The Blacks breach Fortress Brighton on a day of thrilling comebacks – William Buck Premier Men’s Round 4 Review

Round 4 of William Buck Premier Men’s provided some thrilling football, with 3 of the 5 matches taking a late turn, and NO undefeated or winless teams remaining a month into the season.

Here’s our look back at Round 4:

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University Blacks snapped Old Brighton’s remarkable 20-game winning streak at Brighton Beach Oval after coming from as much as 29 points down entering time-on in the third quarter.

There was very little between the two teams in the first half, with the Blacks booting the opening two goals before the Tonners responded with 3 in time-on (two to young gun Charlie Richardson) to snatch a one-goal lead at the first break.

The Blacks were winning the territory game and, in the second term, started to control the inside game as well. Yet it was the home team who put the score on the board, booting 2 goals to 1 – James Hope’s major at the 22-minute mark sending them to the main break with an 8-point lead.

The Tonners ramped up their pressure in the third quarter, and gun recruit Archi Manton threatened to blow the game wide open with 3 goals in 6 minutes to kick the hosts 26 points clear.

It’s a script we’ve seen so many times over the past couple of seasons, as Old Brighton finds another clear and breaks a game open at Brighton Beach Oval (and pretty much every other venue as well).

However, the Blacks refused to yield and dug in to initially stabilise the situation, then reduced the margin back to 20 via a Lachie Knight goal, before Ben Pryor’s goal and a couple of behinds made it a game high 29 points entering time-on.

The game then flipped as Blacks rocketed back into the game with 3 goals in 7 minutes, via Jack Cassidy and two to Matthew Grocott, reducing their deficit back to just 11 points at three-quarter time.

It set the stage for a thrilling final term, and it was the visitors doing all the early scoring, but unable to fully capitalise, booting 1.3 to close within 2 points at the 7-minute mark. Old Brighton then had their chances to kick clear again, but 3 consecutive behinds held the margin within one straight kick.

Blacks finally got their noses back in front for the first time since late in the opening term when Zaine Cordy was dragged down in a ruck contest and goaled to put Dale Bower’s team a point up. James Clark was then infringed in a marking contest 3 minutes later and walked to the goalsquare to make it a 7-point game.

But the Tonners weren’t done yet, and Archi Manton coolly slotted his set shot to return it to a 1-point margin at the 24-minute mark as the game hung in the balance.

A huge moment came at the 26-minute mark after a Blacks’ behind resulted in a Tonners’ kick-in. Campbell Tweedie played on out of the square, but Harvey Driscoll was lurking in the pocket and closed quickly to effect the smother, then snapped up the crumb to run into an open goal and make it an 8-point lead.

Archi Manton marked and booted his sixth goal to keep Old Brighton alive – a 2-point game with 28 minutes gone, and plenty of time left on the clock.

Six minutes, in fact, as the Blacks defended for their lives and ultimately hung on for a gritty, hard-earned 2-point win – the first team to conquer Fortress Brighton since they did it in Round 17 of 2023. What a way to post your first victory of the season and jumpstart your season!

Ayui Makieng was best afield for the Blacks (14 disposals, 11 marks and 8 One Percenters), well supported by James Clark, who had a massive final term (11 disposals and a goal), and the impressive Paddy Smith (21 touches & 7 clearances), who has proven to be a huge find for Dale Bower after arriving from Cobden.

Campbell Tweedie was best for Old Brighton with 27 disposals and 11 marks, while Archi Manton continues to prove he’s a genuine difference-maker at this level, finishing with another 6-goal haul from his 13 disposals.

Old Brighton retain top spot on percentage, and will head to Camberwell for the Grand Final Rematch against Old Scotch, while an energised Uni Blacks will visit St Bernard’s at the Snake Pit.

As we said in the Preview on Friday, this one loomed as the closest ‘Top versus Bottom’ clash we might see this year, and so it proved to be, demonstrating that in William Buck Premier Men’s this season, anyone can beat anyone on any given day.

