The gap at the top is starting to stretch!

Photo: Bruce Tobin

After Round 3 of the William Buck Premier season we’ve got a peloton style breakaway that’s leaving the rest of the pack chasing the front-runners while a couple of sides will head into round 4 still looking for their first win of the year. 

A picturesque Saturday afternoon greeted VAFA fans as many venues took a moment to pause, reflect and commemorate the Anzacs across this weekend. 

Collegians and Old Scotch in recent years have built up their now-traditional Anzac weekend match with a pre-game ceremony and a match played fittingly in the spirit of the Anzacs. At Harry Trott Oval yesterday, they’re the early surprise packet of 2022 as they’ve launched to start the year 3-0. 

The margin could’ve been much greater if not for inaccuracy in front of goal (13.22), but they (like St Kevin’s) become the first sides this year to reach the 100 point mark. Ed Greene kicked 4 in the victory on his way to best on ground honours while Josh Watson & Dave Mirra kicked 2 apiece in the win. Bryce Milford kicked 4 of Old Scotch’s 7 for the afternoon. 

It sets up a tantalising match up next Saturday at T H King Oval against St Kevin’s and has us all thinking back to the rivalry of 2017/2018. 

Speaking of St Kevin’s, they were challenged early on in the day by Caulfield Grammarians before breaking their backs and running away with the points with 10 goals to 4 after half-time. 

There were pre-season questions around how this “new-look” Skob side would go under Plugga Lynch, but you can’t question the endeavour and attack on the footy. Nor can you argue with the spread of goalkickers each week, or amount of shots they have (33 v 10 on Saturday). 

Luke Winter kicked 2 in a best on ground performance, Paddy Kerr (St Kevin’s) slotted home 3 majors, while Keegan Stewart booted 3 for the Fields. 

Is next week when it all comes together for the Fields like it did 12 months ago in Round 4? We’ll have to wait and see when they host Old Xaverians at Glenhuntly Oval. 

Xav’s fans again found themselves with little nails left on the end of their fingers going down to Old Melburnians by 1 point in another all-time classic. 

Paul Satterly’s men were held goalless in the opening quarter and trailed by 24 points before working their way back into the clash and closing the gap to 5 points at 3 quarter time. Sam Dunnell was the star up forward for OM’s kicking a terrific goal from the boundary line in front of the grandstand and snapping a beautiful major from 40m out. 

Al Armstrong and Tom Baker kicked the remaining goals for the victors as they take their season tally to 2-1 with the Snowdogs awaiting them in round 4 at Elsternwick Park. 

For Old Xaverians, Shaun Hampson made his debut for the club in the ruck, they had the chance to win the game in the final seconds with a Symeopoulos shot at goal just going wide. To rub salt further into the wounds, VAFA favourite Brendan Goss went down late in the game with a knee injury.

Old Brighton are the third breakaway sides this year as they move to 3-0 with the University Blues not having it all their own way at Brighton Beach Oval, it’s the third straight come-from-behind win for the Tonners over the Blues.. Early round sharpshooter Sam Grimley didn’t trouble the scorers, while Alex Fasolo kicked 4 for the losing side. 

It’s the second week in a row Brighton have come home with a wet sail in the final quarter to claim victory, showing us all their ability to run out games strongly right to the final siren, with a never-say-die attitude. Aidan Johnson was named the best on ground for Brighton, as Karayannis, Tait, Oscar Lewis and Harry Reynolds all kicked 2 goals each. 

Out at the Snakepit St Bernard’s opened their account for the first time this season beating Old Trinity by 60 points. Despite the near perfect conditions, goals were hard to come by as inaccuracy reigned supreme with both sides accumulated 30 behinds for the afternoon.  

Despite the inaccuracy it was a moment to remember for St Bernard’s debutant Lucas Edmonds at the 25 minute mark of the last quarter to take the mark of the day, and slot the goal of the day from beyond 50m. 

Jeremy O’Sullivan (H & C Lambert Medallist) was best afield for the Snowdogs down in defence while Chris Hughes kicked 4 goals in his 150th game. For the T’s, Harry Thompson may well have taken 20+ marks for the afternoon in his defensive 50m arc as he tried valiantly all afternoon.  

The Snowdogs get themselves out of the bottom 2 for the moment while Old Trinity will front up to University Blues in round 4.