St Kevin’s dominate newcomers in Holmesglen U19 Premier Men’s

Round 2 of the Holmesglen U19 Premier Men’s competition delivered another strong showing of football, with several tight contests, momentum swings, and standout individual performances shaping the weekend’s results. Across the board, coaches highlighted the importance of efficiency, composure, and four-quarter efforts as key aspects in what is proving to be a highly competitive season.

Parkdale hosted Caulfield in a game that showcased patches of excellent football from both sides, but ultimately it was Caulfield who ran out convincing 13.14. 92 – 10.9.69 winners. Parkdale coach Nick Anderson noted his side’s encouraging passages, particularly through the second and third quarters, but admitted their inability to sustain that level across all four quarters proved costly. Caulfield’s ability to finish the game strong was crucial, as they overturned a two-goal deficit at three-quarter time. Caulfield coach Cooper Rule acknowledged his side’s efficiency in front of goal early, suggesting they could have put the game beyond reach sooner, if not for Parkdale’s youthful energy and attacking handball game keeping them in the contest. In the end, Caulfield’s composure and fitness told late, underlining their credentials as a side capable of closing out games.

In one of the matches of the round, Old Xaverians edged out Uni Blues 9.13.67 – 8.14.62 in a thriller that went right down to the wire. Old Xavs coach Matt Handley described it as a close contest all day, with Uni Blues holding the upper hand for much of the match before Old Xavs surged late. The evenly matched nature of the two sides made for a high-quality contest, with both teams finding success in different phases. Uni Blues coach Steve Boakes lamented missed opportunities, particularly in front of goal, where lapses in concentration and inaccurate set shots proved decisive. Three shots hitting the post in the second half summed up their night, while a behind after the siren fell just short of forcing a draw. Handley pointed to Old Xavs’ improved contest work in the second half but acknowledged their opponents’ efficiency with ball use kept the pressure on throughout. Ultimately, Old Xavs’ ability to capitalise late proved the difference in a game that could have easily gone either way.

St Kevin’s produced the most dominant performance of the round, overpowering Beaumaris 19.6.120 – 7.9.51 in a commanding display. After a relatively even start, Beaumaris coach Nathan Prosser felt his side had the game on their terms early but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard despite generating more scoring shots in the first quarter. From there, St Kevin’s took control, with their ability to win clearances cleanly and generate forward momentum proving decisive. Prosser highlighted St Kevin’s size and presence up forward as a major challenge, particularly in the second quarter where the game began to slip away. While Beaumaris showed glimpses of improvement in the second half as their system began to take shape, the damage had already been done. St Kevin’s complete performance across all areas of the ground demonstrated why they are shaping as one of the benchmark teams early in the season.

De La Salle secured a clutch 7.15.57 – 7.4.46 win over Old Scotch in another competitive encounter. Old Scotch coach Hugo Boreham reflected on the disappointment of falling short in a tight contest, noting the emotional weight of the occasion. Despite the result, Boreham emphasised the privilege of being part of such a meaningful day in Anzac Day, suggesting there were positives to take from both the performance and the broader context of the match. De La Salle’s ability to hold firm in key moments ultimately proved decisive in what was a hard-fought battle.

St Bedes/Mentone continued their strong form with a 7.10.52 – 6.7.43 victory over Old Brighton, overcoming early challenges to secure the win. St Bedes/Mentone coach Sam Hecker provided a detailed breakdown of the contest, highlighting a hard-fought opening where both sides brought strong intensity. Despite not making the most of the wind advantage early, St Bedes lifted significantly in the second quarter, gaining ascendancy through the midfield with Archer Duke playing a pivotal role. Their forward line also began to function effectively, with Robinson providing a constant threat and finishing with multiple goals. The third quarter proved decisive, as St Bedes moved the ball with greater efficiency and locked down defensively, with Napier controlling the air in the backline. Fatigue became a factor late, with several players battling cramps, but their defensive resilience held firm to see them over the line.

For Old Brighton, it was a difficult night compounded by injury setbacks. Coach Travis O’Donohue revealed his side lost two key players before halftime, including James Arnold to a dislocated shoulder and ruckman Ben Murphy to concussion. Despite these challenges, he was quick to credit St Bedes/Mentone’s performance, acknowledging their superior intensity and pressure around the contest. The loss highlighted areas for improvement but also provided context given the disruption faced throughout the match.

With another round of high-quality matchups on the horizon, the Holmesglen U19 Premier Men’s competition is delivering exactly what was expected: tight contests, emerging talent, and a strong foundation for an exciting season ahead.