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VAFA William Buck Premier Men's Round 7 Review
Jason Bennett • May 27th, 2025 10:29 am
Bloods make history & announce themselves as a ‘genuine contender’ - William Buck Premier Men's Round 7 in Review
Saturday was ‘moving day’ in Premier Men’s as some key results saw the Top 3 kick clear, while Old Scotch & Uni Blacks closed the gap on the Top 4.
Old Haileybury made history (and a big statement) with their first-ever senior win at TH King Oval as they hung on against St Kevin’s to kick a game clear in third.
The Bloods dominated territory in the first term (17 Inside 50s to 7) and booted the last 3 goals to lead by 15 points at the first break.
When Harrison Jones added another in the opening minute of the second quarter, the hosts needed to respond – and they did. Sam Barnett booted 2 goals in 2 minutes, then Sam Cameron added another midway through time-on to close within 2 points, before livewire Andreas Stefanakis made it an 8-point half-time lead for the visitors.
Goals were hard to come by in the third term, with Josh Docking slotting the only major at the 21-minute mark to give the Bloods a very handy 18-point lead, which could have been more but for Old Haileybury’s 1.5 to 0.1 in the quarter.
SKOB were never going down without a fight, and Patrick Kerr’s goal in the opening minute reduced the margin to 2 goals and sent a clear message of intent.
St Kevin’s started to get the upper hand inside the contest, blitzing the Bloods out of the middle (7-1 Centre Clearances in Q4) and taking control of disputed balls around the ground.
Sam Critchley brought them within 5 points at the 9-minute mark, before a critical Harrison Jones goal 3 minutes later gave the Bloods breathing room once more.
Sam Critchley brought them within 5 points at the 9-minute mark, before a critical Harrison Jones goal 3 minutes later gave the Bloods breathing room once more.
However, it was short-lived as Sam Cameron responded 90 seconds later to tighten it again before a piece of Stefanakis magic saw him sell the dummy and finish from the pocket for a 13-point lead, which Mitch Kirkwood-Scott subsequently extended.
Ollie Gill pulled one back for SKOB, but it was the Bloods posting a huge win, not only in terms of ladder position, but also for their confidence and belief. They have announced themselves as a potential contender by saluting on the second most difficult road trip in Premier Men’s.
Jack Bell was outstanding in the ruck, with 49 hitouts, 6 clearances and 5 score involvements, while Sam Cameron, Luke Winter and Jack Mahoney shared 94 disposals between them.
Daniel Ward (Old Haileybury): “Important win for our footy club against a team that we respect greatly and have been the benchmark for a long time.
“We didn’t take our chances well enough in quarters 1 & 3 at the scoring end, finishing with 4.10.
“Being up by 18 points at three-quarter time, we knew SKevs would take some risks and be proactive. Full credit to them as they came out firing to kick the first 2 goals of the quarter.
“Pleasingly, we managed to respond, kicking 3 for the term ourselves. Overall, it gives our group great belief in what’s possible if we play the way we want to.”
Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “I was really impressed by Old Haileybury, I thought they were very well drilled and played an incredibly efficient game.
“The work Wardy has put in over a number of years is clearly reaping dividends for them - they are a genuine contender based on what I saw Saturday.
“On the flip side, I was really disappointed with our game. We lacked intensity and composure and went away from the brand of footy that has proven to be successful for us.
“Next week’s response leading into the bye becomes critically important to keep our season on track.”
The afternoon’s other thriller was at Melbourne University Oval as Old Xaverians once again found a way to come from behind and pinch a late win, this time over University Blues.
The teams went goal-for-goal in the opening term, despite the Blues having the upper hand on the inside but then repeatedly turning it over.
Charlie Cotter’s goal at the 23-minute mark handed them a 2-point quarter-time lead before they seized the initiative in the second quarter, booting 4 of the next 5 goals to open up a handy 20-point break.
Stirling Phipps-Parsons trimmed that back to 13 points with an important late long-range set-shot goal after the siren that steadied the ship for Xavs.
But the Blues maintained their composure as Cotter added two more goals in the opening 10 minutes of the third term before Phipps-Parsons and Spralja goaled in time-on to breathe life once again into Xavs, who trailed by just a kick at the last break.
The Blues had a few chances early in the last but couldn’t find the middle, with the first goal eventually going the other way when a frenetic passage of pressure play saw Charlie MacIsaac walk into an open goal to make it a 3-point game at the 9-minute mark.
