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Important SN update for SouthlandVAFA William Buck Premier Men's Round 10 Review
Jason Bennett • June 24th, 2025 5:46 pm
Back-to-back draws for Blues, while Tonners scrape by the Bloods
A couple of thrillers headlined a dramatic Saturday of Premier Men’s action.
Incredibly, University Blues played out their second consecutive draw in a low-scoring nailbiter against Collegians at Melbourne Uni Oval.
For the second straight week, the Blues dominated the opening term, kicking 3.5 to 1.0 before the Lions levelled things up at half-time, courtesy of 3 goals in time-on of the second quarter.
Another major early in the third gave Collegians five in a row as they threatened to open a handy lead. But scoring dried up for the rest of the term and it was the Lions by 7 points at the last break.
Last quarters have been a nightmare for the Blues over the past month, and when they could only find two behinds in the first 25 minutes, they appeared headed for another heartbreaking loss.
But up stepped their gun spearhead James Stewart. His mark and long-range goal from 47 metres put the Blues up by a point at the 25-minute mark, and the agonies of recent weeks appeared to be over.
At least for the next four anxious minutes until Lion Will Pewtress marked 45 metres out on a 45-degree angle, with the chance to break the Blues’ hearts. But his kick just scraped in for a behind, so when the siren sounded 35 seconds later, the two teams were locked together on 46 points.
It’s a critical result in the race to avoid relegation, maintaining the Blues’ half-a-game advantage over the Lions.
Darcy Chirgwin maintained his Team of the Year form with another 41 disposals (25 contested, with 13 tackles and 12 clearances), while Max Pinchbeck and Jim Bazzani combined for 26 clearances for Collegians.
Matt Smith (Uni Blues): “A heavily contested game, where the team that was cleanest would reap the rewards.
“A wasteful first quarter really hurt and denied us scoreboard pressure, keeping them in the fight.
“Our inability to execute simple skills invited pressure and turnovers which, to their credit, Collegians took advantage of.
“We’ll take the 2 points, but we won’t be happy with the result as another one slipped through our fingers.”
Jordie McKenzie (Collegians): “Disappointingly, we started very poorly, where our intensity was well off the mark. Luckily, we were able to stay within striking distance.
“Our second and third quarters were quite strong, where we were able to win the inside battle, and use the ball more efficiently on the outside. We were able to get some good looks going forward, where Lukic and Thomas were able to finish strongly.
“The last quarter was a high-pressure arm wrestle, where Uni were able to gain the majority of the ascendancy. A draw was disappointing, but there were some positives we can take from the game, as well as some clear learnings.”
The other thriller played out at Princes Park as Old Brighton prevailed by the barest possible margin over Old Haileybury.
It wasn’t shaping as a nailbiter when the Tonners dominated the opening term, slamming on 5.6 to 2.0, courtesy of 22 Inside 50s to 9.
But Daniel Ward’s men flipped the game around in the second quarter, controlling the territory battle for 5 unanswered goals and an 8-point half-time lead.
The Bloods’ intercept game saw them continually turn back the tide in the third term, taking 9 Intercept Marks for the quarter as the teams booted 2 goals apiece – the hosts up by a goal entering the final quarter.
The Tonners struck first to draw within a point via a Ben Pryor goal at the 8-minute mark, before Cody Goonewardene responded from a free kick at the 18-minute mark to re-establish a buffer for the Bloods.
Trailing by a goal, Alfie Jarnestrom crumbed a ruck contest to tie things up at the 22-minute mark, then the Tonners scrambled two late behinds to lead by that margin before Mattias Rose’s quick snap at the 29-minute mark missed right to make it a 1-point game.
Try as they might, the Bloods couldn’t find the late winner – the Tonners hanging on desperately for a heart-stopping win that maintains their one-game advantage at the top, while Old Haileybury slip a game further back in outright third.
Harry Hill led from the front with 32 touches for Old Brighton, while Mitch Kirkwood-Scott continued his excellent form for the Bloods with 36 disposals and an incredible 23 Rebound 50s.
Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “What an advertisement for amateur football! The margin throughout the day was tight, so it was only fitting that it went right down to the last seconds.
