Parkside senior women’s coach ANTHONY ROMANO, after his team jumped up from Div 2 to Premier B and scored a first-up victory in a fantastic performance. Along with our usual favourites: TON WATCH – which young gun announced himself with 11 goals to claim this week’s VAFA RISING STAR award, alongside a 4-goal performance from an Old Yarra Cobra. TIPS – Matty, Brayden, Lachie & celebrity tipster Cench Footy tell us who will win and why. It’s all right here, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME – now ALSO available as a VODCAST on our VAFA YOU TUBE CHANNEL!

Jason Bennett, Matty Donald & Brayden May roll up their sleeves & work their way through all of the VAFA's Premier sections for 2026: WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN'S PREMIER B MEN'S PREMIER C MEN'S WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER WOMEN'S PREMIER B WOMEN'S HOLMESGLEN UNDER 19 PREMIER Every team. Every Premier section. The boys check in with coaches MARCEL BRUIN (Old Brighton), DANI DI STEFANO (Caulfield Grammarians) & SAM GREENE (La Trobe Uni) as they prepare for Round 1 action. Plus, VAFA Media's Under 19 Premier reporter LACHIE MOIR checks in with his thoughts on the season ahead. Throw in TIPS & SEASON PREDICTIONS left, right and centre, and it's a blockbuster edition of the greatest podcast in the history of the world!* So join Jase, Matty & Brayden FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME as they get set for Round 1! * Results may vary

Jason Bennett, Matty Donald & Brayden May return with the VAFA's award-winning weekly podcast, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, for another season! First up, the boys are deep diving into DIVISIONAL FOOTY, previewing ALL 3 Men's and 5 Women's divisions for season 2026:- EVERY division EVERY team They catch up with Power House men's premiership coach, NICK COX, as his team prepares to tackle the challenge of Division 2. Nick reflects on his team's 2025 Div 3 success in his first season in charge, and looks ahead to what 2026 may bring. Join us each and every week for all the latest news, views, results and analysis from right across the VAFA - FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!

Jason Bennett & Paddy Grindlay bring you the 2025 VAFA Awards Show, where the final League Best & Fairest leaderboards are announced for every section except Premier Men's & Women's. Every winner is interviewed in a show that always delivers wonderful back-stories & depths of emotion as we celebrate individual excellence across the VAFA in 2025.

