VAFA William Buck Premier Men’s Super Saturday Semi-Final Preview

And then there were four. Get ready for a SUPER SATURDAY of Semi-Final action to kick off the 2024 William Buck Premier Men’s Finals series.

Let’s take a closer look at the two mouth-watering match-ups:

1^st SEMI FINAL – OLD SCOTCH vs COLLEGIANS (Sat 2.30pm Trevor Barker Beach Oval)

Three weeks ago (after Round 16), Old Scotch was the hottest team in the competition after posting their ninth straight win – a streak that included impressive victories over pace-setters Old Brighton & St Kevin’s and saw the Cardinals leap up into second spot.

Meanwhile, reigning premiers Collegians were in danger of missing the finals after a loss to Old Brighton left them stranded outside the Top 4.

They met in Round 17 at Camberwell Sportsground in a blustery game that completely changed the trajectories of both teams.

The reigning champs started strongly but failed to make the most of their territorial dominance until a couple of late goals gave them a 4-point lead at the first change.

Two goals apiece in the second term saw the Lions’ lead halve to two points at the main break, before they rode the breeze again in the third quarter.

But what could have been a match-winning period was marred by inaccuracy – Collegians’ 3.6 to 1.1 kept the Cards in the game as they prepared to come steaming home.

Unfortunately, wayward kicking plagued the hosts as well – 2.6 to 1.0 in the final term not enough to mow down Collegians, who hung on for a critical 7-point away win that snapped Old Scotch’s 9-game winning streak and saw them tumble back to third spot behind SKOB.

It was Collegians’ second win over the Cardinals in 2024 after the Lions also prevailed in a tight game in Round 3. Old Scotch’s inaccuracy that day (6.12 to 7.9) saw them fall 3 points short.

Incredibly, Collegians have WON 10 STRAIGHT over the Cardinals in a streak that stretches all the way back to 2015.

The Cards had the chance to steal second spot back last weekend but fell 9 points short of Old Xavs to remain in third position, while the Lions came from 40 points down against Fitzroy to post a critical 12-point win that kept their premiership defence alive.

So, who do you favour?

• The third-ranked team coming off back-to-back losses, or:
• The fourth-ranked team coming off back-to-back wins & having won the last 10 meetings.

Complicating matters is that Old Scotch’s best football has been as good as anyone’s this season. Just three weeks ago they had a strong case to be premiership favourites.

Is this the day they break the drought against the Purple Army or will the Lions keep their back-to-back dream alive?

Taking their chances will be paramount. The Cardinals have kicked a combined 15.28 in their two losses to the Lions this year, generating more scores in both but failing to put either game away.

Collegians are battle-hardened and have had to fight tooth and nail to keep their campaign alive. Forty points down last week, they could have run up the white flag but instead chose to dig in and fight for their season, showing resilience and composure to prevail ultimately.

They will need those qualities again this week to overcome a team that knows it’s good enough to go all the way if it executes on the day.

The winner progresses to the Preliminary Final, while the loser can start planning for 2025.

What a game it promises to be as two of the sport’s oldest rivals write another chapter in the storied Wesley-Scotch history!

Join us from 1.45pm Saturday for every moment of OLD SCOTCH vs COLLEGIANS with our LIVE STREAM on KOMMUNITY TV & RADIO COVERAGE on the SEN app, SEN.com.au & VAFA.com.au

And if you’re heading to the game, take your earbuds or headphones and enjoy our coverage in REAL-TIME on your phone via SEN STADIUM on the SEN app.

2^nd SEMI FINAL – OLD BRIGHTON vs ST KEVIN’S (Sat 2.30pm Elsternwick Park)

Old Brighton and St Kevin’s felt destined to clash in September, given they’ve been the Top 2 teams for most of the season. The Tonners have set a cracking pace, but SKOB have remained closely on their tail all year.

That also turned out to be the story of their Round 18 clash last week as Old Brighton rocketed clear with 6 goals in 11 minutes in the opening term and the first two goals of the second quarter to go 41 points up.

But St Kevin’s didn’t build a seven-game winning streak earlier in the season without the ability to adjust and get games back on their own terms. SKOB steadily got on top, kicking 8 of the next 10 goals and closing within 3 points midway through the final term.

While they ultimately fell a point short in a classic encounter, they will take plenty of confidence from their ability to systematically break the Tonners down for a lengthy period.

Having that said, Old Brighton also has plenty to hang its hat on – very few teams have been able to put SKOB to the sword the way they did in the opening quarter. This current era of sustained St Kevin’s excellence has been largely built on a miserly defence, but the Tonners tore it apart early and will have learned plenty about exploiting their vulnerabilities.

All in all, it makes for a fascinating rematch, given both coaches walked away with invaluable intel about what works and what doesn’t.

Who makes a better fist of those midweek adjustments may ultimately decide who progresses straight to Grand Final Day and who has to take the long route via the Prelim Final.

It was SKOB by 2 points at home in Round 8, then Old Brighton by 1 point at home in Round 18.

Now, they meet on neutral territory in what promises to be one of the matches of the season!

Tune in from 2pm Saturday to enjoy OLD BRIGHTON vs ST KEVIN’S via our LIVE STREAM on KOMMUNITY TV & RADIO COVERAGE on the SEN app, SEN.com.au & VAFA.com.au

Keep up to date with the LIVE SCORES right across the VAFA here.