Final Round for the ages in William Buck Premier Men’s

A historically tight William Buck Premier Men’s home-and-away season deserved a grandstand finish – and on Saturday afternoon, it got one for the ages.

With nine of the 10 teams in either the finals or relegation races, it was always going to be an afternoon glued to the Around-the-Grounds scores as fans nervously tried to figure out where their team sat in the overall scheme of things.

The first piece of the puzzle was second spot, which was a race in two between SKOB and the Cardinals.

St Kevin’s visited minor premiers Old Brighton at Brighton Beach Oval, knowing that a win would secure the double chance, but a loss would open the door for the Cards to pinch it.

SKOB booted the opening goal before the Tonners unleashed a time-on blitz, slamming on 6 goals in 11 minutes to rocket away to a 31-point quarter-time lead.

The visitors stabilised in the second term with 3 goals apiece seeing the hosts head to half-time with a 28-point buffer.

The game opened up in the third term. Brighton booted the first two to jump out to what was starting to feel like a match-winning 41-point lead, but with so much to play for, SKOB refused to lie down and stormed back into the game with 8 of the next 10 goals to get back within 3 points midway through the last quarter.

But that was it for majors – the final 20 minutes of the game was a tense struggle as the visitors added a further 3 behinds but couldn’t find the winner, falling an agonising 1-point short in a classic that set the table perfectly for their Second Semi Final rematch this weekend.

Neither team will enter at full strength though, given Tonners’ captain Harry Hill spent the night in hospital with a concussion, while SKOB speedster Billy McGee Galimberti suffered what appears to be a season-ending hamstring injury.

Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “A game of two halves with SKevs finishing the game really strongly particularly when we moved away from the way we want to shift the ball. First half we executed well and were able to put scoreboard pressure on them.

“Was really proud of the group to be able to hold on and show a lot of grit to hold the lead, particularly as Plugga’s boys had huge momentum through that last quarter. We now have the opportunity to get back to work having learnt a lot and bring that to our 2nd semi next week.”

Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “It was a crazy game of momentum swings. Our boys started really well but then from halfway through the first quarter to halfway through the 3rd term Brighton really took control of the game. They were incredibly efficient, it felt like every time they went inside forward 50 they scored.

“Our boys really dug in over the last 45 minutes of the game and were certainly coming hard only to fall short by a single point. I was really proud of the group; the belief they have in each other to never give up is powerful and will hold them in good stead over the next few weeks.”

That result left the door ajar for Old Scotch to steal the double chance if they could overcome Old Xaverians, who needed to win to steal fourth spot and a finals berth from Collegians.

There was nothing between the teams throughout the first half – 3 goals apiece in the opening term and 2 apiece in the second at Camberwell Sportsground.

The arm-wrestle continued in the third quarter, with Xavs finding 3 goals to 2 to turn a 4-point half-time deficit into a 3-point lead with a quarter to play and the excitement building as Xavs fans checked the Around the Ground scores to see Collegians in trouble.

Momentum was in red & black as Xavs booted the first 2 goals of the last term to sneak out to a 14-point lead before the Cardinals (who were fighting just as hard to steal second spot) responded with 4 of the next 5 goals to hit the front at the 23-minute mark via an Angus Symons goal.

But Xavs weren’t done yet. A goal to Sam Fisher snatched back the lead at the 30-minute mark, then Charlie MacIsaac sealed it with another 90 seconds later – Old Xaverians with a thrilling 9-point win that ended OId Scotch’s double-chance dream and kept their own finals hopes alive.

Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “This was a great game of footy all around, played in great conditions. Both teams had plenty to play for.

“The game ebbed and flowed all day, with numerous lead changes throughout. Always a proud feeling coming out on top of games like that, but full credit to the Scotch boys as well in a tight and tough contest.

“Unfortunately, even with a great team performance and win against a bloody good team, it wasn’t to be for us this season.”

Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “It was a great game of footy – both sides had plenty to play for and left it all out there.

“Our pressure was back where it needed to be in what was a highly contested match, which is the perfect preparation for this week. Henry Brown was back to his best and Alex Noblet continued his strong season.

“We had a solid block of training a few weeks ago and the boys are now freshened up and ready to go this weekend.”

All eyes immediately turned to Harry Trott Oval. If Collegians could defeat Fitzroy, they would wrap up fourth and a Semi-Final appointment with the Cards. But if they fell to the Roys, Xavs would steal it and end their premiership defence.

Meanwhile, the Roys were fighting for their own survival. A win (combined with a Snowdogs loss) would see them remain in Premier Men’s for 2025 and they flew out of the blocks like a team on a mission, booting 4 goals to 1 to lead by 17 points at the first break.

The reigning champs were on the ropes as the Roys slammed on the first 4 goals in 11 minutes to start the second term and exploded out to a commanding 40-point lead before goals to Lukic, George & Andrew steadied the Lions and reduced their half-time deficit to a more manageable 22 points.

Both teams enjoyed good moments in the third term. Collegians were able to take a small bite out of the margin with 3 goals to 2, reducing it to 16 points at the final break. This left 30 minutes of high-pressure football to determine which team’s dream would be realised.

It was the reigning champs who seized the early initiative, peppering away for the first 6 scores of the quarter – that 3.3 saw them hit the front at the 10-minute mark off the boot of Josh Walker.

It was a 5-point game entering time-on before clutch goals to George and Carroll gave the Lions some breathing room. Grace responded for the Roys, but last year’s premiers managed to hold on for a nail-biting 12-point win that kept their premiership defence alive and sent Fitzroy back to Premier B in 2025.

