John Vanderwaal succumbed to his battle with cancer on Thursday October 25, 2018 aged 39.
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John was a loving family man. He was married to Bec and they have a son Ethan who is 10.
After starting his football career with the Warriors in the Ararat and District Junior Football Association John moved on to the Ararat Football Club.
After finishing underage football, John transferred to Ararat United where he played 71 games. John then joined Moyston-Willaura Football Club in 2004 where he played 240 games.
John was a large presence at the Moyston-Willaura Football Netball Club. He was a life member, long standing committee member, coach of the under 12s, under 16.5s, reserves and senior football teams at various times throughout his football career.
He was senior best and fairest in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2013. John also captained the senior football team from 2006 to 2008.
Being such a loyal person, John continued to play with the Pumas despite the club achieving very little on-field success in the early years. The loyalty exhibited by John has helped lay the foundations for the success of the club in latter years in both senior and under 16 ranks
Another of John’s achievements was being part of the 2014 Moyston-Willaura senior premiership team, along with being named in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Mininera and District Football League Team of the Year.
After kicking 124 goals in the 2016 season, John was the leading goal kicker in country Victorian football for that year. John kicked a total of 478 goals for the Pumas during his 13-year playing career.
John’s off-field characteristics will also leave a large legacy. He was a quietly passionate and unflappable personality, whose generous nature left a large impression on one family as they came into the club in 2012.
John’s humility and modesty around his on field performances will also be long remembered.
Rest in peace Vanders. Your team and your community will not forget you.