Recent finals rivals renew hostilities

Jake Morris

Semi-Final 2: University Blues vs Old Xaverians

For a spot in the big dance. All eyes will be on Elsternwick Park this Saturday as ladder-leaders University Blues will go for their first William Buck Premier Grand Final appearance since 2005 when they clash with Old Xaverians. The Blues have had a grip on top-spot for eight of the 18 rounds this year, claiming an average winning of 57.4 points per game and staking their claim as one of the most dominant sides in the competition this year. After beginning their year like a house on fire with nine wins from their first 10 games by an average margin of 64.2 points, Xavs had many believing 2019 was another year for Paul Satterley and co to add their fourth flag since 2010. Four losses from their final seven games was a less than impressive way to end the year, however, but September football is an entirely different ballgame and the Xavs know that more than anybody. Uni Blues claimed wins in both outings earlier this year, with a 35-point victory in Round 6 and a 63-point drubbing in Round 13 at Toorak Park. Old Xaverians have had the wood on the Blues in the past when it comes to finals however, claiming Premierships in 2005 and 1995 against them, while winning Semi-Final 1 in 2011 and a Preliminary Final in 2016. Despite the Blues having lost their past five finals and the September monkey being well and truly on their back, expect the Blues to right their wrongs and crack the final Saturday in September for 2019.

Semi-Final 1: Collegians vs St Kevin’s OB

Even though they won’t be facing on the grandest stage of all like they did in 2017 & 2018, Collegians and St Kevin’s OB will once again square off at Elsternwick Park this Sunday afternoon, vying to keep their season alive. SKOB have their eyes on a potential three-peat in William Buck Premier, an achievement that has only been done 10 times since the VAFA’s inception in 1892, with one being made by their opponents on Sunday in 1957-1959. Collegians will be fighting to keep their aspirations of a third flag since 2011 afloat, as well as returning to the Grand Final stage for the seventh time since 2008. Much like Xavs, St Kevin’s final month of football left a lot to be desired, claiming just one win from their final four matches, but alas still managed to grab 11 victories for the year by an average margin of 48.6 points. Also finishing the year with 11 wins (and one draw), Collegians managed four victories from their final five games, with their memorable Round 18 win over Xavs enough to keep them above the circling Old Brighton. SKOB were the victors in both clashes this year, with a dominant 51-point win in Round 1 and 11-point win in Round 13, extending their winning streak over Collegians to three entering this weekend. Despite SKOB’s form being less than ideal, September football in William Buck Premier has been tinged with the navy blue, green and gold for the last two years, and it would take a brave soul to believe that won’t continue.