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Matthew Donald bring you a blockbuster episode of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME as they look back at an action-packed weekend of Premier Grand Finals, then preview the final game of the season - the Premier Men's Grand Final. The boys review the weekend's premiership deciders with: Old Trinity premiership coach DONALD McDONALD as the T's slide the trophy into the cabinet & start thinking about the challenge of Premier Men's next season; Beaumaris skipper CAL LINEHAN talks us through the Sharks' Premier C Grand Final triumph & their chance to tackle the challenge of Premier B once again in 2026; Best afield in the Premier Women's Grand Final - Old Scotch star JORDY MIFSUD - after her team secured back-to-back top-flight women's premierships for the first time in club history. Then we look ahead to William Buck Premier Men's Grand Final Day with: Old Brighton captain HARRY HILL, who provides us with some insights into how his team plans to deliver the Tonners' first ever top-flight title; Old Scotch skipper ANDY JELBART tells us what his team needs to do to win back-to-back flags; VAFA Media expert DANIEL WARD talks us through how he sees the big game panning out & the Keys to Success for both teams. Plus VAFA news-breaker BRAYDEN MAY on the latest talking points around the VAFA. Throw in Paddy & Matty's Grand Final tips and you've got yourself one of the biggest episodes of the entire season, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME - thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Matthew Donald bring you one of the biggest episodes of the entire season as they review 8 Grand Finals from the past weekend, then preview another 7 from the coming weekend! The team catch up with: CHRISTOS MANOUSSAKIS (Old Trinity) & WILL EDWARDS (Caulfield Grammarians) to preview Saturday's Premier B Grand Final; BOTH William Buck Premier Women's Grand Final coaches - DEAN ANDERSON (Old Scotch) & DANI DI STEFANO (Caulfield Grammarians) to preview Sunday's decider; BOTH Premier C Grand Final coaches - JOSH BOURKE (Beaumaris) & LACHIE BUSZARD (AJAX) ahead of Sunday's big one at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. Plus: They review the PREMIER MEN'S SEMI FINALS & look ahead to this weekend's Preliminary Final between Old Xavs & Old Scotch; Our Divisional expert BRAYDEN MAY joins us to talk through our Division 1, 2 and 3 Grand Finals, including an incredible game featuring 23 minutes of extra time! We preview this weekend's Holmesglen UNDER 19 PREMIER Grand Final as Old Brighton & St Kevin's run it back for a second straight year. So much September goodness to unpack in one enormous episode, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Matthew Donald grab a cloth & clean their bi-focals to take a clearer look at a Week 20 of VAFA action that saw six new premiers crowned, some incredible Semi Finals and an Extra Time thriller! The team catch up with: Old Trinity coach DONALD McDONALD after his team progressed straight through to the Premier B Grand Final with a Second Semi win over Old Ivanhoe; St Mary's Salesian skipper ADRIENNE JONES after her team survived the drama, tension & excitement of an Extra Time Grand Final to claim the Women's Division 3 premiership; Our Divisional Expert BRAYDEN MAY, who talks us through Preliminary Final weekend & previews this weekend's 6 x Divisional Grand Finals. Plus: A comprehensive wrap of everything that happened in Premier C, Under 19 Premier, Premier Women's across Semi Final weekend & a preview of what to look for on Preliminary Final weekend; A preview of this weekend's Premier Men's Semi Final blockbusters. All that and more FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Matthew Donald dive into a thrilling Week 19 of VAFA action as the Premier sections wrapped their home & away seasons, while the Divisions got stuck into Finals & the Thirds crowned 6 new Premiers! The boys catch up with: Old Scotch coach MARK GNATT after his team came from the clouds over the final 3 weeks to sneak into fourth & keep their premiership defence alive... after one of our panelists declared it 'officially over' a few weeks back (and Mark keeps receipts)... Old Carey coach LUKE GILES after his team also timed its run perfectly to rise up & snatch fourth spot in Premier B, setting up a cut-throat Semi Final against Caulfield Grammarians this weekend. Plus we: Wrap up the home & away season for all our Senior Men's & Women's sections; Take a look at the packed finals schedule up & down the sections with our Divisional Guru BRAYDEN MAY; Review all 6 completed Men's Thirds Grand Finals & celebrate our winners; Preview the 6 Grand Finals coming up this weekend Predict our Semi Final winners for Premier Women's, Premier B & Premier C Men's So much to enjoy in a bumper episode of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

