By Aaron Cordy
THE Goulburn Valley Giants Masters hosted the AFL Masters Vic Country Carnival at Kialla Recreation Reserve on Saturday, August 30.
The South Coast Sharks Masters AFL FC were the victors on the day over the Murray Crays Football Club, of the 10-team mini carnival. It was the second time the Sharks have won, an incredible achievement for a club in its second year in the competition.
AFL Masters is for players 35 and over of all abilities, skills and experience. It is about more than a bunch of older blokes running around trying to relive their youth, footy clubs often serve as community hubs. It is something the president of AFL Masters Vic Country, Brent Ali, knows all too well.
“We’re an all-inclusive organisation. At the end of the day, football is the glue that brings people together to their local clubs. In reality, we’re managing 17 social connection, health and well-being places around the state,” said Brent.
“I’m probably somewhat biased, because I grew up in footy clubs from the day I was born. But I do challenge anyone to find a better social connector in Australia than a local footy club. You walk into a town, and the easiest way to make 40 new friends is to walk into the local footy club on a Thursday night or a Saturday afternoon.”
One of the many great stories to come out of the Shepparton carnival was AFL legend Kevin Sheedy got to watch his son Sam play his first senior game of footy.
Kevin, who played with Richmond and coached Essendon and Greater Western Sydney, as well as holding many different ambassador or off-field roles, rarely had weekends free. It was a treat for the father watching his son play a game they both love, but also for the spectators who got to meet the man who played in three grand finals and coached four.
AFL Masters will continue to grow in country Vic, with A women’s masters competition across regional Victoria in 2026. If anyone wants to know more about AFL Masters Vic Country, email Brent Ali at president@viccountrymaster.com.
