VAFA Podcast
By VAFA Media
Host Joe Pignataro and Brian Waldron take an in-depth look each week at the VAFA. Victorian Amateur Football Association, the countries premier local football code. Interviews, analysis, humor, tips for the weekend's game and so much more each and every week.
VAFA PodcastNov 11, 2022
00:00
05:03
VAFA Podcast - 2022 Season in Review
After 2 years of interruptions, a complete season of VAFA football was played. Joe Pignataro and Josh Heriot recap season 2022, and all the moments that stood out from a memorable year across the Men's competition, the Women's competition, the Masters and the Under 19's. The countdown is on for 2023, but before we look forward. We look back on the moments that made 2022.
Nov 18, 202248:46
VAFA Podcast Replay - Dan Donati on the Saturday Warm Up in 2019
The new coach of Old Brighton Dan Donati was once the senior assistant coach at Old Xaverians. In 2019 he joined Joe Pignataro and Nick Armistead on the Saturday warm-up to talk through his football and coaching journey.
Nov 11, 202205:03
VAFA Podcast - Yarra Old Grammarians and Manningham Cobras merge to become Old Yarra Cobras
On September 19, 2022 confirmation came through that the Yarra Old Grammarians and Manningham Cobras in Division 2 had agreed to a merger thus becoming the Old Yarra Cobras. A week out from pre-season beginning for the new club, President Nick Paton, Men's coach Nathan Monaco and Women's coach Michael James join Joe Pignataro to discuss the process to become a new entity, and the path being forged forward for 2023 and beyond.
Nov 03, 202235:26
VAFA Podcast - Roaming the St Kevins Premiership Huddle
Joe Pignataro heads down amongst the celebrations with St Kevin's after claiming their third William Buck Premier Premiership in four seasons.
Sep 20, 202210:15
VAFA Podcast Bonus - John Heriot on the Sunday warm-up
The Swans are in the AFL Grand Final, John Heriot is not only the grandfather of our commentator Josh Heriot, he's also the full back in the Sydney Swans Team of the Century. A very special guest talking us through the Bloods advancing to another Grand Final.
Sep 20, 202209:59
VAFA Podcast - Premier A & B Grand Final Preview
Joe Pignataro and Brian Waldron take a look in-depth at the William Buck Premier Grand Final, the Premier B Grand Final, and recap the Premierships won by the Divisions over the weekend just gone. Tom Jok, 2018 Premiership player with St Kevin's is our headline guest ahead of a massive weekend for the VAFA.
Sep 15, 202201:02:18
2022 VAFA Awards Night - Premier B - D3 Women's | Premier B - D4 Men's
A massive evening on RSN Carnival with Joe Pignataro, Eliza Wright, Josh Heriot and Mitch Dyer going through the VAFA's 2022 best and fairest players across Premier B to Division 3 Women's, Premier B to Division 4 Men's. The Under 19's, Under 23's and the Mecwacare Masters. A congratulations to all our award recipients on producing a terrific season.
Sep 14, 202202:30:37
VAFA Podcast - Roaming the Old Brighton rooms
Old Brighton have made their way into the William Buck Premier Grand Final, straight after the game we sent Joe Pignataro down into the Old Brighton rooms to have a chat with the team that's taken them into their first A-Grade Grand Final since 2007.
Sep 12, 202218:09
VAFA Podcast - Premier Prelim Finals, Blacks up to A-Grade & Division Grand Finals
Joe Pignataro, and Brian Waldron look ahead to a terrific weekend of footy coming up - Can Old Brighton keep the wins going as they battle Collegians for a spot in the William Buck Premier Grand Final? Or will Collegians get back to their winning ways? Dale Bower has taken Uni Blacks to the Premier B Grand Final and will play in A-Grade in 2023, he is our headline guest plus it's Grand Final weekend in the Divisions!
Sep 08, 202250:31
Inside the Boundary - Grand Final Preview
Lucy Watkin and Eliza Wright bring you the William Buck Premier Women's Grand Final preview episode, we go into the camps of St Kevins and Kew ahead of the big dance. Bree Doyle was a member of the 2019 Premiership SKOB outfit, can they go back to back? While Jess Burger is hoping to coach the Bears to the promised land.
Sep 01, 202223:31
VAFA Podcast - Premier Finals begin, Division Finals Prelims and Jared Rivers talks Collegians
Bumper edition of For the Love of the Game. The home and away season for William Buck Premier and Premier B is done, we now move into the finals series. The Divisional finals series is up to the Preliminary Final weekend while De La have gone down in the Mecwacare Masters.
