Buckle up Holmesglen U19 Premier, it’s time for finals footy!

It was a round of Holmesglen Under 19 Premier that would set the ladder in stone, and consequently, the final ladder positions for 2024 as we head into the post-season.

The final round of Under 19 Premier threw one last home-and-away season curveball for 2024.

What was 10 sides, has now been whittled down to just four.  After weeks of competition and much speculation, it is now Old Brighton, Old Scotch, St Kevin’s and Uni Blues who will play their hand all in the coming weeks, in an audacious bid for silverware.

As alluded to in last week’s report, it was all up for grabs this weekend, in what was the final round of the regular season.

In the match of the round, perhaps the match of the year, Old Xaverians and Old Scotch jostled for the final seat on the bus destined for September.

Both equal on the ladder, it would come down to this final game to decide who would be the last entrant into the finals ring.

It was an opening quarter filled with excitement; each team landing blows on the other. After the opening stages unfolded at Camberwell sportsground, it was evident that one side held the upper hand.  

In the classic flick, Raiders of the lost ark, Indiana Jones famously tussles with an aggressor atop a war tank. Each vies to escape the automobile, as it trudges towards the cliff edge. In the last moment, Indi hastily jumps to safety, whilst his aggressor falls to a perilous death.

As it seems, Old Scotch played the role of Indiana in this one, waiting for the final game of the season, the final moment, to solidify their position in the top 4, avoiding the jagged rocks below in the process.

In a contest that was so cutthroat, every mishap, every slip-up would put one side closer to the cliff edge. As it seemed, it was the reigning premiers were heading to that cliff edge at break-neck speed.

Leading by 17-points at the main break, Old Scotch put their foot to the floor, kicking six goals to one. They would limit Old Xavier to just 55-points, whilst kicking 120 of their own. They would go on to win by 65-points.  

One must commend the Old Xaverians, as their almost three-year long hot streak came to a grinding halt. They have acted as a hallmark of the competition for quite some time now. It has been one hell of a run.

However, the past weekend’s result means that we will see a fresh-faced premiership team this year, a new name etched onto the cup that will be held aloft in just three weeks’ time.  

Old Scotch’s James Davies kicked four goals for his side, whilst Ben Thomson, Henry Long and Sammy Vidor who were also named in the best.   

Elsewhere, De La Salle once again showed their late-season class, beating St Bedes/Mentone by 35-points. 

In what was a dead-rubber game, players showed no such sign, playing to each quarter with passion and intent.

In their final game of the year, it was time to have a bit of fun before the summer break. But as it seemed, it was De La Salle who enjoyed themselves just a tad more than their opposition. 

Fresh off season-ending heartache, the lure of finals no longer dangled in front of SBMT. And It was evident, their ball movement was a little slow in comparison to previous weeks.

Trailing at the first break, De La Salle effectively flicked a switch. They kicked 8 goals in the second term, to enter half-time with a six-goal lead.

Max Miller, Joel Tyquin and Jack Pickles shone for De La as they held the lead until the final siren.

They should carry their new-found confidence into next season, where they will aim to play finals football.

As for the Tigers, they were so close to the top four this season. They should be around the mark again next year. With some development, they can go deep into September. 

Later in the Saturday schedule, Williamstown CYMS thumped Beaumaris at Loft Reserve.

Unable to make finals in 2024, the Sharks actually carried the lead into quarter time. What ensued though, would be a tough watch for their fans.

A second-half blitz allowed for Williamstown to conjure a 67-point victory to close their season. Andreas Martinez, Jack Wheeler and Xavier Snelling were amongst the best for the last game of their year.  

In a battle for top two, and the double chance in finals, Uni Blues fell agonizingly short to the impressive St Kevin’s.

Trailing by 5-points at the final break, the St Kevins boys knew they had to pull a rabbit out of the hat to snatch second position.

Their last quarter was simply scintillating, mowing down the Blues from behind to win by 15-points. It was Xavier Duke, Paul Parakilas and Samuel Jones who pushed them over the line, in what was a last gasp effort.

A disappointing result for the Blues, who’s latter half of the year has been so impressive, they still get the golden ticket to finals football though and will be looking to make amends.

In the final game of the home and away season, the all-conquering Old Brighton cruised to a 55-point win over Caulfield Grammarians.

It was all Brighton from the get-go who cruised to a 37-point lead at the first break. A margin too great for Caulfield to come back from. Zach Bowen booted five goals for the victors, while Oscar Newstead and Kai Vivian also starred.

Finishing on the top of the ladder, the Brighton boys look primed for a tilt at a premiership. It won’t be easy though.

In the first week, they will face the red-hot St Kevins, who stormed into second position after a strong month of football. The two will face off, with the winner to feature in the Grand Final.

The loser of this one, shouldn’t be too disappointed though. They will get a chance to redeem themselves with the double chance. The perks of finishing in the top two! That team will play the winner of Old Scotch and Uni Blues.

That contest holds a little more weight though, with the victor staying alive and the other eliminated. May the best team win!

All four matches of the 2024 Holmesglen Under 19 Premier Finals Series will be streamed exclusively live on KommunityTV via the Herald Sun website and App. Tune in to catch all the action.