ANZAC Spirit: U19 Premier Men’s rivals show incredible sportsmanship after game abandoned

Following the Easter weekend break, football teams across the VAFA returned to action on a weekend inspired by ANZAC heritage.

The Last Post rung out across numerous grassroots grounds, but no game in the Holmesglen Under 19 Premier Men’s competition typified the ANZAC spirit more than the clash between St Kevin’s and Old Brighton.

The esteemed rivals have seen epic encounters in recent history, including two four-point deciding results in last year’s finals series, the latter establishing Old Brighton as 2024 premiers. Both sides already look to be the benchmark of the competition again this season, and as the league entered its third round, both clubs were only separated by percentage atop of the ladder.

St Kevin’s began the game on top with momentum but were unable to convert, kicking 2.9 to the half, which allowed the Tonners to snatch a nine-point lead at the main break. SKOB plucked away back into the contest however, and at three-quarter-time it was 43-apiece and yet another blockbuster between these two sides looked set to play out.

However, five minutes into the final term, Old Brighton forward Max Lorden went to kick the football in the forward pocket, before a desperate St Kevin’s defender attempted to make a smother, accidentally running through Lorden’s leg. The sickening clash caused a lower leg fracture in between Lorden’s shin and ankle, with the distressing incident immediately pausing the game.

With an ambulance over half an hour away, play was abandoned with the scores sitting six points in favour of Old Brighton and 17 minutes to play. Old Brighton President Tom Clark shared his praise for Greenham and the sportsmanship of St Kevin’s as “SKOB initiated a decision to abandon the game so that Max’s health and wellbeing could be prioritised”.

“I can’t speak more highly of St Kevin’s coach Paul Greenham, his players, the St Kevin’s trainers and support staff who were all incredibly supportive,” Old Brighton coach Travis O’Donohue said.

“My thoughts very quickly turned to the kid’s wellbeing,” Greenham said.

It was a united stance between rivals, demonstrating a touching display of sportsmanship on a weekend dedicated to showing fair spirit, self-sacrifice and courage. All can be said for both St Kevin’s and Old Brighton.

In other action, the Uni Blues have continued their undefeated start to the season, dismissing Caulfield Grammarians by 98 points.

The Blues held the Fields to just two points at half-time and managed to establish a lead near a half-century by the main break, as they kicked seven second quarter goals after an inaccurate 1.7 first term.

That lead would continue to balloon out each quarter for the remainder of the game, restricting Caulfield to just 18 points as University romped to a third straight victory.

The Uni Blues’ victories have come hard-fought this season, but they have now established a solid early buffer on the competition. Orlando Keleman was once again the Blues’ best on as Charlie Cotter and William Richter both kicked four goals. Jake O’Halloran was best on for Caulfield.

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers have continued to overturn their early loss with a destructive win of Hampton Rovers, holding the Rovers scoreless for the middle two quarters to collect a percentage-boosting win.

The Tigers were on song throughout all four quarters, holding the Rovers to just 16 points by fulltime. By the final siren, SBMT had established a 160-point margin.

Jack Meredith has now equalled early competition-leading goalkicker Harry Wharfe with his eight goals on Saturday, tying the Old Xaverian forward at 12 goals after three games. Angus Shepherdson was also best on for SBMT, while Jake Seddon and Cohen Friend were in Hampton’s best.

Despite a flying start to their 2025 campaign, Old Xaverians have been condemned to a second-consecutive loss at the hands of Old Scotch.

The Cardinals led by just three at quarter-time, but the Xavs were not in the contest much longer. Old Scotch kicked the first four goals of the second term, before a late goal to Old Xaverians pinned the deficit back to 21 points.

While the deficit remained throughout the third term, the Xavs were not one to roll over when the going got tough, with the Cardinals marginally increasing their lead to 29 points at three-quarter-time. However, a monumental defensive effort restricted Old Xaverians to one behind in the final period, setting up a comprehensive victory by 54 points and a position on top of the ladder for Old Scotch.

Tom Farrer kicked five for the Cardinals while Lachlan Macneil was deemed best afield, while Tommy Trist was Old Xaverians’ best.

De La Salle have claimed their first win of 2025 after handing Williamstown CYMS a third-straight loss to their campaign.

The game was held in De La’s favour for the entirety of the match, although the margin itself never exceeded more than five goals.

The CYs conceded the first 20 points, however midway through the second term they had whittled the lead down to three. De La Salle stepped back on the gas however, pushing the lead out to a tick under four goals at halftime.

The yet-to-win sides went goal-for-goal in the third term, but Williamstown allowed the lead to extend to a game-high 29 points, before some more back-and-forth scoring saw it cut to 28 by the penultimate siren.

The CYs charged home late, kicking three of the first four final quarter goals, and narrowing the lead to 13, before De La Salle’s Mack Higginbotham steadied the ship to see De La claim their maiden victory of 2025 by 21 points.

Higginbotham was one of De La’s best alongside Corey Mackie, while Andreas Martinez kicked two for Williamstown.

Williamstown CYMS have a tough encounter to get their season back on track with an away game against St Kevin’s in Round 4, while De La Salle will face another winless side in Caulfield Grammarians. Old Brighton takes on Hampton Rovers at home after their abandoned Round 3 affair.

St Bedes/Mentone Tiger’s clash with Old Xaverians is an intriguing matchup to watch as both sides look even after three games, with their most recent face-off won by just 16 points to the Xavs. Excitingly, Round 4 presents another top of the table clash between two undefeated sides as University Blues and Old Scotch are set to duel, with both clubs yet to put a foot wrong this season. Their 2024 finals clash saw the Cardinals claim a thrilling 15-point win.