Aug 29, 202201:00:03
Inside the Boundary - Preliminary Final Preview
It's all about Caulfield Grammarians and St Kevin's this week as Lucy Watkin and Eliza Wright take you Inside the Boundary with both coaches ahead of the knockout final. Which side will advance to the William Buck Premier Grand Final and face Kew?
Aug 25, 202224:53
VAFA Podcast - Division Finals, A-Grade Blockbusters & 4th place on the line in Premier B
Heading into the final round of William Buck Premier, Old Melburnians will head to Old Brighton in an Elimination Final. The winner will play in September while for the loser, it's curtains on 2022, captain of OM's Josh Freezer is our headline guest.. For the Divisions, the finals start this weekend on Saturday and right through Sunday.
Aug 22, 202253:54
Inside the Boundary - Celebrating the Premiers
Eliza Wright and Lucy Watkin recap all the Women's Grand Final action from the weekend with Premiers being awarded from Premier B to Division 3, for the first time since 2019.
Aug 18, 202216:54
VAFA Podcast - Lightning strikes, and upset results with a fortnight to go
Joe Pignataro and Brian Waldron wrap up the third last round of the home and away season for Premier A, and Premier B. Plus look ahead to the final home and away round for the Divisions before moving into finals. Marcus Stavrou, captain of Old Xaverians is our special guest as the red and black army try to push their way into the top 4 with 2 games remaining.
Aug 15, 202257:36
Inside the Boundary - Previewing the Grand Finals
Lucy Watkin and Eliza Wright take you Inside the Boundary, as we preview every Grand Final from Premier B through to Division 3 Women's. In William Buck Premier Women's, we have moved into the first weekend of the finals series. Eloise Defina, a star of the Old Camberwell side, joins us. As the Wellers go for an unlikely Premiership in Division 1, finishing 3rd to Beaumaris.
Aug 10, 202218:27
VAFA Podcast - Seventh heaven for Collegians, Draws in D2 & Women's Grand Finals
Joe Pignataro and Brian Waldron are back to talk through the great divide in William Buck Premier between the top 5 and the bottom 5, in Division 2 Men's, Brunswick and MHSOB have fought out a magnificent draw, while for the Women's competition, from Premier B to Division 3, they're on the doorstep of Grand Finals this weekend!
Aug 08, 202253:01
Inside The Boundary - Prelim Final Previews, Final home and away rounds, and Rovers strive for 25 in a row
Lucy Watkin & Eliza Wright dissect Semi-Final weekend in the Women's competition, take a look ahead to what's in store this Preliminary Final weekend plus delve into the four walls of the Hampton Rovers with playing assistant coach Alana Gadsby.
Aug 05, 202223:47
VAFA Podcast - Sky-high drones plus the run to the finals
We've moved into the final month of the home and away season for 2022. Brian Waldron has selected a team from outside the top four who can still win this years Premiership. Collegians have made it six wins in a row, while Anthony 'Plugger' Lynch joins us to talk about St Kevin's strategy under his coaching guidance and the use of drones at training through the pre-season.
Aug 01, 202248:45
Inside the Boundary - Finals are in the air!
Lucy Watkin and Eliza Wright preview Premier B - Division 3 finals series that kicks off this weekend. It's nearly 12-months to the day where the 2020 finals series was cancelled due to COVID-19, this year we will have a fresh set of Premiers to announce.
Jul 28, 202220:38
VAFA Podcast - Bottom of the table boil overs, as the Falcons fly into our hearts
St Bernard's and University Blues both claim wins from inside the relegation zone of William Buck Premier. It's a happy Brian Waldron this week as De La Salle claim a victory in Premier B, while after being berated for 15 weeks, Nick Armistead makes an appearance to respond plus take an in-depth look at the Albert Park Falcons, and Division 4 overall.
Jul 25, 202201:07:47
Inside the Boundary - Battle of Brunswick, Prem B's Top 4 and can De La hold onto 4th?
The final home and away round of the season hits Premier B-Division 3 this weekend. The final four in Premier B is anyone's guess, while De La Salle must win over MCC in Division 3 if they're to play the finals. St Bede's has produced the most dominant season to date we've ever seen, coach of the Tigers, Belinda Ousley is our headline guest. Plus there's plenty more ahead of the weekend's games!
Jul 20, 202228:16
VAFA Podcast - A different blend of Scotch, Lion Kings of the Jungle and #Swill250
Uni Blues take to the field for the first time since being stripped of Premiership points, however the nightmare continues as Old Scotch inflicted more pain on them, Collegians have made it 5-wins in a row as Dave Mirra takes us 'inside the four walls' plus De La Salle's Sam Williams brings up game 250 for the club, a terrific achievement well worth highlighting.
