VPSC

Another huge VPSC day at the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal, raising $9,265.50, to bring the Club's total donations since 2005 to more than $183,000. Well done to all the volunteers, giving up their Good Friday for such a great cause!

The 2023 Tony Clarke Memorial Day was held on Sunday 14th May at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. The curtain-raiser NPL match saw South Melbourne FC (featuring VPSC members Marcus Schroen & Jake Marshall) retain the Tony Clarke Trophy with a 2-1 win over North Geelong Warriors.

While the SMFC game was a nail-biter, the main game, VPSC v South Australia Police, was one for the ages! VPSC shot out of the blocks to a 3-0 lead, with Gee, Rocky and Sunny running the SAPol defence all over the shop and Euie rolling back the years to marshal the defence with Giets, Jules and Andrew. Manny and Randi were extremely passionate (and highly vocal) defenders, while Jess and Emma went about their game in a far calmer manner. SAPol clawed one back to make it 3-1, then both teams scored to make it 4-2 at half time. Britt and Morgs’ half time team talk must have been on-point, as SAPol dominated the second half, making the score at full time 4-4, so it was off to the dreaded penalties. Luca channelled his inner-Rick and saved the first 3 SAPol penalties, then the first of their sudden-death penalties, leaving it to Pearcey to nervelessly aim top right and accidently dispatch his penalty bottom left, for a 3-2 win to VPSC.

Both teams, officials, supporters and Tony’s family adjourned to the SMFC Social Club for a feed, a few refreshments, exaggerated stories and fantastic camaraderie. SAPol presented Tina with a memento of the day, before Connor presented the Tony Clarke Shield to VPSC Captain, Tash.

A big shout-out to Britt, Gee and Morgs for pulling a great team together in the face of schedule changes and Mothers’ Day commitments, to Pete for his support on the night, to the SAPol members, who played hard, but fair and conducted themselves in an exemplary fashion (except when they yelled at the ref!) and to all at South Melbourne FC for being such awesome hosts. Everyone unanimously declared the day a huge success!