William Buck Premier Men’s Grand Final Preview

It all comes down to this… History will be made when a team that’s never won a Premier Men’s flag faces a team that’s claimed just one in 90 years, in the 2024 William Buck Premier Men’s Grand Final at Elsternwick Park on Friday.

It’s a golden opportunity for Old Brighton or Old Scotch to get their hands on some long-overdue silverware.

Old Brighton has never lifted the cup in Premier Men’s, with their best finishes twice as runner-up in 2007 and 2022, when they fell 22 points of St Kevin’s in a low-scoring slog.

Now they’re back into the premiership decider for the second time in three years, seemingly better equipped to win it all.

Will 2024 be the year that Old Brighton slides their first Premier Men’s premiership cup into the cabinet at Brighton Beach Oval?

Old Scotch is chasing its tenth Premier Men’s title, but just its second since 1934. It has lost six of the seven A-Grade Grand Finals it has played in the last 90 years, leaving 1978 as its only triumph in nine decades.

They comprehensively defeated the Tonners the last time they met and will enter the decider full of confidence after two powerful finals wins over teams that have had their measure in modern times – Collegians and St Kevin’s.

Is 2024 the year that the Cardinals finally break their 46-year drought?

2024 MEETINGS

RD 6:  Old Brighton 14.8 (92) d. Old Scotch 10.6 (66) by 26pts at Brighton Beach Oval

The Tonners won the inside battle and controlled territory to boot the first 4 goals and open up a 21-point quarter-time lead.

The second term delivered more of the same, the ladder-leaders kicking the only 3 goals of the quarter to hold a commanding 37-point advantage at the major break – the second-placed Cardinals held to just one first-half goal.

Old Scotch added 3 goals in the third term, but the home side added 4 of their own, heading into the final quarter with a 46-point lead.

Old Scotch brought some respectability to the scoreboard with 6 goals to 3, but the damage was done – the Tonners 6-and-0 with a statement win, while the Cardinals slid from second to fourth.

RD 14:  Old Scotch 16.9 (105) d. Old Brighton 11.14 (80) by 25pts at Camberwell Sportsground

Old Scotch confirmed their premiership credentials by powering away to an imposing win over pace-setters Old Brighton at Camberwell Sportsground.

It was another slow start for the Cardinals, who conceded 6 opening quarter goals to trail by 20 points at the first change. However, they responded with a 5-goal second term to get back within 3 points at the half despite losing spearhead James Tarrant to a hamstring injury.

The Cards continued to press in the third, finding multiple avenues to goal to boot 4 to 2 and lead by a kick at the final change of a highly entertaining contest.

They seized control with the first 3 goals of the final term to ultimately post an eye-catching 25-point victory.

KEY ABSENCES

Harry Hill – The inspirational Old Brighton captain is also their most important player but will be missing due to concussion. He has been their midfield prime mover all season, leading the Tonners in disposals, clearances, tackles and Inside 50s when he went down in the final round.

The midfield still functioned superbly without him in the Second Semi – a testament to their depth, and maybe the less predictable mix with others grabbing some midfield minutes might ultimately hold them in good stead. Big shoes to fill though, given his innate ability to step up and seize the big moments.

Aiden Franetic – The Cardinals also suffered a significant blow to their midfield mix when the dynamic Franetic limped off during the third quarter of the Preliminary Final with a hamstring injury.

He had been the most influential mid on the ground, racking up 24 disposals, 9 clearances and 9 Inside 50s but the upside for Old Scotch is that other midfielders stepped up to cover his absence, which they will have to do again in the Grand Final, given Franetic is ranked #1 Clearances & Inside 50s and #2 Tackles.

STYLES MAKE FIGHTS

Old Brighton’s biggest strength may be its balance of talent and experience across every line. Their depth is a weapon, because just when you have one gun covered, another pops up to do some damage.

The Tonners pride themselves on their contested game. Ranked #1 for Ground Ball Gets, #2 Tackles & Contested Possessions, #3 Clearances, they set up games via winning the ball at the source.

While the Tonners will be without their #1 Clearance player, Harry Hill, the Cards will be without their Top 2 Clearance players, Aiden Franetic and Isaac Conway. Old Brighton will fancy their chances of controlling the game from the inside, denying Old Scotch the chance to stretch them on the spread.

The Tonners are also clinical with their ball use (fewest Turnovers) and brutal at punishing opposition errors by taking their chances (#1 Score Efficiency).

The Cardinals Must:

• Try to at least break even inside the contest & at worst, close the exits.
• Hunt the Tonners & force them into error (Old Scotch LAST for Pressure Acts).
• Take their chances around goal – inaccuracy has plagued them at times this season.

Old Scotch is the #1 Disposal team in the competition and are deadly when allowed to string together uncontested possession chains. They use the ball well, making it difficult to win back off them when they’re out & running. They love the open expanses of Elsternwick Park.

They are also the #1 Contested Marking team in the league, so are happy to kick to contests if pressured, knowing that big men James Tarrant, Ryan Valentine & Will Clark are strong in the air. Few defences can handle that tall trio, who have combined for 79 goals between them.

The Cards also boast a strong Intercept game with Charlie Cormack & Doug Lawrence happy to hoover up any long bombs into the opposition’s front half. Cormack is their prime rebounder with almost double any other Cardinal & can instantly turn defence into attack.

The Tonners Must:

• Close down the exits to prevent the Cardinals’ spread at ground level.
• Compete tirelessly in the air to negate Old Scotch’s marking power.
• Negate Charlie Cormack’s influence in the back half.

LEAD-IN FORM

• Old Brighton – won 10 of last 11 
• Old Scotch – won 11 of last 13

PREDICTIONS

Paddy Grindlay –
OLD SCOTCH by 12pts
Jock Nelson Medal: James TARRANT

Joey Pignataro –
OLD SCOTCH by 19pts
Jock Nelson Medal: Charlie CORMACK

Jason Bennett –
OLD BRIGHTON by 1pt
Jock Nelson Medal: Nick PAVLOU

2024 WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S GRAND FINAL

OLD BRIGHTON v OLD SCOTCH
FRIDAY 27th SEPTEMBER, 2.30pm
Elsternwick Park, Brighton

LIVE COVERAGE from 1.30pm
Live Stream – VAFA.com.au & KOMMUNITY TV
Radio Coverage – SEN App, SEN.com.au & VAFA.com.au