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VAFA William Buck Premier Men's Round 17 Review
Jason Bennett • August 25th, 2025 5:11 pm
Bloods & Cards to play virtual Elimination Final, while relegation now a race in two between the Dogs & Lions
Both the Finals & Relegation races will be decided on the last day of the home & away season.
Here’s Round 17 of Premier Men’s in review.
The pivotal result was at the Snake Pit as St Bernard’s gave their chances of surviving in the top-flight an enormous boost with their biggest win of the season – an incredible 83-point victory that sends a spiralling Old Haileybury into a virtual Elimination Final against reigning champs Old Scotch on the final day.
Entering without a victory over any team other than De La Salle since Round 4, the Snowdogs were on song from the outset. Led by Jackson Hately, who returned from Essendon’s VFL team for his first game of the season (13 disposals and 5 clearances in Q1), they smashed the Bloods 15-4 in Clearances, and led by 17 points at quarter-time.
Hately’s dominance continued in the second (another 12 disposals and 4 clearances) as the Snowdogs added 5.3, while the Bloods – who were creating opportunities – couldn’t find their radar, booting 3.8, with leading goalkicker Andreas Stefanakis contributing 3 of Old Haileybury’s 4 first-half goals.
Leading by 24 points at the half, VAFA fans around the competition wondered whether the Snowdogs could maintain the rage in such a high-stakes game. Not only did they continue to match the 4th placed Bloods, they outstripped them again in the third term, kicking 4.4 to 2.3 to extend their lead to 37 points at the final change, then blew them off the park in the last quarter.
It was a final term display that had the Snowdog faithful in raptures, as they slammed on 8.7 to 1.3 to storm away to a massive win, both in terms of the scoreboard and their chances of remaining in Premier Men’s in 2026.
Hately delivered one of the performances of the season, finishing with 47 disposals (23 contested), 11 clearances, 7 Inside 50s and a goal, leading the Dogs a game clear of Collegians with one to play.
However, the Lions play the winless De La Salle in the final round and have the superior percentage (almost 11%). So, the likelihood remains that the Dogs will need to pull off another Top 4 upset this weekend & roll the in-form St Kevin’s if they are to avoid relegation. They will enter that must-win game riding a wave of momentum and belief.
The same can’t be said of the Bloods, who sat equal second at the halfway mark of the season, 3 games clear of the Cardinals at that point.
But they’ve lost 6 of their last 8 to be clinging to fourth by their fingernails, and will have to defeat the reigning premiers in a virtual Elimination Final this weekend if they are to play finals.
Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “It was our most complete four-quarter performance of the season, and the boys rose to the challenge.
“The return of several senior and VFL players had a big impact. They seized the opportunity to lead and brought the physical, contested brand of footy we’ve been missing in recent months.
“That’s the standard we’ll take into next week. With nothing to lose, we’ll be physical, tough, hard-running and uncompromising in our fight to avoid relegation.”
Daniel Ward (Old Haileybury): “We started the game well and it was looking how we wanted it to. But we didn’t take our opportunities in front of goal and St Bernard’s did.
“Credit to Steve and his group as they wanted it more in the end. The game got away from us late with multiple injuries and no bench. We dust ourselves off and go again for all the marbles next week.”
The Snowdogs’ win puts additional relegation pressure on Collegians, who battled bravely against Old Brighton at Brighton Beach Oval, but, like so many before them, couldn’t quite go the full four quarters and fell short late.
Buoyed by pushing Old Xavs to within 2 points last week, the Lions were bolstered by the return of VFL players Luke Nelson (Carlton) and Josh Walker (Coburg) and had just as much footy as the Tonners in the opening term, but 2 goals to Will Lewis saw the hosts lead by 15 points at the first break.
The second term once again showed Collegians’ capacity to stretch any team this season, as they took control around the stoppages, won the territory battle and finally got some return for effort – Campbell Walker leading the way with 11 touches and a goal as the Lions kicked 4 goals to 2 to close within 2 points at the half.