  Finals are the most exciting time on the footy calendar, but it's no simple task to manage 31 different finals series across 8 weeks.   In this episode of our semi-regular podcast series INSIDE THE VAFA, Jason Bennett & Paddy Grindlay explore the process of FINALS FIXTURING with VAFA CEO, JASON REDDICK.   How is the VAFA Finals fixture constructed?   What are the guiding principles as to who plays where & when?   Why do we play finals at non-VAFA venues?   What happens behind the scenes for the VAFA to match-manage 97 finals games & 31 Grand Finals across the course of 8 weeks? Take a peek behind the curtain for some interesting insights into the running of the biggest senior football competition in Australia as we take you INSIDE THE VAFA, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Matthew Donald unpack a hectic Week 18 of VAFA action as the Premier sections head towards the final round, the Divisions close out the home & away season and the Thirds confirm their Grand Final line-ups. The boys catch up with: The VAFA's first centurion of 2025 - Richmond Central's JAKE DILLON - after he kicked his 100th goal on the weekend. Oakleigh coach CHRIS WORNER after the Krushers bounced back from relegation in 2024 to turn things around & storm home to sneak into the finals in thrilling fashion. Therry Penola legend JARROD EGGLESTONE, who has hung up the boots (for now) after a stellar 18-year senior career. Plus, our regular favourites: VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY with his weekly Divisional Wrap; TON WATCH & BIG BAGS, thanks to Sherrin; The WORLD FAMOUS TIPS - Paddy makes amends & restores his credibility as our Premier B expert. All that and plenty more, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Matthew Donald delve deeper into another cracking weekend of VAFA footy as the finals & relegation races continue to tighten! The boys catch up with: Uni Blues coach MATT SMITH after his team's critical victory in the Uni Derby; Old Geelong coach NICK DIXON after his team kept its season alive by knocking off the top-of-the-table Old Ivanhoe; Parkside coach RICK FROST after his team defeated Mazenod & took a giant step towards safety in Premier C. Plus, our regular segments: VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY's Divisional Wrap - Ormond maintain their perfect record... just! TON WATCH & BIG BAGS, thanks to Sherrin - which section had a 17-goal & 14-goal haul that decided the season's goalkicking champion; The WORLD FAMOUS TIPS - Paddy's lead gets trimmed in the race for glory. All that and more, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME - thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Matthew Donald savour the sweetness of Week 16 of VAFA action, where the finals and relegation races began to get clearer in some sections, but even more complicated in others! The team catches up with: Collegians coach JORDIE McKENZIE, who dashed off to the hospital at three-quarter time as his wife Bella gave birth to their first child, Grace! Old Camberwell coach NEIL CONNELL, who stayed for the full four quarters as his team posted a critical win over Old Melburnians to set up a blockbuster against Caulfield this weekend; Old Peninsula youngster (and 302-game Melbourne AFL champion) NATHAN JONES after his 6-goal debut for the Pirates wasn't enough to earn him a Best Player vote!! Plus, our regular segments: VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY with all the latest news in his Divisional Wrap; TON WATCH & BIG BAGS, thanks to Sherrin... It's happening! Which player booted 19 goals on the weekend to reach 95 majors for the season!! The WORLD FAMOUS TIPS - Paddy extended his lead ever so slightly, while Matty has gone for a massive Premier Men's upset! All that and more, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Matthew Donald crack open the Week 15 canister and serve up an in-depth analysis of all the major talking points across a critical weekend up and down the VAFA sections. The boys catch up with: Old Xaverians coach DAN DONATI, as his side prepares to face Old Brighton in a Premier Men's top-of-the-table blockbuster; Canterbury coach STEVE BROWN, who reveals the theme behind his team's remarkable mid-season turnaround that has seen them go from 1-8 to 6-8! Plus our regular segments: VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY with his weekly Divisional Wrap & all the big talking points from up & down the Divisions; TON WATCH & BIG BAGS, thanks to Sherrin - is the TON back in play after someone has kicked 25 goals in 2 weeks?! The WORLD FAMOUS TIPS - Joey continues to close in on Paddy & has narrowed the gap once again. All that and more - FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Matthew Donald peel back the layers of the onion that was Week 14 of VAFA action. The boys catch up with: Snowdog MARCUS HOLLAND, who talks us through his late heroics to win the game for St Bernard's; De La Salle coach NICK HYLAND, who joins us to chat about his team's challenging season & the positives to come from it; Caulfield Grammarians coach PAUL SATTERLEY, who provides some great insight into the craziness of a watertight Premier B race as the pressure continues to build. Plus, our regular favourites: Our Divisional newshound BRAYDEN MAY with his weekly Divisional Wrap - which playing coach booted 7 goals in a critical win over the weekend? TON WATCH & BIG BAGS, thanks to Sherrin - we had a 15-goal haul over the weekend & suddenly the Season Leaderboard is a race in four! The WORLD FAMOUS TIPS as Joey finally begins to make his move, with a perfect 5/5 in Premier Men's. Who do the boys like this coming week? All that and more, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME - thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Matthew Donald plunge head-first into an action-packed Divisional Weekend of footy, reviewing all the results from across the Divisions & where they sit as the finals & relegation races begin to pick up pace. The guys catch up with: VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY for his Divisional Wrap; Brunswick 300-game icon CLARE WOODHOUSE after her remarkable milestone; Box Hill North champion CAM LISTON reflects on his 300th game over the weekend; Old Carey legend CHRIS ANGUS as he prepares to lace up the boots for his 300th game. PLUS - we PREVIEW THE FINALS & RELEGATION RACES in ALL the PREMIER sections as well: Who sits where in the finals & relegation races? Which are the key games to watch in the run home? Who is primed for a late charge & who may be in danger? Throw in TON WATCH & our WORLD FAMOUS TIPS and it's an episode bursting at the seams! FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME - thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Cal Cummins relive an incredible 2025 Big V Weekend which saw the VAFA win 3 of the 4 games, with the other being a one-kick thriller! The boys catch up with: Senior Men's 'Spirit of the Big V' Award winner, former Western Bulldog LOUIS BUTLER, who talks about how much he's loving the VAFA & how special his first Big V experience was; Women's skipper TAYLAH WATSON, who speaks of her pride at leading the team out for the first time; Premier B-Division 3 captain CAL LINEHAN, who relives an unforgettable Extra Time thriller in Bendigo; Under 19s skipper CHARLIE OPIE, who talks us through his team's massive win at the QEO. It was a weekend to remember, both on & off the field - FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

