Round 13 of William Buck Premier Men’s was hurtling towards four upsets, before a couple of Top 4 teams managed to steady late and find a way to win.
Has the ladder finally split in two, with the Top 5 in the finals race, and the Bottom 5 in the relegation race?
Let’s take a closer look:
It was Top visiting Bottom at the Snake Pit, but you wouldn’t have known it from the tightness of the contest, as Old Xaverians just managed to get over St Bernard’s in a seesawing thriller.
Xavs came out firing after their 9-game winning streak was broken last week, and they dominated the early stages to score the only 4 goals of the opening quarter and the first 6 goals of the match.
The Snowdogs were winning their share of disputed ball but were terribly sloppy, with a poor Disposal Efficiency of just 51% in the first quarter, constantly giving the ball back to the league leaders.
Matthew Watson finally kicked the Snowdogs’ first major 12 minutes into the second quarter, by which time they were trailing by 36 points.
But the Dogs were finding their rhythm, hitting their targets, and starting to win the territory battle as a result, rocketing back into the game with 5 of the last 6 goals of the first half to narrow the gap to just 14 points at the major break.
And when Alessandro Belci and Luke Said then slotted the first two goals of the third term, the Dogs had kicked 7 of the last 8 to close the deficit from 36 to 3 points at the 12-minute mark.
Old Xavs responded by owning the football, racking up 100 Disposals to 57 and controlling possession via uncontested marks. They chalked up 16 Inside 50s to 8 for the quarter, kicking 4 of the next 5 goals to re-establish a 21-point advantage at the last change.
Could the Snowdogs rally again? A big Past Players Day crowd urged them on, and when they slammed on 3 goals in 6 minutes to start the final term, it was ‘game on’ once again as St Bernard’s closed back within 3 points.
When Matthew Watson was taken high and converted from directly in front, the bottom team led the top team for the first time at the 16-minute mark of the last quarter, and Old Xavs’ grip on top spot was suddenly under threat, while the Dogs could take a huge leap out of the drop zone.
The Snowdogs led entering time-on, with their defence hanging in bravely, and on high alert as the ball spilled out of bounds adjacent to the Xavs’ right behind post. The ball was thrown in, and reigning Woodrow Medallist Marcus Stavrou did the ruckwork, tapping it to 2024 Woodrow Medallist Sam Fisher, who wheeled onto his trusty left boot and slotted a superb snap goal to put Xavs back in front by a solitary point at the 21-minute mark.
The visitors would add three more behinds in a desperate last 7-and-a-half minutes as the Snowdogs tried valiantly to find the match-winner.
But in the end, it was Old Xaverians escaping the Snake Pit with the 4 points… just. A gritty, hard-fought 4-point victory ensured they remained level on points with Uni Blues at the top of the table, while it was unadulterated heartbreak for the Snowdogs, who let a golden opportunity to make up ground on the teams above them slip through their fingers.
Campbell Lane was at his brilliant best for the winners, racking up 41 disposals and a goal, while Sam Fisher (29 disposals and 2 goals), Tommy McRae (28 disposals), and Marcus Stavrou (28 and 7 clearances) were all highly effective also. That quartet alone combined for a whopping 126 touches and 32 Score Involvements!
Luke Said, Matt Sauro, Charlie Vague and Ben Huggard were best for the Snowdogs, who remain stranded 2 games from safety in the race to avoid relegation after falling agonisingly short of pulling off the upset of the season.
But the upside for St Bernard’s is that they get to face all 3 of the teams immediately above them on the run home, which will give them the opportunity to take points off them and potentially make another great escape to remain in the top flight.
The next fortnight will likely tell the story, and if they can replicate the form they displayed this week, they could pick up a couple of wins and remain in the hunt. Then it might all come down to their final round clash against Old Trinity…
THE RUN HOME:
Old Xavs: Old Brighton (H) Uni Blacks (A) St Kevin’s (H) Old Haileybury (A) Old Scotch (H)
St Bernard’s: Old Haileybury (A) Caulfield (H) Uni Blues (A) Old Brighton (H) Old Trinity (H)
Old Xaverians 12.11 (83)
St Bernard’s 12.7 (79)
GOALS:
OX: Delany, Gangi & Fisher 2; C.Macisaac, Knott, Brusnahan, Lane, Phipps-Parsons & Danielis-Parsons 1.
