Preview: St Kilda and Bulldogs to face off in AFL Blind Grand Final
St Kilda will face off against the Bulldogs side in the Grand Final of the 2021 Energy Safe Victorian Blind Football League on Saturday 4 December.
The match will commence at 11:20am and will take place at Action Indoor Sports Centre, Tullamarine.
St Kilda will go into the Grand Final as heavy favourites after going through the season undefeated and winning handsomely in the semi-final, but the Bulldogs come in with some good form of their own and will consider themselves a strong chance in what is sure to be a thrilling contest.
St Kilda player, Lawrence Raja spoke about what it means to make the Grand Final and what it would feel like to win.
“It feels pretty amazing. Very excited to participate in the big dance for the first time. Strategic drafting and a team that’s willing to work hard for each other made it possible for us to be in the Grand Final,” he said.
“It will be a fantastic achievement by the team to go through the season unbeaten and win the ultimate game that counts. It would mean the world to us all to bring the premiership cup back to St Kilda.”
The St Kilda football club have shown their support for their AFL Blind team and will be hoping they can bring a premiership back home to RSEA Park (see below).
VBFL major sponsor—Energy Safe Victoria—has played an integral role in supporting the competition despite the interrupted season and ESV Commissioner and Chair Marnie Williams spoke about the significance of the partnership.
“As Victoria’s energy safety regulator, we are proud to support the VBFL, which enhances the physical and mental wellbeing of Victorian footballers who are living with varying degrees of visual impairment. I want to thank AFL Victoria for allowing us to be part of this wonderful competition and, of course, most of all, huge congratulations to the players and their families and supporters for their dedication and camaraderie.”
The VWFL Grand Final will be live streamed via the AFL Victoria Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/aflvic.
COVID-safe conditions of entry for participants and spectators
As per the Action Indoor Sports Centre conditions of entry, all participants and spectators aged 12 years and older must scan in via the QR codes and be fully vaccinated to attend the facility unless a medical exception applies. Proof of vaccination will be required upon entry.
Instructions for media
Any media wishing to attend, please contact Will Michael (0475 757 966 / will.michael@afl.com.au). Media must be fully vaccinated and will be required to show proof of vaccination upon entry.
MATCH DETAILS
2021 Energy Safe Victorian Blind Football League Grand Final
St Kilda v Bulldogs
Saturday 4 December
Action Indoor Sports Centre, Tullamarine, 2/10-12 Carrick Dr, VIC 3043
11:20am start (Pre-match formalities from 10:30am)
Teams
Bulldogs:
- Steve O'Beid
- Jasper Steed
- Brett Wilson
- Nathan Luke
- Caleb Nyenhuis
- Wes Jeffrey
- Steffan Nero
- Ty Atkinson
- Kingsley Williams
Saints:
- Kadek Artayana
- Ingrid McKenna
- Lawrence Raja
- Shannon Jones
- Travis Zimmer
- Lachlan Kosic
- Matthew Horsey
- Oscar Stubbs
- Peter Robinson
- Peter Hyczka
About the AFL Blind
The sport of AFL Blind is a modified version of Australian Football played in an indoor football field. The Victorian Blind Football League provides an environment that promotes fitness, fun, friendship and a sense of belonging, enhancing life skills, developing self-esteem, confidence and improved health.
The Energy Safe Victoria Victorian Blind Football League is a structured Victorian football competition for males and females aged 14 and over. The inaugural season featured a four team, nine-round competition with finals, with Hawthorn Football Club and St Kilda Football Club on board.
The competition continues to grow with over 38 players and Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) throwing their support behind the VBFL in 2021 becoming become the competition’s first major sponsor
AFL Blind at a glance:
A game of AFL Blind looks and feels like traditional Australian football, with slight adaptions to rules and modifications to equipment, it provides the support required to play a game of football.
- Games are played indoors, which provides a controlled environment to allow players to utilise their hearing.
- The football has a USB charging port and an electronic beeper inserted to produce sound loud enough to assist with tracking the ball.
- To assist with identifying the centre and location of the goals, there are flashing lights behind the goals, high contrast backdrops hung behind the goals, and goal umpires how rattle shakers when the football enters the scoring zone.
- There are three different classifications: A, B or C. Classifications are based off your level of vision and other disabilities as well as football skills and scoring is different for each classification
