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Wild weather lashes Melbourne as the Blues claim a big scalp – William Buck Premier Men’s Round 8 Review
Old-fashioned ‘footy weather’ blew in mid-afternoon across Melbourne, with teeming rain lashing grounds and instantly turning matches into winter slogs.
Here’s our look back at Round 8 as William Buck Premier Men’s burst back to life after the bye:
University Blues handed Old Brighton back-to-back losses for the first time since Rounds 17-18 of 2023, scoring the signature win they’ve been looking for against the Tonners, who had previously beaten them on four consecutive occasions.
Both teams arrived at Melbourne Uni with a 5-2 record, and it was the visitors who created early opportunities but failed to capitalise.
Old Brighton’s intercept game was successfully turning the Blues’ attacks around, and the Tonners generated 8 scoring shots to 6 in the opening term, but booted 1.7 to 3.3 to trail by 8 points at the first change.
The game opened up into a free-flowing affair in the second quarter, with 10 goals kicked as the reigning champions began to control possession and use it to gain a slight territorial advantage.
The Tonners kicked 6 goals to 4 in a thoroughly entertaining quarter of footy, with James Stewart, Charlie Cotter and Luke Travers all kicking 2 goals apiece as Old Brighton headed to the half-time break with a 4-point lead.
Then Melbourne’s winter arrived, with heavy rain belting down on a gloomy Melbourne Uni Oval throughout the second half.
However, the Blues still managed to maintain their scoring pace, adding 4 goals to 1 in the third term as they adapted to control the tempo via uncontested marks. It meant that their kicking efficiency was vastly superior to Old Brighton’s as they chipped it around and maintained possession in the difficult conditions, forcing the Tonners to defend for extended periods (they would ultimately finish the game with a whopping 86 Tackles to 61).
Having converted their 4-point half-time deficit into a 13-point three-quarter time lead, the question now for the Blues was whether they could show the necessary composure to hold off the reigning champs down the stretch.
The answer was yes, as they stuck with what worked so well for them in the third quarter to again control the ball and dictate the tempo, collecting 30 Uncontested Marks to 11 in the second half.
Despite finishing with one less scoring shot, it was a mature and composed victory for the accurate Blues, who kicked 3.1 to 2.1 in the final term to post a hard-fought 19-point win that elevates them to 6-2 and sees them leapfrog the Tonners, who slip to fourth at 5-3.
Marty Gleeson led from the front, collecting 26 disposals and 9 clearances, while Max Irving’s 18 disposals, 8 tackles and 7 clearances were also influential. Up front, veteran James Stewart and youngster Charlie Cotter booted 4 goals apiece, while Sam Grimley chimed in with 2.
Felix Flockart worked hard all day to finish with 21 disposals (16 contested), 46 hit-outs and 14 clearances, while Jordy Segar, Ollie Goodger and Luke Travers all kicked 2 goals apiece.
Next up, Uni Blues head to the Snake Pit for a danger game against the always-tricky St Bernard’s at home, followed by the Uni Derby against Blacks and a visit to Old Trinity before the bye.
While the Tonners will be desperate to avoid losing 3 straight for the first time since they dropped 4 in a row from Rounds 7-10 of 2023. They face a huge challenge against the white-hot St Kevin’s at TH King in what shapes as one of the games of the year to date, then return home to host Caulfield, before visiting Blacks at Melbourne Uni leading into the bye.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Uni Blues: St Bernard’s (Away) Blacks (Home) Old Trinity (A)
Old Brighton: St Kevin’s (A) Caulfield (H) Uni Blacks (A)
University Blues 14.5 (89)
Old Brighton 10.10 (70)
GOALS: UB: Stewart & Cotter 4; Grimley 2; Sinnott, Curran, Townson & Ingram 1.
OB: Segar, Goodger & Travers 2; Dick, Pryor, Macnab & Brooks 1.
