Uni Blues jump into William Buck Premier Men’s Top 4

Three wins from their last four starts have seen last year’s Preliminary Finalists jump into the Top 4 for the first time this season.

The UNIVERSITY BLUES 2024 rollercoaster ride continued with a stunning second-half turnaround against OLD MELBURNIANS at Elsternwick Park.

The Blues led by 15 points at quarter time before OMs took control in the second term, booting 6 unanswered goals to open up a handy 30-point lead at the major break.

No-one could have predicted what was next.

The visitors unleashed a scintillating half of football, slamming on 12 goals to 1 to rocket away to an impressive 52-point victory that delivered a healthy percentage boost and a place in the Top 4.

Guy MARTYN (Uni Blues): “I was really happy with the way we responded in the second half after a pretty disappointing second quarter.

We made some minor tweaks with set ups and personnel around the ball and really got on top in that area.

Eddy ZIEBARTH was amazing (4 goals and the SKINS Player of the Game). Nick CONWAY & Tom CUTLER were great down back – Nick so solid and Tom initiating our offence.”

Paul SATTERLEY (OM): “We had arguably our best half of footy for the season before we went totally missing in the second half.

Blues smacked us in the clearances whilst Ziebarth really got them going in the third. Full credit goes to them and how they turned it around.”

——————

Reigning premiers COLLEGIANS continued their winning ways after getting the jump on FITZROY at Brunswick St Oval.

The Lions were on song early, kicking the first 6.2 of the game before the Roys finally hit the scoresheet at the 25-minute mark. They followed that opening goal with 2 more in quick succession to reduce their quarter-time deficit to 20 points.

The second term was goal-for-goal as the Lions edged out to a 28-point half-time advantage in idyllic autumn conditions.

The Roys booted 2 of the first 3 goals in the third term to remain within striking distance until Collegians cranked into top gear with 3 goals in 7 minutes and while Fitzroy responded, the visitors held a comfortable 31-point three-quarter time lead and were never headed.

Five straight wins for the Lions, who once again topped the 400-disposal mark as their uncontested possession game claimed another victim.

Jordie McKENZIE (Collegians): “After having some slow starts over the last month, we were able to sharpen up with a hot start that set us up well. Fitzroy kept coming at us and, at times, got on top with strong contested footy.

We fought the game out and were happy to come away with a solid victory. Alex LUKIC was very dangerous up forward with 3 goals & also impacted in the ruck. The ever-consistent Max PINCHBECK and Jasper DAVY continued their strong form.”

Travis RONALDSON (Fitzroy): “We gave Collegians a 20-minute head start which you can’t afford to give a good side.

We matched it with them after that and there were some good learnings against a team that was well drilled and clean. Jack McKAY was outstanding with 6 goals and Don TOOHEY (33 disposals, 7 tackles, 10 clearances) was busy in the midfield with some classy ball use.”

—————-

ST KEVINS came from behind at three-quarter time to steal a thrilling 2-point win over OLD SCOTCH at Camberwell Sportsground.

SKOB kicked the first 4 goals before the Cardinals responded strongly in time on, booting 4 in 6 minutes to head to the first break just 2 points down.

The hosts repeated the dose in the second term, kicking 3 late goals in 9 minutes to nudge 10 points clear at the half.

The third term was a quarter of missed opportunities as the pressure built. Old Scotch kicked the only 2 goals in the first 28 minutes (2.3 to SKOB’s 0.4) before a late goal to Harry WARDLAW brought the visitors back within 15 points.

The Cardinals struck first in the last to get back out to 21 points clear before St Kevin’s dug deep and kicked the next 3 goals to hit the lead at the 21-minute mark.

Old Scotch kicked 3 consecutive behinds to edge back in front, but those misses would prove costly when best afield Sam TUCKER kicked his third goal at the 28-minute mark. It was the match-winner for SKOB, delivering their fifth victory of the season after their third consecutive thriller.

Anthony LYNCH (St Kevin’s): “Another cracking contest for neutral supporters but a tough one for the coaches given the close margin!

