The Amateur Footballer 2025 - Week 20

To all teams chasing finals glory

Relegation can be a good thing

Last weekend marked the end of the 2025 home and away season for all VAFA Men’s competitions.

And consistent with most VAFA seasons, there was plenty of drama and interest across all the divisions, as teams continued to have plenty of incentive to play for.

There is no doubt the promotion and relegation in a ten-team division with a final four, continues to be one of the great structural advantages of our VAFA competition that sets it apart from other Leagues. It enables Clubs to find their competitive range each season as they ride the roller coaster of player injuries, retirements, recruitment, movement and development each year.

As the season end approaches, we often see the following scenario:

• The top two teams are looking to secure the ‘double chance’,

• Teams 3 and 4 are looking to secure the double chance and/ or remain in their top four finals position

• Teams 5 and 6 are looking to jump up into the top 4

• Teams 7 and 8 are looking to avoid relegation

• Teams 9 and 10 are aiming to jump out of their relegation position

Jason ReddickCEO

a young profile playing group not being able to match it with more experienced and stronger bodies for the whole of the season.

Whatever the cause, those teams will drop down a grade and look to regroup in the lower division next season and build a strong base to relaunch back up a grade in the near future.

If they are looking for inspiration they don’t have to go far.

A quick look at the fate of some of the teams that were relegated down a division in 2024 should provide plenty of hope.

Beaumaris and St Bedes/Mentone Tigers were relegated from Premier B in 2024. In 2025, Beaumaris have finished second on the ladder with 16 wins and a percentage of 216. SBMT qualified third, with thirteen wins and a percentage of 125%. Both teams also have had their respective Men’s reserves teams qualify for finals.

build a strong base to relaunch back up a grade

For some teams such as St Bernards in William Buck Premier and Mazenod in Premier C, survival in their division for another year boiled down to the results from the last games of the season going their way. These Clubs will no doubt have breathed a sigh of relief when the final siren rang and all results were known, but no doubt they also celebrated long and hard that evening, having avoided relegation.

Unfortunately for clubs like Collegians and Parkside, the breaks didn’t go their way in the last round, and they fell into the relegation zone at the wrong time of the year.

For other teams: De La Salle, Fitzroy, Hampton Rovers, Prahran, Therry, Elsternwick, Hawthorn and Aquinas, their fate of relegation has been known for some time. In a lot of these cases, these teams have suffered from significant injury lists or absenteeism (i.e.. travel) and did not have the depth of talent to remain competitive. In others, it was the case of

Oakleigh finished bottom of the Premier C ladder in 2024 with only one win for the year and a percentage of 47%. In 2025, Oakleigh qualified for the Division 1 finals with a win in the last game of the year. Their reserves team also made finals finishing on top of the ladder with 15 wins and a percentage of 221%.

And in Division 1, Old Yarra Cobras and West Brunswick occupied the bottom two positions on the ladder in 2024. This season in Division 2, the Cobras finished on top of the table with 15 and a half wins and a percentage of 184%, whilst West Brunswick qualified third with 13 wins and a percentage of 145%.

Whilst these success stories are encouraging, they don’t happen automatically.

There is no doubt they are due to an enormous off-season effort from the Club’s committee, coaches and playing group to prepare their teams to rebound in the best way possible. Complacency in thinking a team will simply win games because they are in a lower grade without the extra drive and effort needed to succeed is fraught with danger!

So to those Club’s that are dropping down, it’s not the end of the world!

With the right commitment and hard work, we look forward to seeing you enjoy many more wins in 2026 and commence your rise up the VAFA grades again.

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S

Jason Bennett

Tonners top, Cards still alive, Lions relegated after dramatic final day

A wildly unpredictable home & away season went all the way to the wire, with the minor premiership, fourth spot & relegation all decided on the final afternoon. Here’s Round 18 of Premier Men’s in review.

Fourth spot was up for grabs as Old Haileybury – who had looked a likely finalist for most of the season – hosted Old Scotch at Haileybury College, Keysborough, in a finals preview that would see the winner sneak in and the loser miss out.

Their lead-up form could barely have been more different, with the Bloods limping into the final round, while Old Scotch –buoyed by an injection of their VFL-listed talent – roared back into contention.

But, led by Olli Hotton (who had 12 disposals and 4 clearances in the opening term), Old Haileybury were strong in the contest early, dominating ground balls and contested possession to generate 7 scoring shots to 5. However, they failed to convert, and a disastrous 0.7 to 1.4 was the result, leaving them 3 points down at the first break.

They were left to rue their inaccuracy when the Cardinals managed to turn the tables on the inside as Sam Grant took control of the hit-outs and gave his midfielders first use. The reigning champs booted 3.4 to a further 2 behinds from Old Haileybury, who headed to half-time stranded on 0.9 and trailing by 23 points (despite only 3 fewer scoring shots).

Harrison Jones kicked the Bloods’ first goal in the opening minute of the third term, and when he added another 90 seconds later, momentum began to shift as the margin closed to 11 points. But long-range set shots from league-leading goalkicker Andreas Stefanakis and Jones both missed, before a 10-minute stalemate with no scoring ensued.

The next goal continued to grow in significance, and when James Tarrant nailed his set shot from 25 out, it felt like a big moment against the flow. Olli Hotton kicked a big goal at the 23-minute mark, but that was erased by a big pack mark and set shot goal on the three-quarter time siren, giving the Cards a 16-point advantage.

The early minutes of the final term proved decisive. James Tarrant gave off a slick handball for a running Jake Torney to make it 22 points, which blew out to 28 points just over a minute later when Jack Polkinghorne ran into an open goal. From there, the Cards could control the game – and they did. Grant’s ruck dominance prevented the Bloods from getting

first use, allowing Old Scotch to dictate the tempo, taking 33 uncontested marks to 11 in the final term and kicking 4.4 to 1.1 to keep their premiership defence alive and end Old Haileybury’s season.

The Cardinals looked dead and buried when they trailed the Bloods by 3 games plus 14% three weeks ago, but their three wins, combined with 3 losses to the Bloods and Blacks, have seen them complete the most unlikely of ‘Steven Bradbury’ late surges to snatch fourth spot.

They will face St Kevin’s in the cut-throat First Semi-Final, and while they will not have all their VFL-listed talent available due to finals eligibility rules, their rejuvenated line-up is enough to challenge for back-to-back titles.

Disappointment for Old Haileybury, who have been one of the season’s success stories after rising back up from Premier B this season. They had been in the Top 4 since Round 5, but 5 losses from their final 6 games ultimately cost them their first Premier Men’s finals appearance since their 2006 premiership.

Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “It was a tough and well-foughtout battle as we expected. Old Haileybury have been a formidable opponent all season - Wardy and Brede and their team have done a brilliant job. They have been in the top 4 all season for a reason, and this needs to be acknowledged.

“We knew that we had to match OH’s strength at the contest, as they have the ability to cut teams up in this part of the game. We were able to neutralise at the contest and then get good transition to the outside and create repeat F50 entries for our forwards to get to work.

“The team is improving week to week, and we have hit form at the right time. Finals is a new season, and we are in the hunt! Bring on September!!”

Daniel Ward (Old Haileybury): “We had periods of the game where we had control but didn’t take our chances. Kicking 7 behinds in Quarter 1 with the wind is not going to get it done.

“Couldn’t fault the effort of my group at all, but Old Scotch took their opportunities and deserved the win. Best of luck to Gnatty and his group for the upcoming final series.

“From an overall season perspective, it’s tough to sum up. After coming up from B-grade, we are proud of our improvement, remaining in finals contention right up until

the last day. With that being said, we are disappointed we let an opportunity slip. After the double bye, we couldn’t find the same form and struggled to replace key players missing with VFL duties or injuries.

“Special mention to Andreas Stefanakis for winning the A-Grade Goalkicking. A fantastic effort from a 20-year-old with a bright future.”

Meanwhile, at the other end of the ladder, all eyes were on the Snake Pit as St Bernard’s hosted St Kevin’s, knowing that a Snowdogs’ win would see them survive in Premier Men’s for 2026.

With third spot already locked away, SKOB coach Anthony Lynch took the opportunity to rest a large group of senior players, making a whopping 13 changes to his Round 17 line-up.

Yet it was the visitors who seized the initiative, booting 3 of the first 4 goals to lead by 10 points at the break.

SKOB extended that margin in the second term, due in part to St Bernard’s inability to finish their work. The Snowdogs added just 6 behinds for the quarter, while St Kevin’s found goals via Jack Ball and Elliot Mahoney, who had 3 goals to half-time.

Collegians fans – who were reluctantly forced into barracking for SKOB for the one and only time in their lives – were nervous but mildly confident as St Kevin’s headed to the main break with a 19-point lead. With the Lions 46 points up at Harry Trott, it was the Snowdogs at this point headed for Premier B next season.

But the third term saw the Purple Army’s nightmare realised, as the Dogs began to take charge. It started at the contest, and the home crowd found its voice as their team – led by a white-hot Jackson Hately – got hot in a hurry.

They booted 3 goals in the opening 8 minutes of the term, and when Karam Bharathi created a turnover and released Matthew Watson into an open goal at the 15-minute mark, the Snowdogs were in front. Bharathi added another 4 minutes later, and while Tom Davidson found one against the run of play at the 21-minute mark, the Dogs had the final say of the quarter via Luca Alessio and headed to the last change with an 8-point lead as aghast Lions fans refreshed their phones.

St Bernard’s maintained their momentum with early goals to Charlie Vague and Nick Tonge extending their lead to 20 points before St Kevin’s responded via Patrick Kerr and Oliver Gill to reduce the margin back to single digits.

But 2 goals in 2 minutes to Ben Huggard and Matthew Watson (his fourth) all but broke the resistance.

Vague and Huggard put the result beyond doubt, then fittingly, Hately nailed the last. His timely return – more than any other factor – will see St Bernard’s remain in Premier Men’s in 2026, as he finished with 43 disposals, 11 clearances, 11 Inside 50s and a goal (to go with his 47 touches last week).

The final margin blew out to 34 points as the celebrations began at the Snake Pit. St Bernard’s – after going winless against everyone other than De La Salle since Round 4 - defying the odds to knock off two finals contender in the last fortnight of the season to dodge relegation in sensational fashion.

Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “Our finish to the season and the spirit we showed was very pleasing. We now have the foundation to build a team that can be competitive in Premier Men’s for an extended period.

“It means a lot to me and the club that we strive to be the best we can be, and continue the club’s great history. The enthusiasm of our players, members and supporters in those last two games was significant and certainly helped us with our late-season form.”

Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “I was thrilled with our first half, I thought our group brought a level of intensity and pressure that we haven’t seen for a while and that enabled us to have a nice lead at half time.

“In the second half, Bernard’s - led by their top line playersstarted to really take the game on and generate momentum. I didn’t think we handled that period very well, but I could never question our effort.

“We rallied again halfway through the final term to get back within 9 points, but again the class players from Bernard’s stood up when it mattered and got them home. We look forward to resetting over the bye week and attacking the new season they call finals.”

St Bernard’s delight was Collegians’ despair as they took care of De La Salle at Harry Trott in a game that ultimately counted for nought in terms of their scrap to survive.

The Lions came out of the gates with the desperation you’d expect, repeatedly pressuring De La into error in the opening term, then capitalising on the scoreboard with 3 of their 5 first-quarter goals coming from turnovers as they headed to the first break with a 26-point lead.

The second term saw Collegians muscle up on the inside and play efficient front-half football, converting 14 Inside 50s into 6 goals –Dylan Thomas continuing his stellar form with 3 for the quarter as the lead swelled to 46 points at the half.

The game opened up in the third term, with both teams adding 5 goals as De La once again proved their ability to serve it up at this level. They kicked 3 goals in 4.5 minutes late in time-on to give their hardy fans something to cheer about, while Lions fans –despite their team being well in control – cursed into their phones as St Bernard’s hit the front at the Snake Pit.

The result at Harry Trott was never in doubt as the Lions finished in style with a 10-goal win that was spoiled by the news of the Snowdogs’ survival coming at the expense of their own.

Collegians will join De La Salle in Premier B in 2026 and will spend the summer lamenting their agonising stretch of tight finishes that saw them suffer 5 losses and a draw from their 6 single-digit results this season. If any of those losses had fallen the other way, they would have survived the drop.

Instead, they will consider themselves unlucky to be departing the top-flight for the first time since 2006, given their 6.5 wins is the MOST by any relegated top-flight team since University Blues suffered the same fate in 2013.

De La Salle will return to Premier B – where they were Grand Finalists last season – without a victory in 2025, but with significant gains in player and team development. They will feel

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S

much better equipped to challenge for the second-tier title than they were 12 months’ ago as they begin plotting their return to Premier Men’s.

Jordie McKenzie (Collegians): “A very pleasing team effort. Our clean hands around the contest allowed us to keep speed on the ball and created scoring opportunities.

“Campbell Walker, Scott Beilby and Luke Nelson were the top picks out of many solid contributors. Herschel Waters also impressed on debut, finishing with 2 goals.

“We said farewell to 2 legends of the club, with Sam Hibbins and Corey Cassidy retiring. Both have had outstanding careers and, more importantly, are great people.

