A GREAT STEP FORWARD

In one of the biggest steps forward for the VFL, the Board has decided to change the rules governing the qualification of AFL players for the VFL finals. Describing the changes as necessary to 'preserve the image and integrity of the VFL competition for all clubs' the VFL has made a number of changes.

Leaving aside the details and the rules governing Geelong, the most crucial change is that 'a minimum of 10 VFL listed players must be selected in the VFL Senior finals team for all VFL Finals matches (excluding VFL Club(s) who do not field a VFL Reserve grade team.' This puts an end to the situation where a VFL team selects 15 AFL players as was the case last year with Williamstown. Before Williamstown's General Manager Brendan Curry falls off his chair, it's not an argument about any particular club but about the competition.

Although some critics will say it's wrong to change the rules midway through a season, CEO Ken Gannon is to be congratulated for biting the bullet. VFL premiership sides should not be dominated by AFL players. This is truly a great step forward and will give hope to young players who aspire to a grand final.

LAWRENCE OF THE BURRA

The rule change behind us the great challenge for the VFL is to find characters and personalities. The poise and sheer heroics of James Hird, the attitude of Jason Akermanis and the guile and cheekiness of Kevin Sheedy is what makes AFL great. As VFL clubs and their coaches attempt to assert their unique character over their respective alignments the challenge has never been greater. The bizarre scenes at the MCG match between Hawthorn and Essendon aside, football will never be like it was in the 70s. However, that doesn't mean VFL clubs can't and shouldn't look for players with character and flair.

This was no more evident than at Port on Saturday. Although thirteen of Port Melbourne's starting line-up were Kangaroos it was the Burras own Steve Lawrence who stole the show. With some 25 possessions and four goals Lawrence's performance was a godsend to the VFL. In a display full of energy and attitude he literally charged at the ball, won it with a mixture of class and naked desire and kicked several classic goals. Not even a dislocated finger could stop him. Ironically it was Lawrence and a three goal third quarter cameo from David Pitt, after a half on the interchange bench, which were the highlights of the game. Is Pitt too good a player to be spending a half on the interchange? Is pressure from the Kangaroo list the reason why a player of his class would sit idle for a half? Gerard Fitzgerald sees more of his players than I do. However my trained eye says that he is every bit as good as a couple of Kangaroos who were on the ground at the first bounce. And like Lawrence he plays football that viewers and supporters like to see.

No matter how many Kangaroos are available at Port there's no chance Lawrence will be starting on the interchange bench. After an occasionally troubled AFL career he is playing his best ever football. Given he's now 27-years of age the door has closed on his AFL career, however such has been his commitment in the VFL he's been named in the side to play WA on 19 June in Perth. The match last Saturday probably assured him of selection in the state game. And as the Burras showed on Saturday, there's every chance Steve Lawrence will be leading the charge in September. Let's hope other players take a leaf out of his book. That's what we all like about football.

CROWING ALL THE WAY HOME

And while I'm on the soap box, what about those North Ballarat Roosters. A game at Point Gellibrand is never easy. And the question asked time and again about the Roosters is can they win enough games away. A 93 point victory over the reigning premiers at Point Gellibrand (Burbank Oval these days) surely confirms that North Ballarat is a serious premiership contender. What makes the Roosters seriously dangerous, apart from the cohesion that comes from being unaligned, is their array of attacking players. Nathan Saunders (five goals), Brent Tuckey (4 goals), Djaren Whyman (3 goals) are all match winners. Although Whyman has been playing in the midfield his runs into attack make him special. Like Steve Lawrence, Whyman is a player who brings class and excitement to VFL football and should be picked for the match against WA. This week's match against Sandringham at North Ballarat is yet another test for the Roosters. A win against the Melbourne aligned and second placed Zebras would suggest that the Roosters are the real item.

Saturday

COBURG v Frankston (ABC TV)

Sunday

Geelong v PORT AFL CR
TASMANIA v Werribee
NTH BALLARAT v Sandringham
Springvale v NORTHERN BULLANTS
BENDIGO BOMBERS v Williamstown