It was championship weekend in Victoria on Sunday with two grand finals being played. VIC BOWL XXXII was played between the Monash Warriors and the Western Crusaders and the Division 2 Championship was contested between the Pakenham Silverbacks and the Northern Raiders.
Gridiron Victoria chose to host the matches at Lake Side oval in Albert Park a pristine venue for both games. The opening game was the Division Two Championship VI between the Silverbacks and the Raiders, the Silverback had been far too good for the Raiders in their two meeting during the season and there was no change in this game. The Pakenham Silverback made it back to back championships by easily taking care of the Norther Raiders 43-8, the Silverbacks will request a move to Division 1 which should be granted by Gridiron Victoria.
The afternoon game was the VIC BOWL XXXII match up between the Warriors and the Crusaders, the Warriors only losing one game during the season went into the game as the favorite against the Crusaders. The game was a hard-fought affair as the heavens opened up and made life hard for both teams passing games.
A key injury to Crusaders wide receiver Tyson Garnham during the 2nd quarter slowed down their offense as the game became about both teams running games and defenses. The Monash Warriors were too good for the Western Crusaders on the day as the Warriors won their 11th Vic Bowl title 16-12.
VIC BOWL XXXII – Game Photos – 1st Half Game Film – 2nd Half Game Film
Div 2 Championship VI – Game Photos – 1st Half Game Film – 2nd Half Game Film
Photos thanks to Barend van den Hoek and Video thanks to Gridiron Victoria
On the day Gridiron Victoria also announced the award winners for the 2016 season for both competitions.
Division One Awards
Overall MVP
Luke Jackson (Monash Warriors)
Defensive MVP
Mark Doyle (Croydon Rangers)
Offensive MVP
Luke Jackson (Monash Warriors)
Defensive Line MVP
Johnny Leota (Monash Warriors)
Offensive Line MVP
Jon Tostevin (Monash Warriors)
Rookie of the Year
John Tanuvasa (Croydon Rangers)
Coach of the Year
Brendan Bowe (Geelong Buccaneers)
Division Two Awards
Overall MVP
Kevin Russell (Pakenham Silverbacks)
Defensive MVP
Sanmi Andereti (Bendigo Dragons)
Offensive MVP
Kevin Russell (Pakenham Silverbacks)
Defensive Line MVP
Jesse Peters (Gippsland Gladiators)
Offensive Line MVP
Mathew Plathe (Bendigo Dragons)
Rookie of the Year
Nathan Fankhauser (Melton Wolves)
The all Victorian Teams were also announced for both division 1 and division 2.
All Victorian Team
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Jamie Stafford (RANGERS)
Wide Receiver: Matthew Lawrance (BUCCANEERS)
Wide Receiver: Prince Coleman (MUGC)
Tight End: Nate Rhoades (RANGERS)
Left Tackle: Hayden Veal (CRUSADERS)
Left Guard: Sam Martin (BUCCANEERS)
Centre: Jonathon Tostevin (WARRIORS)
Right Guard: James Arthur (RANGERS)
Right Tackle: Ricky Young (BUCCANEERS)
Tailback: Luke Jackson (WARRIORS)
Slot Receiver: Tyson Garnham (CRUSADERS)
DEFENSE
Defensive Tackle: Niva Letoga (MUGC)
Defensive Tackle: Christian Taumoefolau (CRUSADERS)
Defensive End: JNala Saluni (CRUSADERS)
Defensive End: Codey Heiderbreicht (WARRIORS)
Linebacker: Mark Doyle (RANGERS)
Linebacker: Layke Rossiello (BUCCANEERS)
Linebacker: Ty Henry (PREDATORS)
Cornerback: Nick Johnston (RANGERS)
Cornerback: Robert Bettles (WARRIORS)
Free Safety: Taylor Berrington (WARRIORS)
Strong Safety: Andrew Yeung (CRUSADERS)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Returner: Tyson Garnham (CRUSADERS)
Punter: Justin Hoggan (WARRIORS)
Kicker: Dylan Atwell (RANGERS)
All Victorian Team – Division Two
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Kevin Russell SILVERBACKS
Wide Receiver: Jason Howlett SILVERBACKS
Wide Receiver: Jarrod Prentice DRAGONS
Wide Receiver: Nic Green SILVERBACKS
Tight End/Slot Receiver: Ben McGaw BARBARIANS
Right Tackle: Brandon Godfrey RAIDERS
Left Tackle: Ritchie Howlett SILVERBACKS
Right Guard: Joshua Faure RAIDERS
Left Guard: Pradeep Rethnam BARBARIANS
Centre: Mathew Plathe DRAGONS
Tailback: Callum Kirkpatrick DRAGONS
Fullback: Frankie Moefaauo DRAGONS
DEFENSE
Defensive Tackle: Jesse Peters GLADIATORS
Defensive Tackle: Richmond Stowers SILVERBACKS
Defensive End: Daniel Salver SILVERBACKS
Defensive End: Zac Parker Caldwell DRAGONS
Linebacker: Nathan Nicolaou RAIDERS
Linebacker Adam Kolinski SILVERBACKS
Linebacker Sanmi Andereti DRAGONS
Linebacker: Bruce Fu DRAGONS
Cornerback: Mark Padula RAIDERS
Cornerback: Jed Melican BARBARIANS
Free Safety: Ben Hughes DRAGONS
Strong Safety: Chevy Edwards SILVERBACKS
SPECIAL TEAMS
Returner: Ben McGaw BARBARIANS
Punter: Matthew Krul WOLVES
Kicker: Thomas Prince DRAGONS