University Blacks         11.12 (78)

Old Brighton                  11.10 (76)          

GOALS:    UB:         Cordy 4; Grocott 3; 1 – Cassidy, Clark, Driscoll & Knight.

                  OB:         Manton 6; Pryor & Richardson 2; Hope 1.

BEST:                     

UB:          Ayui Makieng, James Clark, Patrick Smith, Zaine Cordy, Jack Cassidy, Charlie Connell-Tobin

OB:          Campbell Tweedie, Harry Hill, Archi Manton, Joshua Carr, James Hope, Angus Corke

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Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “It was a hard fought contest all day. Old Brighton built a lead of around 5 goals early in the 3^rd, but we hung in and continued to fight. It went to the wire, and we fought hard to hang on and win.

“Regaining Cordy, Clark, Makieng and Grocott, along with Drummond coming in to have an impact as a key forward and ruck back up certainly helped. A few boys have been building match fitness after interrupted preparations and are now at a stage where they are able to play the footy we expect from them. We need to continue to improve.”

Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “Tough to see the streak brought to an end, but very well deserved by Blacks.

“They showed terrific intent and brought great pressure across the course of the game. A credit to Bowser and their troops, they adapted well and were able to swing the momentum back towards them late, and we couldn’t get a forward entry to score.

“We had a few winners on the day, Josh Carr competed hard against a very good ruckman, Harry Hill kept trying to make something work, and Campbell Tweedie was superb down back all day.”

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The day’s other stunning comeback saw St Kevin’s ALSO turn a 29-point third-quarter deficit into an incredible win over a previously undefeated team, shocking University Blues at Melbourne Uni Oval.

Just 2 points separated the teams at the first two changes, with the inaccurate Blues (4.6) heading to the major break with a slight deficit, despite having 3 more scoring shots in a high-pressure game that saw Disposal Efficiency significantly down on usual levels – it was hot in the kitchen all afternoon!

The Blues wrestled their way to a slight advantage in possession and territory in the second term, based on getting first hands on the footy a little more often, yet it was SKOB who kicked 3 goals to 2 for the quarter to snatch a 2-point half-time advantage.

It took until the 11-minute mark of the third term for the margin to hit double figures, and it came off the back of consecutive Uni Blues goals. The home team were doing all the attacking, kicking 2.2 to edge out to a 12-point lead.

Enter the Blues’ Two-Headed Monster up forward. Sam Grimley & James Stewart have been in the habit of ripping games open in second halves this season, and when they combined to boot 3 in five-and-a-half minutes, it seemed to be happening once again – the Blues suddenly out to a commanding 29-point lead entering time-on in the third.

But SKOB refused to go quietly, and a steadying goal from Ged Saunders was followed by another from second-gamer Doug Kerr two minutes later, then a third from Sam Tucker two minutes after that – 3 goals in 4 minutes, and it was back to a 10-point deficit at the final break, with the visitors full of confidence and belief.

The opening goal of the last quarter grew in significance the longer the minutes ticked by, and it was ultimately delivered by mercurial recruit Jack Behnk, when he crumbed a pack to run into an open goal to make it a 3-point game.

And when another gun recruit, Doug Kerr, pulled down a mark and converted for his third goal, SKOB had booted 5 in a row to snatch the lead at the 9-minute mark.

But the Blues weren’t done yet, and they regained the lead via Jeremy Goddard 4 minutes later, before another lead change came from Sam Tucker’s mark and goal shortly after. He would then run into an open goal to make it a 10-point game 21 minutes in, before his mark and excellent set shot conversion pretty much sealed the win – the visitors out to a 17-point lead with 23 minutes played.

Fittingly, Tucker would add the icing to a very sweet cake for St Kevin’s when he ran into an open goal for his sixth goal to extend the final margin to 23 points.

It had been a remarkable 52-point turnaround from the 21-minute mark of the third quarter, with SKOB booting 9 of the last 10 goals, with 5 of them coming to Sam Tucker, including the last 4 of the match.