“Unfortunately, other results didn’t go our way, so it was a bittersweet end to the year as we head down to B-Grade. Despite many challenges throughout the year, the club has stuck together, and we look forward to next season.”

Nick Hyland (De La Salle): “Our slow start was really costly. Collegians dominated around stoppage and put us on the back foot. They also forced us into turnover, and, to their credit, they punished us on the scoreboard.

“A pleasing response after halftime, but our skill level really hurt us all day. We would have momentum, and then a sloppy error would be our downfall.

“An extremely challenging year, but I’m proud of our playing group for not giving in and their willingness to fight out the season. I want to thank our players, coaches, staff, committee, volunteers and supporters for all sticking together throughout a difficult year. I’m confident as a club we will bounce back in 2026.”

Old Brighton rolled into Melbourne Uni knowing that a win over University Blues would secure them a second straight minor premiership, but a loss could see them finish second to Old Xavs.

The two teams went goal-for-goal in the opening term until the Tonners found the last two of the quarter to lead by 13 points at the first change.

Possession was roughly even in the opening half, but Old Brighton were more efficient and precise, and their intercept game started to take over in the second term, providing territorial dominance that was converted into a 4-goal-to-1 quarter and a 35-point half-time lead – Tom Burnell leading from the front with 13 touches and 2 goals to the major break.

Uni Blues’ best quarter of the match was their third and despite being beaten on the inside, managed to play some intercept footy of their own, pressuring the Tonners into turnovers which they scored from, winning the quarter 3.3 to 2.3 to narrow their deficit to 29 points.

But any hopes of another comeback win were snuffed out when Old Brighton came up with the opening two goals of the last quarter when Angus Edgar soccered one through from

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point-blank range, then Joey Campigli put the result beyond doubt with a precise set shot at the 11-minute mark.

James Stewart finished off his productive season with 2 late goals to bring his season tally to 52 (7 behind Andreas Stefanakis in the League goalkicking) but it was the Tonners collecting their second straight minor premiership with a 42-point win. After last year’s Grand Final Day disappointment, their season starts now.

While the Blues recovered from winning just 2 of their first 11 to finish half-a-game clear of the drop zone in 8th position in Matt Smith’s first season as coach. Darcy Chirgwin rounded out a superb campaign as the competition’s leading ballwinner, averaging 30 disposals per game.

Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “Great way to finish the home and away season. Very proud of our group creating another finals opportunity in a couple of weeks.

“It didn’t all go to plan, but we worked really hard to pressure Blues at the contest and took advantage of our own forward entries. They certainly had patches of play throughout the game where they had the best of the stoppages and were able to work to a dangerous forward mix, but we worked to arrest that and got a couple of scores off turnovers to limit the damage through those periods.

“We’re now looking forward to the opportunity we’ve created for ourselves.”

Matt Smith (Uni Blues): “Brighton are clearly a very good side and minor premiers for a reason.

“We had our moments of control; however, we just weren’t able to convert on the scoreboard, missing some easy opportunities. It was pleasing to see us fight it out and not allow a total blowout.

“Our final five games of the year were truer indications of our season than our final ladder position. The Top 2 sides are on a level of their own and are the standard everyone is chasing, but I think we are right up there in the chasing pack and closer than the ladder suggests.

“At the end of the day, avoiding relegation was our main objective and now we have an opportunity to reassess, reset and launch into 2026.”

Old Brighton’s victory meant that Old Xaverians were locked into second spot and they finished their home & away campaign in fine style with a comprehensive win over University Blacks at Toorak Park.

Xavs made an early statement, booting 3 goals in less than 3 minutes to skip out to a lead they would hold for the entire afternoon.

Blacks found their feet after a vital steadying goal 7 minutes in and managed to hang in to remain within 14 points at the first change, before eating away at the deficit with 4 goals to 3 in the second term to arrive at half-time just 10 points in arrears, having dominated the inside contest for the quarter.

But Xavs responded to the challenge and muscled up in the third term as Stirling Phipps-Parsons stepped up to give them some inside dominance of their own. Despite having 2 fewer Inside 50s for the quarter, they booted 5 goals to 1, showcasing their lethal strike power and ability to convert opportunities into goals.

The final term was more of the same, as the Red & Black tuned up for September by taking their chances to post a 7-goal-to-1 quarter and career away to a powerful 68-point win.

Phipps-Parsons, who has spent much of the season with Carlton’s VFL side, finished with 29 disposals, 6 tackles, 10 clearances and a goal, while Sam Conway battled tirelessly in the ruck for the Blues against Alec Spralja, collecting 64 hit-outs and 10 clearances of his own.

Old Xaverians will arrive in September having won 11 of their past 12, with the only blemish a 33-point away loss to the team they will face next for a spot in the Grand Final – Old Brighton.

Uni Blacks had a rollercoaster season, recovering from 4 losses in their first 5 matches to string together a 5-game winning streak, before losing 6 of their last 8 on the run home to slip out of finals contention and finish sixth – but with plenty of positives to build upon in 2026.

Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “After a tight first half where Blacks defended really well and also transitioned the ball at times with some ease, we adjusted after half-time and managed to get the game on our terms.

“These last-round games can sometimes be tricky to navigate. We had Top 2 locked in and Blacks couldn’t play finals, but credit to both sides for the effort and spirit shown from the first bounce.

“We have a number of players wanting to take their opportunity, so what was again most pleasing was our depth shining through, which will give us many options to look at for the Second Semi in a couple of weeks.”

Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “We fought really hard to hang in there and compete with Xavs for 2-and-a-half quarters. We fell away after that, and they pulled away on the scoreboard.

“Congratulations to our skipper and club legend Cam Moorfield on his 150th on Saturday.

“We have made progress in 2025 and will continue to work hard to improve in the off-season with a clear goal of playing finals football in 2026.”

The Top 4 teams now receive a pre-Finals bye to freshen up and get ready for a blockbuster Semi-Final Saturday:

ROUND 18 RESULTS

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S

Collegians:

GOALS: Collegians: D. Thomas 3, A. Lukic 3, H. Waters 2, W. D’Amico 2, L. Nelson 2, J. McGuiness 2, M. Pinchbeck 1, C. Walker 1, W. Oakley-kerr 1, J. Bazzani 1, C. Cassidy 1, K. Ong 1

GOALS: De La Salle: B. Boscacci 4, A. Indovino 2, C. Algeri 1, A. Giampa 1, M. Miller 1, J. Williams 1, R. O’Meara 1

BEST: Collegians: C. Walker, S. Beilby, J. McGuiness, J. Bazzani, M. Pinchbeck, A. Perry

BEST: De La Salle: A. Giampa, B. Boscacci, C. Algeri, S. Fisher, N. Bufalo, J. Williams

St Bernard’s: 3.0

(108) St Kevin’s:

GOALS: St Bernard’s: N. Tonge 4, M. Watson 4, C. Vague 2, B. Huggard 2, J. Hately 1, K. Bharathi 1, L. Di Lizio 1, L. Alessio 1

GOALS: St Kevin’s: E. Mahoney 4, P. Kerr 2, O. Gill 1, T. Williams 1, T. Davidson 1, J. Ball 1

BEST: St Bernard’s: J. Hately, E. Schumann, M. Sauro, N. Tonge, B. Huggard, M. Watson

BEST: St Kevin’s: E. Mahoney, O. Gill, W. Pfeiffer, B. Mansfield, T. Jok, G. Delimitrou

Old Haileybury:

GOALS: Old Haileybury: h. jones 2, O. Hotton 1, A. Stefanakis 1

GOALS: Old Scotch: T. Sellers 3, J. Polkinghorne 2, O. Badr 1, J. Tarrant 1, J. Lipscombe 1, J. Torney 1, C. Cormack 1

BEST: Old Haileybury: K. Turner, N. Higgins, D. Seccull, M. Sievers, O. Hotton, h. jones

BEST: Old Scotch: C. Cormack, H. Brown, O. Badr, T. Sellers, A. Noblet, B. Easton

Xaverians:

GOALS: Old Xaverians: C. MacIsaac 6, H. Woodhouse 3, C. Holmes 2, E. Delany 2, J. Gangi 2, S. Phipps-Parsons 1, B. Bilston-McGillen 1, W. Brusnahan 1, H. MacIsaac 1

GOALS: University Blacks: T. St Clair 2, M. Bennett 1, K. Loftus 1, L. Vescio 1, M. Gray 1, A. Rana 1, C. Moorfield 1

BEST: Old Xaverians: C. MacIsaac, S. Phipps-Parsons, C. Knott, M. Mahommed, H. MacIsaac, T. Dunne

BEST: University Blacks: S. Conway, S. McKenzie, Z. Dakis, J. Clark, K. Loftus, M. Gray

University Blues:

Brighton:

(97)

GOALS: University Blues: J. Stewart 3, B. Townson 2, D. Chirgwin 1, A. Lord 1, W. Furphy 1, S. Grimley 1

GOALS: Old Brighton: L. Travers 3, J. Campigli 3, T. Burnell 2, F. Campigli 1, A. Edgar 1, S. Litis 1, Q. Montanaro 1, H. Dick 1

BEST: University Blues: D. Chirgwin, J. Curran, C. O’shea, M. Lloyd, G. LaCava, H. Clatworthy

BEST: Old Brighton: T. Burnell, Q. Montanaro, F. Campigli, C. Tweedie, J. Campigli, L. Travers

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S RESERVE

Old Haileybury:

Old Scotch:

(46)

GOALS: Old Haileybury: J. Black 3, E. Hardeman 1, M. Cowell 1, J. Kennedy 1, S. Marshall 1

GOALS: Old Scotch: H. Wild 3, J. Davies 3, A. Halse 2, G. Kennedy 1, T. Holding 1, F. Leeton 1

BEST: Old Haileybury: J. Black, J. Gillon, E. Hardeman, L. Wood, P. Mcphee, S. Stefanakis

BEST: Old Scotch: N. Troon, C. Schilling, H. Byrne-Jones, A. Halse, R. Walsh, F. Morrisby

Old Xaverians:

(157) University Blacks:

GOALS: Old Xaverians: J. Boyd 6, O. Duncan 5, H. Bell 4, E. Kennedy 3, M. Exell 1, D. Tuddenham 1, N. Brown 1, c. Whitehead 1, H. Troiani 1

GOALS: University Blacks: S. McDougall 1, B. Mithen 1

BEST: Old Xaverians: O. Duncan, H. Troiani, D. Feutrill, H. Basset, W. Egan, J. Kennedy

(12)

BEST: University Blacks: M. Hanrahan, S. Cleary, J. Delahunty, C. Canny, S. McDougall, H. King

St Bernard’s:

St Kevin’s:

(67)

(75)

GOALS: St Bernard’s: D. Barker 2, S. Miceli 2, L. Chillura 2, M. Germani 1, M. Bateman 1, N. Kazuro 1, H. Coombs 1

GOALS: St Kevin’s: J. Conquest 3, W. Pearce 2, H. Lefoe 1, H. James 1, O. Doyle 1, n. dachs 1, W. Cooper 1, L. Mazzeo 1, J. Noonan 1

BEST: St Bernard’s: L. Cesarini, W. Riley, L. Chillura, S. Miceli, M. Bateman, R. Spicer

BEST: St Kevin’s: P. Croagh, T. Burley, W. Pearce, H. James, B. Cantwell, J. Conquest

University Blues:

Old Brighton:

(68)

(33)

GOALS: University Blues: A. Sinnott 2, T. McKinnis 2, O. Scalzo 1, J. White 1, J. Paterson 1, A. Dowsley 1, L. Di Lallo 1

GOALS: Old Brighton: C. Hathway 1, T. Marriott 1, Z. Bowen 1, S. Collins 1

BEST: University Blues: J. Pring, H. Wicks, J. Lloyd, M. James, O. Scalzo, A. Sinnott

BEST: Old Brighton: T. Howden, C. Hathway, M. Speirs, T. Skewes, L. McCluskey, L. Otto

Collegians:

De La Salle:

GOALS: Collegians: S. Heriot 1, L. Payne 1, J. Meacham 1, W. Houghton 1, L. Heriot 1, J. Properjohn 1, M. Mckeown 1

GOALS: De La Salle: K. Rossiter 2, L. Liakakos 2, L. Eldering 1, J. Tyquin 1, M. Hill 1, S. McNidder 1

BEST: Collegians: BEST: De La Salle: J. Harper, K. Rossiter, J. Brooker, S. McNidder, M. Doherty, M. Hill

(46)

(56)

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER WOMEN’S

Finals picture clear after decisive VAFA women’s round

The 2025 William Buck Premier Women’s home-andaway season draw to a close on the weekend, with the final round producing emphatic victories, emotional finishes, and the confirmed ladder positions heading into finals. For some clubs, it was a week of celebration as momentum builds towards September, while for others it marked the end of a challenging but rewarding season of development and connection.

Caulfield Grammarians ensured they would enter finals with winning form, defeating West Brunswick 7.10 (52) to 1.5 (11). The result capped off a dominant season for Caulfield, who finished on top of the ladder after 18 rounds to secure the minor premiership.