I’m most proud that our boys never gave up and even when we got to 21 points down halfway through the last quarter, they kept trying to win and when the momentum came our way, we were able to convert. It could be a season-defining win given the quality of the opposition.”

Mark GNATT (Old Scotch): “We focused all week on bringing a strong team brand and the boys delivered. Our preparedness to work together and pressure the opposition into turnover was very pleasing and created opportunities back our way.

Jack LIPSCOMBE was outstanding at full-back despite giving away inches in height. James TARRANT was brilliant all day and competed against multiple opponents in a great battle.

“SKOB were able to play a few of the key moments a little better and full credit to them for the win.”

——————-

Meanwhile, another thriller unfolded at the Snake Pit as ST BERNARDS gave undefeated league-leaders OLD BRIGHTON a monumental scare.

It was all Snowdogs early as they created the first 7 scores of the game but didn’t fully capitalise to put 3.4 on the board before Old Brighton responded with 2.4 of their own to close within a kick at the first change.

The second quarter mirrored the first, with St Bernards booting the first 3 goals to kick 26 points clear before the Tonners regrouped and booted the last 3.6 of the half to draw back within 2 points at the break.

Inaccuracy continued to plague the visitors in the third term – the 6 consecutive behinds to finish the second quarter were followed by another 5 minor scores to start the third as their inability to finish their work kept the Snowdogs in it.

It was OB by just 8 points at the last change, and when Ben OVERMAN slotted the opening goal of the last for St Bernards, the locals sniffed an upset.

The final quarter was an absolute nailbiter – just as the visitors booted clear, the hosts hit back within a kick. In the end, the league-leaders remained undefeated. Just.

Marcel BRUIN (Old Brighton): “We ended up falling in – relieved more than anything to have got the win as it wasn’t a polished performance.

St Bernard’s pushed us right to the finish and with poor finishing at goal could have been a different result. Elliott AVIS held us together down back, Harry HILL again through the middle and Sam COLLINS presented strongly up forward.”

Steve ALESSIO (St Bernards): “I was really proud of the way our boys implemented the plans we discussed throughout the week.

Old Brighton’s ball movement was very slick. We got to see the benchmark of the competition up close today and will learn a lot from that contest.

U19 player Nick CONLAN didn’t look out of his depth on debut while Matt SAURO in the ruck and Ben OVERMAN continued their good form which was pleasing.”

————————–

The final match of the round saw OLD XAVERIANS rack up their second win in successive weeks at Melbourne Uni Oval as they comfortably accounted for UNIVERSITY BLACKS.

Unlike last week, Xavs found their range early and had 4.3 on the board before Blacks had scored and headed to the first change with a commanding 38-point lead.

The second term continued to be all Xavs as they added a further 3.3 to 0.1 as they held Blacks goalless to half time to open up a 58-point advantage at the main break.

Credit to Blacks who lifted in the third term and evened the game up in general play – both teams booting 3 goals for the quarter, before the hosts added a further 2 goals to 1 in the last.

But it was Old Xavs cruising to a comfortable 56-point win that will make the competition sit up and take notice as they settle into their system and style under their new coach.

Dan DONATI (Old Xavs): “Really pleased to walk away with 8 points in 6 days at Uni. It’s never an easy place to travel to.

A great first half inside and outside. Our backs were fantastic, we really strangled them. The second half was much more of a tight slog. To walk away with the W was great reward for the boys in a super even team performance.”

Dale BOWER (Uni Blacks): “OX played a far superior brand of football in the first half. We were more competitive in the second half. We will look to bounce back next week.”

————————-

ROUND 8 MATCHES

Old Scotch          vs   Old Melburnians      SEN MATCH OF THE DAY – 1.45pm SEN app & VAFA.com.au

Old Xaverians     vs   St Bernard’s             VAFA TV live-stream at VAFA.com.au from 1.45pm

Collegians           vs   University Blues

St Kevin’s             vs   Old Brighton

University Blacks  vs  Fitzroy