Everything you need to know ahead of the Collingwood Wheelchair Football Team’s season opener at Boroondara Sports Complex on Sunday May 7th.
Who is in the team?
Collingwood’s VWFL team is divided into two categories: Primary and Supplementary.
Our Primary list consists of Josh Christian, Riley Fitzgerald, Ben Jankovski, Will Crooks, Arnold Razon, Troy Hawkins, and Anthony Perito.
Our Supplementary list includes Alex Gale-Grime, Brett Newman, Martyn Ford, and Matthew Blunt.
Who will lead the team?
Collingwood’s superstar key forward, Ben Jankovski will once again captain the team.
Arnold Razon and Alex Gale-Grime will be vice captains for the season with Alex being the first ever female selected in the leadership group.
Who will coach the team?
Andrew Paddles will be coaching the VWFL team this year. Andrew has been a part of the leadership group for the past two years and played an integral role in Collingwood’s premiership campaigns in 2019 and 2021.
Who do we play?
The VWFL is comprised of five teams that are aligned to AFL clubs including Collingwood, Essendon, Hawthorn, Richmond, and St Kilda. The five teams battle it out over 14 rounds followed by finals.
Collingwood play their first game on Sunday, May 7th at the Boroondara Sports Complex against Essendon.
You can view the full fixture here.
Can I attend?
Yes! All games are played at the Boroondara Sports Complex and the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) except for rounds 7,9 and 14.
How is the team placed?
After finishing 4th overall in 2022, the Collingwood Wheelchair Football Team is looking to go even further this season and is confident heading into Round 1.
The team is working hard on their game plan with all teams adding new talent to their lists for the 2023 season but feel ready for the challenge after a strong preseason and the addition of Anthony Perito (a 1 point player and strong forward) acquired in the 2023 draft.
Intensity at training sessions has lifted across the preseason along with participation levels which indicates the dedication and focus of the group leading into the season.
How do I stay in touch?
For all the latest news, follow our Collingwood FC Instagram page or Twitter feed.