STB: Watson 3; Huggard 2; Vague, Di Lizio, Said, Gilham, Conlan, Restuccia & Belci 1.
BEST:
OX: Tommy McRae, Charlie Westcott, Sam Fisher, Sam Hansen, Julian Gangi, Jack O’Sullivan
STB: Luke Said, Matthew Sauro, Charlie Vague, Ben Huggard, Thomas Zafiropoulos, Daniel Gilham
Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “We started the game really well. Pressure was high, and our ball use was good against a super competitive Bernard’s team.
“Momentum shifted halfway through the second quarter, and from there it was a genuine battle. If there’s one thing you know whenever you head out to the Snake Pit, it’s that Bernard’s don’t stop.
“They pressure and work for each other over four quarters, so credit to them for giving themselves a great look at a win, but very pleased our boys settled when it mattered late to do enough to ice an important game.”
Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “Our effort was fantastic once again, and I couldn’t be prouder of the resilience our lads showed to make a game of it in the second half.
“Early in the game, I thought we allowed too many uncontested possessions, which is not the formula against Old Xavs, whose ball use, especially on turnover, is excellent.
“In the second half, I thought our leaders, especially through our midfield, went to work. We started winning contested ball and gave our forwards some good one-on-one looks.
“In the end, although we were able to work our way back into the game and get ahead in that last quarter, we didn’t make the most of some opportunities to nail the game.
“Our effort has been encouraging in the last month; we’ll certainly need it in the run home to the end of the season.”
Old Brighton was in deep trouble early in the second half before digging deep and finding a way to grind out the last 6 goals of the game to pip Old Trinity at Daley Oval.
The hosts were slightly more efficient going forward in the opening term, able to convert an even contest in general play into scores a little more effectively. The Tonners looked to control the ball via uncontested marks, but Old Trinity’s intercept game delivered them 3 goals to 1 in the back-end of the term, and they led by 13 points at the first break.
The Tonners kicked 2 of the first 3 goals in the second quarter, but the general flow of the game continued as per the first term, with the T’s on top in contested footy and controlling the tempo, using the football to greater advantage, adding a further 3.4 to 1.2, with a couple of time-on goals handing them a 21-point lead at the main break.
When Trinity surged the ball forward, leading to a Charlie Comer snap goal 3 minutes into the third term, the margin had stretched to 27 points, and the Tonners needed a response before the game got any further out of hand.
Their ball use improved, enabling them to string together more passages of play, and they began to assume territorial dominance as a result. They generated 15 Inside 50s to 9 for the term and, led by a couple of goals from youngster Charlie Richardson, kicked the next 4 goals of the game to close within 4 points at three-quarter time.
The Tonners struck first in the final term, when Ben Pryor pounced on a turnover at half-forward less than 2 minutes in. He drove it long to Ryan Agg, who ran into an open goal, and the Tonners had booted 5 on the bounce to hit the front for the first time since 12 minutes into the match.
A couple of behinds put the T’s back in front, as goals completely dried up, with both teams locking down and fighting desperately for the win.
Old Brighton scored the next 5 behinds to open up a 4-point lead, with no goals from either team for an agonising 24-minute stretch as the tension continued to build with so much on the line.
The match-winner eventually came 25 minutes into the final term, when the Tonners’ relentless forward pressure forced the T’s into retreat, and a partially smothered handball ended in the clutches of Michael Karayannis, who handed it off to Tom Burnell to steady and slot through the goal from 20 metres out to make it a 10-point lead.
It was a margin that felt much greater, given the defensive slog of the final term, and despite there still being another 8 minutes on the clock, Old Trinity just couldn’t find the game to reignite their chances, and it was Old Brighton successfully grinding out a critical 11-point win that keeps the chasing pack at bay.
The reigning champs remain two games plus 25% (so effectively three games) clear in fourth spot, while Old Trinity’s frustrating season continues – another missed opportunity resulting in their 8th consecutive loss, and they remain inside the relegation zone on percentage behind Old Haileybury.
It was a particularly important 4 points for Old Brighton to secure, given they will face the Top 2 teams in the coming fortnight, while Old Trinity’s season is still well and truly in their own hands, as they will play Caulfield and Blacks in the run home, giving them the opportunity to climb over them and out of the drop zone.
