Close encounters define epic Round 9 in Holmesglen U19 Premier Men’s

Round 9 of the Holmesglen U19 Premier Men’s competition delivered one of the most dramatic weekends of the season, with four games decided by a combined margin of just seven points. Two one-point contests, a three-point thriller and a remarkable comeback highlighted just how tight the competition has become at the halfway mark of the year.

The game of the round belonged to ladder leaders St Bedes/Mentone, who held off St Kevin’s by the narrowest of margins, prevailing 10.7 (67) to 10.6 (66) in a clash fitting of two premiership contenders.

St Bedes coach Sam Hecker was full of praise for the opposition after a fiercely contested encounter.

“It was a really well contested game of footy and I was very impressed with the way St Kevin’s go about it. They’re well drilled and have some very good talls who dominated the air most of the game.”

Despite losing his ruck to illness, Hecker praised the efforts of 17-year-old Fox, while Killean Shepherdson and Howe helped his midfield wrestle back control. The Tigers shared the load in attack, but it was a defensive act that ultimately proved decisive.

“The whole game came to a World Cup-style save by Rhett Fernando, who dived to touch the ball on the goal line with five seconds to go. Amazing game, good to come out on top.”

For St Kevin’s, the heartbreak continued, but coach Paul Greenham saw signs of growth despite the one-point defeat.

“Mate, it was another heart stopper. A hell of a lot of learnings to come out of it.”

Greenham said previous close losses had seen his side surrender leads, but Saturday’s result demonstrated the evolution of his group.

“Yesterday we were the ones chasing and we never gave up. We kept digging and clawing and with about 40 seconds left we transitioned the length of the ground and had a shot at goal that was touched on the line. In the end we were beaten by a team that sits first on the ladder. That’s football and St Bedes have earned the right to be in top spot at the halfway mark of the year.”

Caulfield Grammarians produced one of the comebacks of the season, overcoming a 28-point three-quarter-time deficit to snatch a thrilling 10.7 (67) to 9.10 (64) victory over Beaumaris.

Coach Cooper Rule admitted his side had struggled for much of the day.

“We certainly didn’t play our best for the first three quarters. We were well below how we would have liked to play, but being down by 28 points at three-quarter time and to flick the switch was amazing.”

Rule credited Christian Arendsen, Jake O’Halloran and Oscar Perry for leading the charge, while Rory Upton delivered the match-winning moment. He also paid tribute to the Sharks.

“Hats off to Beaumaris. They were structurally much better than us and clearly well drilled on turnover where they got most of their goals from.”

Beaumaris coach Nathan Prosser was left ruing a missed opportunity after his side controlled much of the contest.

“Very disappointing finish to a game in which we did a lot right.”

After challenging his players during the week, Prosser was pleased with their response, but lamented a lapse late.

“We played some really good team-first footy for three and a half quarters. Unfortunately, we went to sleep for the last four minutes and Caulfield got a run on which we couldn’t stop.”

Another thriller unfolded between Old Xaverians and Old Brighton, with Xavs prevailing by a solitary point, 10.10 (70) to 10.9 (69), in muddy conditions.

Coach Matt Handley felt his side had controlled the majority of the contest.

“Inaccuracy kept them in the game. Obviously, it went right down to the wire. Muddy conditions, but we were on top in most parts of the game. Very close comp, so happy to bank another four points.”

Old Brighton coach Travis O’Donohue was pleased with his side’s fightback after a difficult opening half.

“We were unable to match Xavs’ intensity early in the game, which allowed them to control territory and isolate their forwards.”

“I was really pleased with our response after half-time and the resilience we showed to keep fighting our way back into the contest.”

Harvey Stevenson produced his best performance of the season at full forward, while O’Donohue acknowledged the challenge Old Xavs would pose later in the year.

“Xavs are a quality side and they’ll be really difficult to beat in the back end of the year.”

Old Scotch also emerged victorious in a nail-biter, edging Parkdale 9.8 (62) to 9.7 (61). The result added to a remarkable day of close finishes and further underlined the evenness of the competition.

The only game not decided by single figures saw Uni Blues announce themselves as genuine contenders with a commanding 14.9 (93) to 6.7 (43) victory over De La Salle.

Coach Steve Boakes said his side was beginning to consistently execute the brand of football they had worked towards.

“The boys have really started to put on the park what we have worked towards.”

Boakes was particularly pleased with the way the Blues nullified De La’s key players and moved the ball.

“We hold De La in high regard. They move the ball well and we went in with a plan that worked. Our ball movement was on point, which gave us plenty of looks inside 50.”

For De La Salle, coach Andy Otten was blunt in his assessment.

“Disappointing game and result for us. Didn’t come with the required appetite for the contest and were outplayed in all phases. Credit to Uni Blues. Back to work for us.”

With four games decided by a combined seven points, Round 9 provided another reminder that there is little separating the competition’s contenders. As the race towards finals intensifies, every point and every moment is proving increasingly valuable.