He finished with 6 goals, while Andrew Mathieson collected 22 disposals and 8 rebounds, and Noah Walsh continued his excellent form. Max Irving was best for the Blues, with 20 disposals and 6 clearances, while Sam Grimley and James Stewart finished with 3 goals apiece.

A huge comeback win for St Kevin’s squares their ledger at 2-2 to sit fifth, one game behind the Top 4 as they prepare to visit Caulfield Grammarians, while the Blues will dust themselves off and get ready to host Old Xavs in a Top 4 blockbuster!

St Kevin’s                       14.8 (92)

University Blues           10.9 (69)             

GOALS:      STK:      Tucker 6;  Behnk & Kerr 3; Bryan & Saunders 1.

                    UB:         Grimley & Stewart 3; 1 – Curran, C.Furphy, Goddard & Ziebarth.

BEST:                     

STK:        Sam Tucker, Andrew Mathieson, Ged Saunders, Noah Walsh, Jack Behnk, Matthew Canning.

UB:          Max Irving, Martin Gleeson, Geordie LaCava, Joe Furphy, James Stewart, James Curran.

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Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “The game was really even through the first half; I thought both teams were cracking in and playing the right way, given the conditions.

“The Blues took control during the third quarter and kicked 5 goals in 15 mins, and we were seriously challenged. Our response over the next 40 minutes shows some real growth from this new group, who are trying to forge their own story.

“The players’ ability to dig in mentally and physically against very strong opposition, and continue to take the game on and compete hard, left our coaching group incredibly proud.

“It’s really pleasing to deliver two strong performances back-to-back, and I’m confident our players are very clear what’s expected each and every week.

“A shoutout to Cam O’Shea in his milestone game, he’s a great man and player our club has great respect for.”

Matt Smith (Uni Blues): “The game was lost at the contest, and SKOB wanted it more when it mattered most in the second half. They controlled moments better, and were able to move the ball forward with ease from stoppage.

“They are a good team, and while our good footy is also very difficult to stop, we need to be able to stem the flow when the momentum is against us – bring the game to a bit of a halt and reset. We have a lot to work with. Footy is great at teaching lessons, and we will learn a lot.

“Max Irving fought hard all day, Marty Gleeson was our general as always, and Joe Furphy was great in the ruck against quality opposition.”

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Old Trinity played its first William Buck Premier Men’s home game since 2022, and it turned out to be a last-gasp thriller against St Bernard’s at Daley Oval.

An even opening term saw the T’s lead by 4 points at the first break, thanks to Dom Payman’s second goal at the 25-minute mark.

The hosts then seized control early in the second term, booting 3 of the first 4 goals to open up a 16-point lead, as their cleanliness by foot started to tell on the scoreboard. The Snowdogs were running at around 50% Kick Efficiency, and were failing to connect on their entry kicks Inside 50, hitting targets just 6 times from 24 attempts in the opening half.

Old Trinity then closed out a superb second term with late goals to Camiel Bowler and Dom Payman (his 4^th of the first half) to head to the major break with a 26-point lead, despite having had 2 fewer Inside 50s and just 1 more scoring shot after the Dogs kicked 1.4 to 5.2 for the quarter.

St Bernard’s were pressing early in the third term, but couldn’t quite put all the pieces together until Daniel Gilham goaled 9 minutes in. Ed Chard responded soon after for the T’s, but the Snowdogs kept fighting and booted 3 of the last 4 goals of the quarter to get themselves right back into the game, trailing by just 2 straight kicks at the last change.

Gilham was shaping as a key factor, and his clever snap goal out of a pack 5 minutes into the last term brought the Dogs back within a kick for the first time since early in the second term. When he slotted another from deep in the pocket 10 minutes in, scores were level, and the steal was on.

St Bernard’s hit the front by a point 3 minutes later, before the lead changed hands 4 times in the next 16 minutes.