It makes for an enormous clash against the Fields this coming week!
THE RUN HOME:
Old Brighton Old Xavs (A) Uni Blues (H) Old Haileybury (H) St Bernard’s (A) Caulfield (A)
Old Trinity: Caulfield (H) Old Scotch (A) Uni Blacks (H) St Kevin’s (H) St Bernard’s (A)
Old Brighton 9.13 (67)
Old Trinity 7.14 (56)
GOALS:
OB: Richardson 3; Agg & Pryor 2; Burnell & Karayannis 1.
OT: Payman & Lindeman 2; McNamara, Comer & C.Wenn 1.
BEST:
OB: Tom Burnell, Quintin Montanaro, Darcy Gilbert, Finn Campigli, Jordan Segar, Charlie Richardson
OT: Luke Teal, Sam Barendregt, Hugo McGlashan, Alex Emery, Camiel Bowler, James Ingpen
Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “A tough game, so super pleased to get a win out at Trinity’s home deck.
“The first half didn’t play out the way we had planned. Trinity were dominant in the middle and at stoppage, although in general play, we had opportunities. Trinity were deserved leaders at half time.
“In the second half, we made adjustments and got good play from those, along with a general lift in decision making and playing a little more freely.
“The last quarter was another arm wrestle, and our group defended well when required, lifting pressure in our front half to create looks. We had some wayward kicking, but finished in front, which keeps us rolling.
“Tom Burnell has had a terrific season and was outstanding as a mid. It’s been terrific to have Darcy Gilbert back playing, as he holds a key post down back and takes the oppo’s big forwards. Finn Campigli continues to have a really strong season. He got thrown around a little bit, but went inside and gave us great control and good decisions with the ball in hand.”
Donald McDonald (Old Trinity): “We started very well, but to Old Brighton’s credit they finished the game very well.
“Losing really sucks, and we have now lost 8 in a row, so it could be easy for many of the boys to say this is too hard. But the thing that has pleased me most has been our fight as a club.
“Like many VAFA teams, we never want to forfeit a game, and our 19s played with 16 players, with players then doubling up to play in our reserves, which showed a real spirit and character within our footy club.
“We wish George Belcher and his mate all the best as they represent Australia in a reality dating show being filmed in Portugal. I have heard a lot of reasons why players can’t play, but this one was nearly the best!
“Every week is an opportunity to win a game of footy, and this week is no different. We’ll train well with plenty of spirit and enthusiasm. Old Caulfield has had a great season, so it is going to be another challenging game, but no different than any other week. Every game is a challenge.”
Old Scotch continued their impressive mid-season revival with a sparkling 27-point win over the third-placed but undermanned St Kevin’s at Camberwell Sportsground that keeps their September hopes alive.
SKOB had more of the football early, due to a slight edge in contested possession, with both teams cautiously moving the ball around via uncontested marks rather than risking turnovers by kicking to contests.
It took 13 minutes for the opening goal to be kicked, when Ollie Gill capitalised on a tug of the jumper to boot St Kevin’s into action.
Angus Jones responded with a long-range set shot for the Cards entering time-on, and when Old Scotch broke from a front-half ball-up and chained together a series of handballs that released Ben Fergusson into an open goal, the hosts led by one straight kick at the first break.
The game remained predominantly between the arcs in the second term, but it was SKOB’s remarkable efficiency going forward that gave them the initiative. The visitors only entered their Forward 50 on 10 occasions for the quarter (to Old Scotch’s 8), but they managed to convert those 10 forays into 5 goals and kicked away to a 25-point lead.
Importantly for the Cardinals, two late goals to Ollie Badr stemmed the bleeding and reduced the half-time margin to 13 points.
The game changed significantly in the third term as Old Scotch got on top around the contest. Led by Hugh Byrne-Jones, who had 10 touches for the quarter, the Cardinals clicked into gear and began converting stoppage wins into goals via quick, direct delivery to their dangerous forwards. 5 Marks Inside 50 for the term would lead to 5 goals.
