Top four battle heats up as De La Salle puts league on notice

The race for a spot inside the top four is already heating up in Holmesglen Under 19 Premier as the restructured division becomes as competitive as ever.

Williamstown CYMS and Hampton are no longer in the Premier competition following last week’s regrading across the VAFA, meaning just eight sides are battling for a position inside the top four.

St Kevin’s are one side forging a strong case for September action, and have continued their hot start to the season with yet another triple-figure win over Caulfield Grammarians.

SKOBS’ defence was as stingy as it has been all year, holding the Fields to just one goal at the main break, although the play was scrappy as the two sides kicked the dew of the turf in an early morning start with a waterlogged football.

St Kevin’s coach Paul Greenham said that the game “opened up” after halftime, as his side went on to score another 13 goals, while Caulfield improved their conversion rate in their forward half as well.

Ultimately, St Kevin’s recorded a 118-point win, but Greenham admitted the Fields were still admirable in defeat.

“I could really see what (Caulfield Grammarians coach) Cooper Rule is trying to instil into his very young Caulfield side. They play a pretty good brand of footy,” Greenham said.

“At the end of the day, I was really happy with our ferocity at the ball and opposition for four quarters.”

Johnathon Gambaro provided first use to St Kevin’s’ midfielders through his hitouts to advantage in the ruck, earning him player of the game, while Lucas May kicked six goals to become the comp’s new goalkicking leader. Lucas Riseley was Caulfield’s best.

After managing just a slim quarter-time lead, Old Brighton would make light work of finals contender University Blues to maintain their undefeated record this season.

The Tonners led by just eight points at the end of the first term, but a second quarter deemed to be the side’s “best quarter of footy for the year” by coach Travis O’Donohue set the wheels in motion for an emphatic victory.

Spearheaded by skipper George Hill in the midfield, the Tonners kicked nine second-quarter goals to one in a scary display for opposing onlookers. Boasting quality inclusions of Bailey McKenzie, a VFL-listed member of the Sandringham Dragons, and Oli Goodger, the pair combined for seven goals on gameday.

The Uni Blues continued to battle in patches, with William Furphy and Rudy Webster each kicking multiple goals, but Old Brighton were unstoppable in full flight, claiming a 78-point victory by the final siren.

Meanwhile, De La Salle officially put the league on notice and made a statement loud and clear – don’t rule us out.

De La currently sits second-lowest on the ladder, but a comprehensive away victory over Old Xaverians has shaken up the general consensus of who the top teams are this season.

De La Salle lost last week by a mere five points to Caulfield, which remains their only win thus far, however that performance was quickly avenged a week later against a formidable Old Xaverians side.

The game was quickly on De La Salle’s terms, opening up a 26-point lead at quarter time, before continuing to grow the margin out to 38 at halftime.

Arguably De La Salle’s most complete four-quarter performance this season, they held off the Xavs’ fired up third term following the halftime break, before breaking the dam wall in the last to kick six goals to one behind.

Jody Cripps, Mark Higginbotham, and Joshua Stewart all kicked three in the 78-point win, with the spread of goalkickers highlighting the whole team effort.

Darcy Pelz kicked two goals for the Xavs while Will Gossan was deemed their best on ground.

A brave effort by St Bedes/Mentone Tigers has seen Old Scotch only narrowly avoid their first defeat of season 2025, claiming a 16-point win to remain ladder leaders after five weeks of action.

The Tigers entered the game with one of their youngest squads for the year, featuring five 17-year-olds on the park, but immediately took it right up to the benchmark of the competition.

SBMT trailed by just 11 at quarter-time and at the half, with coach Paul McCormack stating that the Tigers were holding up well defensively.

“The game was played between the arcs and although they had nine more shots, we definitely defended them well with loads of rushed ball,” McCormack said.

That defence continued into the second half, as Old Scotch’s lead reduced to just six points, providing St Bedes with a glimmer of hope that an unbelievable upset could be achieved.

The Tigers charged out of the three-quarter-time huddle as the start of the final term went goal for goal. SBMT managed to snare a rare lead with 10 minutes remaining, and suddenly pressure turned to the ladder leaders to make their move.

However, the firepower of the Cardinals came to fruition late, as they peppered the goals with nine scoring shots in the final term, and despite the Tigers’ defensive prowess, Old Scotch regained the lead and held on for their fifth win of the year.

The Cardinals remain in top spot, while the other undefeated pair in St Kevin’s and Old Brighton follow behind in second and third. Fourth place is well and truly up for grabs however, as the Uni Blues hold just a one game advantage over fifth through seventh, with St Bedes/Mentone, Old Xaverians and De La Salle all sitting with two wins and three losses.

In Round 6 action, SBMT will be tasked with an attempt to upset yet another undefeated side in the Tonners, although they’ll have home advantage this week.

Uni Blues will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat as they take on Old Scotch for the second time in three weeks. The Blues will be desperate to make up for their fourth quarter efforts in Round 4 after they squandered a solid three-quarter-time advantage last time they met.

De La Salle host St Kevin’s for their second matchup for the year, while Old Xavs and Caulfield meet for the first time at Toorak Park.