BEST:
UB: Martin Gleeson, Max Irving, James Stewart, Charlie Cotter, Mitchell Lloyd, James Curran
OB: Jordan Segar, Oliver Goodger, Quintin Montanaro, Campbell Tweedie, Luke Travers, Harry Hill
Matt Smith (Uni Blues): “The game was all about contest, contest, contest. With an undersized ruck against a quality opponent, we were able to halve or win the inside battle for long periods, and deny them outside run. When they did get that going, they were really dangerous and were able to score quickly.
“When we were challenged and slightly off our game (particularly in the second quarter), it fortunately didn’t cost us on the scoreboard too much, and we wrestled back momentum to steady halfway through that quarter.
“A shoutout to Ollie Hayes in his first senior game for the club in trying conditions and against a top-tier opponent. He certainly didn’t look out of place and had some really important moments for us.
“We’ll keep working on our defensive structures, as we need to tighten up goal-line soft drops.”
Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “A game which had everything! Early on it was overcast, and it finished in thick and heavy rain, with visibility incredibly low!
“The Blues’ consistency across the day and ability to win contested possession, then use it effectively, was the telling factor in the end. We created a number of opportunities, but were unable to convert at times which made it hard to hold momentum. Experience and some bigger bodies from Blues played the conditions well, and they finished their work.
“Jordy Segar was terrific for us and a good winner on the day, and Oli Goodger in a defensive fwd role did well to reduce the influence of their half-backs. Campbell Tweedie and Quintin Montanaro competed all day and did well against the big Uni forwards, but their size, experience and finishing had an impact across the day.
“We have 3 big games prior to the mid-season bye, and will continue to work on decision making to create opportunities and to help us continue to compete.”
Old Xaverians maintained their one-game advantage at the top of the table after holding off a persistent University Blacks at a waterlogged Toorak Park.
Just like the Melbourne Uni clash, the first half was free-flowing before the storm hit, with both teams keeping the scoreboard ticking over in an entertaining shootout that delivered a combined 15 goals to the major break.
Xavs led by a goal at the first change and stretched their lead out to 20 points when Charlie Macisaac booted his third goal at the 11-minute mark of the second term, but the Blacks lifted to kick 4 goals in the next 12 minutes to hit the front and hold a 6-point advantage at the half.
Then the weather hit, and a huge storm front inundated Toorak Park, which was quickly underwater.
Goals immediately became harder to come by, with the teams exchanging a series of behinds before Julian Gangi delivered Xavs the first major of the second half 7 minutes in. It was followed soon after by a powerful burst of 3 goals in 4 minutes that handed the hosts a handy 3-goal lead entering time-on in the third term.
Another burst of 3 goals in 3 minutes late in the quarter cracked the game open, with Xavs suddenly holding a 35-point lead at the final change.
Credit to Blacks, who kept on fighting to come up with the only 3 goals of the last quarter to reduce the eventual margin.
But the damage was done as Old Xaverians saluted by 17 points to post a sixth straight victory and maintain their one-game lead at the top of the ladder, while a third straight loss for Uni Blacks sees them slide into the drop zone at 2-6, with some work to do in the weeks ahead.
It won’t get any easier for Dale Bower’s team, who will at least be at home for the next three weeks leading into the second bye, as they host a resurgent Old Scotch, then the in-form Blues in the Uni Derby, followed by the reigning premiers.
In such an even season, it’s a 3-week stretch that may well define Uni Blacks’ 2026 campaign.
THE ROAD AHEAD:
Old Xavs: Old Trinity (A) Old Haileybury (H) Caulfield Grammarians (A)
Uni Blacks: Old Scotch (H) Uni Blues (H) Old Brighton (H)
Old Xaverians 14.9 (93)
University Blacks 11.10 (76)
GOALS: OX: Macisaac 6; Knott & Brusnahan 2; Davey, Delany, Gangi & Ralph 1.
UB: Oliver 3; Geddes & Grocott 2; Broderick, Dakis, Davies & Loftus 1.
BEST:
OX: Charlie MacIsaac, Alwyn Davey, Jack O’sullivan, Nick Guiney, Wade Brusnahan, Alec Spralja
UB: Sam Conway, Max Geddes, Jack Cassidy, Charlie Connell-Tobin, Campbell Moorfield, Ben Oliver
Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “Always a tough and contested game versus the Blacks, and Saturday was exactly that.