Despite the Tonners’ contest dominance, the scoreboard remained tight throughout the third term, with 2 goals apiece added, and gun players stepping up in big moments on both sides.
The last quarter was far closer than the final score suggested. Will Lewis gave the hosts a 13-point lead 3 minutes in, but the Lions responded with 2 goals in 2.5 minutes – Alex Lukic kicking a miraculous goal out of the ruck contest to level the scores at the 9-minute mark.
However, the league leaders just find a way to win at Fortress Brighton, and despite having lost skipper Harry Hill to injury, Old Brighton ultimately did so again, kicking the last 4 goals of the game.
Joey Campigli dribbled one through at the 13-minute mark, followed by Luke Travers running into an open goal to give the Tonners some breathing room entering time on.
Will Lewis then sealed it with another 2 in 3 minutes at the death, as Old Brighton prevailed for an 18th straight win at home – two complete home & away campaigns unbeaten at Brighton Beach Oval.
Lewis kicked 5 and looms as a big watch during September, given his Footscray VFL team has won the minor premiership, so he will be called up by the Bulldogs to serve them in the coming weeks. Joey Campigli booted 3 and his Sandringham team is done for the year, so the Tonners will once again look to their young gun to lead them up forward in September.
A familiar refrain for Collegians this season – ultra competitive all afternoon, but ultimately unable to secure the 4 points, which leaves them teetering in 9th position and with their destiny now out of their hands in the race to avoid relegation.
They must defeat De La Salle and then hope that St Kevin’s do them a favour against St Bernard’s. The idea of the Purple Army barracking for SKOB is almost unthinkable, but that will be the scenario this Saturday!
Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “Always a tough game against Jordy and the Collegians boys. It felt like we started really effectively and were playing how we had designed, but they were absolutely on from a pressure perspective, causing turnover and trying to get us in transition. We weren’t as clean as we would like to be, caused by Collegians’ pressure and overused it a bit, making it hard to get the ball to dangerous forwards.
“We were able to eventually get some decent Inside 50’s and defended a lot more effectively across the second 60 minutes, grinding out a good win in the context with Collegians having plenty to play for.
“Hamish Dick has put together some great games in a row, looking dangerous wherever he is put, Corkey terrific again down back in a lot of 1v1’s and Lewis and Campigli worked hard and made the most of some difficult ball movement and not-ideal forward entries!”
Jordie McKenzie (Collegians): “Playing Brighton at Brighton is always a significant challenge, and our boys put together another spirited outing. Nonetheless, it was disappointing not to get the result after being well and truly in the game once again at 3 quarter time.
“Our second quarter was our most pleasing, where we were able to provide some really strong forward half pressure, and generate some front-half turnovers that resulted in some well-deserved goals.
“Credit to Brighton, their class and slick ball movement prevailed in the last quarter, where they were able to hit the scoreboard against the slight breeze.
“Josh Walker and Jonty McGuiness were outstanding around the ball, with Scott Beilby and Jasper Davey being resolute in the backline.
“A big and exciting week of footy ahead as we fight to stay in Premier, a challenge we are looking forward to.”
The other by-product of Old Haileybury’s big loss was that it left the door ajar for the chasing pack and Old Scotch kicked it wide open with a supreme performance against University Blacks at Melbourne Uni.
With a bunch of big-name VFL stars returning, the Cardinals looked like their 2024 premiership selves, sending a chilling message to the other finals contenders – “If we make it, look out. Our premiership defence is NOT over!”
They were sharp from the outset and the difference in disposal efficiency was telling – the Cards going at 64% Kick Efficiency for the day, compared to just 45% for the Blacks. It enabled Old Scotch to control possession and dictate terms and, despite having one less Inside 50, led 4.3 to 1.1 at quarter time.