“We understood the challenge that Haileybury provided - they are probably the most dynamic team in the competition - and Wardy has that forward momentum, chain handballing, offensive game working so well for them. It is a really difficult method to limit, but I’m very proud of our boys’ ability to pressure effectively enough to generate opportunities the other way.
“We had some exceptional individual performances, none better than our skipper, who played heavy minutes and won so many moments. The battle in the ruck was a great one, Felix working hard all day and, behind the ball, Max Benier and Louis Butler were so diligent and hard to beat, providing great rebound. Alfie Jarnestrom’s goal to level scores late was one I’ll be having a few looks at.”
Daniel Ward (Old Haileybury): “A great game of quality VAFA football with great effort and intensity from both sides.
“Very disappointed not to get the result when leading at the last change and kicking to the scoring end in the last.
“In this competition, you win or you learn and, fair to say, there were some things late that we can fix up. Credit to OB who, led by Harry Hill and Tom Fisher, won key moments in the last term and deserved the 4 points.”
Old Xaverians kept their momentum rolling with a comfortable victory over St Kevin’s at Toorak Park.
The hosts dominated the early territory battle, but it was SKOB who booted 2 of the first 3 goals before Xavs added a couple late in the opening term to lead it by 10 points.
St Kevin’s struck first in the second quarter via Sam Critchley but went goalless for the rest of the stanza as Xavs added three (including a long-range goal to Josh Kennedy, who departed with a nasty hamstring injury shortly after.)
Trailing by 20 points at the main break, SKOB hung in during the third term as the teams went goal-for-goal.
It took until the final quarter for Xavs to break the game open. They kicked the first 3 goals of the last term to run away to a handy 32-point win, snapping a 6-game losing streak against SKOB – their first victory over their great rivals since 2022.
This week, it was Marcus Stavrou getting off the chain for Xavs with 39 disposals, 7 clearances and 9 Inside 50s, while Charlie MacIsaac added another 4 goals to his season tally. Anthony Seaton worked tirelessly in defence for SKOB, racking up 28 touches and 9 Rebound 50s.
Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “You have to go back to 2022 to have seen a Xavs side beat SKOBS, so it’s obviously pretty pleasing to get that monkey off the back!
“They’re just such a well-drilled side - they’re disciplined in every aspect of the game, and they make you earn it if you’re going to beat them. So, to get the W, I can be proud that we had to do it the hard way against a quality side.
“It was a pretty even four-quarter performance in the end. Our work at the contest was probably the standout, although we had some great contributions behind the ball and up forward as well. Another huge challenge awaits us against the form team of the competition next week, as we venture out to Melb Uni to play Blacks.”
Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “I was happy with how we started the game, but from then on, Old Xavs were really impressive and controlled the game.
“They looked incredibly well drilled, and their work rate across the ground was very strong. Their pressure forced us into error, and we were not able to get our game going.
“We have some work to do, but there is plenty of footy left and we are confident we can bounce back.”
University Blacks continued their remarkable revival and extended St Bernard’s winless streak at the Snake Pit.
The Snowdogs had the better of the early breeze, booting 5 goals to 2 to lead by 20 points at the first break, then maintained that margin with just a goal apiece in the second.
Critically, the Blacks halved their deficit into the breeze in the third, closing to within 10 points by the final change, courtesy of a 3-goal-to-1 third quarter.
They exploded in the final term with the wind at their backs, booting five unanswered goals to blow past the Dogs for an impressive 22-point win – their fifth on the trot - their best winning streak since 2022.
There was very little between the teams statistically, with Blacks slightly edging the Snowdogs in most major categories. In the end, it came down to accuracy – the visitors having two more scoring shots, but finishing with 11.8 to 7.10.
James Clark returned in style for Blacks with 30 disposals (16 contested, 13 tackles and 7 clearances), while Tom Sullivan racked up 27 and 8 clearances for the Dogs, who are winless from their last four starts as their promising first half of the season threatens to unravel.
They are now a game and a half outside the Top 4, with a critical month ahead that includes dates with St Kevin’s, Old Xavs, and Old Brighton.
The Blacks have kicked a game clear in fourth, ahead of a season-defining fortnight at home against Old Xavs and Old Haileybury.
Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “It’s never easy winning at the Snake Pit, and St Bernard’s held the upper hand around the contest and on the scoreboard in the first half.
“We were able to get our game going midway through the third term, which gave us a good opportunity to win the game with the wind in the last.
“A big step for our boys to fight back from this situation, which we were unable to do last year at St Bernard’s when they challenged us in the third. The big challenges continue over the next two weeks for us.”
Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “A really tight battle and hard-fought game for most of the day. I thought we started the game really well. Our focus and stoppage work was working for us.
“Uni Blacks - as they always do - hung in there defensively. We weren’t able to capitalise on some opportunities at crucial times, and we weren’t able to close them out.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the overall endeavour of our group today.”
The final game of the weekend saw Old Scotch ultimately get on top of De La Salle at Camberwell Sportsground.
But it was all De La early as they blitzed the reigning champs with an attractive, expansive brand of football in the opening term, racking up 19 Inside 50s to 5 and deserved 11-point leaders at the first break.
But the Cardinals responded strongly with a 4-goal-to-1 second quarter to edge in front by 8 points at the half, based largely on tidy ball use and superior front-half efficiency.
Scoring dried up in the third term, with Luke Healy booting the only goal of the quarter entering time-on as the visitors closed to within 3 points at the final change.
But just as their loyal fans started daring to dream of their breakthrough win, they witnessed an all-too-familiar occurrence: an opponent wriggled free and inflicted fatal damage in a powerful burst.
Will Clark kicked the first goal of the last term at the 4-minute mark, and from there, the 2024 premiers seized the initiative, booting 5 goals in 11 minutes to crack the game wide open.
De La responded with back-to-back goals from Ryan O’Meara and Rob Amendola to spark hopes of a late fightback, but the damage was done – Old Scotch posting their third win in four starts to remain within striking distance of the Top 4, one game behind Uni Blacks but with superior percentage.
Like a number of teams, their next month will be critical – Old Haileybury (at Scotch College), their nemesis team, Collegians (away), Old Brighton (home) and Old Xavs (away). It’s a testing stretch that may ultimately determine whether the champs earn a shot at defending their title come September.
Cardinal big man Sam Grant was outstanding once again, working in harmony with Aidan Franetic anand Brodie Easton, while Luke Healy booted 4 goals for De La, who were well served by Fraser Cameron and Rob Amendola.
Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “De La Salle certainly came with strong intent around the contest, where they pressured us into turnover. They were able to create scoring opportunities off the back of their pressure, so we needed to adjust and slowly work the momentum back our way.
“It was a bit of an arm wrestle in the third before we were able to close the game out strongly. I completely agree with the comments of other coaches that De La will be a challenge in the back half of the season. They play with great spirit and effort, and a win is just around the corner.
“For us, it was very exciting to blood another debutant - 17 year old Harry Dixon. Harry has been playing at Oakleigh Chargers, his junior club is Ashy Redbacks, and he is still in Year 12 at Camberwell High School. He played in our 19s last season with his brother, so it was great to continue that pathway to senior footy within our program.”
Nick Hyland (De La Salle): “I thought we played a really strong first three quarters. Following on from last week, it was some of the best footy we’ve played all year. Pressure was right up and we defended their short kicking game really well. This created turnovers for us, and we were able to generate scores on the back of that. We looked dangerous in our front half and were having some good one-on-one wins.
“Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t sustain it in the final term. Scotch lifted around the ball and threw a few different things at us, which gave them momentum. Conceding a few quick goals in the final term was disappointing for us and from there, we were chasing the game. Credit to Mark and the Scotch group for the way they executed in the final term when the game was up for grabs.
“I’ve been pleased with our method over the past fortnight and the way we have prepared. Evidence suggests that if we get these things right, this will give us the best chance of putting ourselves in winning positions.”
WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S – ROUND 11
SATURDAY JUNE 28 – 2pm:
Old Scotch vs Old Haileybury - VAFA.com.au live stream & SEN app – 1.45pm
University Blacks vs Old Xaverians - Kommunity TV double-header from 11.35am
St Kevin’s vs St Bernard’s - VAFA.com.au LIVE STREAM – 1.55pm
Old Brighton vs University Blues
De La Salle vs Collegians