“It was pretty tight for most of the day. We got the momentum in the third quarter as the rain started coming down, and we managed to get a good lead.
“Blacks came again late, as we’d known they would, but in the end, we’d done enough to hold onto a tough and important win.”
Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “We gave ourselves every opportunity to win the game.
“I was very happy with the boys’ commitment, spirit and effort. We were able to execute what we have been working on in the last few weeks for a significant period of time.
“I’m confident we will continue to improve in this area, and as a result, a win is not far away.”
Old Scotch breathed life back into their 2026 season with a stunning 47-point away win over Old Trinity, snapping their 6-game losing streak and consigning the T’s to a third straight loss.
In Friday’s Preview, we suggested that this game had a “whiff of ‘danger game’ about it for Old Trinity,” and so it proved to be.
The hosts completely controlled the ball in the opening term, racking up an incredible 138-68 Disposal count, based largely on a ‘keepings off’ style that delivered a remarkable 52 Uncontested Marks to 9.
Yet, for all this possession, it was Scotch winning both the Inside 50 count (11-10) and the quarter (2.2 to 1.2).
With coach Mark Gnatt trying to fast-track the chemistry and understanding amongst his young, largely revamped line-up, it suddenly clicked for the Cardinals in the second term, as they seized the initiative with 5 goals to 1 and hit half-time with a handy 28-point lead in ominous conditions.
The Cards controlled the inside game and halved the T’s uncontested marking in the second term, breaking up their possession chains and then punishing their turnovers.
It was more of the same in the third quarter, with little separating the teams in and around the contest, but the Cardinals were more efficient up forward, adding a further 3 goals to 1, creating a commanding 40-point three-quarter-time lead, with the T’s held to just 3 goals in 3 quarters.
They managed to get some reward for their efforts in the final term, doubling their goal tally for the afternoon with 3 majors, but unfortunately for the T’s, Old Scotch kept scoring the other way, adding a further 4 of their own to leap back onto the winners’ list with an impressive 47-point victory that instantly pushed them from last to seventh in just four quarters of footy.
Will Clark returned from Big V duties in superb form, having a major influence with 19 disposals (15 contested), 57 hit-outs, 9 clearances, 5 Inside 50s and 2 goals.
Fellow Big V rep Charlie Cormack also led from the front with 23 disposals (12 contested), 8 tackles and 8 clearances – a different stat line to what we’re used to seeing from Charlie, while fellow premiership defender Doug Lawrence enjoyed his time at the other end of the ground, booting 4 goals.
Another Big V returnee, Hugo McGlashan, was outstanding for the T’s with 34 disposals (14 contested), 10 tackles and 10 clearances, while Louis Davidson finished with 33 touches, and Christos Manoussakis 26 with 14 marks, 7 tackles and 5 clearances.
Is this the win that awakens the sleeping giant of Old Scotch, or was it a one-off against an out-of-sorts Old Trinity? We’ll find out soon enough, as the Cardinals head to Melbourne Uni this week to face the Blacks, who will be desperate to turn their campaign around.
Old Trinity have slipped a game out of the Top 4 after such a promising, energetic start to their Premier Men’s return that saw them win 4 of their first 5. Are they suffering the same fate as Old Haileybury last year, when the increased physical demands of fronting up in the top flight week after week steadily took its toll?
The time is now for the T’s to turn things around, but they are about to face the toughest three weeks of their entire season before the bye, fronting up against the Top 3 teams in the competition – #1 Old Xavs at Daley Park, followed by #2 St Kevin’s at TH King, then #3 Uni Blues at Trinity.
It’s the ultimate challenge. Could it also be the making of Donald McDonald’s plucky team?
THE ROAD AHEAD:
Old Scotch: Uni Blacks (A) St Bernard’s (H) Old Haileybury (H)
Old Trinity: Old Xaverians (H) St Kevin’s (A) Uni Blues (H)
Old Scotch 14.8 (92)
Old Trinity 6.9 (45)
GOALS: OS: Lawrence 4; Lean, Macmillan & Clark 2; Jones, Fergusson, Spencer & Jelbart 1.