The Blues were controlling territory but unable to find the precious goal to re-establish their buffer, and the next goal took another 13 minutes as the pressure continued to build.
But it went against the flow of play as Nick Guiney was taken high in the pocket and coolly slotted his third goal at the 22-minute mark to put Xavs in front for the first time since time-on in the opening term.
Campbell Lane snapped another 6 minutes later to give the visitors some breathing room before James Stewart snapped a clever goal at the 30-minute mark to give the Blues some hope.
However, a clutch mark to Alex Trigar in the dying seconds would deny the hosts, and just as they did against the Bloods in Round 3, Xavs pulled off another late steal to protect second spot.
Sam Fisher and Campbell Lane were influential as always (34 and 31 touches respectively), while Darcy Chirgwin continued his superb form with another 38 touches and 16 clearances for the Blues. Charlie Cotter celebrated his 18th birthday with 3 goals in a promising display in just his fourth senior game.
Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “Another tight and contested game against a really good Blues outfit. I’m not sure their ladder position is reflective of where they’ll end up.
“I thought we started quite well, but fell slightly behind, then Blues had the better of the second and half of the third quarter to get out to a deserved 4-goal lead.
“We were getting beaten at the contest and clearance, so that was the area we focused on, and slowly but surely ground our way back into the contest.
“In a game that could’ve easily gone against us, we found a way late, some terrific one on one marks by Alex Trigar and Tommy Dunne down back, and then one of the marks of the year by Charlie MacIsaac which resulted in a goal helped give us the edge late and we held on for a gritty win.”
Matt Smith (Uni Blues): “A hugely disappointing result, one that I really feel for the players as well. They played such a good brand of footy for a long time and just weren’t able to reward themselves at critical times of the game to ultimately secure the win.
“1.5 in the last quarter (two of which hit the post) proved costly.
“We should take a lot of confidence from the match, and hopefully carry the form through to this week.”
Old Brighton continued their perfect season with a comfortable victory over Collegians at Harry Trott.
The Tonners were always in control, rocketing out of the gates with 10 shots to 1 in the opening term to lead 7.3 to 1.0 at the first change. But, interestingly, it was off the back of their intercept game rather than getting first hands on the footy around stoppages, which the Lions actually controlled (17 Clearances to 8).
Old Brighton took 11 Intercept Marks for the term and continually repelled Collegians’ attacking forays, punishing them on the counter with efficient use themselves.
From there, the Lions were always chasing the game and did so with plenty of energy but didn’t get full reward on the scoreboard. They narrowly won the second term, then held the Tonners goalless in the third, before 5 goals to 1 from the ladder-leaders saw them ultimately run away to an impressive 51-point win.
Old Brighton had 7 of the Top 8 ball-winners on the ground, led by Tom Fisher and Harry Hill, who combined for 65 touches, 23 tackles and 20 clearances. Max Pinchbeck continued his run of 3 straight weeks of 20+ tackles, racking up an even 20 as the Lions slid into the Bottom 2 at 2-5.
Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “Boys started really well - brought great energy and took advantage of some good opportunities inside 50.
“But the second and third quarter were completely different. Collegians lifted their workrate and absolutely got on top at stoppage, and some quick ball movement into their Forward 50 generated scores. Jordie had them humming around contest, and we were trying to break even.
“In the last quarter, our mids got on top around stoppage, and our defenders were much more active and effective either marking or winning 50/50s and helping start our offence.
“Really happy in the way we finished, given Collegians’ dominance throughout much of the game.”
Jordie McKenzie (Collegians): “We had a slow start and Brighton made us pay.
“The second and third quarters were quite strong. We were able to play the majority of the game in our forward half and gradually peg back the lead.
“Brighton once again showed why they are the best team in the comp in the last quarter. They stemmed the flow and then were able to open the floodgates late in the game to blow the lead out.
“Max Pinchbeck continued his great form. The backline held strong, led by Beilby, Davy and Van Twest.”
Old Scotch’s premiership defence roared back to life with a thumping win over St Bernard’s at the Snake Pit.
The reigning champs dominated from the get-go, effectively intercepting the Snowdogs in the opening term, then hitting targets themselves.
The return of James Tarrant from VFL duties saw him take 4 Marks Inside 50 and boot 3 goals in the opening term as the Cardinals clunked an incredible 9 Marks I50 in the first stanza alone, delivering a mind-blowing 8 goals from turnovers as they rocketed away to a commanding 51-point quarter-time lead.