Charlie Comer’s brilliant gather and goal at the 28-minute mark put the T’s back in front by one straight kick, before the ball bounced at right angles to find Marcus Holland in the goalsquare, and he tied the scores up again just a minute later.

The game seemed headed for a draw, with Old Trinity having one last roll of the dice. A long bomb from the wing was marked by Dom Payman 40 metres out on an acute angle, with any score to give the T’s the lead.

He went back, took his full 30 seconds and calmly drilled the set shot with the final kick of the day to give Old Trinity their third straight win and consolidate their position inside the Top 4.

Payman finished with 16 possessions, 7 marks and 5 goals in an influential performance, while Big V squad member Hugo McGlashan racked up another 29 disposals, 11 tackles and 6 clearances, well supported by Ben Littlefield (28 disposals, 10 Rebound 50s) and Christos Manoussakis (27 disposals, 5 clearances).

Ben Overman had 26 touches for the Snowdogs, while Dylan Gwynne worked tirelessly all afternoon to finish with 26 disposals, 9 tackles and 11 clearances.

Old Trinity remain at home and will search for a fourth consecutive win when they host Old Haileybury, while the 1-3 Snowdogs will head home to the Snake Pit to host Uni Blacks in a critical game for both teams, as they try to keep in touch with the leading pack.

Old Trinity             13.9 (87)

St Bernard’s          11.15 (81)          

GOALS:      OT:          Payman 5; Chard & Emery 2; 1- Bowler, Comer, Ferrier, Hall.

                    STB:       Gilham 5; Watson 2; 1 – Di Lizio, Holland, Liberatore, H.Schumann.

BEST:                     

OT:      James Ingpen, Dominic Payman, Alex Emery, Christos Manoussakis, Campbell Dytor, Charlie Comer

STB:    Ben Overman, Dylan Gwynne, Mitchell Hughes, Nicholas Conlan, Harrison Schumann, Luke Said

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Donald McDonald (Old Trinity): “It was a tight game all day, even though we were leading at half time in general play, it was a really tight contest.

“Our ability to keep going when St Bernard’s were playing so well and threatened to run over us was the most pleasing aspect, and it ultimately came down to Dom Payman’s ability to convert when it mattered. He really stood up for us, and kicking the winning goal like that is always a big effort.

“We’ll have to recover well and get ready for an in-form team in Old Haileybury.”

Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “I thought Old Trinity’s ball movement was slick in the first half, and we had a real game on our hands going into the long break.

“We managed to get a contested game going and were able to start getting the ball our way, and keep the ball in our forward half for long periods. Unfortunately, on the day our conversion in front of goal wasn’t the best, and in close matches that can cost you.

“The season continues to provide surprises, so our ability to bounce back quickly and keep us in the hunt is going to be important.”

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Old Haileybury collected a vital 4 premiership points with what turned out to be a comprehensive victory over Old Scotch at Princes Park.

The Bloods struck first through Jack Bell, before the Cardinals clicked into gear and booted the next 4 goals, including 3 in two-and-a-half minutes to suggest that last year’s runners-up were switched on and ready to blitz.

The hosts pulled a couple back, but the Cards were more efficient up forward early and led by 2 goals at the first break despite having 5 fewer Inside 50s for the quarter.

Flynn Gregor was looking dangerous for the Bloods, and his second goal brought the margin back within a kick as Old Haileybury started to take control. Suddenly they were looking more threatening up front as they added 5 goals to 1 in a 19-minute patch that saw them convert an 11-point deficit into a 14-point lead.

Old Scotch found a steadier through Cooper Lean, but a crafty snap from Noah Higgins bounced through and gave the Bloods a 12-point half-time lead.

Bailey Yates and Lachie Giliam added two more early in the third term for Old Haileybury, as the hosts made their move. They held the Cardinals goalless for the quarter while adding 4 themselves in an impressive display that saw them head to the final huddle with a handy 32-point lead.