Jul 18, 202255:19
Inside The Boundary - Mother-Daughter Combos, Record percentage & Falcons flying high!
Lucy Watkin and Eliza Wright are back, refreshed and ready for the run to the VAFA Women's Finals series. We've discovered one club having more than one mother/daughter combination. A team rocking a percentage over 1,000, the form line of the Albert Park Falcons, and we go in-depth Fitzroy with the coach Michael Harper.
Jul 14, 202222:19
VAFA Podcast - Uni Blues stripped of Premiership points and Old Brighton's Harry Hill
After a bye themselves, Joe Pignataro and Brian Waldron return to unpack the VAFA's decision to strip University Blues of Premiership points after being found guilty of breaching the player points cap. It's TAC Road Safety Round, and Harry Hill, the Old Brighton captain is front and centre pushing that message as well as leading the Tonners this weekend.
Jul 11, 202248:02
Inside the Boundary - Premier B upsets, great footy nicknames & VAFA CEO, Jason Reddick
Heading into the final bye round for the Women's section before the last charge to finals, Lucy Watkin and Eliza Wright take you Inside the Boundary. Yarra Old's upset victory over Old Brighton is on the agenda, along with Melbourne Uni's NAIDOC Week jumper. VAFA CEO Jason Reddick joins the team ahead of September plus, what are some of the greatest nicknames at your footy club.
Jul 07, 202228:47
Inside the Boundary - Women's Footy Festival, Sharks are biting, plus VAFA Womens star Imogen Barnett
Lucy Watkin & Eliza Wright look towards Round 13 of the VAFA Women's season. Beaumaris is on the charge, big bags of goals, a review of the top side plus a legend of the VAFA Women's competition, Imogen Barnett talks through the pathway from Old Trinity to VFLW and into the AFLW system.
Jun 30, 202223:31
VAFA Podcast - The Lions roar while Haileybury hum ahead of the double bye
Joe Pignataro and Brian Waldron bring you the latest news from the VAFA world. University Blues' investigation into its points is unfolding, Collegians have upset Brighton while Old Haileybury has caused the boilover of the Premier B season knocking off University Blacks. This weekend, in Division 4 Swinburne will hold the clubs first-ever Pride Game, Nathaniel Symes, the coach, joins the boys to talk through that and the challenges that come being a D4 club.
Jun 27, 202246:15
VAFA Match of the Day Recap - St Kevin's def. Old Xaverians
A big day for St Kevin's, hosting Old Xaverians at the College, recognising the club's 75th anniversary and past-players day. 300-game veteran Richard 'Titch' Callanan joined the Saturday warm-up, plus Xav's coach James Byrne. Hear all the highlights from the St Kevin's blitz on Xav's before Shaun Kennedy joins the post-game show.
Jun 25, 202201:07:46
VAFA Podcast - One on One with new VAFA CEO Jason Reddick
Jason Reddick has officially started in the role of the CEO of the VAFA. He joins Joe Pignataro and Brian Waldron to talk through a range of issues. The growth and future of VAFA footy, recruitment of more umpires, the player points system, and plenty more.
Plus, Old Carey is on the winner's list for the first time this year in Premier B. Elsternwick have suffered their first loss in Division 3, and Ask Grumpy Brian returns with some golden answers to golden questions!
Plus, Old Carey is on the winner's list for the first time this year in Premier B. Elsternwick have suffered their first loss in Division 3, and Ask Grumpy Brian returns with some golden answers to golden questions!
Jun 20, 202253:16
Inside the Boundary - A GF Rematch awaits us on Sunday!
Episode 2 of the VAFA Women's Podcast discusses the upcoming Grand Final rematch between Melbourne Uni Women's vs. Marcellin in William Buck Premier with very special guest Erini Gianakopoulos. Can one of St Mary's, North Brunswick and Emmaus St Leos get their first win of the season this weekend? Is Albert Park a genuine contender to Hampton plus plenty more!
Jun 20, 202224:60
VAFA Podcast - Tackle Your Feelings, Waldron returns & a comeback for the ages for the Fields
After a Queens Birthday break, Grumpy Brian Waldron has returned to talk through the latest news in the world of VAFA footy, Simon 'Punchy' Williams recaps a terrific come-from-behind victory over Old Scotch in Round 9, while Ormond star Matt Suckling joins us ahead of Tackle Your Feelings Round this weekend and the importance of the program and what it delivers to clubs.
