Injury-hit but undeterred, the Wheelchair Magpies proved their depth with two gutsy wins against the Bombers over the weekend.


The Championship Division were missing two of its key forwards in the 2024 Elimination Final rematch against Essendon, with Anthony Perito and Ben Jankovski (both illness) named as late exclusions.


The Bombers took a 14-point lead into quarter time, but the Wheelchair Magpies found their rhythm in the second quarter after working through some different structures by Coach Andrew Paddle.

They proved ready for the challenge.

Sam Maraldo played a starring role and continued his incredible run of form with a seven-goal haul. Meanwhile Patrick McKay (five) worked tirelessly in tandem with Maraldo as a dominant duo up forward.

Centre Martyn Ford, who has been in recovery from two shoulder surgeries earlier in the year, selflessly put his hand up to help aid the squad’s classification points.

Due to the Victorian Wheelchair Football League rulebook, each player is rated within a classification system based on their ability.

All players taking the court must amount to the right classification points to ensure a fair and inclusive game.

Find out more about the competition’s rules here.

The Pies were fierce with their pressure, and clinical with their handball chains to come away with a hard-fought 18-point win over the Bombers.


The Senior side completes Round 4 sitting third on the 2025 VWFL Championship Division ladder.

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Community Division

The Community Division team was also clinical in their match against the Bombers, coming away with an 8-point victory. 

Overall, the entire team set the tone on what a complete team performance could look like.

With each player contributing and playing with synergy, the Pies led from the outset in the closely contested match.


Alex McKay and Troy Hawkins were rock solid in defence, as the Pies' forwards rotated in the centre and showed off their skill and versatility.


Recruit Kylie Prestwich also made her debut in the centre, making a real difference to the dynamic flexibility of the team.


In the third quarter, Vice-Captain Jack Elliott turned up the heat by swooping on a ball with a goal-of-the-year contender, scoring from a near-impossible angle.


Essendon pushed hard in the last quarter causing a late scare, but it was the level-headed Pies who controlled the tempo throughout the game.


After Round 4, the experienced Pies are sitting on top of the Community League Ladder and remain undefeated so far this season.


Championship Division

COLLINGWOOD   13.7    (85)
ESSENDON   10.7    (67)

Collingwood def. Essendon by 18 points.

GOALS:
COLLINGWOOD: Sam Maraldo (7), Patrick McKay (5), Martyn Ford (1).
ESSENDON: Caleb Logan (6), James Leonard (2), Christopher Henderson (2).


VWFL - Community Division

COLLINGWOOD   8.6    (54)
ESSENDON   7.4    (46)

Collingwood def. Essendon by 8 points.

GOALS:
COLLINGWOOD: Michael Telban (4), Jack Elliott (3), Kaine Sinclair (1).
ESSENDON: Kaleb Powell (4), Ben Milton (3).


The Victorian Wheelchair Football League (VWFL) provides Victorians with a physical disability the opportunity to play in a competitive and adaptive version of Australian Rules football. 

The VWFL is comprised of two divisions: the Championship Division and the Community Division.