OT: Chard 3; Emery, Curtain & Bowler 1.
BEST:
OS: Charlie Cormack, Quinn Spencer, Will Clark, Andy Jelbart, Henry Dixon, Brodie Easton
OT: Luke Teal, Louis Davidson, James Ingpen, Ben Littlefield, Charlie Comer, Jack Hindson
Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “It was great to get back on the winners list; a real reward for the group. I said to the boys after the game that it was a real testament to the culture of the group. If you had walked into the rooms for the past 6 weeks or so, you wouldn’t have known we were 1-6. Full credit to the boys for remaining positive and working hard on their craft.
“Although OT possessed the ball a lot in their D50, our team defence held up well, and we were able to nullify their ability to come forward.
“It was the first time all season that we had Jelbart, Lawrence and Easton on the park at the same time, and it made a significant difference. Clark, Cormack and Townsend continued their brilliant seasons, and Dougie’s presence up forward was pretty obvious.
“Young Harry Dixon and Ned Macmillan played well again, and both would have to be in line for the Under 19 rep team in a few weeks’ time.
“We look forward to our next challenge at the Uni Main against Uni Blacks.”
Donald McDonald (Old Trinity): “It was a good contest until the back end of the second quarter, when Old Scotch started to really control the game.
“We made so many unforced errors that really gifted them some easy goals, and then Scotch got on top of us and had a pretty easy win.
“I’ve been really happy with players like Teal, Ingpen and Littlefield, who are progressing well whilst we have been under a lot of pressure. Our leaders have been terrific also. I thought some of our younger boys, like Bowler and Comer, really stood up and never stopped competing, which is a great sign for our future.
“We’re going to place a real focus on our skills, given we have lost 3 in a row now and have Xavs and St Kevin’s in the next few weeks. So, it’s a really fantastic challenge for our players and us as coaches to prepare well.
While one of the teams elevated from Premier B last season is suddenly finding the going tough, the other has turned things around in fine style. Caulfield Grammarians have won three in a row after pulling away from St Bernard’s in the final term at Glen Huntly Park.
The Fields controlled possession and territory in the opening term, but it was the Snowdogs putting the score on the board with a strong breeze at their backs, booting 4 goals in 7 minutes from the 18-minute mark to lead by 17 points at the first break.
But as we’ve seen time and time again this season, Paul Satterley’s team hung in the contest, stabilised the situation, and got themselves back in the game. They burst out of the blocks to right the ship with 3 goals in 4 minutes to hit the front just 8 minutes into the second term.
34-year old Julian Dobosz was back in the senior side for the first time this season, having played 3 Thirds games in recent weeks, and had an immediate impact, kicking 3 goals for the term as the Fields edged out to a 17-point half-time lead, with 5 of their 6 goals for the quarter coming from Snowdog turnovers which led to deep Inside 50 entries.
Now it was up to St Bernard’s to steady and get back into the game, and they managed to come up with 2 goals in 90 seconds to close within 9 points at the 8-minute mark. And when Big V rep Mitch Hughes gobbled up a wayward Caulfield exit kick, then slotted the simple set shot 10 minutes later, it was a 3-point game, and the Snowdogs had the momentum.
Caulfield needed a steadier, and skipper Jack Ellwood provided one after being taken high at the 21-minute mark. His set shot goal returned the Fields’ lead to 9 points, and when Jackson Wallace was marched to the goalsquare 4 minutes later, Caulfield had successfully steadied the ship to lead by 14 points at the last change.
Could the Snowdogs kick again? Their task was made infinitely harder when Wallace and Pat Fairlie booted the opening two goals of the final term within the first 5 minutes to make it a 26-point game.
Mitch Hughes pulled a couple of goals back, but when Hugh Sandilands, Archie Loughnan and Jono Moren added majors in time-on for the Fields, it turned into a handy percentage-boosting 40-point win for the Grammarians, who have leapt from the bottom of the ladder to just one game out of the Top 4 in three rounds of footy.