As we hit the depths of winter & the mud starts to stick, Paddy Grindlay, Matthew Donald & Hugo Higginbotham toss Round 12 of VAFA action into the wash for this week's edition of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME. The boys are joined by: Collegians coach JORDIE McKENZIE after his team rolled the reigning champs once again; Big V Women's captain and West Brunswick's own TAYLAH WATSON to preview this Saturday's showdown against the Perth Football League; Big V Senior Men's skipper & Old Brighton star HARRY HILL as he prepares to lead the Big V into battle once again; VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY with his weekly Divisional Wrap, highlighting the key talking points from across the Divisions. Plus, our weekly VAFA WOMEN'S WRAP, bringing you up-to-speed on the latest results in William Buck Premier Women's and Premier B. It's all FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!  

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Matthew Donald toss Round 11 of VAFA action into the air-fryer to crisp it up for this week's edition of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME. The boys are joined by: Old Melburnians coach NATHAN BROWN after his team's 4th win from 5 starts; Beaumaris Senior Women's coach SAM CALOGERO after his team's history-making first Premier Women's win. PEGS legend ANDREW FRAZER as he prepares for his 400th game; Plus, BREAKING NEWS on a list of BIG NAME EX-AFL & AFLW VAFA TRANSFERS! Which big names have signed with Ammos clubs for the back-end of the season?! And all our regular segments: VAFA newshound Brayden May's DIVISIONAL WRAP - all the biggest talking points from up & down the Divisions; TON WATCH & BIG BAGS, thanks to SHERRIN - which 3 players kicked double-figures this week? The WORLD FAMOUS TIPS Lots to sink your teeth into on this juicy edition of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Matthew Donald grab their box-cutters & unpack another action-packed round of VAFA footy in the league's most popular (and only) weekly podcast! It's Coaches' Corner as the boys catch up with: Old Brighton coach MARCEL BRUIN after his side's thrilling 1-point win over the Bloods; Glen Eira/Old McKinnon coach GUY MARTYN after his team has turned its season around with 4 wins from 5 starts; Ormond coach KYLE PINTO, whose team sits a perfect 10-0 atop the Division 1 ladder. Plus, our regular weekly fare: VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY's Divisional Wrap; PREMIER WOMEN'S & PREMIER B WOMEN'S Report; TON WATCH & BIG BAGS, thanks to Sherrin; The WORLD FAMOUS TIPS - who wins in Rd.11 and why? All that and more FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett is joined by VAFA Media commentators Matthew Donald & Cal Cummins to talk all things VAFA action as we hit the midway point of the season. They catch up with a cavalcade of guests in a BLOCKBUSTER episode: St Bernard's coach STEVE ALESSIO after his team's nail-biting draw against the Blues. Former AFL champion JOSH KENNEDY after his incredible VAFA debut for Old Xavs. Old Trinity coach DONALD McDONALD after his team's win over league-leaders Old Ivanhoe. Wattle Park's new 300-gamer LAWRENCE VIRGO after his stellar personal-best 6-goal haul in his milestone game. VAFA News Corp newshound BRAYDEN MAY with his weekly Divisional Wrap Plus, our wrap of the VAFA's Women's competition & regular segments: TON WATCH - Which 3 players booted double-figure goals this week? WORLD FAMOUS TIPS - Who wins in what promises to be a fantastic Week 10 of action? All this and more in a packed-to-the-brim episode of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

