SKOB stamp their Grand Final ticket, whilst Uni Blues fall

Like the stone-cold winds of winter, Finals fever has well and truly hit in the Holmesglen Under 19 Premier Men’s competition. Over the weekend, it was four teams who braved the extreme weather conditions in search of victory. The tension and excitement was palpable as back-to-back games would take place at Box Hill City oval on Saturday.

Kicking off the day’s proceedings, was the highly touted Elimination Final featuring Uni Blues and Old Scotch. Each side trading blows throughout the duration of the first quarter, it was evident that every player was desperate that spot in the Prelim, hellbent on defending their season.

Initially, it was a low-scoring affair. Each side toiled hard, in a contest that was ridden with congestion. The scoreboard was indicative of the poor conditions, as Uni Blues registered just 13-points as they headed to the main break.

Skills were also noticeably poor amongst the chill and strong winds: the Sherrin bounding relentlessly between the forward 50 arcs. Consequently, the Blue boys remained behind the eight ball, offering up a 15-point lead to Scotch. A lackluster first half with their season on the line, the blues required a miracle in the second half.

Suh an effort would never come. Old Scotch would eventually hold out the gallant Blues, driving a stake into the heart of their premiership ambitions.  They would go on to win by just 15-points, after goalkicking was wayward in the hurricane-like winds.

The result means that Old Scotch have progressed into a preliminary final this upcoming Saturday, leaving Uni Blues in their dust.  Sam Norman, Connor Ferguson and Ned Maginness were the names who willed Scotch to victory, the dream of a premiership still lingering in their imagination.

In what would be a disappointing end for the Blues, the side can hold their head high after an impressive latter half of the year. Whilst they lost, they can draw confidence from the fact they were amongst the league’s best for a majority of the 2024 season. It was Johnny Pring, Henry Wicks and Jack Whitehead who impressed in the losing result.

The Old Scotch crew, having advanced, would later settle amongst the eager crowd to watch Old Brighton duke it out against St Kevin’s. Finishing first and second respectively at the conclusion of the home and away season, each side had a point to prove, to be the first team admitted into the Grand Final of 2024.

In this one, the winner would receive a golden ticket, a direct pass to the big dance. The loser would take advantage of their double-chance privileges, to play Old Scotch in a Preliminary Final.

It was an opening quarter onslaught from St Kevin’s that would stun the minor Premiers, four goals to one. From the opening bounce SKOB just looked superior, their midfield firing on all cylinders, allowing a plethora of chances for those forward of the ball.

Realizing the game was slipping away, Old Brighton re-asserted themselves, powering to draw scores level at the main break. A game that was reminiscent of a tug-of-war battle saw the usual suspects begin to accumulate the football.

Oliver Aloi, Oscar Newstead and Ryan McKenzie shone for the Tonners, whilst Samuel Jones, Paul Parakilas and Liam Hepburn for the Old Boys.

The equation was simple, a second half to stake your claim on the 2024 Grand Final. It was St Kevin’s who would hold a 3-point lead after the conclusion of the third quarter; a display of skill, with a sprinkle of luck with the wind favouring their passages of play saw them get their nose in front.

For Old Brighton, the challenge was set, a come from behind victory required to avoid a Preliminary Final date with Old Scotch. Such a task proved to be all too much for the Ladder-leaders. They would fall agonisingly short, St Kevin’s registering a famous 3-point victory to acquire a Grand Final berth in the Holmesglen Under 19 Premier Men’s competition.

Old Scotch will play Old Brighton this upcoming weekend, the final spot in the Grand Final up for grabs…