The early season report card makes for great reading at St Kevin’s

Back in the latter years of my time at school, the first three terms were the window of focus (the home and away season), while term four resulted in weeks of celebration (finals time) culminating in the good that came from the year.

If we’re to break down the William Buck Premier Men’s season in the same way, then the conclusion of the round gone marks the end of term one. Although there’s no holidays to separate terms, this weekend marks the next block of games that will be most intriguing in the set up of the 2022 season on the way to the mid-season bye.

St Kevin’s opening term score – 6 wins, 0 losses – 213.89% (Mark: A+)

The ladder leaders were given an opening round scare against Old Melburnians but since then haven’t put a foot wrong. Anthony “Plugger” Lynch has taken the reigns and continued the dominance they’ve displayed since the premiership year of 2017.

For all the talk of drones at training, an 18-man press and strangling opposition at T H King Oval, it’s been proven that no one can penetrate the defensive unit which are conceding just 42 points per game. And, while they’ve tightened the clamps in defence, they start and finish games in attack just as powerfully having not lost a first or final quarter this season outscoring opponents by 180 points in total.

Paddy Kerr has kicked 16 goals for the season, while rising star nominee Jack Darmody (7), Daniel Aplin (6) and Luke Mahoney (5) have provided great support. Ruckman Angus Hart is ably supported through the midfield with Luke Winter, Cam Hodges and plenty of other contributors.

After the opening 6 rounds, maybe the competition will catch St Kevin’s and that will start this weekend at Toorak Park however again, like many formlines, it falls in their favour.

Next 3 matches to the Queen’s Birthday bye: Old Xaverians (A), Old Brighton (A), Uni Blues (H)

Old Brighton – 5 wins, 1 loss – 144.26% (A)

Perhaps it was a bit too early to ask Brian Waldron if Greg Hutchison would be coach of the year after round 2 when the Tonners came from behind to beat Old Xavier at Toorak Park but it was a win that sent a message to the rest of the competition. And, running away from Collegians in the second half in round 6 with accurate kicking in front of goal further underlined their dominance.

While Old Brighton at home is almost an impossible task, you would be hard-pressed to find any opposition that enjoys a day out by the bay. The conditions suit no one but the young, brash blue and red brigade. Like the ladder leaders, they’ve held opposition sides to 41.3 points per game at Brighton Beach Oval.

There were pre-season questions around covering Nick Pavlou through the midfield, not a problem with Max Kennedy coming across from Ormond. How do you cover the significant injury to Lochie Filipovic? You ask Andrew Doyle and Deandre Olivier to shoulder the load. Harry Hill has added another string to his bow, going forward and kicking goals from stoppages. “Hutch” hasn’t been afraid to leave him one out in the goal square as the ace in the pack, which leaves a lot of small defenders very nervous.

There’s a blemish to the record, the loss to Old Scotch where Mark Gnatt found a way through with his own young, brash crew. No doubt they learned plenty about themselves and will see that as one that got away.

They head out to the Snakepit this weekend, this ground will hold no fears for them, a win this Saturday goes a long way to cementing themselves in the top 2 for the year.

Next 3: St Bernard’s (A), St Kevin’s (H), Old Melburnians (A)

Old Melburnians – 4 wins, 2 losses – 119.61% (A)

The team that now resides at the home of the VAFA have started this year in a way that we’ve hoped and expected them to start in recent years. The two games they’ve lost – Round 1 to St Kevin’s by 8 points where they had their chances, and Round 5 to University Blues by 13 points. In both losses they’ve failed to get beyond 50 points.

When OM’s win, they hit the scoreboard averaging 25 scoring shots per game. Goals come in bags from Sam Dunnell, Al Armstrong, Tom Baker and Jackson Paine. Three of their four wins have come against the bottom sides however the way they’ve gone about those victories would impress Paul Satterley. There’s a bold sign of maturity in the OM’s winning the games they’re “expected” to win.

The moment of their year came in the form of a come from behind win against Xav’s at Toorak Park. It was early on in the season, that may be the moment the team refers back to when they’re in need of a spark, or moment of belief to give them the confidence they need to compete.

Ed Nicholls has continued on his 2021 rising star winning season, supported every week by older brother Will. Daniel Coffield and Tom Baker (13 goals) are finding themselves at home in their new colours.

Round 7 against Old Scotch is a historic moment for the club, football’s oldest rivals meet for the 100th time, it’s been four years since they last met, 11 years since the Cardinals last won. At Elsternwick Park, we’re expecting the home side to prevail in a game they’re “expected” to win.