With the 2025 Big V Centenary squads selected & entering training camp, Paddy Grindlay & Hugo Higginbotham chat with coaches Daniel Harford, Paul Groves, Luke Mahoney & Paul Carrigan to get their thoughts on: Squad selection Training program & focus Game style Opposition analysis Expectations in the Centenary year, and lots more! Everything you need to know about our Big V program for 2025, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & VAFA Media analyst Pat Cortazzo strap on their scuba tanks to take a deep dive into Round 8 of action & catch up with: Uni Blacks veteran JOEL ERNEST after his game-winning goal to cap one of the VAFA's comebacks of the year; Old Scotch spearhead JAMES TARRANT after he booted 5 goals in the final term to see the Cardinals home in an incredible come-from-behind win; Williamstown CYMS men's coach CON TERZOGLOU after a fantastic weekend for his club that saw both their Senior Men & Senior Women post memorable victories. Pat - who has worked as a footy analyst at Carlton & Hawthorn - casts his eye over EVERY Premier Men's team from an analytical perspective: Where are they strong & where do they have room for improvement? Which areas of the game should the coaches be contemplating over the bye? Plus all the usual goodness:- TON WATCH & BIG BAGS, thanks to Sherrin - 3 players booted double-figure snags over the weekend & who leads the VAFA's goalkicking leaderboard? WORLD FAMOUS TIPS - how did the boys go in Round 8 & who are they on for Round 9? There's so much to enjoy FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & special guest co-host HUGO HIGGINBOTHAM wrap an action-packed Round 7 of VAFA action as they catch up with: Old Haileybury coach DANIEL WARD after his team's history-making win over SKOB; Parkdale coach OWEN LALOR ahead of his team's Premier C blockbuster against AJAX as the two 7-0 teams finally square off; Caulfield Grammarians coach DANI DE STEFANO after her team knocked off St Kevin's & Old Scotch in consecutive weeks to sit atop Premier Women's at 7-0. Plus all the usual faves -  #TONWATCH & #BIGBAGS, thanks to Sherrin - 3 players booted 8 on the weekend. Who got it done? ANYTIME FITNESS RISING STARS - one from U19 Premier & one from Div 1 Women's. The WORLD FAMOUS TIPS - which tipster nailed a perfect 5/5 in Prem B last weekend? All that and loads more, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME - thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay run the microscope over the VAFA's Round 6 action: University Blacks skipper CAMPBELL MOORFIELD joins us after hanging on for a thrilling win over Old Scotch. He talks underrated team-mates, Big V options & more. Old Geelong's MICKEY NICHOLLS jumps on for a chat after the OGs won a nailbiter over Old Trinity. He also talks Big V prospects, how & where his team has improved in 2025 and confirms that his recent goal is the clubhouse leader as the VAFA Goal of the Year! VAFA Media scribe & Fitzroy player LAUREN ATKINSON fills us in on the latest results & standings in PREMIER WOMEN'S & PREMIER B WOMEN's after an action-packed opening 6 weeks. VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY brings us his weekly AROUND THE VAFA Divisional Wrap, with all the latest news & talking points from up & down the Divisions. Plus #TONWATCH & #BIGBAGS thanks to Sherrin - which sharpshooter slotted 13 goals on the weekend?! And the WORLD FAMOUS TIPS - one of the boys has opened up a 5-tip lead. Is it time to start tipping a few upsets to close the gap? All that and more on a bumper edition of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay grab their lab coats & clipboards to look the part as they surgically dissect the Round 5 action across the VAFA: The wash-up from TWO 2024 Grand Final rematches across Premier Men's & Premier B. Old Camberwell skipper JIMMY ALLEN joins us for a chat ahead of his 150th game for the top-of-the-table Wellers. Speaking of top-of-the-table, AJAX coach LACHIE BUSZARD dials in to talk us through how the Jackas have jumped out of the blocks in his first season at the helm. VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY is on board with his weekly DIVISIONAL WRAP of all the key talking points across the Divisions. Plus #TONWATCH & #BIGBAGS, thanks to SHERRIN, and the WORLD FAMOUS TIPS - which tipster came up with a BIG FAT ZERO in their Prem B tips last weekend?! All that and more, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Re-grading is always a contentious topic every season, so the VAFA's Head of Footy DALE CHRISTIE joins Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay in this special edition of INSIDE THE VAFA to explain: The RATIONALE for re-grading; The PROCESS & CRITERIA behind it; The IMPLICATIONS on fixturing; The latest Premier Women's re-grading news & the reasons behind it. Plenty of questions & Dale has the answers on this episode of INSIDE THE VAFA, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay take a deep breath (more a wheeze in Jase's case, as he heroically returns from a life-threatening sniffle) and re-rank every senior men's section after the first month of the 2025 VAFA season. 5 into 4 won't go... which highly-fancied contender DOESN'T make Joey's Final 4 in Premier Men's? How will Paddy squeeze all 10 of his Premier B love-children into 4 finals spots? VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY joins us to power rank Premier C & the Divisions. Plus, the boys chat with: Old Xavs star CAMPBELL LANE - is he headed for a Big V jumper? Old Carey coach LUKE GILES on the rise of the Panthers in Premier B And regular segments: #BIGBAGS & #TONWATCH, thanks to SHERRIN as we celebrate the league's sharpshooters (somebody kicked 18 this week??! Hello...) And the WORLD FAMOUS TIPS - just one the difference between Paddy & Joey ahead of a pivotal weekend of Premier B blockbusters. All that and more, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay are joined by VAFA Community & Club Support Manager DARREN FLANIGAN to talk 'THE REAL STAKES' ROUND - the VAFA's gambling harm awareness project: The impact of normalising sports gambling on general society The tricks being used by gambling companies The tools available to VAFA clubs to raise awareness Upcoming webinars Plus, his incredible football career as a player with Geelong & St Kilda, and his many roles in the decades since, helping players, coaches, and clubs realise their potential.