Suddenly, Will Clark was on the end of everything. He kicked 4 goals for the quarter from just 6 disposals and 5 marks, as Old Scotch rocketed into the lead and left SKOB clutching at dust as they quickly disappeared into the distance in an impressive 20-minute burst that cracked the game wide open.
6.3 to 0.2 was the result, with the Cards converting a 13-point half-time deficit into a 24-point three-quarter time lead.
Their momentum rolled into the final term, with 2 goals in the opening 3 minutes to effectively put the game to bed. James Milner booted his second, followed by Will Clark’s fifth, before Matt Canning finally kicked SKOB’s first goal of the second half 10 minutes into the last quarter.
He added another entering time-on to reduce the margin to 22 points and create a glimmer of hope, but fittingly, it was Will Clark sealing the game with his sixth major 3 minutes later to keep Old Scotch’s September dream alive for another week with a well-earned 27-point victory.
One of the competition’s premier big men, Clark provided a clear reminder of how damaging he can be as a key forward, booting 6 goals in the second half to lead his team to victory. He would finish with 21 disposals, 14 marks and 6 majors in a match-winning performance.
The arrival of Will Verge as a second ruck option allows Mark Gnatt to throw Clark forward, knowing that he’ll get a contest from Verge around the ground, and while Coates dominated the hit-outs, the Cards managed to effectively break even on the inside (SKOB won Clearances 45-43), then Clark steered them to victory up forward.
VAFA Rising Star nominee and Big V Under 19 skipper Harry Dixon delivered another excellent performance, finishing with 23 disposals (11 contested), while Alex Noblet (31 touches) and Will Townsend (27) provided their usual drive for the Cards.
It was their 5th win from their last 6 starts as they threaten to replicate last season’s incredible late charge into September, and they remain two games behind Old Brighton, needing to keep on winning while also hoping the Tonners stumble against the Top 2 teams over the next fortnight. If so, we could be in for another thrilling final couple of rounds in the race for fourth spot.
Key defender Ethan Phillips, who played 1 AFL game for Hawthorn, before spending time with Carlton VFL (and now St Kilda VFL) fought hard down back all afternoon for SKOB, while Billy Coates continued his phenomenal season with 26 disposals, 57 hit-outs and 10 clearances.
There’s no doubt that the 2026 version of the ‘Tullamarine Flu’ (players heading overseas on holiday) has ravaged clubs right across the VAFA more than usual, and St Kevin’s are no exception. Missing more than half their starting line-up through injury and vacation, they should welcome a healthy cohort back over the next 2-3 weeks.
They currently sit two games behind the Top 2, one game clear of Old Brighton, and, critically, 3 games plus percentage ahead of the fifth-placed Cardinals. So, for now, it’s about stabilisation for SKOB and integrating players back into their line-up in the coming weeks, then setting their sights on their 8th consecutive September campaign.
THE RUN HOME:
Old Scotch: Uni Blues (A) Old Trinity (H) Caulfield (A) Uni Blacks (H) Old Xavs (A)
St Kevin’s: Uni Blacks (H) Old Haileybury (H) Old Xavs (A) Old Trinity (A) Uni Blues (H)
Old Scotch 13.9 (87)
St Kevin’s 8.12 (60)
GOALS:
OS: Clark 6; Jones, Badr & Milner 2; Fergusson 1.
STK: Canning & Williams 2; Gill, Jones, Mansfield & Tanner 1.
BEST:
OS: Will Clark, Harry Dixon, Jack Brown, Will Townsend, Angus Symons, Ollie Badr
STK: Ethan Phillips, Billy Coates, Sam Cameron, Jack Andriske, Ben Mansfield, Ollie Gill
Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “The game was pretty even for the first quarter before SKOB got the better of us in the second. Two late goals to Ollie Badr gave us some momentum coming into half-time.
“We were disappointed with a few aspects of our game, and the boys received some feedback at the break around those areas. The maturity of the group to then respond positively with a 6-goal to nil third quarter proves the growth of our young group in a very short timeframe.
“We finished the game strongly, and to beat two contenders in consecutive weeks is a testament to our resilience and system.
“Will Clark was a standout, and the support from some of our small forwards in Symons and Badr was great to see. We look forward to taking on Uni Blues this Saturday!”
Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “Scotch have certainly got their mojo back and were the better team on the day.