The Snowdogs evened the game up in general play in the second quarter, but another 4 turnover goals proved costly – the Dogs going at just 37% by foot for the term to trail by 69 points at the major break.
Steve Alessio’s team finally got control on the inside in the third term, but more inefficient ball use continued to prevent them from turning this into score – the Cardinals kicking 4 goals to 3.
In the end, it was an eye-catching 80-point win to the 2024 premiers – a critical victory that draws them back within a game and percentage of the Top 4 as they continue to get experience into some newcomers.
Tarrant’s return freed up Will Clark and the pair finished with 5 goals apiece, while Matthew Watson continued his form with 5 of St Bernard’s 8 goals.
Max Suttle was great down back for the winners, with 25 disposals, 12 marks and 8 Rebound 50s. He, Jack Brown and Charlie Cormack continually turned the Dogs around, combining for 14 Intercept Marks.
Aidan Franetic, Jake Torney, Angus Jones, Jack Lipscombe and Henry Brown all found plenty of ball also.
Harrison Schumann, Karan Bharathi and Luke Said were best afield for the Snowdogs, who have won every game away and lost every game at home to sit outside the Top 4 on percentage.
Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “It was great for our boys to get some reward for effort in what was an even team performance.
“Our work rate and cohesion in team defence was much improved. We were then able to create turnovers and move the ball with speed, connecting efficiently with our forwards.
“The performance of some of our younger players, including Angus Jones, Max Suttle and Ryan Walsh was most pleasing and proves we are on the right track with their development.”
Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “Very disappointing game for us against the current premiers. We went against everything we have been trying to implement this year as a team.
“It also shows why Premier VAFA is such a good competition and how you need to be playing your best each week to survive.
“We’ll stay close now and look to keep improving as we have been and set out to achieve our goals for this season.”
The final game of Round 7 was at Waverley Oval as University Blacks won back-to-back games for the first time this season, taking care of De La Salle by 70 points.
The hosts got the better of proceedings in the opening term, holding Blacks goalless to lead by 16 points at the first change. But the scoreboard swung savagely from there as Blacks responded and took complete control, booting 16 goals to 2 after quarter-time.
6 goals to 1 in the second term saw the visitors hit the front and lead by 14 points at the major break, before De La stabilised somewhat in the third, holding Blacks to 3 goals while finding one themselves.
But the floodgates swung wide open in the last term as Dale Bower’s men rammed on 7 unanswered goals to score a vital, percentage-boosting win that lifts them from 9th to 7th, a game clear of the drop zone and only one game out of the Top 4.
Pleasingly, the Blacks finally got some scoreboard reward for effort, sharing the load between Matthew Grocott, Thomas St Clair and Louis Vescio, who all booted 4 goals apiece, while defender-turned-forward Campbell Moorfield bobbed up for 2 as well.
James Clark added another 35 touches and 10 clearances, while Xavier Chalkley enjoyed his best game of the season with 34 disposals.
Luke Healy was De La’s main winner up forward, finishing with 3 goals as his team keep searching for their breakthrough win.
Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “We put 4 good quarters of footy together. Our effort was at a high level all day.
“Stoppage, contest and pressure was very good all afternoon. We will keep looking to get better.”
Nick Hyland (De La Salle): “Really competitive first half in very blustery conditions. Both teams were able to score at either end of the ground. We probably didn’t maximise the wind advantage we had in the first quarter, but to Uni Blacks’ credit, I thought they pressured and defended the ground quite well.
“The second half was extremely poor from us. Blacks upped the contest game, and their tackling pressure was excellent. We just couldn’t seem to gain any ascendancy or momentum at any stage.
“It was a really disappointing second half from us. Despite being a few rotations down, we expect a better effort across the board.
“It was a really disappointing second half from us. Despite being a few rotations down, we expect a better effort across the board.
“We need to reset and refocus. A great challenge awaits, as we take on the ladder leaders on their home deck next week.”
WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S – ROUND 8
SATURDAY MAY 31:
Old Scotch vs University Blues - VAFA.com.au LIVE STREAM – 1.55pm
Old Haileybury vs St Bernard’s - VAFA.com.au LIVE STREAM – 1.55pm
University Blacks vs St Kevin’s
Old Brighton vs De La Salle
Old Xaverians vs Collegians - SEN app & VAFA TV LIVE STREAM – 2pm
Photo credit: BRONWYN PAUL
