The first week of finals for Division 1 Men’s is complete, with one game proving to be a tough defensive battle and another week where Preston Bullants show why they are still the side to beat this year.
Prahran 6.4 (40) def Oakleigh 4.9 (33)
In a battle between the division’s best defensive side in Prahran and the offensive juggernaut of Oakleigh, the Two Blues’ defence came out on top, keeping the Krushers to just 33 points and win by seven points to move on to the second round of finals.
Despite Oakleigh winning both prior matchups this season, Prahran was ready for the challenge in this Elimination Final.
In a low scoring game that favoured the Two Blues, they were able to score five goals to one in the first half and maintain the margin in the third term.
The Krushers fought hard in the final quarter, equalising the score with not long to go; however, it wasn’t enough, as Prahran’s captain Rory Brodie kicked a goal in the dying minutes to win the game for his side.
Despite an incredibly entertaining regular season, this is once again an early exit for Oakleigh, who similarly got kicked out of the finals last season in an Elimination Final against Kew.
Hopefully the continued finals footy experience helps them become stronger next year in the big games.
Prahran will continue their finals dream with an away game against Kew, after Kew’s 59-point loss to a dominant Preston Bullants side.
The Two Blues will once again have to show up defensively against another offensive powerhouse; Kew lost in the second round of finals last season, and Prahran will be hoping to make history repeat once again.
See every goal below 👇
Preston Bullants 17.18 (120) def Kew 8.13 (61)
In a relatively unexpected turn, Preston dominated a Kew side that had been in red-hot form.
While the Bullants were near on undefeated this year, the Bears had been the one side to push them in the regular season.
Preston was able to stack up a huge score for finals footy, with 35 scoring shots and a final total of 120, while simultaneously showing their defensive balance, keeping Kew under 100 points for the first time in eight weeks.
Preston dominated in the first term, going into the first break with a 27-point lead. Kew caught up in the second term, in part due to Preston’s inaccuracy, although Kew couldn’t stop the continuous scoring of the Bullants, with them breaking away to a 42-point margin before the final term. Preston didn’t allow Kew any inroads from there, staying in control throughout the final term for a 59-point win.
Preston will now go straight into the Grand Final, deservingly so after a powerful season and a thorough finals performance.
While Kew’s regular season efforts give them a second opportunity, this time at home against Elimination Final winner Prahran.
The Bears will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last year, going out in the second round of finals once again.
Prahran have been traditionally hard to score against this year, so Kew will need to be far more efficient on the scoreboard to get another chance against the Preston Bullants.
The VAFA is delighted to announce the Club Connect Club of the Month winner for July is University Blacks Football Club, recognised for their outstanding commitment to community engagement, inclusion, participation
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