Jun 15, 202250:15
Inside the Boundary - A fresh debut, Undefeated teams & St Kevin's Pride
In a historical first, Lucy Watkin & Eliza Wright present you with the debut edition of the VAFA Women's Podcast. Can anyone beat St Bede's in Premier C? Will the undefeated sides in the Divisions continue their winning ways? Sarah Cameron, St Kevin's captain is our inaugural guest ahead of the SKOB first-ever Pride Game this weekend vs. Old Xaverians.
Jun 15, 202225:00
VAFA Podcast - Will anyone beat St Kevin's, the drought is over for Power House & Friday night footy returns!
In both the men's and women's competition, no one can beat St Kevin's, any danger of someone getting hold of them!? Power House have ended a 406 day losing streak to claim their first win of the season by 2 points, Jeff Scotland is our headline guest, plus Premier C plays through the Queens Birthday bye kicking off with Ormond vs. Hampton on Friday night!
Jun 08, 202201:04:00
VAFA Podcast - A new favourite for the flag, Parkdale Vultures end thousand day losing streaks plus our funniest moments
A late change to this week's edition with Brian Waldron out (interstate) and Josh Heriot in (debut). Round 8 of William Buck Premier saw Old Brighton take the top spot on the ladder, Joey's got a new Premiership favourite as his old club puts him in the gun. Owen Lalor talks through the last fortnight at Parkdale Vultures who've claimed back-to-back victories for the first time since 2019 & Josh pulls out his funniest bits of audio from the archives!
Jun 01, 202201:07:34
VAFA Match of the Day Recap - Collegians def by. Old Melburnians
Round 8 of the VAFA saw Friday night footy come to the Harry Trott Oval. Joe Pignataro and Josh Heriot bring you the Friday warm-up discussing what they love about footy under the Friday night lights, in-depth chats with Jared Rivers (Collegians) and Paul Satterley (Old Melburnians), plus Tyrone Bean (former Old Carey & Uni Blacks) discusses the Indigenous Game the two clubs took part in on Saturday and the importance of reconciliation week. All the highlights from the game, Rodney Nancarrow, President of Collegians plus the post-game wash-up with best on ground, Jackson Paine.
May 29, 202201:24:46
VAFA Podcast - Post-siren victories, portable change-room disgrace & Sam Grimley talks Uni Blues heartstoppers!
Round 7 of the VAFA season throws the ladder in all sections in its head. St Kevin's have suffered their first loss of the season, as has PEGS in Division 1. Sam Grimley talks through the third come-from-behind victory for University Blues, there's a particular set of portables that has really annoyed Grumpy Brian this week.
May 24, 202201:11:20
VAFA Match of the Day recap - Old Xaverians def. St Kevins
What was billed as an absolute classic lived up to its pre-game billing! Old Xav's prevail in a tight tussle with their arch-rivals. Join Joe Pignataro, Josh Heriot, and Brian Waldron for the Saturday warm-up, in-depth interviews with Old Xav's President, Matt Cosgrave. Plus, the director of footy at St Kevin's, Brendon Goddard. All the highlights and a chat with the best player on the ground Xavier Richards.
May 23, 202201:13:26
VAFA Podcast - A new CEO, the law of common sense & Hawthorn AFC are on the board!
We are one-third of the way through season 2022, there's plenty on the agenda as the VAFA announces a new CEO, De La Salle & St Kevin's have a memorable match-up in the Masters competition, there's 6 undefeated teams left across the men's sections plus Pat Clancey, the vice-president of Hawthorn AFC joins Joe Pignataro & Brian Waldron after their first win of the season on the weekend, a positive result after a lean start to 2022.
May 18, 202201:10:23
VAFA Match of the Day Recap - Caulfield def by University Blues
It was a big Saturday afternoon out at Glen Huntly Oval as the University Blues made it 2 wins in a row to get their season back on track. Tune in for the Saturday warm-up with Joe Pignataro and Nick Duxson chatting about unique injuries, the VAFA's new CEO appointment plus interviews with injured Caulfield captain Will Edwards, and Uni Blues coach Guy Martyn before the call of all the action.
May 17, 202201:06:46
VAFA Podcast - Scoring concerns at one club, marquee games at Elsternwick & PEGS coach, Len Hannah
While St Kevin's take a stranglehold on William Buck Premier to start the year, one club is struggling in front of goal. PEGS have started the season 5-0 in Division 1, Len Hannah, VAFA legend talks us through the challenges they have in the Essendon belt + the start to the season. Ask Grumpy Brian is back again and unearthed some gold around potentially recreating the Elsternwick Park match of the day on a Sunday!