“Our boys were very good in the first half, but failed in the fundamentals of the game after half time. It was disappointing that we went away from the things that enabled us to have the lead.
“Scotch was very good in the areas that we expected them to be, so for us not to execute on that shows we still have plenty of growth in terms of application.”
University Blacks posted a critical victory in their mid-table clash against Caulfield Grammarians at Glen Huntly Park.
The game opened at breakneck speed, and VAFA Media commentators Matthew Donald and Hugo Higginbotham would note later that it was one of the fastest VAFA games they’d ever seen.
You couldn’t look away for a moment, with an incredible six goals (3 apiece) on the board in the first nine minutes as defences at both ends begged for some sort of temporary reprieve from the bombardment!
Inaccuracy prevented the Blacks from busting the game open early, as they added 5 consecutive behinds, before Matt Grocott eventually found the middle of the goals for his second major at the 29-minute mark. But, sure enough, the Fields responded instantly through Spencer Hankin, and by the time the siren sounded to end a remarkable opening term of football, it was 4.6 to 4.1 in favour of the Blacks.
The second term didn’t continue the shootout theme, as both teams started to dig in defensively. There was very little separating the teams in general play, with the Blacks building on their lead slightly, kicking 2.2 to 1.4 to head into the half-time interval with a 9-point advantage, courtesy of a time-on goal to Achilles Panopoulos.
Any outcome felt possible as the second half began, but it was Dale Bower’s visiting team who took control from the inside. They muscled up and began dominating clearances (15-5) and contested footy, then took territory (16 Inside 50s to 8 for the quarter) as Caulfield were forced onto the back foot.
Try as they might, the Fields couldn’t shut down the supply line to the Blacks’ forwards. Matt Grocott would boot 3 goals for the term and Tom St Clair 2, as the Blacks rocketed off into the distance with 6.3 to 2.2 to open up a commanding 34-point lead at the last change.
The visitors’ dominance continued into the final term, as they won the ball at the source, then controlled it via uncontested chains and intercept marking. It was a professional last quarter performance that prevented the gritty Fields from mounting any sort of comeback, and a couple of quick back-to-back goals from Seb McNamara midway through the term put the result beyond doubt.
In the end, it was a critical 44-point win for Uni Blacks that kicks them a game (plus 17%) clear of the drop zone. Their final score of 18.17 (125) was their largest since they kicked 19.16 (130) against Old Carey in Round 8, 2022, on their way to making the Premier B Grand Final that season.
It was their largest score in William Buck Premier Men’s since Round 17, 2017, when they kicked 21.13 (139) to defeat Old Xavs by 71 points.
Matthew Grocott, who booted 34 goals last season, but entered the weekend with 7 in 8 games, finished with 6 majors in his biggest haul in recent seasons. If he can maintain this level of influence in the run home, Blacks will immediately become a far more dangerous adversary.
Kane Loftus (who is also plying his trade with Richmond VFL this season) was best afield for Blacks, collecting 34 disposals (14 contested), 5 tackles, 13 clearances, 9 Inside 50s and 2 goals in a stunning performance that earned him the SKINS Player of the Game Award.
Harry Broderick was also outstanding with 37 touches, 8 clearances, 6 Inside 50s and a goal, while Jack Cassidy also found plenty of footy to finish with 33 disposals (18 contested), 4 tackles and 7 clearances.
It was a timely reminder of how irresistible the Blacks can be when they get their game humming, and why they loom as a key player in the run home, despite potentially not ending up in either of the finals or relegation races should they keep winning.
But first things first, and that means putting some distance between themselves and the drop zone. But it won’t be easy, given they face premiership contenders St Kevin’s and Old Xavs in the coming fortnight, then Old Scotch in the penultimate round.
Veteran forward Julian Dobosz was best for Caulfield, finishing with 5 goals, and his return from the Thirds in recent weeks has given the Fields the key forward target they’ve been crying out for.
Hugh McKenzie finished with 26 touches, 9 Rebound 50s and a goal in a hard-working performance, while Quinn Cooper was also praised by Paul Satterley for his 19 disposals (13 contested), 6 tackles and 6 clearances.
It was a disappointing afternoon for Caulfield, not only dashing their finals hopes but also dragging them back into the relegation race.
