Simon 'Punchy' Williams is a genuine VAFA Legend. After his playing days finished up he became the coach of Old Brighton taking them to the 2013 Premier B title, he then moved across to the Caulfield Grammarians and took them to the Premier B promised land in 2019. For 2021 and 2022 he navigated the Fields time in William Buck Premier helping them to their first win in A-Section for over a decade.  Williams shares his thoughts, experiences and challenges of coaching as well as some of the great memories he has stored over the journey. Subscribe to VAFA Legends wherever you get your podcasts. 

St Bede's Mentone/Tigers Women's coach Belinda Ousley is the next guest on Russell Barnes' VAFA Legends series.  Ousley took the Tigers through the perfect season in 2022 that saw them claim the Premier C Women's title, and Belinda awarded the VAFA's coach of the year honour.  With the club playing off in both the Reserves and Seniors Grand Finals, Ousley was able to navigate the finals series, and Grand Final week with her father in hospital and unable to be at the ground, a personal moment of toughness brought about a bittersweet moment on Grand Final Day for the Ousley family. Subscribe to VAFA Media to never miss a podcast. 

George Wakim joined the Preston Bullants when his son Daniel was coming through the junior ranks, when the club decided to create a senior team, Wakim became their first-ever senior coach in 2013. His results were as incredible as they were immediate, leading his chargers to four senior flags in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2019. He was named the VAFA Coach of the Year for the first time in 2014 following his side’s 24-point Division 3 Grand Final win over Richmond Central. Just two years later, Wakim was named the Coach of the Year (Divisions) yet again on the back of their incredible 12-point win over St John’s in Division 2.

Kylie Da Fonte is the only female in the MHSOB Hall of Fame, in 2020 the VAFA awarded her with a certificate of merit for her services to her local club but also to the time and dedication she has put into the Big V program. Da Fonte has been part of state representative sides for over 2 decades, a role she initially undertook alongside her dad.  For many VAFA players who've worn the Big V in recent times, they no doubt will have been treated and looked after at some stage by Da Fonte. 

Luke Beveridge is the current coach of the Western Bulldogs in the AFL. He is the second Premiership coach at the Whitten Oval, bringing the trophy home to the Dogs in 2016 in the most famous of Grand Finals. Before that, he was and still remains as the only 3x Premiership coach in the VAFA to guide a team (that being St Bede's) to three straight premierships, C-Section in 2006, B-Section in 2007 and A-Section in 2008. No club has done so before him, no club has done so since then.  Beveridge joins Joe Pignataro and Russell Barnes to outline how he joined the club, the three straight titles, and the fondest memories he has at the Western Bulldogs. 

Shaun Payze was likely elevated to a legend of Peninsula Old Boys while he was still running around and playing in the senior side, up until the end of 2022.  At the conclusion of last season, Payze announced after 25 years he would be hanging up the boots. Retiring officially on 428 senior games, 1 reserves game and 1 representative match which officially places him as #1 on the VAFA games record list.  Subscribe to VAFA Legends wherever you get your podcasts. 

Steve Anderson is a legend of the Hampton Rovers.  Ando grew up at the Rovers under the guidance of his mother Sue, who's still involved today. Playing over 400 games with the club, he has done it all at Boss James Reserve. His proudest team moment, the day the club broke through for their first premiership in 44 years, back in 1995.  Subscribe to VAFA Legends, wherever you get your podcasts. 

Wayne Carey is an automatic legend of St Bernard's Old Collegians Football Club. Carey played over 200 games across the 1980's, and 1990's. He was the clubs first choice ruckman in the team of the half-century. As the Snowdogs celebrates 60 years in 2023, Wayne Carey delves into his time, and career with the club. Subscribe to VAFA Legends wherever you get your podcasts. 

Mike McArthur-Allen played over 200 games of Amateur Football before he moved into the role as a coach. He would guide Ormond to five A-Section premierships in six years as part of a dynasty through the 1980's. Over 500 games coaches across the Monders, De La Salle and St Kevin's. Subscribe to VAFA Legends wherever you get your podcasts.