St Bernard’s claim premiership glory to complete the perfect season

ST BERNARD’S have become the first side since 2015 to finish a season in premier B Men’s with a perfect record are defeating a gallant Fitzroy by 31 points.

St Bernards entered the big dance as favourites after defeating Fitzroy three times throughout the season including the first week of the finals. Fitzroy were hoping to send off their coach of six years Luke Mahoney in style while Steve Alessio was aiming to finish with a premiership in his first year at the helm down at the Snakepit. 

Fitzroy came to play and made the Snowdogs work as the Roys began with the perfect start, slotting the first four majors including a miraculous goal from Marcel Laidlaw from the right forward pocket under pressure. That was ultimately the second goal of the match and it set the tone for the Roys with Ted Clayton and Donavan Toohey also kicking first quarter goals. Dom Iermano provided a steadier for St Bernards towards the end of the first quarter, but the Snowdogs had their backs against the tide at the first change and trailed by 23 points.  

The second quarter provided St Bernards with more scoring opportunities as Dom Sullivan, Ben Huggard, Daniel Mott and Ethan Schumann all kicked goals and suddenly the game was balanced up. Fitzroy were forced to launch a secondary attack and they returned serve with a goal with the captain Julian Turner late in the second quarter which again gave them the lead by a slender two points at the main break. 

St Bernards were first to break in the second half via their oldest player in the team Fergus McNicol and then in was Dom Iermano who provided his second goal and St Bernards again stole the momentum. Marcel Laidlaw was weaving his magic once again in the third quarter as he hit back with a snap around his body to kick another magnificent goal. 

The final change saw the Snowdogs hold a 10-point buffer, but it was still anyone’s game as Luke Mahoney tried to rally his troops one last time. 

The boys of St Bernards however lifted with one final thrust in the last quarter. They began the last with three goals in three minutes through the agency of Mark Gregory, Luke Said, and Charlie Vague with the margin blowing out to 28 points. Despite a late goal to Nathan Ligris to keep Fitzroy in touching distance the Snowdogs defence held them in good stead and further goals late in the quarter solidified the premiership. 

Luke Di Lizio was magnificent throughout the afternoon and found plenty of the Sherrin as he was announced the best on ground. Ethan Schumann, Mark Gregory, Lucas Allesio and Domenic Iermano all finished with two goals while defender Daniel Hana was lock-tight down in defence with his intercept marking proving vital. 

While it’s a tough pill to swallow for the boys of the Brunswick Street Oval, they ensured that their coach Luke Mahoney could bow out with his head held high. For the first time in VAFA history Fitzroy will compete in William Buck Premier and for further synergy University Blues, Blacks and Fitzroy who previously existed as University Reds will compete in the VAFA’s topflight. 

For the fans of St Bernards, its been a great weekend of celebrations and the quick bounce-back into William Buck Premier will give them confidence at their ability to compete. Likewise, the fans of Fitzroy will join together on the journey to A grade and all eyes will be on these two clubs as they progress up the ranks.

ST BERNARDS   1.1-7   5.5-35   8.8-56   15.13-103
FITZROY             4.6-30   5.7-37   6.10-46   10.12-72

GOALS
St Bernards: L. Alessio 2, M. Gregory 2, D. Iermano 2, E. Schumann 2, D. Sullivan, L. Di Lizio, B. Huggard, C. Vague, D. Mott, F. McNicol, L. Said
Fitzroy: M. Laidlaw 2, H. Grace, J. McKAY, D. Toohey, N. Ligris, A. Lambert, T. Clayton, J. Turner, C. Faubel

BEST
St Bernards: L. Di Lizio, E. Schumann, D. Hanna, B. Huggard, K. Bharathi, N. Di Lizio
Fitzroy: N. Ligris, M. Ellis, D. Toohey, T. Clayton, L. Ramshaw, H. Tauber