Coach Danielle Di Stefano praised her side’s ability to execute their game plan heading into the most important stage of the year.

“I was pleased with our ability to finish the home and away season strong, and we will look to take that momentum into the finals. Our midfielders and forwards connected really well, and I was pleased to see a good spread of goal scorers.”

While the Magpies couldn’t match the Field’s on the scoreboard, coach Ryan Wandel was proud of the spirit and connection his group showed in what was always going to be a tough assignment.

“I was pleased with how often we looked to take the game on and play with dare. The game was played in great spirit, and I was really impressed with how Caulfield handled themselves on the day.”

Ryan noted that skill execution was the major difference between the two sides, but he highlighted his team’s resilience.

“The gap in the game came from skill execution. We weren’t as clean below our knees as our opposition. Our team defence also had moments where it was pressed up too high and we were punished over the back. I was really pleased that the group never gave in until the final siren and managed to win the last quarter.”

Second-placed Old Scotch rounded out their season with a convincing 6.2 (38) to 0.3 (3) win over Kew. The Cardinals head into September with strong momentum, while Kew will be left to regroup after a disappointing performance.

Kew coach Emily Avery was frank in her assessment.

“I wasn’t pleased about much with our performance. We were flat, not connected and couldn’t convert. We had a positive second quarter to keep them goalless with pressure and played a front half game. Kristy Rinaldi had a stand-out game in ruck and was our main intercept marker.”

Old Scotch, meanwhile, confirmed their position as genuine premiership contenders, finishing the season in second place, just behind Caulfield.

For the Cardinals Mia Cowan and Jordan Mifsud kicked two goals apiece, with Isabella Tuttle and Sophie McIntosh the best two for the reigning premiers on the day.

In one of the weekend’s notable results, Williamstown CYMS ended their year on a high, defeating Old Geelong 5.3 (33) to 3.1 (19).

The Seagulls’ camp and coach Xavier Smith reflected on the strong finish after a challenging season, highlighting their determination to compete against a familiar rival.

“Very, very pleasing to finish the year on a high. The past couple of weeks had been really tough, against two finals teams with everything to play for. We really set ourselves for Old Geelong, a team we’ve had a good rivalry with over the past couple of seasons. We got some players back in the team, which allowed us to play our style of footy, which we know can be very dangerous. Credit to all our girls for showing up, playing with pride and a real intensity, wanting to finish the year off the right way. Which we did, with two wins.”

While the OG’s ended up seventh, the CY’s victory ensured they finished their season with momentum, sitting in eighth place but carrying optimism into 2026.

Cooper Watkins

Fitzroy capped off their season with a strong defensive display, defeating Beaumaris 4.6 (30) to 1.4 (10). Coach Nathan Jumeau was pleased with the effort, particularly behind the ball.

“Happy with our defensive structure for the game. Would have loved to have put more of our play on the scoreboard.”

Beaumaris coach Sam Calogero reflected on the season, emphasising the bigger picture despite the final result.

“Our last game of the year our focus was to focus on our team’s pressure and nullify Fitzroy getting easy outlets. The year has been a great journey with us focusing on togetherness and understanding that footy is more than a game in a trying year for us as a club and team.”

Fitzroy’s win secured them sixth place, while Beaumaris ended the season ninth, unable to climb off the bottom but strengthened by the unity they built.

The stage is now set for a thrilling finals campaign. Momentum, consistency and resilience will prove decisive as the competition narrows to its top contenders.

Kicking off the first round of finals, St Kevin’s will come up against familiar rival in Kew at Preston City Oval this Saturday. The SKOB Saints getting the better of the Bears on both occasions these two sides have matched up this season. This elimination final is do or die, with only one able to progress through to the preliminary final.

Later on, we will see minor premiers in Caulfield Grammarians come up against the reigning premier in Old Scotch at Coburg City Oval. The winner of this match will book themselves a ticket straight through to the Grand Final. Both matches will be live streamed and available on KommunityTV.

SEMI FINAL TIPS:

St Kevin’sV Kew

Caulfield Grammarians V Old Scotch

ROUND 18 RESULTS

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER WOMEN’S

Geelong:

Williamstown CYMS:

GOALS: Old Geelong: C. Mackenzie 1, A. Halaby 1, T. Longden 1

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS: P. Conway 2, L. Mills 2, J. Paten 1

BEST: Old Geelong: C. Mackenzie, H. Grimshaw, J. Grant, A. Halaby, S. Davis, A. Rafferty

BEST: Williamstown CYMS: A. Woodhead, L. Scrivener, C. Perrett, E. Pawlowski, L. Mills, M. Russell

Kew:

GOALS: Kew:

GOALS: Old Scotch: J. Mifsud 2, M. Cowan 2, E. Jago 1, M. Wilson 1

BEST: Kew: A. Melnikas, K. Rinaldi, L. Barr, E. Burdett-Moore, V. Murphy, L. Rinaldi

BEST: Old Scotch: I. Tuttle, S. McIntosh, M. Caffry, M. Cowan, E. Tassiopoulos, E. Defina

GOALS: Fitzroy: N. Cooney Hunt 1, A. Francese 1, E. Hurley 1

GOALS: Beaumaris: R. Byrne 1

BEST: Fitzroy: T. Lind, J. Nelson, S. Lynas, M. Smith, T. Young, L. Atkinson

BEST: Beaumaris: S. Hollingsworth, T. Tysoe, B. Scott, A. Calogero, A. Sutcliffe, K. Randall

Caulfield Grammarians:

West Brunswick:

GOALS: Caulfield Grammarians: S. Kenny 2, I. Robson 1, N. Barbara 1, E. Cleland 1, I. Lehman 1, C. O’Malley 1

GOALS: West Brunswick: C. Balbata 1

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians: S. Kuo, O. Rundle, I. Robson, S. Kenny, E. Cleland, C. O’Malley

BEST: West Brunswick: C. Balbata, A. Trollip, V. Holt, T. Watson, S. Jolly, B. Whyte

PREMIER WOMEN’S RESERVE

Old Geelong:

(14) Williamstown

GOALS: Old Geelong: S. Colton 1, E. Headon 1

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS: L. Mills 2, A. Kennedy 1

BEST: Old Geelong: D. Willows, E. Headon, M. Naylor, L. Reid, S. Hanmer, I. Owen

BEST: Williamstown CYMS: A. Parsons, S. Moses, I. Hickman, B. Krt, A. Kennedy, T. Beagley

Caulfield Grammarians:

GOALS: Caulfield Grammarians: L. Aruci 2, E. Shalders 1, C. Ryan 1, B. Tuszynski 1

GOALS: West Brunswick: A. Mack 1

(7)

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians: C. Ryan, E. Grills, E. Shalders, G. Casey, W. Sweeney Johnston, B. Wolhuter

BEST: West Brunswick: N. Clarke, A. Traill, T. Moynihan, I. Johanson-Blok, M. Trompf, E. Putyra

Fitzroy:

(52) Beaumaris:

GOALS: Fitzroy: N. Conte 2, E. Boles 2, E. Murphy 1, E. Mandy 1, E. James 1

GOALS: Beaumaris:

BEST: Fitzroy: C. Taylor, E. Mandy, F. Myers, C. Elliott, E. James, N. Conte

BEST: Beaumaris: L. Barker, P. Barrow, A. Pearce, R. Barker, A. Watkins, N. Stainforth

GOALS: Kew: K. Shaw 1, L. Laussen 1

GOALS: Old Scotch: M. Fraser-Smith 3, L. Morley 2, A. McCulloch 1, A. Connor 1

BEST: Kew: L. Laussen, A. Schuller, D. Graham, S. Wilmott, G. Smith, A. Bruce

BEST: Old Scotch: A. McCulloch, A. Stubbings, E. Crump, M. Fraser-Smith, E. Rosenow, I. Griffin

PREMIER B MEN’S

Paddy Grindlay

Fields and Panthers through to finals, Wellers drop out

The music has stopped after a season-long game of musical chairs in VAFA’s Premier B, and its Caulfield Grammarians and Old Carey with spots inside the top four after a fourteam race for third and fourth.

The Fields, coming into Round 18 in third, needed to simply beat or draw with Old Trinity to be sure of their destiny; in fourth, Old Camberwell needed to defeat or tie with Williamstown CYMS to retain its position. Starting in fifth, Old Carey needed a win over Old Geelong combined with an Old Camberwell loss to feature in September; in sixth, Williamstown CYMS needed a win over the Wellers in combination with an Old Geelong upset win over the Panthers.

With Old Trinity and Old Ivanhoe safe inside the top two, and relegation confirmed for Fitzroy and Hampton, here’s how the three key games in Round 18 played out.

Williamstown CYMS held up its part of the bargain, knocking Old Camberwell out of the four and keeping its season momentarily alive.

But, as hopeful CYs fans’ eyes turned to the OGs and the Panthers game, there wasn’t good news. Old Carey won the race for fourth, jagging a place at the finals table with a win over the OGs, the Wellers falling from fourth to sixth as a result.

If not for four losses in a row out of the double-byeincluding two heartbreakers in a row against the Fields and Panthers in Rounds 15 and 16 - the CYs likely would be playing finals. One more win would’ve sealed a place in the four, but for Con Terzoglou’s men, it wasn’t to be.

“On Saturday we went in focused on what we could control … the disappointment and suffering for us came three weeks prior, on the back of those losses,” he said.

“While there was a mathematical possibility (of making finals), we knew it wasn’t the right thing to do to hang our hat on that, because that’s not part of our control circle.

“We focused on, ‘can we play against a good opposition that’s in form, and can we execute?’ and we wanted to acknowledge that finishing with a positive ledger is a great step forward from where we were 12 months prior. That was the key message post-game.”

Despite a 32-12 first half inside 50 advantage, the Wellers were able to stymie much of the CYs’ advantage with extra numbers back early when kicking against the breeze -

Williamstown leading by eight points at the break despite a sizeable territory advantage.

But with some clearance wins in midfield and shorter, sharper passing, the CYs made hay in the third quarter, kicking six goals to zero as Ayden McCarroll broke the game apart.

The enormous youngster booted four of his five goals in the third term, ripping down four contested grabs in the quarter and at 209 centimetres tall proving nigh on impossible to match up on.

45 points up at three quarter time, the CYs kicked the first three goals of the final term to put paid to the contest, eventually 14.11 (95) to 6.11 (47) victors.

“The goal this year was to change the perception, and that’s not about how others think about us, or see us, but more from an internal perspective - to show the group that we’re capable of a little bit more than what we’ve served in Premier B,” said Terzoglou, reflecting on a 10-8 season.

On the coach’s list for the off-season: game management in close games, sharpening and tweaking the gameplan.

“I’m reasonably comfortable that we’ve shown that the club has a framework that’s capable of being a mid-to-upper Premier B side - and that becomes the new base and standard moving forward.”

Jordan Busuttil rounded out a wonderful year in the Amatuers with 31 disposals and a goal, his Big V running mate Will Bokma had 30, and defender Cullen Hira snagged seven intercept marks.

For Old Camberwell, it’s disappointment after three successive wins had the Wellers in the four and with destiny in their own hands.

“We had four elimination finals and failed to win the last one. A few of our boys were banged up, but we were beaten by a better side on the day, Williamstown beat us in all facets of the game, and I feel they’re unlucky not to be playing finals,” said coach Neil Connell.

“We need to get better in the off-season and go to work on how we can challenge for a finals spot in 2026.”

Jimmy Allen stood out once again with 37 disposals, while Liam Thomas’ two goals took him to 57 for the season, taking out the goal-kicking title by 14 goals from Old Trinity’s Hugh Beasley.

The Wellers’ loss was Old Carey’s gain, the Panthers defeating Old Geelong to secure its first Premier B finals berth since 2018.

It’s a remarkable achievement for Luke Giles, who took the coaching reins from Aaron Bailey this year, leading his team to 11 wins and fourth place on the ladder after taking the premiership and promotion from Premier C in 2024.

Old Carey won its last four games - a last-gasp comeback to beat Williamstown CYMS the highlight - to leap into the finalsplaying positions for the first time since Round 10.

Early doors, there were concerns for the Panthers, the OGs jumping to an early three-goal lead and Tim Jones (13 disposals and a goal for the quarter) running hot in midfield.

The OGs, unable to play finals, had the retiring Will Sloss to play for and have themselves enjoyed a quality season under Nick Dixon, only recently accounting for Old Ivanhoe on the road.

But those concerns were allayed in the second term as the Panthers piled on seven goals to nil, flipped a 17-point deficit to a 27-point advantage and dominated the Premier Data stats sheet, controlling the ball and taking significant advantages over the course of the quarter in disposals (96-72), inside 50s (20-8) and marks (26-18).

The OGs charged in the third, kicking five goals to three to cut the lead to 15 at the final break, but Old Carey held firm in the last, holding the OGs to just a single scoring shot and locking in fourth with a 14.11 (95) to 11.6 (72) victory.

“Anyone at that game would attest to (that being) our best performance of the year by a mile. You never want to limp into fourth and bow out in the first final … but when you go out and dish that up, it’s really exciting,” said coach Giles on Monday.