Their final score of 16.13 (109) is their largest score of the year to date as they continue to develop the attacking side of their game. In fact, they’ve averaged more than 14 goals over their 3-week winning streak, compared to just over 9 goals per game across the first 5 weeks of their season.
Jack Webster was praised by the coaches for his 16 disposals, 10 marks and 7 Inside 50s, while Pat Fairlie was superb once again, racking up 28 touches (15 contested), 9 clearances, 6 Inside 50s and a goal. Hamish McInerney (26 disposals, 11 marks and 6 Rebounds) and Jack Ellwood (23 disposals, 10 tackles and 2 goals) were also highly effective for the Fields.
Dylan Gwynne was everywhere for St Bernard’s, collecting 35 disposals (14 contested), 8 tackles, 10 clearances, 10 Inside 50s and a goal in a brilliant performance, while Mitch Hughes was also outstanding with 27 disposals, 11 Rebound 50s and 3 goals for the Dogs.
Caulfield has an opportunity to win 4 straight when they visit the Bloods at Princes Park this week, and it will be a critical 4 points on the line, given the fortnight after that will see them visit Old Brighton and host Old Xavs leading into the bye.
St Bernard’s find themselves in a similar position to last season, scratching and clawing around at the bottom of the table, working hard to deliver some victories that will ensure their safety once again. They will host the red-hot Uni Blues this week, then visit the re-energised Old Scotch, before hosting the in-form St Kevin’s leading into the bye in a challenging three weeks for the Dogs.
THE ROAD AHEAD:
Caulfield: Old Haileybury (A) Old Brighton (A) Old Xaverians (H)
St Bernard’s: Uni Blues (H) Old Scotch (A) St Kevin’s (H)
Caulfield Grammarians 16.13 (109)
St Bernard’s 10.9 (69)
GOALS: CG: Wallace & Dobosz 3; Ellwood, Loughnan & Sandilands 2; Williams, Moren, Gibb & Fairlie 1.
STB: Hughes 3; Watson 2; Gwynne, McNicol, Papley, Farrell & B.Foley 1.
BEST:
CG: Jack Webster, Patrick Fairlie, Julian Dobosz, Oscar Roberts, Jack Ellwood, Archie Loughnan
STB: Lachlan Papley, Jordan Farrell, Willem Vaessen, Dylan Gwynne, Mitchell Hughes, Matthew Watson
Paul Satterley (Caulfield): “Despite losing the first quarter, I thought we set the tone for the day defending into a 5-6 goal breeze, so there were early positive signs, and we sustained that intent for the full game.
“The conditions dictated the style of play required on the day, so I was very happy with keeping our ball movement simple, combined with the high pressure we applied when they had it.
“Jules Dobosz played his first game for the year and had a major impact on the result. Jack Webster, Patty Fairlie & Jack Ellwood were great inside for us, whilst Oscar Roberts returned to his familiar role down back and was very good.
“We are now in the midst of super combative footy due to the conditions, so our focus will be to freshen up the lads and be ready for Haileybury.”
Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “In a crucial game for us in the context of the season, we were soundly beaten on the day around the contest and really let ourselves down with our disposal efficiency.
“It eventually became a bit of a slog when the rain came in the second half, and we had not positioned ourselves to control the game.
“Caulfield’s willingness to spread and counterattack on turnover was making it difficult for us to control the ball for extended periods.
“We had some solid contributors on the day, in particular, our younger group of players, who worked hard until the end. We are still searching for the right mix on game day. We need to find it quickly before our season gets totally away from us.”
The final game of the weekend saw St Kevin’s continue on their merry way, racking up their sixth straight win with a commanding 91-point win over Old Haileybury at Princes Park.
The Bloods actually booted the first goal of the game through Cody Goonewardene 7 minutes in, but from there it was all SKOB as the visitors rattled off the next 10 goals across the next two quarters of the match.
They led by 41 points at quarter-time and 57 at the half time, before Joel Chilcott finally found Haileybury’s second goal 6 minutes into the third term.