Join Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay as they take an in-depth look at Round 3 of VAFA action. (Jase didn't make it through the Easter break unscathed. Soft.) ALEX LUKIC joins the team to recap Collegians' Anzac Day win over reigning champs Old Scotch. Will that kickstart the Lions' season as it did last year? JACK BEHNK dials in for a chat after his outstanding 12-goal performance for St Bede's Mentone Tigers on the weekend. #TONWATCH!!! VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY with his regular weekly AROUND THE VAFA Divisional Report. What's making news? Plus, #BIGBAGS & #TONWATCH, thanks to SHERRIN as we celebrate the league's sharpshooters (well, Paddy does... Joey's just perpetually grumpy about them.) And the WORLD FAMOUS TIPS - who has jumped out to a 2-tip lead after the other tipped just 1 of 5 in Premier Men's last weekend? All this and more in your weekly dose of VAFA podcasty goodness - FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to our friends at MECWACARE!  

Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay launch 2025 Big V Rep Footy by chatting with the VAFA's senior coaches: DANIEL HARFORD - Senior Big V Men LUKE MAHONEY - Big V Premier B-Division 3 Men PAUL GROVES - Big V Women These in-depth conversations are packed full of fantastic insights: What the job means to them What style of footy they want to play How they are going to build their squads What they are looking for in players. Plus, News Corp's VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY joins the boys for his weekly AROUND THE VAFA Divisional Segment, with the latest news & talking points from across the competition. Throw in the World Famous Tips for Round 3 and you've got yourself a bumper episode of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay cast a keen eye over Round 2 of the VAFA season:- UNI BLUES coach MATT SMITH talks us through his team's rollercoaster ride over the first fortnight - a heartbreaking after-the-siren loss, then a nail-biting win. OLD IVANHOE coach JARROD GIESCHEN explains his team's incredible come-from-behind win over Old Carey. VAFA newshound BRAYDEN MAY brings us the latest news & talking points from up & down the comp in his AROUND THE VAFA Divisional Report. Plus, #BIGBAGS & #TONWATCH - who kicked a big bag of goals on the weekend & who has the most for the VAFA season so far? Thanks to SHERRIN. And the WORLD FAMOUS TIPS as we review Paddy & Joey's Round 2 predictions. All this and more, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME - thanks to MECWACARE! 

Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay look back at an action-packed opening round of VAFA season 2025. St Bernard's after-the-siren hero JOEY AGRESTA talks us through the Snowdogs' thrilling win; Old Brighton skipper HARRY HILL calls in to check that he's still Joey's favourite player (he is - but Will 'The Big Pig' Clark appears to be closing fast); Hawthorn Amateur legend PHIL AVERY joins us after breaking the Hawks' All-Time Games Record with 329; Newshound BRAYDEN MAY dials in with his weekly AROUND THE VAFA Divisional segments, wrapping the results & talking points up and down the Men's divisions. Plus: TON WATCH - who kicked the biggest bags across the VAFA in Round 1? The World Famous TIPS - which tipster picked a perfect 5/5 in Premier Men's? Who wins in Round 2? Can Paddy choose between two of his favourite coaches?