Next 3: Old Scotch (H), Collegians (A), Brighton (H)

Old Xaverians – 3 wins, 3 losses – 118.23% (B-)

This weekend could be the the one that turns that B- into a B+ or even an A. If the red and black army can overcome St Kevin’s while all won’t be completely forgotten with back-to-back last minute losses it will certainly go a long way to putting the pre-season favourites back on track.

The last fortnight has seen Xav’s average 27.5 scoring shots a game, and had it not been for inaccuracy vs. Collegians in Round 5, their percentage could be significantly greater. In the blink of an eye Brendan Goss is now watching on from the stands for the year with a season ending knee injury, and last week a bout of the flu swept through the club forcing 8 changes to be made.

Continuing on the scoring theme, they have the ability to set games up strongly in first quarters (6 from 6 and +70 points) however opposition clubs have used second terms to chip away at the lead and crawl back into games (1 win R1 vs. St Bernard’s from 6 and -33 points). Coach James Byrne will be imploring his men to keep the foot on the throat at quarter time breaks from here on in.

Ed Delany has been a terrific find in a side flushed with talent playing the “Luke Jackson role”. While Jack Hewitt and Charlie McIsaac are having plenty of fun inside the forward 50 arc. It’s not all doom and gloom despite the 50% winning record and come Saturday at 5pm, a win against St Kevin’s will certainly give the ladder another shake, rattle and roll.

Next 3: St Kevin’s (H), Uni Blues (A), Old Trinity (H)

University Blues – 3 wins, 3 losses – 109.95% (C+)

With a new coach at the helm, perhaps we expected more from University Blues in the opening third of the season. The last two weeks it’s started to come together for Guy Martyn, beyond the fact he’s now opted for the pant selection over the shorts as his boundary line uniform.

Sitting 1-3 after four rounds, again question marks came around the team gelling as a unit, slow starts and low scores. They have only kicked 100+ points in a game once since the 2019 Premiership. However, a scrappy victory over Old Melburnians, and a come-from-behind win over Caulfield Grammarians may be the turning point in this season for the Blues.

The inclusions of Marty Gleeson and Matt Crocker have been widely highlighted. However, bringing in Will Carrington (former Old Scotch) has been a stroke of genius without Ayce Cordy in the last fortnight starting in the ruck. Jeremy Goddard (former OM’s) is growing in confidence playing alongside his brother.

Sam Grimley is keeping opposition coaches up at night averaging three goals a game so far, while Alex Fasolo prior to getting injured had kicked 3 or 4 goals in each game he’d played.

Prior to this weekend they’ve only played twice at home. Three of their next four are at Melbourne Uni. If any team does know the season is a marathon, not a sprint, it’s Uni Blues and Guy Martyn, they will just be mindful of not hitting a wall before the home and away season is done.

Next 3: Collegians (H), Old Xaverians (H), St Kevin’s (A)

Old Scotch – 3 wins, 3 losses – 91.39% (B+)

B+ always looks better than A- on the report card, although if anyone really knows, it’s the learned gentlemen from the Cardinals. What Mark Gnatt’s team has produced in their three victories has been terrific.

An 8-goal final term against University Blues in the opening round, holding out a fast-finishing Brighton, and keeping the Snowdogs goalless in the first half at the Snakepit. The biggest area of concern from a scoring perspective is being blown out of the water in losses.

They went a long-way to rectifying that against Old Xav’s, one side who has regularly bullied them. They may not have come away with the win, but they were plucky, feisty and showed a never-say-die attitude.

There’s an excitement around the youth coming through at the Cardinals. On average each week they field a side with 8-12 players under the age of 22, 13-16 players come from the school and under 19 program. They’re going into games with a nothing-to-lose mentality, every week is another opportunity to grow, and to learn.

The next few weeks will set them up to push them out of any potential discussion of the bottom four and more pointed towards the top four. OM’s at Elsternwick this weekend is a different challenge, can they cause a boilover and rattle the cages of another top four side? Why not?

Next 3: Old Melburnians (A), Old Trinity (A), Caulfield (H)

Collegians – 3 wins, 3 losses – 90.25% (C+)

The purple army started 2022 in a blaze of glory winning their first three games of the year in convincing fashion. The last three weeks have brought about a thud to earth.