They kept it rolling in the term, slamming on 6.2 to 1.1 as the likes of Aiden Franetic, Henry Brown and Hugo Bromell found plenty of the football. Bromell, who lined up for the Cards for the first time since 2023 after spending the last two seasons at Coburg, had 9 touches for the quarter on his way to 28 for the afternoon.
51 points at the half, the Cardinals maintained their pace, adding a further 5 answered goals in the third term as Alex Noblet bobbed up with 12 touches on his way to 30.
5 goals to 1 in the final term saw Old Scotch’s revamped line-up win it by a whopping 105 points - their largest since Round 17, 2023, when they belted Caulfield Grammarians by 176. 8 players had 27 disposals or more, led by Henry Brown with 36, while Tyler Sellers celebrated his return from Essendon with 5 goals.
Sam Conway battled hard all day for the Blacks, while dynamic duo James Clark and Kane Loftus combined for 50 touches.
It was a disappointing way for the Blacks’ brave revival to end – their gritty mid-season revival petering out with losses to St Kevin’s, the Blues and now a revitalised Cardinals, who have come from nowhere to potentially turn the 2025 premiership race on its head.
We all know the old cliché that ‘a week’s a long time in football,’ but this is something else.
Two weeks ago, I declared Old Scotch’s premiership defence ‘officially over’ after dropping 4 games in a row to fall 2 games plus 10% behind both the Bloods and Blacks with just 3 games to play. Sure, they were still a mathematical chance of turning it around, but it would take an incredible set of circumstances.
Enter an incredible set of circumstances.
Just a fortnight later, they’re suddenly hot favourites to make the finals and, if they can keep this line-up together, a genuine chance to defend their title. Such is this crazy, unpredictable 2025 season!
Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “It was a strong 4-quarter performance by the boys this week. The question with eight changes was going to be around synergy and our ability to connect across the ground. The good news is that the boys are all across our system and executed brilliantly.
“We have learnt a lot in recent times. 14 days ago, we were in relegation conversations and now we have an opportunity to play finals. Things can change quickly!! So, our immediate focus is Old Haileybury in an elimination final and we look forward to the challenge.”
Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “It’s all always an interesting time of the year when the regular VFL season ends. Old Scotch loaded up on their VFL talent and were super impressive in how they went about it.
“It was not a great day for our lads, but it was fitting that club great Joel Ernest was awarded the James Green medal in his 150th game for the Blacks. We have one last opportunity to go out and give our all again against quality opposition in Old Xavs.”
Speaking of Old Xaverians, they remained in the race for the minor premiership by ending the University Blues’ 3-game winning streak in no uncertain terms at Toorak Park.
Xavs entered having won 9 of their last 10 and, despite some injury concerns to front-line players, dominated contested footy early to lead by 14 points at the first break.
The Blues responded to even up the inside battle in the second quarter as the game opened up, providing a 10-goal showcase of entertaining football. 3 goals in 7 minutes during time-on gave Xavs 6 goals to 4 for the term, extending their advantage to 29 points at the half.
The script flipped in the third quarter as the game tightened up again. Just one goal apiece was the result as both sides peppered but couldn’t find the middle. The Blues were on top around the stoppages but went at just 48% by foot for the quarter and were particularly wayward entering Forward 50, preventing them from making any inroads on the deficit – Xavs narrowly winning the quarter to lead by 31 at the last break.
Then, out of nowhere, the hosts put the game to bed with a withering burst which saw them ram on 5 goals in 6-and-a-half minutes early in the final term. It was an impressive flex and a reminder of Xavs’ ability to score in a hurry.
In the end, they added 9 goals to 2 in the last quarter to explode away to a 74-point win in a game that was much closer than that for most of the afternoon.
Stirling Phipps-Parsons returned from Carlton and shone, with 25 disposals, 10 tackles, 5 clearances and 3 goals, while Charlie Knott and Campbell Lane racked up 28 and 26 respectively.
Youngster Mitch Lloyd had another outstanding game for the Blues, who are safe from relegation alongside the Blacks in mid-table limbo.
Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “This was a really good win in the end by the boys on Saturday. After watching our Reserves lose their first game of the year, it was obvious that Blues had come to play, and their form over the last 6 weeks stacks up with the best in the competition.
“From the outset, we came with pressure and pace in the game, and managed the lead throughout. We finished strong with a few last quarter goals to blow the result out, but it was a game played at high intensity and competitiveness from both teams.”
Matt Smith (Uni Blues): “In the end, it was a disappointing result. Xavs were just clearly a better team on the day – a very polished side and when allowed to run are very difficult to stop.
“We battled hard for the majority of the game, and I couldn’t question our intent. It just wasn’t our day.”
The final game of the weekend was the only one that COULDN’T impact the ladder, and it was St Kevin’s continuing their tune-up for September with a 102-point domination of De La Salle at TH King.
The writing was on the wall early, as SKOB burst from the gates to control contest and territory, compiling a 7-goal opening term to lead by 32 points at the first change – Jack Mahony with an eye-popping 16 disposals, 6 clearances and 2 goals in the first stanza alone!
Credit to De La Salle, who halted the hosts’ momentum in the second term, which produced just 3 goals in total – 2 of them to De La as Rob Amendola rolled up his sleeves with 11 touches and 4 clearances for the term to keep the visitors within 5 goals at the major break.
But St Kevin’s came out with a renewed focus in the third quarter, playing the far more precise and efficient football to control possession and boot 6 goals to 1, blowing their lead out to 62 points.
The final term was more of the same, with another 8 goals to 2 as contested beast Luke Winter ran riot, racking up 18 touches, 9 clearances and 2 goals for the quarter as his team careered away to a 102-point win – their largest since their 155-point Round 14, 2023 win over Caulfield Grammarians.
It was a game of big numbers, with four players topping 30 disposals – Luke Winter (35, with 21 contested and 14 clearances), Rob Amendola (35, with 18 contested and 9 clearances), Jack Mahony (33, with 15 contested and 10 clearances) and Cam Hodges (32, with 10 Inside 50s).
Pleasingly for Anthony Lynch, SKOB finished with 7 multiple goalkickers, led by Sam Critchley with 4 and four players who booted 3 apiece.
In all the uncertainty of the ladder entering the final round, these are the two teams who already know their fate. St Kevin’s will finish third and face a cut-throat First Semi Final against either Old Haileybury or Old Scotch, while De La Salle will return to Premier B after one season in the top flight.
Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): I was really pleased with our performance. I know the scoreline flattered us, but I thought the De La boys showed genuine spirit and had a real crack for each other across the duration of the game.
“I was most happy with our ball movement across the ground and our evenness in contribution, that’s what we will require over the next month if we are going to challenge the best teams in the competition.”
Nick Hyland (De La Salle): “A disappointing display from us. Comprehensively outplayed by a very strong St Kevin’s team. Anthony has them really well set for the business end of the season and they are going to be really hard to stop.
“It’s been a challenging year, but we will be looking to finish on a positive note against Collegians next week.”
And, so the season comes down to the final Saturday.
Old Haileybury will host Old Scotch in a virtual elimination final. The winner will progress to face St Kevin’s, while the loser is done for 2025.
St Bernard’s can secure their safety if they defeat St Kevin’s, but if they don’t, Collegians will leapfrog them if they can beat De La Salle.
A thrilling rollercoaster ride awaits on Saturday afternoon!
WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S – ROUND 18
SATURDAY AUGUST 30 – 2pm:
Old Haileybury vs Old Scotch - VAFA.com.au & SEN app – 1.45pm
St Bernard’s vs St Kevin’s - Kommunity TV double-header – 11.35am
Old Xaverians vs University Blacks - VAFA.com.au LIVE STREAM – 1.55pm
Collegians vs De La Salle
University Blues vs Old Brighton
(Photo credit: @capturedbybrigette)
