Collingwood has sparked its 2025 Victorian Wheelchair Football Season alight after impressive 76-point and 59-point wins for both divisions against Hawthorn at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
Collingwood has sparked its 2025 Victorian Wheelchair Football Season (VWFL) alight after impressive 76-point and 59-point wins for both divisions against Hawthorn at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
Hawthorn led the Championship Division match early, scoring the first two goals of the game in under two minutes.
The momentum soon shifted after a goal-of-the-year contender from Anthony Perito, kicking the Magpies’ first. The vice-captain found himself streaming towards the boundary and placed a long bomb from almost half-court towards the goal.
It was all Collingwood from there.
Forwards Sam Maraldo (nine goals) and captain Ben Jankovski (eight goals) were an unstoppable force and created an attacking storm the Hawthorn defenders were unable to weather.
Collingwood’s surge couldn’t have come without a five-goal haul from Jankovski in the second quarter, and Josh Christian’s heroics in defence throughout the second half.
Starting in the centre, Christian made several keys stops which helped turn the game into the Pies’ favour.
But it was after a tactical role change to the backline, when the travelling Tasmanian became crucial in moving the ball from defence to attack, and found himself with many goal assists throughout the game.
For the Community Division, Kaine Sinclair (six goals) played the starring role and provided an energetic spark in the forward line.
Sinclair’s ability to put himself in the right positions made things difficult for the Hawks, and was a constant threat throughout the match.
Recruit Michael Telban covered plenty of ground playing in the centre. His first game that was one to savour with over 30 family and friends in attendance to see his debut in the black and white.
Collingwood will look to continue its strong start next week in the grand final rematch against Richmond next Sunday 1 June at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville.
VWFL - Championship Division
COLLINGWOOD 21.5 (131)
HAWTHORN 8.7 (55)
GOALS:
COLLINGWOOD: Sam Maraldo (9), Ben Jankovski (8), Patrick McKay (2), Anthony Perito (2)
HAWTHORN: Yassin Hill (8)
VWFL - Community Division
COLLINGWOOD 13.4 (82)
HAWTHORN 3.5 (23)
GOALS:
COLLINGWOOD: Kaine Sinclair (6), Troy Hawkins (4), Jack Elliott (3)
HAWTHORN: Unknown
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.