St Kevin’s were temporarily slowed by the conditions in the third term, going 16 minutes without a goal before bursting back to life with another 4 in 8 minutes entering time-on to rocket away to an 83-point lead at the last change.
The margin ballooned out beyond 100 points when Angus Hart slotted a goal 19 minutes into the last quarter, however the Bloods managed to rally late and save themselves from the humiliation of a triple-digit defeat courtesy of two goals to Durras Seccull and another to Seve Stefanakis.
In the end, it was a statement-making 91-point demolition – St Kevin’s largest victory since they put the winless De La Salle to the sword by 102 points in Round 17 last year.
Their 42 scoring shots (17.25) is the most they’ve had in a game since they defeated Caulfield by 155 points in Round 14 of 2023. They kicked 26.17 that day, and this margin could have been similar if they’d kicked straighter in the tricky conditions.
SKOB’s 6-game winning streak is now just one shy of the hot run they got on at the back-end of last season, which saw them storm into a 7th consecutive finals series.
An eighth straight September campaign is looking more likely by the week as they improved their record to 6-2, jumping up to second spot and looming as a genuine contender to Old Xavs’ premiership favouritism.
They will ‘welcome’ Old Brighton to TH King this weekend in a blockbuster must-see match-up. They defeated the Tonners by 27 points in the corresponding match-up in Round 12 last season and will enter as the warmest favourites over Old Brighton in recent memory.
But that will bring a different kind of pressure, and the reigning champs will be desperate to provide a timely reminder to the competition.
Old Haileybury need to regroup after four straight losses have left them sitting in eighth position at 2-6, just 1.03% out of the drop zone approaching the halfway point. They host Caulfield in a huge game at Princes Park this week, followed by visits to Old Xavs and Old Scotch in an enormous 3-week stretch to the bye.
THE ROAD AHEAD:
St Kevin’s: Old Brighton (H) Old Trinity (H) St Bernard’s (A)
Old Haileybury: Caulfield (H) Old Xavs (A) Old Scotch (A)
St Kevin’s 17.25 (127)
Old Haileybury 5.6 (36)
GOALS: STK: Kerr 4; Pfeiffer 3; Tucker, Gill & Fergusson 2; Hart, Mathieson, Behnk & Gunson 1.
OH: D.Seccull 2; Chilcott, Goonewardene & S.Stefanakis 1.
BEST:
STK: William Pfeiffer, Andrew Mathieson, George Delimitrou, Ollie Gill, Angus Hart, Doug Kerr
OH: Brede Seccull, Joel Chilcott, Durras Seccull, Noah Higgins, Ned Conway, Hugo Nosiara
Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “The bye has the risk to throw up some interesting results, so I always value a win post-bye, no matter what the circumstances.
“On the back of a really strong 4-quarter performance pre-bye against Blacks, it was fantastic to see our group bank another 120-minute effort.
“We understand that Haileybury are a different group from last year, and are managing a younger and inexperienced list, but we knew their best had challenged Uni Blues and Brighton, so we came prepared for that.
“The first quarter really set the win up, and it was on the back of our pressure and contest work. The theme that has been constant throughout our better performances so far this season is an incredibly even team output, which is the most pleasing aspect.
“We have created some nice momentum over the past 6 weeks, and next week presents a great challenge against the reigning premier, who showed us up in Round 2, so our boys are very keen to make amends.”
Guy Martyn (Old Haileybury): “It was always going to be tough going into the game with seven changes against arguably the best team in the comp on current form.
“In saying that, our inability to compete was really poor.
“SKOB were impressive in all facets and across all of the conditions we were faced with on Saturday. A real lesson for us.”
WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S – ROUND 9
SATURDAY JUNE 20 – 2pm:
St Bernard’s vs University Blues VAFA.com.au & SEN app – 1.45pm
St Kevin’s vs Old Brighton KTV – 1.55pm
University Blacks vs Old Scotch VAFA TV – 1.55pm
Old Trinity vs Old Xaverians
Old Haileybury vs Caulfield Grammarians
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