They’ve fallen behind Blacks on percentage, just one game clear of 9th placed Old Trinity – which makes this week’s clash with the T’s even more crucial. Win that, and they’ll kick two games clear. But lose, and Trinity will join them on 5 wins.
THE RUN HOME:
Uni Blacks: St Kevin’s (A) Old Xavs (H) Old Trinity (A) Old Scotch (H) Old Haileybury (H)
Caulfield: Old Trinity (A) St Bernard’s (A) Old Scotch (H) Uni Blues (A) Old Brighton (H)
University Blacks 18.17 (125)
Caulfield Grammarians 12.9 (81)
GOALS:
UB: Grocott 6; St.Clair 3; Loftus, Drummond & McNamara 2; Broderick, Curnow & Panopoulos 1.
CG: Dobosz 5; Loughnan 3; Hankin 2; McKenzie & Hutchings 1.
BEST:
UB: Kane Loftus, Max Geddes, Sam Conway, Harry Broderick, Matthew Grocott, Ben Stephenson
CG: Julian Dobosz, Quinn Cooper, Hugh McKenzie, Spencer Hankin, Archie Loughnan, Josh Hutchings
Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “The game was played at high speed early on; neither team could get real control of the ball.
“We were able to find another level in the third quarter and executed better on offence.
“I was really pleased for our players and coaches, because we have worked hard to improve in recent weeks. The performance was a great reward for effort. We are not done yet; we will keep driving to get better.”
Paul Satterley (Caulfield): “We had a game where the opposition was just better than us in every aspect, and that happens. From clearances to overall pressure, they were very good. On a day where we were under par, I could really only consider our tackling as an area where we might have considered to be at the necessary benchmark.
“Jules Dobosz was excellent kicking 5, and he was well supported by Archie Loughnan. Hugh McKenzie was a welcome return to our side.
“We need to work on our general execution and look to improve our efficiency.”
The final game of the round saw University Blues seize top spot for the first time since Round 18, 2019, courtesy of a thumping 97-point win over an undermanned and outgunned Old Haileybury at Melbourne University.
The Blues owned the football from the outset, but early inaccuracy prevented them from taking immediate control on the scoreboard.
The game was almost literally played at one end, with an incredible 24 Inside 50s to 1 in the opening term. However, credit to the Bloods’ defence, who managed to continually turn back the tide.
James Stewart would boot the only goal for the entire quarter 9 minutes in, after which time the Blues kicked 5 consecutive behinds while holding the Bloods scoreless for the term to lead by just 11 points at the first break.
The hosts’ dominance continued unabated in the second term, as the Blueboys once again owned the Sherrin with a remarkable 122 Disposals to 51 directly leading to 16 Inside 50s to 6. But once again, the Blues didn’t take full toll on the scoreboard, booting 3.4 to no score, yet still headed to the major break with a comfortable 33-point lead: 4.9 to 0.0.
It was Old Haileybury’s first goalless opening half since Round 18 last year (when they kicked 0.9 versus Old Scotch). It was their first SCORELESS opening half in the modern era (2011 onwards).
The Bloods’ first goal finally came 4 minutes into the third term, when a quick centre clearance resulted in Bailey Yates (who had been swung forward) being held when not in possession. He went back and coolly slotted the set shot from 40 metres out to give the visitors some hope of a revival.
They were beginning to even up the inside battle, however the Blues remained in control of the outside game via intercept marking and uncontested possession chains, and there was a sense that, should the Blues find their range around goal, the dam wall could break in a big way.
It was James Stewart who wielded the sledgehammer.
The former AFL forward exploded to boot 5 goals for the quarter, as the Blues began to put the Bloods to the sword. By three-quarter time they had extended their lead to 66 points, and Stewart had kicked an incredible 8.4 of their 10.14.
‘Ten Watch’ was suddenly on at Melbourne Uni Oval, and Blues fans didn’t have long to wait, when Stewart added majors at the 4 and 7-minute marks to reach double figures.
He would kick his 11th at the 26-minute mark as the rampaging Blues kicked 7.4 to 2.3 in the final term, powering away to an imperious 97-point win that lifted them above Old Xavs on percentage at the top of the table.
Full credit to the young and inexperienced Old Haileybury line-up, who never gave up and kept on fighting all afternoon, despite the unflattering scoreboard.
