Joe Pignataro, Jason Bennett and Paddy Grindlay take an in-depth look each week at the VAFA, featuring interviews, analysis, humour, tips for the weekend’s game and more.
Jason Bennett, Matthew Donald, Brayden May & Hugo Higginbotham wax lyrical about an incredible weekend of PREMIER GRAND FINALS that saw the Holmesglen Under 19 Premier, Premier B & Premier C deciders go all the way to the final siren (and beyond), while history was made in William Buck Premier Women's.
The boys catch up with:
Old Scotch triple premiership coach DEAN ANDERSON, who talks us through how his team bounced back from their shock Second Semi Final loss to Caulfield Grammarians and overcame them on Grand Final Day to complete Part 3 of their 'Deanasty!'
Collegians star KENNY ONG, who was best afield as the Lions completed their perfect 20-0 season with a hard-fought win over a gritty De La Salle in the Prem B Grand Final.
Parkdale Vultures star MITCH BROWN, who tells us what their Prem C flag means to his club and to him personally after they hung on in a nailbiter against Fitzroy.
St Kevin's premiership hero JAMES MIKHAEL, who kicked the winning behind after the siren to deliver SKOB the Holmesglen Under 19 Premier flag in thrilling circumstances.
And they look ahead to this week's William Buck Premier Men's Grand Final and preview the big game with both coaches:
MATT SMITH from Uni Blues tells us how his team has been preparing & where their focus will lie on Friday;
DAN DONATI from Old Xavs talks us through their thrilling Preliminary Final win, and their keys to success as they take another shot at the Blues in the Big One.
So much to reflect upon, and so much to look forward to this week FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
15 Sept 2026
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME - GRAND FINALS GALORE!
Jason Bennett, Matthew Donald, Brayden May & Hugo Higginbotham come together to review a massive weekend of VAFA finals action & preview Premier Grand Final weekend with the coaches & stars themselves!
On a bumper edition of the show, the boys:
Dissect WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN'S SEMI-FINAL weekend & preview this weekend's blockbuster Old Xavs-St Kevin's Preliminary Final;
Preview this weekend's WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER WOMEN'S GRAND FINAL with Caulfield Grammarians co-captain MILLY HINES & Old Scotch superstar MIA COWAN;
Preview the PREMIER B MEN'S GRAND FINAL with both coaches - JORDIE McKENZIE from Collegians & NICK HYLAND from De La Salle;
Preview the PREMIER C MEN'S GRAND FINAL with both coaches - OWEN LALOR from Parkdale Vultures & JACK DALTON from Fitzroy;
Preview the HOLMESGLEN UNDER 19 PREMIER GRAND FINAL with our regular reporter LACHIE MOIR.
So much to analyse and so much to predict, so join us FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
8 Sept 2026
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME - FINALS FRENZY!!
Jason Bennett, Matthew Donald & Hugo Higginbotham unpack the VAFA's biggest weekend of finals for the entire season, and look ahead to another blockbuster weekend coming up!
The team reviews EVERY SENIOR MEN'S & WOMEN'S final and gets you up-to-speed on who lifted the 15 cups that were won over the weekend!
The boys catch up with:
Kew match-winner KRYSTAL SHAW, after she booted the winning goal that kept the Bears' season alive in William Buck Premier Women's. Next up - a cut-throat Prelim against the two-time champs!
Preston Bullants ruck/forward NICK PERIZZOLO, as his team prepares for their Division 1 Grand Final this weekend. What will it mean to the Ants as a community if they can hoist the silverware ahead of their elevation to Premier football next season?
St Kevin's Holmesglen Under 19 Premier leader TOM WALSH, who talks us through his team's come-from-behind win over Old Scotch and their upcoming Preliminary Final clash with Old Xavs this Saturday on KTV.
Plus, the usual faves:
CENCHY joins us with his weekly CENCH WATCH & SHOUTOUTS - Who's been doing special things around the VAFA that are worthy of a shoutout?
Our Holmesglen Under 19 Premier reporter LACHIE MOIR jumps on for a chat about Semi Final weekend & his thoughts on the upcoming Prelim.
BIG BAGS & TON WATCH - We have a new name at the top of the leaderboard! Can James Stewart catch him in the coming weeks?
FINALS PREVIEWS - Premier Men's, Premier B, Premier C, Premier Women's & Under 19 Premier, plus we run you through all 11 Grand Finals coming up this weekend.
TIPS - Who wins and why?
If you love your VAFA footy, listen in FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Who has been a guest on For the Love of the Game
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jordie McKenzie
Taylah Watson
Harry Hill
Brayden May
Nathan Brown
Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
89
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
30
Contact For the Love of the Game
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
