The following article appeared today in the Amateur Footballer -

DEES CONTINUE STRONG AMATEUR LINK

The Melbourne Football Club has always had a strong link with the VAFA and that continues today with four players from their heart stopping win against Brisbane last weekend having represented a VAFA club at senior level.

Stefan Martin made his debut after playing 5 senior and 9 U19 games for Old Haileybury in 2006, winning the VAFA U19 (Blue) Best and Fairest.

Shane Valenti, playing his 3rd AFL game, played one senior game for Old Haileybury in 2005 and Simon Buckley played one senior game for Ormond also in 2005.

Cameron Bruce played for MHSOB in the late 1990's before being drafted, playing 18 senior games for the Unicorns.

James McDonald, who didn't play on the weekend, played for Old Xavs in 1996 and was part of that memorable premiership side, having been 1-8 at the half way mark of the season. Amazingly, James missed out on selection for the first match of that season and ran the water that day – how quickly things can turn around in one year.

Congratulations to Stef Martin on making his debut in only his third season of football. Stef was a highly promising basketballer who decided to give football a go for a year and play with some of his mates in the Old Haileybury U19's. After only 8 games (which he received 3 votes from the umpires in all 8), he was selected for the seniors. He missed out on being part of Old Haileybury’s first ever A Section flag due to a broken thumb but was invited down to Sandringham last season where he became an integral part of their senior side.

It was also great to see these players maintaining strong links with their former VAFA clubs. Both James and Simon were guest speakers at the Old Xavs and Ormond lunches respectively and all are regular attendees at VAFA matches.

[Congratulations to Stef Martin on making his debut in only his third season of football. Stef was a highly promising basketballer who decided to give football a go for a year and play with some of his mates in the Old Haileybury U19's. After only 8 games (which he received 3 votes from the umpires in all 8), he was selected for the seniors. He missed out on being part of Old Haileybury’s first ever A Section flag due to a broken thumb but was invited down to Sandringham last season where he became an integral part of their senior side.

That's pretty incredible. I think we have plenty to look forward to with Stef Martin.

Stefan Martin.

High level baskeballer, switches to footy, never misses BOG for the local amateurs team. Get's drafted in the PSD, puts the work in and makes an honest and promising debut at AFL level later that season, and picked up a 97.5 TER somewhere along the way.

Nice.

Yeah, incredible effort.

Looks a promising prospect. Does anyone think he will get dropped against Footscray?

Yeah, incredible effort.

Looks a promising prospect. Does anyone think he will get dropped against Footscray?

nup. for him to come in one of rivers, frawley or carrol need to force their way in.

our talls down back are garland and warnock, neither are very tall or very strong. martin has height and weight on his side, making him an option for taller (read ruckmen) forwards, and even an option if one of the others is struggling physically.

he also offers an option up forward if we decide to swing him that way, but it looks like we're keen to keep him down back atm.

Well, what an effort by Stefan Martin.

He will a very good player

They failed to mention Andrew Leonchelli who played at Old Xavs after being struck off Carltons list. He was picked up by the Dees from Old Xavs.

Andrew and Junior were guest at the Old Xavs lunch before the game V De La the Saturday before last. Both were excellent speakers.

James was quite humourous in his very down to earth country way, taking the [censored] out of his brothers. When asked who was the better player of the 3, he stated that it was clearly himself given the fact that he has played more games them both of them combined.

Nice.

Yeah - sounds like a guy who knows how to achieve his goals. Bodes well.