Top four set after one-point thriller, Uni Blues shock SKOB’S minor premiership bid

In a high stakes round of Holmesglen Under 19 Premier, the super Saturday affairs delivered some of the most impactful results of the season.

In a game set to kill or breathe life into De La Salle’s top four hopes, Old Scotch showed they are made for September in a gripping one-point win that officially seals their spot in finals calculations.

Old Scotch, who have kicked more behinds than goals in their last three outings resulting in two shock losses and a two-point win, looked set to rue their kicking woes once again as the De La stormed to a 25-point halftime lead.

The Cardinals were not only comprehensively outplayed in the first half, conceding five more scoring shots than their opposition’s defence, but once again left scores off the board by kicking seven behinds from their 10 scoring shots.

But in the second half, those woes disappeared.

Staring down the barrel of a third loss in four weeks and the potential of slipping outside the four by season’s end, the Cardinals’ forwards clicked into the right gear at the necessary time.

Scotch kicked three goals straight to four behinds in the third term to reel the margin back to 11 points, before an attack-at-all-costs final term opened the ground right up.

De La Salle scored another 19 onto their tally, but Old Scotch punted five, with their only behind in the second half ultimately the cliché handy point that secured a stunning one-point win, 11.8 (74) to 10.13 (73).

The win secures Old Scotch into September as the gap between fourth and fifth extends to 10 premiership points with one game to play, ending De La Salle’s late charge with a round to play.

De La’s last three games have come at a combined margin of just 10 points but resulted in two losses and a draw, leaving the club to ponder what could have been if their previous five-game winning streak could have been extended just a couple weeks more.

Old Xaverians have avoided relegation after a clinical fourth term handed the club victory over St Bedes/Mentone Tigers.

The Xavs raced out to a three-goal quarter-time advantage, but SBMT would not lie down, scrapping back to tie the game at three-quarter-time, 66-apiece.

With the game hanging in the balance, and relegation on the line, Xavier Austin and Charlie Landrigan stood tall, as a six-goal-to-one final term saw Old Xaverians run away with the premiership points by 31, 16.10 (106) to 11.9 (75).

Austin and Landrigan combined for six on the day, while Jude McCormack was deemed best on for the Tigers.

Old Brighton remains a chance for the minor premiership after a bounce back victory over Caulfield Grammarians.

Caulfield, who have been the season spoilers and danger-game opponents not to take lightly in 2025, gave the Tonners an early fright as the second-placed side battle for form late in the season.

The Fields led by six at halftime thanks to sharpshooting accuracy, but Old Brighton’s near-competition best defence found out Caulfield’s forward line in the second half.

Caulfield who were held goalless under stifling heat from the Tonners, would go on to score 10 second-half goals, bursting away to a confidence-boosting 51 point win despite the Fields’ gallant initial efforts, 7.10 (52) to 15.13 (103).

Anytime Fitness Rising Star nominee, Charlie Richardson’s six majors saw him earn best-on-ground honours in his return from senior football.

University Blues have sent shockwaves through St Kevin’s’ minor premiership hopes after a stunning seven-point upset.

A back-and-forth affair that never saw either team establish a significant margin, the Blues’ growing maturity as a side stood tall in another clutch result.

After two fourth quarter fadeouts earlier in the season, the Blues have learnt from experience how to handle the tight encounters and pulled through against the competition’s ladder-leaders.

“It was very pleasing to get that result,” Uni Blues coach Steve Boakes said.

“After De La lost to Scotch we played with a bit of freedom knowing we couldn’t miss finals.

“SKOBS are a quality side but we got our matchups right and also experimented with a few positions which all paid off.

“SKOBS kept coming late in the game as we knew they would, but we held on well – which wouldn’t have happened earlier in the season.”

Boakes also lauded Charlie Summerfield’s display off halfback and Sam Sinnott’s work in the clinches through the midfield.

While the top four is now set, there is still plenty to play for in the final home and away round next week. St Bedes/Mentone host Caulfield, with the loser set to claim the unwanted wooden spooners title. Old Scotch play Old Xaverians in their warm-up to finals, while the Uni Blues and Old Brighton play a potential early finals preview to gear up for September.

While Old Brighton’s path to steal the minor premiership from St Kevin’s seems tougher than the latter, SKOB will have to beat De La Salle, whose aforementioned winning streak and following heartbreak defeats indicate this will be no easy beat before St Kevin’s’ flag charge begins.