“I’m of the belief that this type of footy can beat anyone in the top four at the moment … I said to the boys after the game, ‘if we’re going to dish that up, then let’s go have a crack at it.’”

The coach spoke glowingly of the atmosphere in Bulleen, his side urged on throughout the afternoon by one of the loudest Carey crowds Giles has ever heard.

“I’ve never seen so many Carey people down at the game,” said Giles.

“There was such a buzz all day. Every time we kicked a goal - I hadn’t heard it (the crowd) that loud in a long, long time, probably since my time (playing) at the club.

“Most parents were in the rooms; most supporters were in the rooms (after the game) … we were just so rapt. We did allow ourselves time to sit in it a little bit and appreciate what we’ve been able to do. It’s unusual for a team to come up a division, win 11 games, and lock itself into a final.

“I think it’s important that we take a minute and actually enjoy it, sit with it, give each other a pat on the back - and then get to work.”

Old Carey’s Luke Kelvie quality home-and-away season finished with a season-best haul of 39 disposals (coming at an impressive 82% efficiency), while Daniel Clarke equalled his

season-best tally of goals with four - including a truly remarkable snap from deep in the forward pocket in the second term which is sure to enter the goal-of-the-year conversation.

Tim Jones of Old Geelong finished with 38 disposals, 15 clearances and a goal, finishing his year in tight on a high note.

The Panthers are booked for September - they’ll play thirdplaced Caulfield Grammarians in the first semi-final this Sunday afternoon at Preston City Oval.

“When you just slot into fourth at the last minute, you’d be stupid to start talking about premierships or any of that,” said Giles.

“We’ve got to get the next week right, make it two really good sessions, and go to work on where we went wrong last time, we played them.”

Giles pointed to poor forward entries that fed Caulfield Grammarians’ intercept defenders as an area of improvement from their 10-point loss to the Fields back in Round 14

“We won’t be using the game earlier in the season (Round Four’s 60-point win) as any sort of measure for this weekend.”

“I’m not worried about putting that out there, I think it’s no secret. We’re a small forward line and we need the ball to come in really sharp and with a bit of purpose about it.”

With wins to the Panthers and CYs, the lowest Caulfield Grammarians could fall to on the ladder was fourth in a laterstarting game against Old Trinity. Their finals place secure, Paul Satterley’s team went into September at a gallop, handing the Ts just their fourth loss of the season.

It’s a remarkable turnaround for the Fields, who on the last Saturday of the 2024 home-and-away season survived relegation to Premier C by defeating Old Camberwell, sending the Beaumaris Sharks down instead in Guy McKenna’s last game as coach.

PREMIER B MEN’S

This time around, it was a win that locked up third on the ladder and knocked the Ts out of first spot, 10.16 (76) to 8.12 (60). In ten games decided by 20 points or fewer this year, the Fields are 8-2 - a stat that Satterley says, “sums up the group.”

Caulfield had to do it from behind though - seven points down at the final break, albeit with the wind at their backs for the final term.

“We were hell-bent on playing a particular way and being really compliant. It felt like it took forever to kick the goals we needed, kicking the bulk of those five in the latter part of the quarter (and) we missed some absolute sitters,” said Satterley.

The Fields kicked 4.9 - the Ts, 1.4. Jack Ellwood, Sam McInerney and Matt Clarkson found plenty of the footy in the last term as the Fields dominated disposals (+41 in the quarter), inside 50s (+14) and clearances (+6). With goals in time-on coming from Will Edwards, Will Vesely and Ollie Lowe, the Fields grabbed the lead at the 21-minute mark and held onto a 16-point win.

Satterley’s looking forward to a battle with Old Carey, whom the Fields have split the points with in 2025.

“Two similar sides - they like to get the footy moving pretty quick, as do we,” Satterley said.

“We had a really good battle only four weeks ago. They’ve got some real class in (Mitch) Wooffindin and (Isaac) Ellwood - we probably match up well with them, as they would be thinking they match up well with us.

Access Team Lists on PlayHQ via VAFA.com.au

Old Trinity won’t take the minor premiership but are set for a second semi-final meeting with Old Ivanhoe this Saturday afternoon at Preston City Oval.

“A very tough game against Caulfield, who are really coming into some great form over the past few weeks,” said Ts coach Donald McDonald.

“It was disappointing to lose however to their credit we probably needed to make better use of our first quarter use of the breeze and did not capitalise.”

Harry Thompson (28 disposals, 39 hitouts) worked with Boston Dowling (21 disposals, 22 hitouts and a goal) in the ruck, while Hugh Beasley kicked a pair of majors.

“We have earned the right over the course of the season to finish top two in both seniors and reserves. So now we have an opportunity to play for a spot in a Grand Final which is very exciting but will be a great challenge for us to achieve,” said McDonald.

Old Ivanhoe, survived an almighty scare against the Hampton Rovers at Boss James Reserve, holding on late to secure the minor premiership with a five-point win.

The Rovers head down to Premier C without a win in Premier B but can be proud of their Round 18 effort, an admirable 7.17 (59) to 8.6 (54) defeat to a team that has the chance to win its way through to William Buck Premier this weekend.

“Our twos had won by 100 points, and you kind of think, based on the season that they (Hampton) have had and what we did last time, that we just had to turn up to get the result - but they had a different idea, they really came to play,” said Old Ivanhoe coach Jarrod Gieschen.

“Credit to them, the way they defended the ground. We weren’t able to convert.”

Hampton had the wind in the final term and, with Old Ivanhoe leading by five points with sore bodies on the bench, the unthinkable was all of a sudden possible.

But the Hoers dug deep, controlling the game in the final moments and securing a hard-fought win to secure top spot.

Key Hoers Alex Mirkov, Billy Murphy and Toby McLean took the weekend to prepare for September, Gieschen and his team handing larger roles to the likes of Archie Franklin and Ryder Mantello in their stead, the younger players warming up for finals nicely.

Remarkably, the Hoers’ inside 50 count matched their total score - 59 apiece - as Patrick Naish (40 disposals), Archie Franklin (a season-high 39 disposals and 11 clearances) and Nicholas Reeves-Smyth (30 disposals and a seasonhigh 16 marks) found plenty of the footy.

The Hoers will have to do something they haven’t done this year if they’re to be first to lock in a Grand Final spot: beat Old Trinity

“They’ve had a great preparation and have beaten us twice throughout the year. It appears that their players are all coming back at the right time,” said Gieschen.

“We don’t mind being underdogs, we did that in 2023. It’ll be two great teams going at each other.”

Zach Ziesling wound up his excellent year for the Rovers with 25 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 30 hitouts, nine clearances and a goal while Joel Melnjak had 32 disposals and 17 rebound 50s.

Finally, Travis Ronaldson’s stint as Fitzroy coach ended on a high note, the Roys notching their third win of season 2025 over Old Melburnians at Brunswick Street Oval.

A six-goal-to-one third term did the trick for Fitzroy, as the Ramshaw brothers Heath (42 disposals) and Laird (31 disposals) put on a show for the home crowd, the 11.11 (77) to 4.9 (33) victory giving the Roys a positive to finish on after a difficult 2025 season.

“It was great to finish the year with a win in what were very tough conditions for footy. The first half was a real arm wrestle, but we managed to hit the scoreboard in the third quarter to have a buffer at the last break,” said Ronaldson.

“The boys really rolled up the sleeves and did the hard work. I am glad they got rewarded for their efforts. They have been a great group to work with and I am looking forward to seeing what this young squad can achieve in the future.”

The Roys have blooded 18 senior debutants in 2025 and have used 49 players in the seniors - Ronaldson expects the red, blue and gold to emerge stronger after this period of transition.

For the OMs and Nathan Brown, it’s been a season of almosts - from 6-5 and a place in the top four after Round 11, to 7-11 and eighth after Round 18. Injury and unavailability have plagued Brown and his Redlegs, who will be sure to respond in 2026.

In his farewell game for the OMs, stalwart Jackson Paine kicked a couple of goals, and Thomas Spargo had 30 disposals to go with nine marks.

Old Ivanhoe and Old Trinity play off for a spot in the Grand Final from 2:00pm this Saturday afternoon at Preston City Oval - the loser will play the winner of the second semi final between Caulfield Grammarians and Old Carey, taking place at 2:20pm on Sunday, also at Preston City Oval.

ROUND 18 RESULTS

PREMIER B MEN’S

Old Carey:

Old Geelong:

GOALS: Old Carey: D. Clarke 4, R. Thompson 3, D. Godden 2, L. Godden 1, H. Hill 1, J. Alexander 1, B. Waters 1, C. Grummitt 1

(95)

(72)

GOALS: Old Geelong: L. Dunell 2, M. Nicholls 2, C. Dixon 2, J. Nicholls 1, H. Kol 1, T. Jones 1, H. Graham 1, W. Sloss 1

BEST: Old Carey: Q. McKay, L. Kelvie, D. Clarke, j. horsey, B. Waters, L. Bailey

BEST: Old Geelong: O. Grodski, A. Lazzaro, J. Adams, W. Horsfall, W. Eggins, J. Sheridan

Fitzroy:

Old Melburnians:

GOALS: Fitzroy: M. Ellis 2, c. harward 2, J. Hart 2, M. Nelson 2, S. Laidlaw 1, L. Hodder 1, A. Johnson 1

GOALS: Old Melburnians: J. Paine 2, G. Derham 1, L. Haysman 1

BEST: Fitzroy: H. Ramshaw, M. Ellis, c. harward, L. Ramshaw, A. Evans, T. Strachan

BEST: Old Melburnians: t. donnelly, L. Templeton, W. Dethridge, J. Paine, L. Haysman, E. Chantrell

Hampton Rovers:

Ivanhoe:

GOALS: Hampton Rovers: C. Jones 2, C. Carnovale 2, Z. Ziesing 1, B. Seddon 1, L. O’Driscoll 1, H. Crisp 1

GOALS: Old Ivanhoe: D. Waldron 3, A. Stratov 1, M. Mitris 1, c. naish 1, R. McKenzie 1

BEST: Hampton Rovers: Z. Ziesing, J. Melnjak, O. Sutherland, B. Seddon, C. Carnovale, J. Seddon

BEST: Old Ivanhoe: N. Reeves-Smyth, P. Naish, R. Mantello, T. Nagel, D. Waldron, H. Frazer

Caulfield Grammarians:

Old Trinity:

(76)

GOALS: Caulfield Grammarians: T. Williams 2, K. Watt 2, J. Hutchings 2, J. Freedman 1, W. Vesely 1, O. Lowe 1, W. Edwards 1

GOALS: Old Trinity: H. Beasley 2, C. Dytor 1, O. Scott 1, B. Dowling 1, T. Wenn 1, B. Curtain 1, J. Heath 1

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians: C. Eerhard, M. Clarkson, S. Mcinerney, J. Hutchings, H. McInerney, O. Lowe

BEST: Old Trinity: T. Wenn, J. Hindson, A. Emery, O. Scott, H. Thompson, M. Scott

GOALS: Old Camberwell: L. Thomas 3, B. Hart 1, L. O’Neill 1, C. Finlayson 1

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS: A. McCarroll 5, H. Miller 3, R. Diwell 2, C. Vicino 1, J. Busuttil 1, W. Chan 1, C. Brown 1

BEST: Old Camberwell: J. Allen, J. Holding, L. O’Neill, R. Hopkins, B. Hart, T. Oliver

BEST: Williamstown CYMS: C. Brown, A. McCarroll, R. Diwell, C. Hira, X. Snelling, L. Warren

PREMIER B MEN’S RESERVES

Fitzroy:

Old Melburnians:

GOALS: Fitzroy:

GOALS: Old Melburnians: BEST: Fitzroy: BEST: Old Melburnians:

Hampton Rovers:

Old Ivanhoe:

GOALS: Hampton Rovers: D. O’Shea 2, L. Boccari 1

GOALS: Old Ivanhoe: T. Kellock 8, J. Erman-Keogh 4, D. Davies 2, N. Sivakumar 1, L. Jensen 1, F. Knight 1

BEST: Hampton Rovers: P. Somogyi, L. Boccari, C. Bennett, R. Bennett-Cochrane, D. O’Shea, D. Merlo

BEST: Old Ivanhoe: E. Worsam, S. Daniel, T. Kellock, H. Ward, N. Goldie, C. Mantello

Caulfield Grammarians:

Old Trinity:

GOALS: Caulfield Grammarians: J. Wallace 3, S. Hankin 2, J. Atkinson 2, M. Kaufman 2, C. Hankin 2, L. Bevis 1, O. Ursini 1

(86)

(37)

FINALS TIPS

FitzroyV Old Melburnians

Hampton Rovers V Old Ivanhoe

GOALS: Old Trinity: w. Noumertzis 1

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians: J. Wallace, M. Kaufman, J. Atkinson, S. Hankin, J. Hill, J. Harrison

BEST: Old Trinity: S. Barendregt, F. Hall, L. Chiaramonte, T. Rasdell, R. Hughson, L. Jackson

Camberwell:

(27) Williamstown CYMS:

GOALS: Old Camberwell: A. Goodale 1, G. Brennan 1, T. Nicholson 1, L. Campbell 1

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS: W. Slight 1

(14)

BEST: Old Camberwell: C. Robertson, L. Campbell, C. Smith, F. Sampson, N. Latsas, D. Gaffney

BEST: Williamstown CYMS: J. Neville, K. Raju, O. Becroft, L. Taylor, S. Shepherd, H. Azzopardi

Old Carey:

Old Geelong:

GOALS: Old Carey: N. Dempsey 2, L. Mossman 1, J. Athanasopoulos 1, F. Park 1, T. Zafiropoulos 1

(45)

(101)

GOALS: Old Geelong: J. Colgrave 3, K. Kemp 2, J. Kemp 2, P. Kol 1, T. Breadmore 1, J. Davies 1, H. Atkins 1, L. Maiden 1, S. Alvarez de toledo 1, S. Jess 1

Old Carey: M. Vandersteen,

BEST:

N. Benson, J. Athanasopoulos, T. Zafiropoulos, S. Zimmermann, M. Noble

BEST: Old Geelong: B. Parks, M. Planner, J. Dunstan, L. Maiden, K. Kemp, S. Alvarez de toledo

PREMIER B WOMEN’S

Lauren Atkinson

Tonners set up grand final showdown with Old Melburnians

Old Brighton has secured their place in the 2025 Premier B Women’s Grand Final with a decisive 29-point victory over Westbourne Grammarians in Sunday’s preliminary final at Coburg City Oval.