The team peers deep into the future and predicts with absolutely no certainty whatsoeverthe finalists and premiers up and down the sections, as well as the William Buck Premier Men’s leading Goalkicker, Woodrow Medallist, youngsters to watch and their locks for Big V selection. Episode Menu: 4:10 - William Buck Premier Men's Preview:- 4:15 - De La Salle 8:18 - Old Haileybury 12:24 - St Bernards 17:22 - University Blacks 20:45 - University Blues 25:52 - Old Xaverians 29:59 - Old Collegians 35:18 - St Kevin's 39:43 - Old Brighton 45:30 - Old Scotch 50:59 - Paddy & Joey drop their Premier Men's predictions for season 2025. 58:19 - Paddy Premier B Men's preview 1:08:15 - Brayden May joins the podcast to preview Division 1 Men's 1:15:44 - Division 2 Men's Preview 1:19:55 - Division 3 Men's Preview 1:29:24 - The World Famous Tips & Round 1 Broadcast Schedule

Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Brayden May preview ALL 30 Men's divisional teams from Divisions 1, 2 & 3 in a blockbuster episode of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME! The boys are joined by coaches: KYLE PINTO (Ormond - Div 1) NICK ABBOTT (South Melbourne Districts - Div 2) MICHAEL MOTTA (Richmond Central - Div 3) who talk us through their pre-season preparations, what they expect in their Division this season, and the TEAMS TO BEAT. So, if you love your VAFA Divisional footy, THIS episode is right up your alley! Plus Brayden gets us up-to-speed with the biggest talking points in the Premier sections in his regular AROUND THE VAFA segment. It's all FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME - thanks to our good friends at MECWACARE!

The genesis of Laura Kane's journey to become one of footy's most influential administrators can be traced back to her joining the VAFA's Melbourne Uni women's team as a 12-year-old. But with no Youth Girls footy existing back then, Laura spent three years training diligently every week but was not allowed to play. That didn't deter her, and she ultimately rose through the ranks from player to coach to administrator at Melbourne University, North Melbourne, and then the AFL, where she now drives the game's future as the Executive General Manager of Football. Jason Bennett & Joey Pignataro sit down with Laura to explore her remarkable road to the top of football administration: Why footy? Her VAFA experience - how it shaped & influenced her as a person and ultimately as a professional Community footy - it's importance to the game & society more generally The AFL's commitment to helping community footy & the huge financial commitment on its way The impact of women's footy, both on and off-field The future of community footy & advice for those working hard at local clubs All that and more in this revealing chat with VAFA ALUMNI Laura Kane - thanks to MECWACARE!

VAFA Head of Footy DALE CHRISTIE joins Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay to answer some burning questions around the competition, including: Fixturing - how is it done? Complexities & challenges? Player Points system Building a women's feeder program Big V plans & the return of the Big V Under 19s The potential arrival of a new club All that and plenty more in a revealing chat that covers a lot of ground and answers a lot of questions. So get up-to-speed with the latest happenings INSIDE THE VAFA, thanks to MECWACARE!

Premier C is the gateway between Premier and Divisional footy, and it will once again be a fascinating section in 2025. Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay deep dive into all 10 Premier C teams for their Season Preview with special guest, Marcellin coach BERNIE DINNEEN. We also catch up with proud VAFA Alumni FRANCIS EVANS, who joined Carlton's AFL list last week after being set to return to the VAFA with Brunswick this season. And we chat with News Corp VAFA expert BRAYDEN MAY for all the latest news & happenings up & down the VAFA Divisions. All that and more in a bumper edition of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Will Premier B Men's be the VAFA's most competitive section in 2025? Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay look ahead to a blockbuster season in the men's second tier on the VAFA's official podcast, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME. The boys are joined by Old Trinity coach DONALD McDONALD & reigning Prem B League Best & Fairest, Old Ivanhoe's BILLY MURPHY as they run through the ins and outs of all ten teams, identify their keys to success and assess their prospects. Paddy puts his body on the line with his way-too-early pre-season PREMIER B POWER RANKINGS - who does he have making finals and which of the two teams relegated from Premier Men's does he expect to struggle? Plus, all the latest news from up & down the rest of the VAFA sections with News Ltd journo BRAYDEN MAY. All that and more thanks to MECWACARE... FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!