Any thoughts of a Cardinals comeback were quickly snuffed out when Noah Higgins pounced on a loose defensive kick and slotted a goal from 45 metres out in the opening minute of the last term.

From there, the Bloods were never headed. They booted the first 4 goals of the final term to lead by as much as 55 points, before the Cardinals responded with 4 of their own late.

But the damage was well and truly done – Old Haileybury home in the end by 43 points to square their season at 2-2 and remain within a game of the Top 4, while the Cardinals slip a game further back at 1-3.

Brede Seccull was awarded the SKINS Player of the Game for his 27 disposals (12 contested), 8 tackles, 11 clearances, 8 Inside 50s and 2 goals.

Ned Conway was also outstanding with 26 and 2 goals of his own, while Max Sievers was busy all day, finishing with 30 disposals, 8 tackles and 10 clearances for the Bloods. Flynn Gregor had 18 touches, 4 goals and 1 backflip celebration!

Will Townsend racked up 30 and 6 Rebounds for the Cards, while Henry Brown (25 and 11 clearances), and Charlie Cormack (27 touches) also found plenty of the footy.

What a fascinating game next week as Old Haileybury head to Old Trinity – the League’s two most recent Premier B champions both on a winning streak, colliding head-to-head.

Meanwhile, Old Scotch have dropped 3 on the trot and will host Old Brighton in the Grand Final Rematch at Camberwell. Could this be the challenge that sparks the Cardinals’ season?

Old Haileybury           19.10 (124)

Old Scotch                   11.15 (81)          

GOALS:       OH:         Gregor 4; Bell, Conway, Harrop, B.Seccull, Yates, Higgins & Findlay 2; Giliam 1.

                      OS:         Symons 3; Lawrence & Spencer 2; Clark, Jones, Lean & Leeton 1.

BEST:                     

OH:         Ned Conway, Joel Chilcott, Brede Seccull, Charlton Harrop, James Connell, Hugo Lynch.

OS:          Will Clark, Henry Dixon, Caleb Nancarrow, Quinn Spencer, Will Townsend, Angus Symons

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Guy Martyn (Old Haileybury): “We were able to execute some things we spoke about, and trained during the week on both sides of the ball. Our intent in defence was much better, and we got the balance of our ball use much more effective. We surged/were direct when we needed to be but then had the composure to control at right times.  

“I was really happy with how we defended and stopped Scotch in the way they like to play. We all know how dangerous Scotch can be if given the time and space to execute their game plan. For the most part, we defended well enough to stop this, and then in turn, could score off turnover.

“After a performance like this, it’s easy to reel off half the team for a shoutout, but it was pleasing to see our two VAFA Rep Squad members (our third one didn’t play on Saturday) justify their inclusions – Brede Seccull and Ned Conway. Brede was influential in the middle of the ground with his leadership and contested ball. While Ned worked his backside off to help out in defence, as well as hitting the scoreboard.

“A big focus this year is putting together consecutive weeks of good performances. We were poor after our Round 1 victory, so there will be a real emphasis on not getting ahead of ourselves this week and trying to win two games in a row.”

Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “We started the game well, played our way, and the scoreboard reflected the way we went about it.

“However, the momentum gradually shifted, and Old Haileybury controlled the ball better than us; especially in the 2nd half. We showed improvement in our system and need to work on consistency across the four quarters.

“Will Clark was again a strong performer, and Harry Dixon is developing very well at senior level. We look forward to taking on Old Brighton this week.”

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The final game of the weekend ended up a one-sided affair as Old Xaverians put Caulfield Grammarians to the sword in the final term at Toorak Park.

The two teams exchanged a couple of goals apiece early, but Xavs flexed their muscle midway through the opening term to kick 4 goals in 9 minutes and hit quarter time with a 23-point lead.

The Fields have been gritty all season, and dug in for the fight in the second term, pressuring an inaccurate Xavs and lessening the damage – 3.6 to 2.2 saw the host head to half-time with a 33-point advantage.   