May 09, 202201:12:18
VAFA Match of the Day recap - St Kevin's def. Collegians
It was a big day out at T H King oval as two undefeated sides in St Kevin's and Collegians went toe-to-toe, hear from SKOB coach Anthony Lynch in the pre-game plus there are new Presidents at both clubs, Michael Cove at Collegians and Patrick Mount at St Kevin's. Joe Pignataro is with Liam Ellison, Simon Petch and Nick Duxson for the call of the action as Jack Darmody kicks 4 goals in a best-on-ground display.
May 04, 202201:21:20
VAFA Podcast - A-Grade boil-overs, ask Grumpy Brian and a kiss for Mother's day!
We assess how the opening month of the 2022 season has gone. Caulfield Grammarians, Old Scotch, and Old Trinity all produced stellar victories in William Buck Premier, Jamie Cassidy-McNamara is our headline guest, the debut segment of "Ask Grumpy Brian" is a raging success, plus there's been a change around how we offer our support to the famous #12 at Albert Park!
May 03, 202201:07:15
VAFA Podcast - OM's win a classic, Anzac Day footy & a history-making weekend for the Elsternwick women's team!
Plenty on the agenda to wrap up round 3 of the VAFA season. Old Melburnians came from behind to beat Old Xav's at Toorak Park by 1 point, Paul Satterley joins Joey and Grumpy Brian to recap the victory, the Elsternwick women's side has created history of their own with the club's first-ever win + Fitzroy FC put on a terrific show hosting Williamstown CYMS on Anzac Day.
Apr 28, 202255:47
VAFA Match of the Day Recap - St Bernard's def. Old Trinity
St Bernard's have continued their home-ground dominance on the Anzac weekend, a day they've been part of since 2003, they've claimed victory 15 of the 19 matches played. Hear Joe Pignataro and Josh Heriot with all the latest news, views and humour in the Saturday warm-up. Plus, pre-game interviews with St Bernard's assistant coach Aasta O'Connor, Old Trinity coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara. Half-time interview with outgoing St Bernard's president Andrew Vinecombe and the winner of the H & Medal, Jeremy O'Sullivan.
Apr 26, 202201:17:16
VAFA Podcast - New coach at De La, umpire dissent & a record-breaking milestone!
Joe Pignataro and Brian Waldron discuss Dave Madigan coming to the decision to step-down as coach of De La Salle effective immediately, the umpire dissent has been a hot-topic in the AFL world, will it filter down to local level? Plus, much-loved VAFA umpire Kevin Segota brings up his 900th game officiating in the competition, dating back to 1978.
Apr 21, 202241:24
VAFA Podcast - Resignations, hot footy and come-from-behind wins with Old Brighton coach Greg Hutchison
On the eve of Round 2, the VAFA announced it had accepted the immediate resignation of CEO Brett Connell, but once 2 pm Saturday came it was all about on the field, we saw teams come from behind at 3 quarter time. None bigger than the grandstand finish at Toorak Park with Greg Hutchison's Old Brighton leaving with a 3-point win and right up in the discussions for this year's title!
Apr 14, 202248:04
VAFA Match of the Day Recap - Old Xaverians def by Old Brighton
In what we billed as a very early Grand Final preview, Old Xaverians played host to Old Brighton at Toorak Park on Saturday. It certainly lived up to that billing, the scores level at half-time, and it went right down to the wire with Old Brighton holding on by 3 points.
Hear the full Saturday warm-up with Joe Pignataro and Josh Heriot, along with pre-game interviews from James Byrne (Old Xaverians coach) and Greg Hutchison (Old Brighton), a half-time chat with Old Xaverians President Matt Cosgrave, and one of the best players on the ground from Old Brighton, Petrus Olivier.
Hear the full Saturday warm-up with Joe Pignataro and Josh Heriot, along with pre-game interviews from James Byrne (Old Xaverians coach) and Greg Hutchison (Old Brighton), a half-time chat with Old Xaverians President Matt Cosgrave, and one of the best players on the ground from Old Brighton, Petrus Olivier.
Apr 11, 202201:30:44
VAFA Podcast - John Edgar after Glen Eira's Round 2 victory over Old Peninsula
Glen Eira has made it 13 wins in a row, coming up in 2022 to Division 1. On Saturday night they handed Old Peninsula a round 2 thumping and John Edgar joined Josh Heriot after the win.
Apr 10, 202203:42
VAFA Podcast - Round 1 to remember with Mark Gnatt, coach of Old Scotch
After 245 days VAFA footy finally resumed and it was a round to remember with close finishes across all sections. Old Scotch claimed the points over Uni Blues, storming home with 8 goals in the final quarter to win by 7 points. Joe Pignataro, Brian Waldron and a podcast debutant who is well-known to many recount all the action.
Apr 07, 202201:03:57