Reigning premiers back into Top 4 in Premier Men’s

Both the Top 4 and relegation races saw some movement after a wet and windy Round 12 of William Buck Premier Men’s.

2023 champions Collegians climbed back up into the Top 4 thanks to a percentage-boosting win over University Blacks at Melbourne University Oval.

The Lions set the game up in the first half, holding Blacks to a single goal while booting 2 in the first quarter and 5 in the second to open up a 43-point lead at the major break.

The hosts responded with a much better third term, narrowly winning the quarter with 3.3 to 2.4 and closing the margin to 38 at the last change.

But, given they’re in the midst of a tight finals race where percentage may end up the deciding factor, Collegians put the foot down in the last quarter, slamming on 7 goals to 1 and powering away to an emphatic 76-point win that saw them edge past Old Xavs on percentage.

It sets up arguably the most significant match of the season to date when Collegians host Old Xavs at Harry Trott this coming weekend, while Uni Blacks face a critical clash of their own when they face St Bernard’s at the Snake Pit.

Jordie McKenzie (Collegians): “On a wet and heavy deck we were able to get on top around the contest for the majority of the day and moved the ball quickly and efficiently.

“It was a team effort, with Nathan Boucher leading from the front. Will Pewtress continued his strong year down back, and Dyl Thomas played his best game for the year providing plenty of spark in the forward half.

“We look forward to a huge clash next week versus Old Xavs.”

Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “We were unable to stop Collegians’ ability to create clean ball movement from multiple types of situations.

“Cam Moorfield, Ben Oliver, James Clark and Ben Stephenson played very well for us. We will look to ready ourselves for a massive game with St.Bernard’s next week.”

Speaking of St Bernard’s, their 2024 finals chances may be gone after Old Scotch flicked the switch at half-time and put on a dominant second-half display.

The Snowdogs booted the only 3 goals of the second term to grab a 12-point lead at half time after a magnificent defensive performance held the Cardinals to a single goal in the first half.

Old Scotch responded and dominated the early stages of the third term but failed to take their chances, kicking 1.6 before finally finding their radar approaching time-on and slamming on 4 goals in 8 minutes to grab the lead and kick away.

A late goal to Luca Alessio drew the visitors back within 16 points at the last change but the Cardinals shut the gate with the opening 3 goals of the final term, ultimately pulling away to a hard-fought 35-point win that maintains their one-game advantage in third over the chasing pack.

Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “After a pretty dour affair in the first half we were really pleased with the response after half time. We put it on a few boys to step up and they did. In particular, Ryan Valentine, Ben Hays, Jack Brown and the skipper – Andy Jelbart led the way.

“We welcomed two more debutants – Hugh Byrne-Jones and 19 year-old Ned Maginness. One of the highlights of the day was when Ned kicked his first goal and all other 17 players got over to him! There is great spirit in this group and we are building nicely.”

Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “After an encouraging first half where we really took it up to our opposition, like too often this season we were unable to sustain the effort and negate the slick ball movement of Old Scotch for the second half.

But the glimpses of good form should fuel our players’ desire for a spirited performance this week in front of our home crowd.”

St Kevin’s continued their winning streak with a solid 23-point victory over University Blues at TH King Oval.

The opening term was a grind in challenging conditions, with both teams posting three scoring shots – SKOB holding a 5-point advantage.

They opened a handy break with 3 goals to 1 in the second term – the hosts heading to half time with a 3-goal lead, which felt like significantly more in the wet and windy conditions.

It was a goal apiece in the third term, during which popular SKOB Michael Pisker suffered a nasty accidental head clash.

The entire VAFA community wishes Michael and his family all the best for his speedy recovery and spare a thought for everyone impacted by this unfortunate accident.

SKOB would go on to post their seventh straight win but all our thoughts remain with Michael and his family.

Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “Unfortunately it’s difficult to think about anything other than the health and wellbeing of Michael and his family at this time. This accidental incident has definitely rocked our whole club.

“Football is secondary at this time. My only comment would be how proud I was of the playing group to stay focused and deliver against quality opposition whilst dealing with the emotion of seeing a great mate get badly injured.”

Guy Martyn (Uni Blues): “A really tough, physical game in trying conditions.

“I felt the game was pretty even across the board but SKOB just ‘out executed’ us at stages. They were a little bit cleaner and capitalised on their opportunities which is massive in a low-scoring game.

“I was really impressed with Sam Hayes in the ruck and Hamish Yunghanns around the midfield. Their workrate and continual effort was outstanding.”

Old Xaverians made it back-to-back wins on either side of the double bye, scoring a percentage-boosting 49-point win over Fitzroy at Toorak Park.

It was 2 goals apiece in an even first quarter before Xavs seized the initiative with the first 3 goals of the second term to edge out to a 23-point lead.

The Royboys rallied with a goal to Charlie Faubel before goals to Charlie MacIsaac and Dan Tuddenham gave the hosts a useful 32-point half-time lead.

They put the foot down in the third term, booting a further 4 unanswered goals to blow the game open.

As has been the case all season, the Roys refused to go quietly, kicking 3 goals to 2 in the final term (all to Jack Hart) but it was Old Xavs collecting another 4 precious premiership points with a comfortable 49-point victory.

Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “I was really pleased again with the effort and overall result in trying conditions. It was Fitzroy’s first ever visit to Toorak Park and similar to last time out, they pushed us all the way. They certainly don’t throw the towel in, and I feel they can win some games in the run home to give themselves the best chance of staying up.

“It was great to get some game time into a few returning senior players in Dan Tuddenham, Denis Symyopoulos and, of course, Dan Hannebery. I thought the skipper Marcus Stavrou was fantastic, and he led the way along with Alec Spralja in the ruck.”

Travis Ronaldson (Fitzroy): “We were competitive early but Xavs went up a gear in the second quarter and we were unable to go with them.

“We fought the game out which was pleasing and started to play some better footy which hopefully will create some momentum going into next week. Our backline defended well all day led by Darcy Lowrie while Ramshaw and Seakins provided plenty of drive in the midfield.”

The final match of the round saw Old Brighton successfully defend their one-game advantage at the top of the ladder when they accounted for Old Melburnians at Brighton Beach Oval.

OMs made a whopping 8 changes post the bye and despite being held scoreless into the breeze into the opening term, headed to the first break happy with their effort in holding the Tonners to just 1.9.

Frustrated by their inability to capitalise early, the league-leaders stepped it up in the second quarter, kicking 4 goals to 2 into the wind, taking control of the game in the process to lead by 27 points at the half.

The third quarter was a replica of the first as the Tonners dominated territory but repeatedly sprayed opportunities with the wind at their back, booting 1.6 to 1.3 as OMs battled on.

However, the result was never in doubt as the premiership favourites banked their 11^th win of the season – youngster Jonah Campigli outstanding in a best-on-ground performance in just his sixth senior game.

Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “Challenging conditions with a breeze towards the cricket nets that neither team really took advantage of. OMs beat us at the source, but we were able to get to work outside the contest and often get the ball back then try and shift lanes to get better entries.

“Really pleased with our work into the breeze and our ability to kick the majority of goals against the wind. Our Under 19 vice-captain Joey Campigli competed really effectively all day and Alfie Jarnestrom controlled his wing.”

Paul Satterley (OMs): “On a very tough day given the weather conditions and wind, we held up well against the breeze in both quarters. Unfortunately, Brighton were able to score going into it and credit to them and how they play.

We had made 8 changes to our side going into the game with so we trust they will all be better for the run.”