Jordie McKenzie (Collegians): “Fitzroy have been in very good form, and they started that way. They were first to the ball, and they outworked us.

“Credit to the boys, we gradually pegged it back. We had a very good last quarter, where we were able to get on top around the ball and play the majority of the game in our forward half.

“It was great to seal a hard-fought win after a slow start. We look forward to taking on Scotch again in the Elimination Final.”

Travis Ronaldson (Fitzroy): “A tough way to finish the season especially given how well we were playing in the first half. The boys came to play, our intensity was outstanding and with some slick ball movement and high pressure we were able to hit the scoreboard.

“Collegians lifted a gear in the second half and a couple of their key players really stood up. We had our opportunities late but didn’t use the ball as well going inside 50m which was costly.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the group and the effort they have brought to both training and games all season. We have learnt and grown a lot and our young group will take a lot of positive lessons from this year. Our aim is to keep improving in 2025, to keep moving forward and give ourselves the opportunity to return sooner rather than later.”

Meanwhile at the Snake Pit, St Bernard’s fans were riding every moment as they fought to guarantee their safety with a win over Old Melburnians.

Given Fitzroy’s huge early lead, the pressure was squarely on the Snowdogs, who were suddenly heading for relegation should they not find a way past OMs.

But the hosts started well, booting the first 3 goals to settle the nerves before OMs responded with 3 goals in time-on to close within 7 points at the opening change.

The Snowdogs kicked up another gear, slamming on 4 goals in 8 minutes to open up a useful 27-point lead midway through the second term, before OMs once again showed their resilience by responding with the final 3 goals of the quarter to once again close within 7 points at the main break.

Goals were harder to come by in the third term as the game tightened up – the Snowdogs a little wasteful, kicking 1.4 to 2.1 as the visitors edged back within 4 points at the last change.

With Fitzroy still leading Collegians, St Bernard’s fans were about to climb aboard an emotional rollercoaster that encapsulates the passion we love about footy.

Oliver Liberatore gave them a 10-point buffer before goals to Oscar Hanisch and Sam Laube put OMs in front for the first time all day and officially dropped St Bernard’s into the relegation zone.

They would remain there for the next 5 minutes before the Lions hit the front at Harry Trott and dropped Fitzroy back to ninth. Both matches sat on a knife edge as the VAFA Live Scores page received all-time record traffic!

A goal to the Snowdogs put them back in front at the 15-minute mark, but OMs refused to yield in Paul Satterley’s final game as coach and they snatched back the lead with a goal at the 19-minute mark.

It would prove to be the final score of the game – the Snowdogs falling a point short but jubilant nonetheless after Collegians got the points over the Roys. St Bernard’s safe in Premier Men’s for 2025, while OMs will drop to Premier B after sending off their coach in style with a magnificent 1-point win.

Paul Satterley (OMs): “Always one of the more challenging games in the VAFA is to travel to the ‘Snake Pit.’ Our boys trailed for the majority of the game; however, we felt we matched St Bernard’s in contested possession, an area they are very strong.

“Ed Michelmore, Jackson Paine, Jarrod Lienert & Jimmy Harrold were all standouts for us & the win helped us celebrate 100 games for both Lachie Haysman & Will Nichols.

“Old Melburnians will regroup with a talented young list and I would hope and expect that the club has a very successful 2025.”

Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “A great game of attacking footy by both teams who had different reasons to play for on the day.

“OMs played with real spirit to send off their Senior Coach, Satts. We were playing for our survival in Premier and, thanks to other results, were able to achieve what we set out to do at the start of the season, experience top-level VAFA footy and understand what is required by our team to compete effectively at this level.

“It was great to see us be so competitive after some forced changes from last week’s game and our ability to fight to the end was pleasing.

“After overcoming some real challenges this season, we look forward to regrouping and having a real crack at Premier footy in 2025.”

 

University Blacks entered the University Derby against University Blues with their destiny in their own hands – win and they would be safe in Premier Men’s.

But the Blues had other ideas and got the early jump, with twin towers Sam Grimley and James Stewart combining for three opening quarter goals that handed their team a 13-point advantage at the first break.

Blacks peppered the goals early in the second term, booting 5 consecutive behinds before finally hitting the target with 2 goals in 22 seconds to hit the front for the first time. The lead changed hands three times in the back-end of the quarter – Blacks heading to the main break 3 points in front.

The two teams went goal-for-goal throughout the third term before Blacks booted 3 goals in time-on to open up a 14-point break at the last change.

The Blues had their chances to steal it but kicked 0.5 in the final term – Sam Ackland-Evans with the only goal of the quarter, ensuring Blacks remain in Premier Men’s with a hard-fought 17-point win.

Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “Uni Derby matches are always highly competitive and this one was no different.

“I thought we worked really hard after quarter time, and this enabled us to grind out a satisfying win and end the season on a very positive note. It was also a great day for our Reserves boys, notching their first win of the season.”

Guy Martyn (Uni Blues): “It was pretty evident that Blacks had a bit more to play for with the (very unlikely) chance of relegation. Their spread, work rate and attack on the ball was much better than ours when it mattered.

“Obviously a disappointing way to finish off an even more disappointing second half of the season.”

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WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S SEMI FINALS:

1^st SF:      Old Scotch         vs            Collegians      (winner to PF, loser eliminated)

2^nd SF:    Old Brighton      vs           St Kevin’s        (winner to GF, loser to PF)