Stewart finished with 23 disposals, 13 marks and 11.6 in a stunning performance that extended his lead at the top of the William Buck Premier Men’s goalkicking leaderboard to 12 over Charlie Macisaac (57 to 45).
Last week’s VAFA Rising Star nominee Jack Hayter continued his blistering form, racking up 35 disposals (13 contested), 12 tackles and 5 clearances, while Jeremy Goddard (21 touches, 7 tackles, 6 clearances and a goal), Brad Ebert (31 and 7 Inside 50s), Marty Gleeson and Geordie LaCava (28 disposals apiece) were all excellent in the Blues’ big win.
The Seccull brothers (Brede and Durras) were best for the Bloods with 23 touches apiece, while Hugo Nosiara once again stuffed the stats sheet with 35 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 11 Rebound 50s and 5 Inside 50s in a superb performance.
It was a ‘double whammy’ loss for the Bloods, who not only missed out on the 4 points, but copped a 6% hit to their percentage as well, which slides them nearer to the clutches of 9th placed Old Trinity – there’s now less 2% separating them in the race to avoid relegation.
Next up, the Bloods must regroup and find a way to get over the Snowdogs at Princes Park. If they can do that, they’ll kick three games clear of the Dogs with just 4 to play. But if they can’t, only one game will separate them, and should Old Trinity defeat Caulfield, Old Haileybury will slide into the drop zone.
One of the most critical weekends of the entire season awaits!
THE ROAD AHEAD:
Uni Blues: Old Scotch (H) Old Brighton (A) St Bernard’s (H) Caulfield (H) St Kevin’s (A)
Old Haileybury: St Bernard’s (H) St Kevin’s (A) Old Brighton (A) Old Xavs (H) Uni Blacks (A)
University Blues 17.18 (120)
Old Haileybury 3.5 (23)
GOALS:
UB: Stewart 11; Cossar, Curran, W.Furphy, Goddard, Lord & Townson 1.
OH: Barrie, S.Stefanakis & Yates 1.
BEST:
UB: James Stewart, Jeremy Goddard, Brad Ebert, Geordie LaCava, Marty Gleeson, Jack Hayter
OH: Brede Seccull, Durras Seccull, Hugo Nosiara, Brodie Findlay, Archer Harrop, Liam Wood
Matt Smith (Uni Blues): “We were able to get the game on our terms early when we got the ball to the outside to runners, and transitioned quickly forward. Haileybury, to their credit, were able to clog the forward line up early and rebuff a lot of our forward entries.
“We eventually adapted and managed to start to spread their defence to get much better looks at goal.
“It was great to be able to put together another four-quarter performance and continue to build momentum heading into Scotch this week.
“It would be remiss of me not to mention James Stewart with his 11-goal haul, although a lot of our forward attacks wouldn’t have been possible without our back 6 functioning as well as it is currently.”
Guy Martyn (Old Haileybury): “Our young guys battled hard, but we were simply not good enough. Uni Blues are playing some really good football at the moment. They have plenty of experience, along with a very healthy list that is playing week in, week out.
“They simply dominated us all over the ground. In the air, on the ground, their ability to use the open spaces of their home ground.
“I watched James Stewart kick 7 goals in a quarter a couple of years ago, but his performance on Saturday was equally impressive.”
WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S – ROUND 14
Saturday, August 1 – 2pm:
Old Xaverians vs Old Brighton 1.45pm – VAFA TV & SEN app
University Blues vs Old Scotch 1.55pm – VAFA TV & Kommunity TV
St Kevin’s vs University Blacks 1.55pm – Kommunity TV
Old Haileybury vs St Bernard’s
Old Trinity vs Caulfield Grammarians
More pieces of the William Buck Premier Men’s puzzle will drop into place this weekend, featuring a number of games that will directly affect the race to avoid relegation. Safety
140 finals in six weeks! That is the challenge for VAFA to manage from next Saturday August 22nd when we commence hosting semi-finals for Premier B Women’s, Divisional Women’s, Holmesglen U19
The VAFA congratulates Ivy Compton from Old Haileybury, who has been nominated as the Round 15 VAFA Women’s Rising Star. Ivy has played 14 senior games for Old Haileybury this