The match showcased the Tonners’ trademark pressure and depth across the ground with the ladder leaders holding Westbourne to a single point across the first three quarters before a final-term goal rush saw them seal the win, 4.18 (42) to 2.1 (13).

Despite struggling with accuracy early, Old Brighton controlled the contest from the outset. Their relentless attack on the ball and ability to generate repeat forward entries eventually wore down Westbourne’s resilient defence, until the Tonners finally managed to break through for a major at the 15-minute mark of the third term.

Their territory dominance continued to pay off, with Old Brighton’s 22 scoring shots to Westbourne’s three telling the story of the day.

Old Brighton coach Andrew Grant praised his side’s intensity and composure under finals pressure.

“I was very proud of our group on Sunday as we applied constant pressure throughout the entire game,” Grant said. “Westbourne are a very well-structured team with a strong defence, so it was important that we were hard at the contest to get some outside run and move it quickly into the forward line.”

Jas Tait continues to prove herself as a star of the competition, delivering another outstanding performance, while Sophie Grant and Scout Howden also excelled.

For Westbourne, the loss marked the end of a remarkable season in just their second year in the competition. Coach Chris Grant reflected on the journey with pride.

“Old Brighton showed why they have been the best team all season, with their experience, maturity and skill a level above on the day.” Grant said. “Ultimately, whilst our girls kept at it all day and showed just how much they have developed over the course of the season, OB was just too strong.”

Kayla Koropeckyj and Ciaralii Parnell stood tall in defence under immense pressure, while Sam Moodie was enormous in the ruck. 17-year-old Lydia Waghorne announced herself as an emerging star of the competition, kicking both of Westbourne’s goals in a gutsy performance.

Old Brighton now turns its attention to Sunday’s Grand Final, where they will meet familiar rival Old Melburnians at City Oval Coburg at 2:20PM to determine who will lift this year’s premiership cup.

The two sides have gone head-to-head on three occasions this season with the Tonners taking the chocolates the first time, with the Omlettes getting the jump the two matches after that, the most recent being the one-point nail-biter that was the Semi Final.

These two sides are in red-hot form and a showdown awaits. Old Brighton welcomed the return of their co-captains India Tait and Cat O’Brien which has no doubt bolstered the line up and lifted the Tonners. Indi and Cat are primed to steer the Tonners to the Grand Final when they come up against the likes of the Old Melburnians engine room in Ellen Williams and Georgia Dunlop.

GRAND FINAL TIP

Old Melburnians v Old Brighton

FINALS RESULTS

PREMIER B WOMEN’S

GOALS: Old Brighton: C. OBrien 2, K. Grant 1, S. Howden 1

GOALS: Westbourne:

BEST: Old Brighton: J. Tait, I. Tait, C. OBrien, S. Howden, G. Buckley, S. Grant

BEST: Westbourne:

PREMIER C MEN’S

Harrison McIlwaine

September awaits

The finalists in Premier C this season were ordained months ago. A breakaway top four formed in the early sledding, creating a buffer that never looked threatened. Now, having bided their time, and finely tuned their gameplans, Parkdale Vultures, Beaumaris, St Bedes/ Mentone Tigers and AJAX will do battle.

Owen Lalor’s Parkdale Vultures side cemented themselves as minor premiers with a 14.16 (100) to 7.9 (51) victory over Mazenod, at Gerry Green Reserve.

The Vultures led start to finish, in a performance befitting their recently confirmed status atop the tree in Premier C. Kai Colella (22 disposals) and Jack Cheep (six tackles) each contributed three majors to the winning cause, while Ben Fenech slotted a goal, in his first senior appearance for the season. Oliver Green registered 30 disposals, nine clearances and a goal in a strong performance.

Despite the loss, Mazenod’s place in the division is secure, with outgoing coach Peter Banfield proud of that achievement.

“We did what we needed to do to stay up in C grade,” he said. “I coached a number of games to protect percentage – that’s called coaching, when you have injuries and players travelling overseas.”

Banfield leaves the club in good stead, having blooded 18 debutants in a tumultuous campaign.

Despite going goalless in this outing, Hayden Boyce has been crowned the division’s leading goalkicker, finishing the season with 49 majors – over 28% of his side’s 173 for the year. Matt Fewings was named Banfield’s best, with the skipper capping off another brilliant campaign –one that memorably saw him represent the Big V, while Jarryd Raffa was influential, collecting 29 disposals, and 11 clearances - most on the ground.

Only their own inaccuracy prohibited Beaumaris from fattening their already impressive percentage. The Sharks defeated Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 8.21 (69) to 5.8 (38), bringing their winning streak to an unprecedented 15, before the ‘real stuff’ begins.

Usual suspects occupied both sides’ bests, with Callum Linehan (12 intercept possessions), Callum Heath

(31 hitouts) and James Taylor (32 disposals, eight clearances) among Josh Bourke’s nominations, while the Carey brothers, and Nick Mavropoulos were among Guy Martyn’s nominations.

The Gryphons finish the season sixth, with seven wins, above Marcellin on percentage. 10 of the 11 losses that characterised Martyn’s first campaign in Carnegie came against the five sides that finished the season above them, with bridging this gap no doubt at the forefront of Martyn’s off-season planning.

Similarly wasteful were St Bedes/Mentone Tigers in their 18.17 (125) to 11.5 (71) victory over Parkside. The Tigers dominated field position (+29 in inside 50’s) and possession (+156 in disposals, +36 in contested possessions) in the outing, ultimately generating the significant advantage in scoring shots.

“The first half we were really competitive and in the second, we couldn’t really find ways to score,” said Devils coach Rick Frost, post-match. “St Bedes moved the ball well through the middle of the ground to create forward opportunities, and they created a wide-open forward line through quick transition from half-back. Their wingmen were also good, getting high possessions through the middle.”

Jake Harding slotted five majors, and Liam Bowles contributed four of his own, while Matt Lehpamer was influential from the midfield.

For Parkside, Nick Moylan and Luke Logozzo earned their coach’s plaudits post-game, while the debut of Sid Bushell was viewed as ‘very promising’.

However, this result does cement their relegation, in a reality coach Rick Frost admits is still ‘pretty raw’ for his club. In their first season in the division, the Devils posted a 4-14 record in Premier C, with their victories coming over fellow promoted side Prahran, Marcellin, and Mazenod. Matt Holden was a shining light for Frost this year, undaunted by the rising standard of the new division, capturing the praise of opposition coaches on a regular basis.

PEGS put a dent in AJAX’s finals preparations, recording a 12.13 (85) to 6.9 (45) upset victory. The match loomed as a steadier for the Jackas, who’d lost their last two

matches, but instead, an opportunity to generate some momentum heading into the finals, went begging.

Riley Simmons starred for the Bombers, with three majors, to be named coach Rob Kerr’s best. Skipper Mitch Baker-West and Blake Roach have racked up nominations seemingly at will this season, and did so again, in their final outing for the season.

In the pre-season, Kerr, a first-year coach in Keilor East, was pleased with how well his side adopted the gameplan he wanted to implement. While a finals berth was ultimately too far from reach, confidence can be taken from a positive winning ratio, and victories like this one.

Corey Zielinski was strong in just his second game back from injury, slotting two majors, while a first senior appearance for the year for talismanic forward Richie Simon was a pleasing development for AJAX.

Marcellin stamped their excellent late season form with a 14.15 (99) to 8.10 (58) victory over Prahran, in Bulleen. It was an awesome August for Bernie Dineen’s men, who went 4-1 in the calendar month, with statement victories against sides above them, such as PEGS and St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, proving memorable.

The Eagles were in real danger at the end of July, sitting 3-10, with relegation a genuine concern. Something’s clicked in the time since, marking the side as one to watch next season, after a third pre-season under Dineen.

For Prahran, a season of relative misery comes to a close, without the team song having been sung. A winless campaign for the first time in the club’s storied history was characterised by injury, but more so by resilience. Last year’s Division One Premiers will look to re-group next year, albeit with a younger squad, after multiple retirements this year.

Jon Simonetta snagging a goal in his final appearance for the club was a standout moment in the latest loss. Recruit Ryan Smyth capped off a strong debut season for the Two Blues with a twelfth nomination in Craige Milward’s bests, while Patrick Ribbands featured for the eighth time this season. The two men are sure to feature in Basil Cleary medal calculations.

So then, in the first week of finals, Parkdale and Beaumaris will face off for immediate Grand Final qualification, with the loser to face the winner of St Bedes/Mentone Tigers and AJAX, the next week.

ROUND 18 RESULTS

PREMIER C MEN’S

Glen Eira / Old McKinnon:

GOALS: Beaumaris: M. Harms 1, J. Cusack 1, T. O’Rourke 1, O. McMaster 1, R. Virtue 1, J. Trew 1, A. Marcombe 1, J. Haeata 1

GOALS: Glen Eira / Old McKinnon: B. Reid 2, B. Gillett 1, N. Mavropoulos 1, J. Chilcott 1

BEST: Beaumaris: J. Taylor, C. Linehan, C. Wilce, B. Seers, C. Heath, J. Pepper

BEST: Glen Eira / Old McKinnon: A. Carey, J. Chilcott, S. Carey, N. Mavropoulos, J. Carey, M. Day

Marcellin:

GOALS: Marcellin: J. Daniel 3, Z. Tolley 2, J. Robertson 2, H. Pertile 2, J. Harrowell 1, M. Capetola 1, P. Curtin 1, H. Greenwood 1, R. Elphinstone 1

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GOALS: Prahran: J. Gottschalk 1

BEST: Marcellin: P. Howe, J. May, S. Tyquin, Z. Tolley, P. Curtin, J. Stapleton

BEST: Prahran:

GOALS: PEGS: R. Simmons 3, M. Barake 2, D. Flaherty 1, Z. Genovesi 1, L. Weber 1, E. Caddeo 1, L. Flaherty 1, M. Baker-West 1

GOALS: AJAX: C. Zielinski 2, R. Simon 1, J. Vogel 1, J. Cohen 1, B. Nussbaum 1

BEST: PEGS: R. Simmons, M. Baker-West, C. Livori, B. Roach, J. Kerr, H. Neo

BEST: AJAX: C. Zielinski, R. Israel, N. Pike, M. Chrapot, K. Nissenbaum, E. Debinski

GOALS: Parkdale Vultures: K. Colella 3, J. Cheep 3, N. Sullivan 2, J. Noske 2, C. Williamson 1, B. Fenech 1, J. Hardeman 1, O. Green 1

GOALS: Mazenod: H. Boyce 3, J. D’Angelo 1, M. D’Angelo 1, A. Rubino 1, M. Fewings 1

BEST: Parkdale Vultures: K. Colella, L. Marshall, J. Ricco, O. Green, N. Petty, J. Peake

BEST: Mazenod: M. Fewings, J. Sullivan, J. Raffa, D. Byrne, F. Ford, J. Murdock

St Bedes/Mentone: 5.2 8.7

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GOALS: St Bedes/Mentone: J. Harding 5, L. Bowles 4, M. Lehpamer 2, L. Hanson 2, T. Garside 2, P. Tyquin 1, E. Hall 1, D. Fountain 1

GOALS: Parkside: S. Bushell 3, T. Hakins 2, M. Romano 2, J. Woods 2, H. Dietrich 1, C. Bingle 1

BEST: St Bedes/Mentone: M. Lehpamer, J. Ryder, J. Harding, P. Tyquin, K. Arthur, D. Fountain

BEST: Parkside: J. Stevens, R. Williams, J. Woods, S. Bushell, M. Balassone, L. Logozzo

PREMIER C MEN’S RESERVES

GOALS: Parkdale Vultures: J. Hesline 5, J. Brown 4, E. Marshall 2, W. Reeves 2, J. Atkins 2, A. Bartel 2, S. Sargeant 1, N. Farnbach 1