With VAFA clubs across the city returning to the training track, Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay are back to wrap up season 2024 and look ahead to 2025 with the year's first episode of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME. They celebrate Old Scotch's historic Premier Men's & Women's premiership double by catching up with flag-winning coaches MARK GNATT & DEAN ANDERSON. Plus, all the latest news from up & down the VAFA sections with News Ltd journo BRAYDEN MAY. And a look at the major PLAYER INS & OUT for each Premier Men's team across the summer to date. All that and more thanks to MECWACARE... FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!

Join Joey Pignataro, Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay & Susan Miller as they count the votes & interview the winners of the 2024 VAFA League Best & Fairest Awards: MEN'S PREMIER B & C MEN'S DIVISIONS 1-3 & MECWACARE MASTERS HOLMESGLEN U19 PREMIER, DIVISIONS 1 & 2 WOMEN'S PREMIER B WOMEN'S DIVISIONS 1-4

Join Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay for the Premier Men's GRAND FINAL PREVIEW edition of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME. Premier Men's Preliminary Final recap as Old Scotch powered away from St Kevin's in a final quarter blitz; Premier B, Premier C & Premier Women's Grand Final reviews; William Buck Premier Men's GRAND FINAL PREVIEW with both captains: Tom FISHER (Old Brighton) Andy JELBART (Old Scotch) Jase & Joey talk the complex landscape of concussion protocols Paddy & Joey's Grand Final tip Plus lots more Ammos goodness, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

With the VAFA deep in the heart of September, there's finals action everywhere so join Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay as they break it all down in a jam-packed edition of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME: Premier Men's Semi-Final recap & Preliminary Final Preview Premier B Prelim Final recap & Grand Final preview with the coaches: Daniel Ward (Old Haileybury) Nick Hyland (De La Salle) Premier C Prelim Final recap & Grand Final preview with the coaches: Aaron Bailey (Old Carey) Marty Pask (Hampton Rovers) Everything you need to know about the big games coming up, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

What an incredible weekend of footy it was around the VAFA! Jason Bennett, Paddy Grindlay, and Joey Pignataro dive headfirst into the discussion and debate in a bumper finals edition of FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME. The nailbiting final round of Premier Men's as fates swung wildly across Saturday afternoon; William Buck Premier Men's Semi Final previews; A review of Premier B & Premier C Semi-Finals and a look ahead to Preliminary Final weekend; St Kevin's U19 Premier captain GEORGE DELIMITROU joins us for a chat ahead of this weekend's Holmesglen U19 Premier Grand Final; We preview all 7 of our Divisional Grand Finals this weekend & catch up with Elsternwick coach PETER 'HUGO' HIGGINBOTHAM ahead of his team's Division 2 showdown with Brunswick; Plus we take a look at the William Buck Premier Women's Preliminary Final between Old Scotch & Caulfield Grammarians. Paddy & Joey's world-famous tips. So much Ammos to talk and so little time! Give us 76 minutes and we'll get you up-to-speed on everything you need to know - FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay cast an eye across the VAFA men's competition as September rolls around: A deep dive into the state of play in William Buck Premier Men's entering the final round:- Who will make finals & who will miss out? Who will survive & who will drop to Premier B next season? The boys chat with St Bernard's ruck MATT SAURO as the Snowdogs prepare to play for their survival in the top-flight this weekend. The Final 4 is set in both Premier B & Premier C - who made it & who is to be relegated for 2025? They recap a thrilling weekend of Holmesglen U19 Premier Semi-Final action & look ahead to this week's Preliminary Final. All that and plenty more FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!

Jason Bennett, Joey Pignataro & Paddy Grindlay chat all things VAFA on the League's official weekly podcast FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME. In this week's episode: All the latest as the Premier Men's finals & relegation races take another twist. Special guest Fitzroy's JULIAN TURNER talks us through the Roys' season & their late-season rally to avoid relegation ahead of this weekend's huge game against the Blacks. A deep dive into the last round of Premier B & Premier C as the jostling for finals positions comes to a head. Previews of the Women's Grand Finals coming up this weekend in: Premier B Seniors & Reserves Divisions 1, 2 & 3 Plus Joey & Paddy's world-famous tips! All that and lots more FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, thanks to MECWACARE!