The third term was more of the same – Xavs controlling possession and the game more generally, but unable to wriggle free and open the floodgates as Caulfield did their best to hang in. Another 3.5 to 1.2 saw the margin nudge out to 48 points at the last break.

Xavs finally put the hammer in the final quarter. Slick with the ball, they completely dominated and this time, got return for effort on the scoreboard, booting 10 goals to 2 in a scintillating display that saw the margin balloon out beyond 100 points before a goal to Eddie Gibb at the 31-minute mark saw a final margin of 99 points.

Old Xaverians’ 22.17 (149) was their largest score since Round 1 last year when they welcomed De La Salle back to Premier Men’s with a 129-point belting. This was their largest win since, and the huge percentage bump of almost 33% has lifted Xavs up to second spot, less than 9 percent behind the Tonners.

Xavs had winners all over the park, with Campbell Lane racking up 43 disposals, while Stirling Phipps-Parsons had 35, 9 clearances, 10 Inside 50s and a beautiful goal that saw him weave through two opponents and finish with the outside of his boot.

Ex-Melbourne AFL listed player Ollie Sestan was best afield in his VAFA debut, finishing with 32 disposals, 12 marks, 6 clearances and 5 Inside 50s to be the highest rated player on the ground. He has the weapons to be a genuine difference maker at this level, as can another former AFL-listed player Alywn Davey, who booted 4 goals from his 14 disposals in his third VAFA appearance.

Noah Sutherland had another 30 touches, as did Hamish McInerney, while Oscar Roberts got through a power of work down back one again, finishing with 25 disposals and 11 Rebound 50s. Eddie Gibb booted 3 goals for a second successive week.

The red-hot Xavs will head to Melbourne Uni for a Round 5 blockbuster against Uni Blues – two teams shaping as early contenders, with plenty of ex-AFL starpower in both line-ups.

The Fields must regroup quickly after a couple of thumping losses (by 80 and 99 points) as they return home to Glen Huntly Park to face the team that just defeated the Blues – St Kevin’s – in an important bounce-back game.

Old Xaverians                             22.17 (149)

Caulfield Grammarians            7.8 (50)                

GOALS:    OX:   Davey & Brusnahan 4; Macisaac & Goss 3; Delaney & O’Sullivan 2; Knott, Guiney, Phipps-Parsons & Gangi 1.

                   CG:         Gibb 3; Watt 2; Vesely & Wallace 1.

BEST:                     

OX:          Oliver Sestan, Will Goss, Charlie MacIsaac, Alwyn Davey, Nick Guiney, Stirling Phipps-Parsons.

CG:         Charlie Eerhard, Noah Sutherland, Eddie Gibb, Jack Ellwood, Oscar Roberts, Kayne Watt.

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Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “Obviously, really pleased with the end result, but it was a much tighter game for three quarters than perhaps the scoreboard showed. I thought Caulfield pressured and moved the ball really well for good periods of the game, but in the end, we had a few more winners across the ground and were able to pull away late to win well.

“It was a pretty even performance, and whilst far from perfect, we’re improving our game with each week together. We travel to Uni next week to take on a really good Blues outfit, and the boys are really looking forward to that challenge.”

Paul Satterley (Caulfield): “Full credit to Nutsy, they played an excellent brand with a good mix of defence and offence. They crucified us on turnovers, so we probably copped our right whack for some sloppiness with ball in hand. 

“We’re very disappointed with our past two games, and our final quarters in particular. Prior to this, we have shown real grit and fight, so this is something we want to address moving forward.

“Injuries to key personnel in recent weeks (Loughnan, Ting & Moren) has been far from ideal, however it’s provided some great opportunities for others.”

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WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S – ROUND 5

SATURDAY MAY 16 – 2pm:

Old Scotch                           vs             Old Brighton                                          

University Blues                   vs             Old Xaverians                                       

St Bernard’s                          vs             University Blacks                               

Old Trinity                              vs             Old Haileybury                   

Caulfield Grammarians        vs             St Kevin’s                                                                  

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