GOALS: Mazenod: J. De Filippis 3

BEST: Parkdale Vultures: J. Duckham, L. Vorbach, T. Long, J. Brown, B. Dillon, J. Deng

BEST: Mazenod: O. Tuck, A. Cappello, J. Mucha, K. Tellis, N. Montano, M. Withington

GOALS: Marcellin: C. Kemp 3, W. Campitelli 1, S. Fitzgerald 1, Z. Williams 1, M. Kenna 1

GOALS: Prahran:

BEST: Marcellin: C. Bucoy, B. Salerno, M. Ellway, L. Perrone, C. Barry, Z. Williams

BEST: Prahran:

GOALS: St Bedes/Mentone: N. Henricks 6, G. Kelly 3, E. Hale 3, K. Chandler 3, T. Grech 2, L. Carey 2, T. Aughterson 2, C. McFarlane-Squires 1, L. Palfrey 1, B. Goodchild 1, B. Berry 1, T. Nash 1

GOALS: Parkside: Z. Blay 2, A. McEvoy 1, M. Creek 1, M. Youssef 1, A. Gargano 1

BEST: St Bedes/Mentone: M. Arthur, T. Meakins, G. Kelly, F. Chandler, N. Henricks, C. Duffy

BEST: Parkside: M. Creek, A. Balassone, A. Gargano, H. Manthorpe, Z. Blay, M. Doyle

Beaumaris: 6.4

Glen Eira / Old McKinnon: 0.0

SEMI FINAL TIPS:

Parkdale Vultures v Beaumaris

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers v AJAX

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2.1 (13)

GOALS: Beaumaris: T. Murray 4, A. Baruhas 4, M. Kornberg 4, N. Beveridge 3, W. Skinner 3, J. Weightman 2, J. Rabak 2, C. Reynolds 2, C. Tedde 1, J. Ward 1

GOALS: Glen Eira / Old McKinnon: L. Doyle 1, L. Kennedy 1

BEST: Beaumaris: O. Phillips, J. Ward, A. Baruhas, M. Kornberg, N. Beveridge, T. Murray

BEST: Glen Eira / Old McKinnon: A. Hunter, T. Williamson, L. Kennedy, G. Jackson, M. Harrison, L. Taffe

PEGS:

GOALS: PEGS:

GOALS: AJAX: B. Efron 5, J. Nirens 5, L. Siegel 2, C. Efron 2, J. Fibishenko 1, J. Berkowitz 1, B. Mond 1, D. Alter 1, J. Tonkin 1, N. Micmacher 1

BEST: PEGS:

BEST: AJAX: J. Nirens, J. Berkowitz, M. Lincoln, J. Fibishenko, D. Alter, B. Efron

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FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

Zane White took home the illustrious ‘Gold Whistle’ award at the recent VAFA UA Awards Night. The Golden Whistle is the most prestigious award that any field, boundary, or goal umpire can earn. It shows a dedication to their umpiring and excellence on the field. Zane is the first boundary umpire to win the award in 11 years – congratulations Zane!

William Buck Premier Women’s Grand Final Lunch

Join us at the Official Match Day Function for the William Buck Premier Women’s Grand Final to be held in the Elsternwick Park Social Room on Sunday 21st September from 12:30pm with the Grand Final match to follow. Head to VAFA.com.au to secure your tickets now!

Golden Whistle

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

with six Thirds Grand Finals taking place over the weekend. In some trying Melbourne conditions, these matches produced terrific contest with some thrilling results that came down to the wire.

Congratulations to all teams who have won a Premiership and best of luck to all those yet to play in the 2025 VAFA Finals Series.

Thirds Division 1 – Old Trinity

Thirds Division 2 – Old Carey

Thirds Division 3 – St Kevin’s OB

Thirds Division 4 – Old Melburnians

Thirds Division 5 – MHSOB

Visit the VAFA website to read previews for this weekend’s upcoming Finals.

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

Isabella Di Lecce (Ormond)

Women’s Rising Star Nominee

The VAFA congratulates Isabella Di Lecce from Ormond Amateur Football Club, who has been nominated as the Week 19 Anytime Fitness Women’s Rising Star. Isabella came up through the Caulfield Bears, St Kilda Bears and St Kilda City. In her first season in the VAFA at just 19 years of age she has polled in the best players in 10 out of 17 matches. She plays alongside her twin sister Michaela who has also had a stellar year.

What the club said:

Ormond Senior Women’s coach Oscar Persson said, “Isabella ‘Bruz’ Di Lecce is first and foremost a great person. As part of our leadership group, she has found a balance between driving standards and ensuring a supportive environment for her teammates. She has taken huge strides this year in her personal development as a player, greatly improving her kicking and forward craft. Her last month of football is a credit to her drive to be the best version of herself.”

Josh Kol (Marcellin)

Men’s Rising Star Nominee

The VAFA congratulates Josh Kol from Marcellin Football Club, who has been nominated as the Week 19 Anytime Fitness Men’s Rising Star. Josh has played four matches for Marcellin averaging 17.8 disposals, 10 contested possessions and 79.2 ranking points. He is ranked ‘elite’ across several Premier Data stat categories including contested possessions, inside 50s & score involvements.

What the club said:

We welcomed Josh mid-season to MOCFC (he is still in year 12 at Marcellin College) while the AGSV was in recess during school holidays, and he had an immediate impact with our senior team. This young man is an absolute credit to his family and the school, and the immediate effect he had on the clubs’ fortunes was profound as a 17-year-old school boy, Josh is a 182cm, 74kg mobile half-forward who also played in the AGSV representative team this year as well. One of three schoolboys to debut for MOCFC this year, they all had a significant impact on the fortunes of the club during the last 7 rounds when they were able to play.

“It has been so exciting to see Josh join our program in the second half of the year. He is as dedicated to his craft as you could ask and is always after feedback on how to improve his game. Debuting at 17, he had an immediate impact (kicked the first goal then gave off 2 more) and showed great poise. In the pre-game I told his teammates, “this kid has some tricks “, so he didn’t let me down. But it is his work-rate in that high-half forward position, with tackle pressure and contested ball, that has been the standout.”

HOLMESGLEN U19’S REPORT

Callum Farquhar

St Kevin’s claim minor premiership as SBMT win spoonbowl epic

While the top four sides were set for finals leading into Holmesglen Under 19 Premier, no side coasted through the last week of the home and away season, whether their spot in September was booked or not.

In a clash that would determine the wooden spooner, St Bedes/Mentone Tigers faced Caulfield Grammarians in a tight contest.

While both sides are set to be relegated next season, the pair had everything to play for to avoid the unwanted claim.

The Tigers established a strong buffer early, kicking five goals to one in the first term to lead by 25 at quarter time, but the Fields made their reply in the second, kicking 4.6 to 1.1 to close the margin in to two points at the main break.

Kicking at the scoring end again, SBMT pulled away as Caulfield played out the quarter scoreless, but with the breeze in its favour in the last term, the Fields remained hopeful of a final quarter comeback, down 23 at the last change.

But goalkicking woes would let the club down, and despite scoring eight times to two, the Fields could only convert one score into a goal as they fell short by 12 points, 6.14 (50) to 9.8 (62).

It sees Caulfield take home the wooden spoon despite recording huge upset wins during the home and away season, illustrating the evenness of the competition this year.

Old Scotch has claimed third spot on the ladder after a tense four-point win over Old Xaverians.

A low scoring first quarter saw the Cardinals narrowly claim the lead, but an inaccurate second term from the Xavs allowed Scotch to enter half time with an 11-point buffer.

They would be missed opportunities Xavs would come to rue too, as another one-goal term to the red and black saw the Cardinal extend to a 17-point threequarter-time advantage.

However, Old Xaverians would roar home to put Scotch’s heart in its mouth, providing a thrilling final match to prepare it for its finals campaign.

Four goals to two in the final term saw Xavs come within a kick, but Old Scotch had done enough to hold on, 8.9 (57) to 7.11 (53).

Old Brighton is entering finals in red hot form after holding top four rival University Blues to just one goal in the match’s entirety.

The Tonners’ defence allowed just five scoring shots across the four quarters in its stingiest outing all season – and what a time to do it.

Coming off the back of a couple of losses in recent weeks and shaky form, the ruthless victory on Saturday primes Old Brighton for finals with tons of belief.

It was not a bizarre low-scoring affair either – Old Brighton kicked multiple goals in every quarter to defeat the Blues 10.6 (66) to 1.4 (10).

The loss is a wakeup call to the Blues who came off a thrilling seven-point win over minor premiers St Kevin’s, and will now have to run the gauntlet through finals if they are to claim an elusive flag from fourth.

St Kevin’s has claimed the minor premiership after a strong win over De La Salle to close out the 2025 home and away season.

The game was over by half time after the ladder leaders shot out to a seven-goal advantage, holding De La to just seven points in the opening two quarters.

De La would match SKOBS in the next portion of the match, but the damage had already been done, as St Kevin’s ran out 12.10 (82) to 4.6 (30) winners.

ROUND 18 RESULTS

HOLMESGLEN U19 PREMIER MEN’S

Xaverians:

GOALS: Old Scotch: T. Farrer 4, A. Johnson 2, N. Baring 1, C. Hume 1

GOALS: Old Xaverians:

BEST: Old Scotch: T. Farrer, F. Bromell, E. McCorkell, G. Coldwell, W. Verge, L. Macneil

BEST: Old Xaverians:

St Kevin’s coach Paul Greenham was rapt with his players’ efforts in trying conditions at TH King Oval.

“The conditions didn’t suit either side, so to jump out to a 22-point quarter time lead was pretty handy given we were kicking against the breeze in the first term,” Greenham said.

“Clearly I was pleased we kept De La to two scoring shots in the first half.

“Our hardness and grunt in the slippery conditions was what pleased me most.

“It was a good solid finals-like hit out that we needed.”

Lucas May’s two goals saw the St Kevin’s young gun claim the league’s goalkicking award by a margin of 18, punting 52 across the season.

But now, September awaits.

St Kevin’s and Old Brighton, the two strongest teams all year, will play off in a double chance qualifying final, with the winner to book its spot in the big dance.

Just margins of six and 10 have separated the clubs in their meetings this year, presenting a tantalising watch.

The Uni Blues will play Old Scotch in a cutthroat elimination final, as both sides are required to go through September unscathed if they are to win the premiership.

Once again, the pair have had clashes determined by less than two goals in their previous fixtures this season, indicating supporters could be in for an all-time classic weekend of Holmesglen Under 19 Premier Men’s football.

The winner will play the loser of St Kevin’s’ and Old Brighton’s qualifying final.

GOALS: University Blues: C. Cotter 1

GOALS: Old Brighton: C. Richardson 4, A. Langworthy 3, J. Clarkson 1, C. Tyler 1, R. Trim 1

BEST: University Blues: S. Sinnott, C. Skipper, T. Hill, J. Robinson, W. Richter, R. Webster

BEST: Old Brighton: C. Tyler, Z. Travers, O. Di Crosta, J. Lohan, N. Khan, C. Richardson

GOALS: St Bedes/Mentone: J. Robinson 3, O. Moodie 2, L. Scott 2, J. Pugsley 1, A. Shepherdson 1

GOALS: Caulfield Grammarians: A. Ioannidis 2, A. Tamaressis 2, E. Walker 1, E. Petersen 1

BEST: St Bedes/Mentone: J. Robinson, C. Howe, J. Trumble, J. Matthews, L. Napier, A. Shepherdson

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians: H. Dawson, j. fountain, J. O‚ÄôHalloran, N. Will, L. Rudden, E. Petersen St Kevin’s:

GOALS: St Kevin’s: B. Palmer 3, L. May 2, H. Noble 1, J. Quinlan 1, G. Saunders 1, T. Bromhead 1, M. Redenbach 1, L. Edwards 1, D. Tomarchio 1

GOALS: De La Salle: E. Ganas 1, A. JACKSON 1, J. Murray 1, W. Hynes 1

BEST: St Kevin’s: P. Harmon, L. Edwards, J. Gambaro, G. Saunders, T. Bromhead, D. Portelli

BEST: De La Salle: J. Nolan, F. Thompson, M. Boyce, L. Mahimarajan, A. Margerison, E. Ganas

FINALS TIPS

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DIVISION 1 MEN’S

Raj Johnston

Ormond’s perfect record continues, whilst Kew book their preliminary final ticket

After days of unpleasant weather causing havoc across Melbourne, the skies cleared on Saturday for the beginning of the Division 1 finals. Top-seed Ormond continued their perfect season with a victory over 2nd-placed Old Peninsula, whilst Oakleigh’s season has come to an end after being outplayed by an impressive Kew outfit.

Ormond defeated Old Peninsula by 17 points in the qualifying final at the Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

Whilst the worst of the rain had passed, the wind was always going to be a factor at the Trevor Barker Oval, and that certainly showed in the first quarter as both sides were inaccurate in front of goal.

Ormond kicked the first two majors to set the pace early and get their supporters excited, but five behinds to the Monders in the time on stage saw some opportunities go missing that could’ve set them much further ahead.

