Author: Richard Garraway

by Richard Garraway

Exciting Start to the 2024 Men’s Football Season

The 2024 men’s football season in Victoria kicked off with a thrilling opening weekend. The opening game of the season between the Warriors and the Croydon Rangers was a spectacle to behold. The Warriors showcased their prowess and determination, securing a resounding victory to kick off their season on a high note. 

On Sunday afternoon in the Vic Bowl rematch we saw the Western Crusaders playing at home proved to strong for the Predators again as they won 16-6. In the early game the Crusaders 2 side took out their match up against the Melton Wolves.

The Geelong Buccaneers, Bendigo Dragons and Southern Vikings all had a bye in week 1. You can see the full men’s fixture here.

As competition moves into its second week, the focus shifts to regional Victoria, with Bendigo hosting four exciting games. Football enthusiasts can look forward to a weekend filled with intense matchups and thrilling moments..

by Richard Garraway

2024 Media Partners Announced

Gridiron Victoria are proud to announce that Onside Kick Productions will be bringing you highlights from games in the 2024 season. Available in 4k on the Gridiron Victoria YouTube channel, and also in HD, on the Gridiron Victoria Facebook page.

It’s with great pleasure that we welcome back Barend photos to the Gridiron Victoria team for 2024. Barend has been taking photos of the Victorian competition for many many years. He is one of the best in the business and that is why we are excited for his return for another season as the GV official photographer. You can order photos through his website www.barendphotos.com

by Richard Garraway

GV named under 18’s national champions

The Gridiron Victoria Eagles under 18 team has been named the 2024 national champions.

The Victorian Eagles won both of their matches against Gridiron Queensland and against a combined New South Wales and ACT team.

The first match was against the Queensland Sun devils which the Eagles ran out victorious 14-8. The second game the Eagles defeated the combined NSW/ACT team 12-0 and were crown champions.

Congratulations to all players, coaches, administrators and volunteers who were a part of the team.

by Richard Garraway

Vic Bowl & 2022 Season Award Winners

The 2022 season has come to an end which sees the finish of a very hectic 2022 calendar where both the 2021 and the 2022 seasons were played after Covid canceled 2020 and caused the delay to the 2021 season.

All eyes were on Ranger Field in Croydon which hosted the three Vic Bowls on Saturday the 17th of December.

The day started with the Under 16s Vic Bowl where the South Eastern Predators were up against the Geelong Buccaneers, the Predators were too strong for the Buccaneers and ran out champions with the score line 28-0.

The Under 19s Championship was up next with the Geelong Buccaneers again featuring in the game as they took on the undefeated Croydon Rangers. These two teams played in a couple of fantastic matches during the season and this game was also tight until late in the game when the Rangers showed their class and won the game going away 41-18

In the Mens Vic Bowl it was a re-match of the 2021 Championship played earlier in the year with the undefeated Western Crusaders taking on the Croydon Rangers who were playing in their second final of the day. The Crusaders have been the measuring stick for years in Gridiron Victoria having won the previous four championships and only losing two games in the past 5 seasons. With all that in place the Crusaders were far too strong for the Rangers 42-12 taking their fifth Vic Bowl in a row which is a record in Gridiron Victoria.

2022 Award Winners

Mens Awards

  • Overall MVP – Matthew Krul (Western Crusaders)
  • Offensive MVP – Tyson Garnham (Western Crusaders)
  • Defensive MVP – Harrison Luke (Bendigo Dragons)
  • O Line MVP – Jai Man (Western Crusaders)
  • D Line MVP – Lincoln Meyer (Western Crusaders)
  • Rookie of the Year – Trey Ebert (Northern Raiders)

Under 19 Awards

  • Overall MVP – Marcel Pascual (Croydon Rangers)
  • Offensive MVP – Oisin Holten (Geelong Buccaneers)
  • Defensive MVP – Christian Barsic (Geelong Buccaneers) & Ollie Vickers-Murphy (Croydon Rangers)
  • O Line MVP – Armani Laumua (Casey Spartains)
  • Rookie of the Year – Avaja Noue (Northern Raiders)

Under 16 Awards

  • Overall MVP – Astin Hewitt (Western Crusaders)
  • Offensive MVP – Afa Green (Geelong Buccaneers)
  • Defensive MVP – Taylor Valentine (SE Predators)
  • O Line MVP – Ben Ciurleo (Western Crusaders)
  • D Line MVP – Blake Falo (SE Predators)
  • Rookie of the Year – George Limb (Geelong Buccaneers)

Image from Western Crusaders Facebook.

by Richard Garraway

The 2022 Vic Bowl is here.

The regular season and finals matches have been played and it all comes down to the final game of the season for the Under 19, Under 16 and Men’s competition.

The Vic Bowl games will be played at Ranger Field (in Croydon) on Saturday the 17th of December at the following start times:

  • Under 16 – 10:00am : South Eastern Predators V Geelong Buccaneers
  • Under 19 – 12:00pm : Croydon Rangers V Geelong Buccaneers
  • Men – 3:30pm : Western Crusaders V Croydon Rangers

VIC BOWL XXXVII will be a repeat match up of last seasons Vic Bowl with the Western Crusaders taking on the Croydon Rangers.

The Western Crusaders are going for their 5th Vic Bowl victory in a row which would be a record passing the Outlaws who won the first four Vic Bowls (1985 to 1988).

Good Luck to all teams.

Photo Credit : PIXBYUSSG