Thirds Men’s Grand Finals recap

The VAFA’s first Grand Finals of 2024 were contested on Sunday, with the Grand Finals played for five of the six Thirds Men’s sections. Here is the wrap up from all the action.

THIRDS DIVISION 3 SOUTH

A surging Mazenod outfit had a point to prove against Parkdale Vultures, who had upset second-placed Ormond the week prior.

After losing just one game all season (back in round 2), the Nodders were hot favourites against an albeit spirited Vultures lineup.

The first term was all Mazenod. Complete and utter control of the footy, from the opening bounce. The mids got to work, and delivery through the day to Chris Chilcott and Costas Hronopoulos made life tough for Parkdale.

Mazenod took a commanding 32-point advantage into the first break.

This was carried out right through proceedings, on the rare opportunity that Parkdale had an avenue to goal, Mazenod would be quick to shut it down, or reply with one of their own.

The margin grew at every interval, and as the final siren rang, the Nodders claimed the Thirds Division 3 South flag by 62 points, with Mazenod 14.8 (92) defeating Parkdale Vultures 4.6 (30).

Chilcott and Hronopoulos combined for seven goals in a dominant premiership performance.

Watch the match replay here.

THIRDS DIVISION 2 SOUTH

The Mentone Panthers secured the Thirds Division 2 South premiership in their first season back in the competition. They did it in emphatic fashion with a compelling 56-point demolition of De La Salle on Sunday.

At La Trobe University, this Grand Final was decided by what were the standout two teams for the year. Mentone finished the home and away season with a 15-1 record, and De La, with at 13-3.

What made this clash interesting was that De La, had upset Mentone a couple weeks beforehand in the Qualifying Final, leaving Mentone the possibility of being knocked out in straight sets. The Panthers held off a gallant Old Brighton and forced a rematch in the Grand Final.

It was Mentone who set the tone early and looked set to be making a statement after the sides’ last encounter. The Panthers held a 22-point lead at quarter time.

De La however, were never going to let in that easy. They responded after the first break, leaving Mentone scoreless in the second term. They added four goals of their own, carrying a slender five-point buffer at half-time.

Following the break, it seemed like a copy and paste from the first quarter. Whatever the half-time message was, it worked for the Panthers.

Goal after goal after goal, Mentone booted 10, yes 10 unanswered majors after half-time and ran away with the Thirds Division 2 South premiership.

Watch the match replay here.

THIRDS DIVISION 2 NORTH

It is renowned across the VAFA as to the depth that Old Xaverians have. Proving this is the fact they have four different Thirds teams all playing in a Grand Final.

The unbeaten Xavs Thirds Division 2 North side were the standout across the season. Thumping win after thumping win, there was no stopping them.

They cruised past Old Carey in the Qualifying Final and would meet them once again in the decider. This time around, Old Carey were no pushovers.

Old Carey kicked the first and only goal of the first term, and perhaps sent some nerves into the Xavs camp. Could all their hard work, come undone in just a single game?

But as all good sides do, Old Xaverians responded after the break, and nudged themselves back in front of a low-scoring affair. They lead by just seven points at half-time.

An evenly matched third term saw both sides within a shot at the premiership in the turn for home.

But Old Xaverians proved too classy, keeping Old Carey to just one behind in the fourth quarter and securing what shapes to be one of many premierships for the Xavs in 2024.

Old Xaverians defeating Old Carey 6.9 (45) to 4.6 (30).

Watch the match replay here.

THIRDS DIVISION 1

The second of four Xavs Thirds sides to make a Grand Final was the Thirds Division 1 side, who faced a mighty strong St Kevin’s OB outfit.

By far two of the classiest sides of the season, Old Xaverians (like their Div 2 North counterparts) went unbeaten through the home and away leg.

St Kevin’s on the other hand had only dropped two games all season, with their record against Old Xavs 1-1 for the home and away season.

It was a hot start for the favourites, as Will Curtis opened the scoring for the unbeaten side. The Skobbers chimed in with a couple in response. St Kevin’s with a three point lead at the first change.

The Xavs wrestled back momentum but were facing a challenge really unlike any they had experienced throughout the year.

A two-goal-to-one second term, plus a few inaccuracies for Old Xaverians had them seven points to the good and half-time.

Josh Hanger, David Nash and Will Mantesso, steadied the ship for the Xavs, as St Kevin’s were staying right in the contest. They stretched the margin out ever so slightly to an even two goals at the final change.

The first of the last was crucial for either side, and courtesy of the boot of Luc Strathdee, the Xavs had one hand on the cup.

Two quick goals however from SKOB Ricky Caldow had the game right back in the balance with 10 minutes to play. Both defences were under siege, a goal either way could win the premiership.

But in the end, it was Old Xaverians once again, who proved the better, and reigned supreme in the Thirds Div 1 competition.

A fantastic season summed up and encapsulated in a single game, between the two best sides.

Watch the match replay here.

PREMIER THIRDS

In a repeat of the clubs in the Thirds Division 1 Grand Final, Old Xaverians would meet St Kevin’s in the 2024 VAFA Premier Thirds decider.

And as all good grand finals should be, this was the epitome of a nail-biter. The game high margin was just 13 points.

It was the Xavs who had the more prolific start, with seven scoring shots to just one in the first quarter. But inaccurate in front of the sticks set them back. They carried just an 11 point lead at quarter time.

In what was looming to be trying conditions on the Sunday, St Kevin’s warranted a response and did exactly so. Kicking the first two majors of the second term, to take the lead for the first time of the afternoon.

The Xavs turned the tide back their way and opened up a 10-point lead, before a goal in the dying second of the second for SKOB drew the margin to three points.

It was a goal for goal third term, and then once again in the final minutes, St Kevin’s nailed a crucial major to carry a 5-point advantage before the weather turned.

As the storm rolled in and play came to a halt due to lightning protocols, an anxious wait ensued from both clubs, eager to play out the Grand Final and claim the flag. Play resumed following a lengthy weather delay, with a single behind closing out the final two minutes of the third quarter.

Both sides took their chance to reset at the three-quarter time break and it was St Kevin’s who opened up that game-high 13-point lead in the final term; leaving Xavs just 12 minutes to haul them in.

Xavs kicked one quickly and then another late in the term, with two minutes to play, it was the Skobbers by four points. With much of the play in Xavs forward 50 the crowd were on the edge of their seats, with a kick either way to take a lead or secure the game.

With natural light starting to dissipate, the St Kevin’s backline was packed. Contest after contest, stoppage after stoppage, the SKOB defence held up. They then transitioned from one end to the other and to the tune of the final siren had equalled the tie with Old Xaverians that day at 1-1.

St Kevin’s Old Boys crowned the Premier Thirds Premiers, 9.11 (65) to 9.6 (60).

Watch the match replay here.

The Thirds Division 3 North Grand Final between Old Xaverians and Old Ivanhoe will be played on Saturday, August 31.