QT: Ormond 2.6.18 - Old Peninsula 1.3.9

The second quarter didn’t see significant progress on the scoreboard as both teams acclimatised to the conditions, but the feeling was that Ormond were a step ahead with the Monders finding more scoring opportunities inside 50 and extended their lead by half-time.

HT: Ormond 4.9.33 - Old Peninsula 2.4.16

The game opened up in an attacking, high-scoring third quarter as both sides showcased their best footy as they aimed for an express pass to the Grand Final. Old Peninsula responded after a slow start as they began to link up across all lines and play to their plan.

The Pirates kicked three unanswered goals halfway into this quarter to bring their deficit back to 1-point. Their 7-goal haul in the third term saw them win the quarter, however Ormond steadied with a couple of late goals to give them a narrow, but important, 12-point lead into the final change.

3QT: Ormond 10.14.74 - Old Peninsula 9.8.62

The stage was set for a thrilling final quarter as it was Ormond who fired out of the blocks with an early goal to increase their lead. The Pirates found one a few minutes later but Ormond quickly responded, providing themselves with a 16-point lead halfway into the term.

The Ormond crowd breathed a sigh of relief as Jackson Hille goaled to take their lead up to a healthy 24-points, and despite a late Old Peninsula goal, the margin proved to be too much for the Pirates to overturn as Ormond claimed victory, and with that, have secured their Grand Final ticket and a promotion to Premier C in 2026.

FT: Ormond 13.16.94 - Old Peninsula 11.11.77

It was a team effort for Ormond with the goals spread around eight different players, with some of the best players on ground including Kai Seeto-Grossi, Flyn O’Toole, and Harrison Ross. Old Peninsula’s William Crowder and Bailey Payze will go into the preliminary final against Kew in good form, having contributed four and three goals respectively.

Coburg City Oval played host to the elimination final as Kew defeated Oakleigh by 39 points.

Similar to the Ormond v Old Peninsula final, this game also started scrappy with a litany of behinds dominating the first quarter. Just two goals were kicked in the first quarter, with Luke Ashen kicking off proceedings midway through the first quarter, supported by Oliver Thomson in the latter stages of the quarter, to give Oakleigh a 16-point lead at quarter-time.

QT: Kew 0.2.2 - Oakleigh 2.6.18

Kew clicked into gear in the second quarter as the Bears managed to move the ball from the centre to forward 50 and make the most of their opportunities up forward. Oakleigh could only manage one goal as the Bears defenders went to work and supported the rest of their team.

HT: Kew 5.4.34 - Oakleigh 3.6.24

The third quarter was much the same as Kew kept the momentum and accelerated further ahead. Despite Oakleigh’s best efforts to stay competitive, the Krushers couldn’t keep up as the Bears increased their lead to 22-points by three quarter time.

3QT: Kew 8.6.54 - Oakleigh 4.8.32

Oakleigh had their chances in the fourth quarter but couldn’t convert, just collecting the four behinds. Kew continued to surge ahead with a further three goals to finish the game as the clear standout of the two teams and advance to a preliminary final against Old Peninsula.

FT: Kew 11.9.75 - Oakleigh 4.12.36

Alexander Chiocci, Tom Johnstone and Ned Waters were amongst the best players for Kew, whilst on their final outing for 2025, Oakleigh’s Liam Gillard, Roman Velona and Nicholas Torpey were amongst their best on ground.

Four has become three with just Ormond, Old Peninsula and Kew left in the race to be crowned Division 1 premiers for 2025.

The action continues in the preliminary final which sees Old Peninsula meeting Kew, with the winner to earn promotion to Premier C and a spot in the Grand Final with Ormond.

When the two sides met in Round 18, it was Old Peninsula who were the big winners in a 79-point thrashing on Kew’s home turf, however it was a different story back in Round 9 when it was Kew who defeated the Pirates by a very similar margin of 78 points.

The performance of key goal-kickers such as Bailey Payze and Regan Smith of Old Peninsula and Kew, respectively, could play a significant part in deciding which way this game will go. All is set for the preliminary final to be a nail biter.

DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S

Annie Ireland

The preliminary final for the Div 1 Women’s Competition saw Monash Blues host Whitefriars in a tightly contested game. The Blues headed into the game off the back of a 32-point loss at the hands of Glen Eira/Old McKinnon, whilst Whitefriars came in riding a wave of momentum after they kicked Oakleigh out of finals in a shocking yet impressive victory.

However, this week it was the Blues who ran out victorious and will once again match up with the Gryphs in the grand final, after beating Whitefriars by seven points.

It was a tightly contested game, with just a few goals scored in the first quarter: the Friars holding a one goal advantage. In a scrappy low scoring affair, it was a game of inches with every scoring opportunity crucial to hold even a minor advantage. The Blues tied things up in the second to keep the spectators on the edge of their seats: 13-apiece.

The premiership quarter saw the needle move ever so slightly back the way of Whitefriars with their one goal getting the better of Monash’s two behinds registered in the quarter.

However, the Blues capitalised when it mattered most kicking 1.5 in the last quarter whilst Whitefriars remained scoreless. Their strong offensive and defensive quarter proved why the Blues have been one of the teams to beat all season.

Ilaria Akers, Sophie Smith and Kaitlyn Wallace were best on ground for Whitefriars, whilst captain Caitlin Ryan, Meave Bohanna and Bella Giannangelo kicked their goals. Sarah Jade-Rose was best on ground and also kicked a goal for the Blues, with Tiarna Jericho and Caitlin Williams also impressive.

Unfortunately for Whitefriars, it is the second consecutive year in a row they have faced a gut wrenching preliminary final defeat. Whitefriars fell to the Hampton Rovers last season after finishing second on the ladder, and find themselves once again bowing out of the finals early.

As for the Blues, they were a real wildcard coming into this season after winning just two games in 2024. However, they have certainly returned to form and are now just win one away from securing their second premiership in three years.

Monash Blues will play the minor premiers Glen Eira/ Old McKinnon at Moorleigh Reserve on Saturday afternoon at 2:30pm. It is the most hotly contested game of the year and the most important match up for these two teams to date. The two teams have met three times this season, and the Gryphons have won on all three of these occasions by an average of 17 points.

Will the Blues win when it really matters the most?

GRAND FINAL TIP

Glen Eira/Old McKinnon v Monash Blues

DIVISION 2 MEN’S

Lincoln Tracy

Third time’s a charm for South Melbourne, Old Yarra

The first week of Division 2 Men’s finals saw two thrilling encounters, with South Melbourne Districts and Old Yarra Cobras each winning their respective matches by less than a goal.

South Melbourne Districts punched their ticket to a second consecutive preliminary final with a hard-fought three-point win over West Brunswick at a soggy Martin Reserve. The wet conditions dictated the teams played a slower, more contested game where territory was key. Neither team was able to establish a strong lead, with the Bloods taking a game-high nine-point lead into the main break after kicking the last two goals of the half. West Brunswick pushed hard with three goals to one in the third quarter and held a three-point lead heading into the final change.

South Melbourne kicked the first of the last quarter to take back the lead, although the Magpies responded shortly after to put their noses back in front in the tenth minute. A free kick in the South Melbourne forward 50 with five minutes to play gave the Bloods the opportunity to steal the game late – an opportunity they took with both hands, before holding on in the final minutes.

Bloods coach Nick Abbott felt his young side stood up well to the pressure of finals football. “When pressure comes – and it’s not necessarily pressure from the opposition, it’s pressure that we put on ourselves and feel like we’re rushed – often you’ll handpass backwards. But you can’t do that in wet conditions, because it only takes one missed handpass and suddenly, the ball is going back in their direction towards goal. For us it was about keeping the ball moving forward, gaining territory, and getting it out the back,” he said.

Abbott was also pleased by his team’s ability to execute pre-made plans to shut down some of West Brunswick’s important players. “We spent a lot of time working on Ben Ablett, [Bill] Irving, and [Irving] Fithall. I thought Vinny (Vincenzo Armenia) did a great job on Ben and really nullified any influence that he could have on the game… And Fithall was locked down by Johnny Wilson – I don’t think he got a goal all day. We had some good selfless acts from players who were playing different roles for the team.”

West Brunswick coach Regan Tait was disappointed to see his side go down after winning both clashes with South Melbourne during the home and away season but conceded that finals were a different beast. “They played a fantastic game of football,” he said. “They really came out firing, playing smart football and condensing our forward line when we were in it.” Tait was happy with the defensive pressure applied by the Magpies, as well as the efforts of inside mid Cameron Ralph and centre-half back Joel Krauss. “Ralph was absolutely on fire, and I’m pretty sure Krauss got 45 contested marks, he’s just a freak. Those two really held things down and kept us in the fight,” he said.

Bill Irving (three) and Brock Ward (two) were the only multiple goal scorers for the Magpies, with Jethro Calma-Holt, David Ferrier, and Izac Rossi also hitting the scoreboard. Thomas Foley, who kicked four last week against St John’s, led the way for South Melbourne with three, supported by Michael Carter (two) along with Pearce Dolan, Conor Jacoby, and Austin Murphy (one each). Abbott said that Irish recruit Dolan, who was playing in just his second senior game and his first since Round 13, had plenty of opportunities in the first half and could have finished with more than one goal to his name.

The qualifying final between Old Yarra Cobras and St Mary’s Salesian got off to a fast start, with Benjamin Makowski opening the scoring for Old Yarra after collecting a loose ball that took a tricky bounce around his opponent. But it didn’t take long for St Mary’s to get going, with Jack Contencin, Zac Gucciardo, and Jacob McElroy (twice) taking advantage of the Saints’ forward half pressure to give their side a 19-point lead at quarter time. Old Yarra coach Nathan Monaco had plenty to say to his charges at the first break, keeping them in the huddle for an extended period after St Mary’s had broken.

The Cobras responded well to Monaco’s message, moving away from their slow and methodical ball movement down the far wing on two occasions in the second quarter to press more quickly through the corridor – resulting in goals to Jackson Lesko and Jude Bateman. Four goals to one for the quarter meant the Cobras went into the sheds trailing by the smallest of margins. The two teams went

FINALS RESULTS

DIVISION 2 MEN’S

DIVISION 2 MEN’S RESERVES

West Brunswick:

South Melbourne:

GOALS: West Brunswick: T. Salinger 1, L. Stringer 1, J. Cross 1, R. Blakers 1, T. Christakis 1, J. Coltish 1

(15)

goal-for-goal in the third quarter, with St Mary’s Hudson Ryan pushing the margin back out to seven points in the 23rd minute. After Old Yarra struggled to take a mark in their forward 50 all quarter, David Tokatliyan finally got on the end of one late after catching the Saints on a quick break. But Tokatliyan pushed his shot wide, and the Cobras went into the last change trailing by six points.

The ball lived in St Mary’s forward 50 for most of the last quarter, but Clay Tait’s men were unable to take advantage of the territory and registered just one point for the whole quarter. The Old Yarra defenders seemed perfectly content switching the ball from side to side and waiting for a hole to appear in the Saint’s forward press to take the ball down field. Benjamin Makowski drew the Cobras level in the 13th minute after working clear from a forward 50 stoppages, before behinds to Lesko and Anthony Raso were enough to get Old Yarra over the line.

“I felt like we got into our groove in patches, but in my mind, it was genuinely a four-quarter performance,” Monaco said in the rooms after the game. “St Mary’s were great defensively, and they had us shifting the ball a lot. There was one passage that I think went for about 20 kicks, and we eventually opened it up. I was really happy with our composure.” Like his West Brunswick namesake, Saints’ coach Clay Tait was disappointed to lose a final to a side they had beaten twice during the home and away season but took plenty of positives from the loss. “I was really happy with our speed on the ball in the first quarter [and] the way we were able to spread their defence out,” he said. “It’s a good learning experience for those younger guys that have only played 50-odd games and were playing in their first final.”

The Old Yarra Cobras’ win over St Mary’s Salesian sees them progress directly to the Grand Final and secure promotion to Division 1 in 2026. Their opponent will be the winner of next week’s preliminary final between St Mary’s and South Melbourne. The Bloods come into the clash having won their last seven games – the best winning streak of any team in Division 2 this season – but the Saints have won the past four matches between the two sides.

GOALS: South Melbourne: H. Portelli 1, T. Seccombe 1

BEST: West Brunswick: T. Christakis, J. Cross, M. Meadows, T. Langmaid, J. Parini, H. Mahoney

BEST: South Melbourne: A. Johnson, M. Bigwood, J. Doyle, T. Doyle, T. Bouwman, H. Mcintyre

MHSOB:

St Mary’s Salesian:

GOALS: MHSOB: Z. Comley-Burns 2, B. Gunn 1, M. Fennessy-Kent 1, J. Lake 1

GOALS: St Mary’s Salesian: B. Mcnally 2, L. Turnbull 2, A. Howell 2, J. Dannaoui 1, J. op’t Hoog 1, M. Flora 1

BEST: MHSOB: N. Campbell, M. Fenwick, G. Beet, C. Westley, D. Ryan, T. Sears

BEST: St Mary’s

St Mary’s took the points in Round 3 with a four-goal win at Ian Johnson Oval and again in Round 12 with a 40-point win at Ferndale Park. The Round 12 defeat saw the Saints take advantage of the blustery conditions to kick seven goals to one in the last and run away with the game after scores were level at three-quarter time. The Bloods will need to find a way to limit the influence of St Mary’s Jacob McElroy, who bagged four goals in each of the two games the teams have played this season.