Injuries have played a factor, being a young group, not a strong amount of depth coming through underneath. However, let’s note they’ve run into the ladder leaders at T H King oval, Old Xavs after three consecutive losses and second placed Old Brighton on the weekend who took until after half-time to overpower them.

I’m giving them a C+ and a strong pass on the opening third of the year. Dave Mirra is among the best players in William Buck Premier, the return of weekly football for club great Sam Hibbins is terrific to see after a serious injury in 2021. Ed Greene has been a wonderful inclusion to the line-up, and we can’t forget Matt Warren down in defence or Josh Watson through the midfield.

This weekend they face a side who they have owned in the last decade, University Blues. 12 wins from their last 17 matches by an average winning margin of 34 points. Jared Rivers can spoil the fun at Melbourne Uni this weekend which will set up a blockbuster under the Friday night lights at Harry Trott Oval against Old Melburnians in round 8.

Next 3: Uni Blues (A), Old Melburnians (H), St Bernard’s (A)

Caulfield Grammarians – 1 win, 5 losses – 74.40% (D+)

The Fields have had an “almost” start to the season. They almost had Old Melburnians had it not been for inaccuracy. They almost had Uni Blues last week had it not been for a 5 goal gale to the South Road end.

What they have is a similar start to 2021 however this time around, they’ve had the rough end of the stick with injuries. And, injuries to key players – Declain Reilly, Jared Risol, Jono O’Rourke, Julian Dobosz, Sam Dorevitch, Will Edwards.

They will welcome the return of their inspirational captain this weekend against Old Trinity, a side the Fields had the better of in 2021. It’s been nearly a decade since the T’s last got hold of them. A win and a favourable fortnight for the Fields makes the gap between themselves an the bottom 2 obviously four points wider, but the percentage gap is worth a game and a half at the moment with the opportunity to extend it.

Next 3: Old Trinity (A), St Bernard’s (H), Old Scotch (A)

St Bernard’s – 1 win, 5 losses – 63.18% (E) 

As much as my passion and enthusiasm for St Bernard’s comes through, it’s been a tough start for the Snowdogs. Round 1 saw them field the youngest side they’ve put out on the park in 15 years, last weekend against St Kevin’s it became the youngest side in over 20 years (with just one player over the age of 26).

The solitary victory came against Old Trinity at home. Around that, they’ve been beaten by Old Xav’s (4th), St Kevin’s (1st) and Old Melburnians (3rd) while this weekend face up against Old Brighton (2nd). While the strength of their opponents is noted, scoring has been a major concern for Paul Groves’ men averaging 48.3 points per game. The most disappointing game came against Old Scotch held goalless in the first half at home, an unwanted piece of history.

The silver-linings have been the blooding of debutant’s, Lucas Edmonds, Zac Overman, Harry Adronacci, Mark Gregory amongst the names. I see this current group of players under the guidance of Grovesy, Bernie Dineen and Aasta O’Connor as being the core group for the next 5-8 years at St Bernard’s and the motto of short-term pain, for long-term gain should be plastered on the wall of the Snakepit.

Next 3: Old Brighton (H), Caulfield (A), Collegians (H)

Old Trinity – 1 win, 5 losses – 54.09% (E+)

Jamie Cassidy-McNamara has all but officially wiped VAFA Media after pre-game interviews ahead of losses this year. He must have the same pre-game superstitions as the one coach they’ve overcome in Guy Martyn and follows that guise every week.

The T’s have had a complete overhaul of the club from the President down in the last 12 months and like all clubs trying to stabilise, they’re finding it challenging. A victory over University Blues gave them confidence that on their day they can match it with the stronger sides in William Buck Premier.

From an individual perspective, Sam Mason has had a great start to the year as has fellow midfielder Alex Emery. Harry Thompson has Stuey Lowe bucket hands when he’s not competing in the ruck, and Alex Polidoris is still as dangerous as any player around goal.

They’ve had just two home games in the first six, and have the opportunity to use the wide expanses of the Daley Oval this weekend to stretch Caulfield. The major area they would be looking to tighten up is down in defence, averaging 89.6 points per game kicked on them.

Next 3: Caulfield (H), Old Scotch (H), Old Xavier (A)

History tells us that the two sides sitting 1-5 after Round 6 in 9th and 10th spot haven’t been able to get out of the bottom rungs of the ladder for the remainder of the year. And, while people say history is a great predictor of the future, who are we to subscribe and agree that it’s a foregone conclusion.