Reclink Celebrates 2023 Victorian Football League Grand Final Series

A wonderful three days has come to a close as Reclink Australia commemorated the conclusion of their 2023 Victorian Football League season with a series of Grand Final matches held at ETU Stadium in Port Melbourne.

Having entered its third decade of managing a structured League that provides opportunities for some of the most disadvantaged and disengaged members of the community, a successful 2023 season of Reclink football was rounded out by eight thrilling games between teams from all over Victoria.

Day 1’s results saw the Cohealth Kangaroos, Frankston Dolphins (pictured) and Port Melbourne prevail over Wynbay Tigers, Maryborough Ravens and Bendigo Gold respectively; with the Port Melbourne side marking their long-awaited Reclink Football League debut with a thrilling last-gasp victory over the regional-based Gold.

The action continued to heat up despite the wintery conditions of Day 2, which saw Sunbury Phoenix defeat the Cardinia Tigers, the Reclink All Stars prevail in an extraordinary ‘golden point’ extra time win over Odyssey House; before the Collingwood Magpies proved too classy for a gallant Geelong outfit.

The final day featured another tight contest befitting of the occasion, as the Ballarat Bushies scored a match-winning goal inside the final minute of play to defeat the Salvo Hawks, before the Casey Cobras were able to overcome the Morwell Panthers.

Reclink Australia were lucky enough to enjoy support from a wide variety of past and present AFL personalities in attendance across each day, including current North Melbourne goalkicking superstar and recently-announced All Australin Nick Larkey, former champions Terry Daniher, Dermott Brereton and Billy Brownless; as well as special guest commentary from the likes of Andy Maher, Anthony Hudson and Graham ‘Smokie’ Dawson.

Reclink Australia would also like to pay particular acknowledgement to Kaffeine Shotz, the Sunbury Rotary Club, Xavier College, Point Cook College, Mackillop College, Superboost, Dianne ‘Zippy’ Murphy, the Victorian Government, the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Heart 180 and the Port Melbourne Football Club for their significant contributions to the event

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Article: Sam Wharton.

Image credit: Sean Fenning.