(67)

PRELIMINARY FINAL TIP

St Mary’s Salesianv South Melbourne Districts

Salesian: J. Ryan, L. Mcandrew, A. Howell, M. Flynn, J. op’t Hoog, W. Marshall

DIVISION 2 WOMEN’S

Lachie Moir

La Trobe stun Old Carey to book grand final spot

La Trobe University have pulled off an incredible upset to progress to the 2025 Women’s Division 2 Grand Final. Minor premiers Old Carey headed into the game as red-hot favourites but were no match for a brave La Trobe outfit. The Panthers will be devastated with the result, after such a dominant and impressive season sees them leave 2025 with no grand final appearance. Full credit to the Trobers who took it to Old Carey from the opening bounce.

The first two quarters were nightmares for Old Carey, as they failed to record a score, unable to find avenues to goal against a dominant La Trobe defence. They were lucky to head into the halftime break only 8 points down, with La Trobe unable to kick away.

The third quarter was where La Trobe did most of their damage, kicking 3 goals to 1, taking their chances efficiently. Teresa D’angelo was instrumental for the away side, kicking two goals and giving her all on a day that was so important for the club.

La Trobe’s grit and determination have been a feature of their 2025 campaign, competing fiercely in every match regardless of the opposition. They’ve consistently shown resilience in tight contests, never allowing pressure or expectation to deter them. That fighting spirit shone through once again in this preliminary final, proving why they thoroughly deserve their grand final berth.

Although Old Carey bow out of the competition, they’ve set a great standard all season and have been the team to beat for so long. La Trobe will face a red-hot Parkside team in the big dance next week. Samantha Greene’s side are well aware of the standard needed to topple the Devils, with an A-Grade performance a minimum to taste premiership success.

La Trobe University and Parkside have locked horns three times this season, with a 2-1 record favouring the Devils. This may be an indication of dominance in recent history, however, will not tell the full story come Grand Final day with La Trobe Uni up and about after two dominant performances to grind their way into a chance at the big dance.

Midday Sunday at Coburg City Oval is the time and place to be to watch history unfold as we crown the 2025 Premiers of the Division 2 Women’s competition.

FINALS RESULTS

DIVISION 2 WOMEN’S

Old Carey: R. Chiaramonte 1 GOALS: La Trobe University: T. D’Angelo

BEST: Old Carey: BEST: La Trobe University: T. D’Angelo, K. Bond, E. Lauritsen, K. Ritchie, M. D’Angelo, S. Castagnini

GRAND FINAL TIPS

Parksidev La Trobe University

DIVISION 3 MEN’S

Nick Quinlan

Bulls send the Snakes packing while Power House books GF ticket

Martin Reserve would set the scene for the first week of the Division 3 Men’s Finals series, with a spot in the Grand Final and two spots in the preliminary final to be decided.

With Power House, Wattle Park, North Brunswick and Richmond Central having been the best four sides by a far distance throughout the home and away season, it looked set to deliver some incredible matches.

North Brunswick has kept their season alive for another week with a 38-point win against Richmond Central in the elimination semi-final.

Coming into the match, the Bulls had the upper hand over the Snakes, having won their previous two encounters this season through second-half comebacks, which put them as the favourites going into this match.

While they had the regular season record on their side, North Brunswick only won their Round 18 clash by two points, meaning the match was well and truly in the balance, with Richmond Central having become increasingly competitive against top four sides in the second half of the season.

The first quarter saw the Bulls burst out of the gates well as they held the Snakes to just two points while they managed to hit the scoreboard, resulting in a 24-point lead.

Despite the early deficit, hope was not lost in the Richmond Central changerooms as they showed in last week’s match against the same opposition that they can get on a run in the second quarter and take the lead back.

However, those well-wishes were left astray; they kicked 2.4 in the second quarter, with North Brunswick kicking a slightly more accurate 2.3. But it did see the margin reduce to 23 points at the main break.

But the Snakes’ chances were dashed when they were held scoreless in the third quarter, which saw the Bulls extend their lead to 37 points at three-quarter time.

That would be enough to see the Bulls progress into the preliminary final as they managed to close out the game as 38-point victors.

In the end, the Snakes’ slow start proved to be costly, as they were unable to get ahead of North Brunswick at any point of the match.

It now means for the second season in a row that Richmond Central has been knocked out in the elimination semi-final.

And while they were unbeaten against sides between 5th and 10th on the ladder, their 1-5 record against finals competing sides was once again their Achilles heel, which they attempt to resolve.

Having gone out in straight sets last year, the Bulls should be buoyed by having won a finals game this time around and will head into next week’s clash with some confidence of having done it before.

Later in the afternoon, Power House became the first team to secure its spot in the Grand Final with a 28-point win over Wattle Park in the qualifying semi-final.

Both teams have been the competition’s benchmark, having occupied spots one and two on the ladder for the majority of the season.

Each team had managed to beat the other on their respective home ground. But with home ground advantage removed from the equation in finals, it added some extra intrigue to an already exciting match.

The first quarter would belong to the ladder ladders in Power House.

Like North Brunswick did in the third quarter, they too would keep their opponents scoreless while they got out to a 21-point lead by the first break.

But they could have easily buried the game in the first as they kicked 2.9, which kept the Animals alive in the match.

And in the second quarter, Wattle Park made sure to get themselves back in the game, managing to reduce the lead by a single point. But having won the quarter, that would have provided some confidence to the players that they could come back from Power House’s lead.

But despite that hope, Power House’s start was too much for the Animals to overcome.

Power House would run the game out in style in the second half as they closed out the match with a 28-point win.

It now means that Power House will have the bye and be waiting with anticipation to see who they their Grand Final opponent is.

While the Animals will now be forced to go the long way round if they want to return to Division 2, as they now go into the preliminary final.

With those results, it sets up a mouth-watering clash for the grand final qualifier between North Brunswick and Wattle Park.

These sides played each other pack in Rounds 2 and 17. Wattle Park got the chocolates on both occasions, having smashed them by 63 points in their first match-up.

But the Bulls made a much more competitive opponent in Round 17, having only lost by 10 points, which will give them confidence in a potential upset.

The match will be played at the home of the VAFA, Elsternwick Park, this coming Saturday at 12pm.

PRELIMINARY FINAL TIPS

Parkv North Brunswick

Wattle

DIVISION 3 WOMEN’S

Elly Kirlis

St Mary’s charge into Grand Final

St Mary’s Salesian has booked their ticket into the Division 3 Women’s grand final, defeating Old Camberwell by four points, 4.8 (32) to 4.4 (28) at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

With Ormond having the week off, they no doubt would have been eagerly waiting to find out who of St Mary’s and Old Camberwell would be their opponent at the big dance.

The game got off to a slow start at a very windy and cold Trevor Barker Oval in Sandringham. The Wellers were the first to hit the scoreboard with a behind before Greta Nibali put one through the big sticks for the Saints. The scoreboard read 1-7 the way of St Mary’s at the first break.

St Mary’s got the jump in the early stages of the second quarter, with two goals off the boot of Georgia Cropley. Old Camberwell got the scoreboard ticking late in the quarter courtesy of Charlie Lacey and Asha Kennedy, to claw the lead back that had been extended out with St Mary’s forward pressure.

Inaccuracy plagued St Mary’s in the third quarter, kicking 1.6, Emily Wedrien extended the margin to 16 in the half way stages of the third quarter, with the home side maintaining a 19-point lead at the three-quarter time break. Although Old Camberwell was unable to register a score in the third term, one could only hope that the Saints’ missed opportunities would not go begging and their buffer would hold them in good stead heading into the fourth with Old Camberwell kicking with the wind.

And just like that, momentum shifted, and Old Camberwell came out of the blocks firing to claw back the lead. A goal to Bridget Facey got the Wellers up and about before a few behinds added to their tally. Charlie Lacey booted another one for Camberwell to get them back within 4 points.

St Mary’s were unable to hit the scoreboard in the final term, but they did apply the pressure when the game really mattered to hold Old Camberwell at 28 points and retain the advantage on the scoreboard by a narrow 4. Ultimately, doing enough to advance to the Division 3 Women’s Grand Final.

Lucy Dobbyn and Emily Wedrien were named best afield for St Mary’s Salesian, whilst for Old Camberwell, Charlie Lacey was fantastic booting two goals, and Anthea Bellpieri also impressed.

The stage is set for a Semi Final rematch between Ormond and St Mary’s Salesian when the two go head-to-head on Saturday in the Grand Final. Although Ormond got the better of the Saints in the Semi Final, this contest is set to be a nail biter, with their recent history in the home and away season sitting at 1-win apiece. Get down to Moorleigh Reserve at midday to find out who will be crowned the Division 3 Women’s Premiers for 2025.

FINALS RESULTS

DIVISION 3 WOMEN’S

GOALS: St Mary’s Salesian: G. Cropley 2, E. Wedrien 1, G. Nibali 1

GOALS: Old Camberwell: C. Lacey 2, A. Kennedy 1, B. Facey 1

BEST: St Mary’s Salesian: L. Dobbyn, E. Wedrien, G. Nibali, C. Dawson, A. Kerr, A. Jones

BEST: Old Camberwell: C. Lacey, A. Bellpieri, M. Matheson, G. Bianco, J. Humphries, E. Vogel

GRAND FINAL TIPS

Ormond v St Mary’s Salesian

DIVISION 4 WOMEN’S

Sebastian Tehan

Clinical Westbourne storm into granny!

Westbourne Grammarians have marched into a Grand Final date with Old Yarra Cobras after a commanding 27-point victory over the Caufield Grammarians at Coburg City Oval.

With both teams coming in with contrasting form lines, we were expecting a belting match-up on Saturday morning. It was Westbourne who started like a house on fire, booting a 2.4 opening quarter to put the Grammarians to the sword immediately. Westbourne’s leading goal-kicker for 2025 Isabel Choate, was dominant early with two majors of her own.

Caufield failed to fire a shot in the opening half, as the Westbourne rampage raged on with Isabel Choate kicking her third for the afternoon mid-way through the second term. Montana Dumensy then put the icing on the cake of a complete first half, with her first goal for the contest coming on the stroke of half time.

Grammarians’ coach Lachie Worthy’s half time address must have rung in the ears of his team, as Hannah Buur and Amy Barklamb both capitalized in front of goal to cut the margin back to a manageable 19-point margin at three-quarter-time. It was all set for a thrilling final term!

Westbourne started the quarter with a couple of behinds, but their early misfires did not cost them significantly as Kensley Ward and Grace Choate goaled respectively to open up a game-high 33-point buffer. Despite the game being out of reach as the final minutes ticked down, the Grammarians finished strongly with a late flurry of scores.

We don’t have to look back far to remember the grand finalists’ previous match-up, as Old Yarra downed Westbourne by 4-points last week. No doubt that result will live in the memory of the Westbourne side who meant business on Saturday morning. The Cobras got the upper hand in the one match up against the Grammarians during the home and away season. They will be likely going in as favourites, however Westbourne are not to be underestimated with the gravitas of a Grand Final adding another element to the contest.

So, we have made it to the decider. Old Yarra Cobras v Westbourne Grammarians, two of the most consistent sides all year to battle it out for Division 4 glory! 9:40am at Coburg City Oval is the place to be for this match up as we crown the Premiers.

FINALS RESULTS

DIVISION 4 WOMEN’S

GOALS: Westbourne 2: I. Choate 3, M. Dumesny 1, K. Ward 1, G. Choate 1

GOALS: Caulfield Grammarians 3: L. Yarrow 1, H. Buur 1, A. Herington 1

BEST: Westbourne 2: J. Mathers, I. Choate, M. Dumesny, G. Choate, G. Pejovic, N. Porter

BEST: Caulfield Grammarians 3: T. Huggins, A. Hants, R. Hong, A. Randall, E. Hargreaves, R. Neil

GRAND FINAL TIP:

Old Yarra Cobras v Westbourne Grammar

HOLMESGLEN U19 RESULTS

HOLMESGLEN U19 DIVISION 1 MEN’S

Old Melburnians: 12-4-76

Old Haileybury: 5-14-44

GOALS: Old Melburnians: H. Hines 4, B. Kam 3, W. de Zoete 2, O. Tyrer 1, F. McIntyre 1, N. Gillard 1

GOALS: Old Haileybury: L. Burfurd 3, J. Blight 1, J. Paitaridis 1

BEST: Old Melburnians: N. Gillard, B. Kam, O. Tyrer, H. Hines, C. Boston, S. Pratten

BEST: Old Haileybury: L. Burfurd, L. Giliam, J. Blight, J. Waring, L. Hornblower, E. Jones

Beaumaris:

Parkdale Vultures: 0.0

GOALS: Beaumaris: T. Federici 2, A. Bowd 2, J. Failla 2, M. Newman-Morris 2, J. Appel 1, H. Jongen 1, S. McLennan 1, N. Bodi 1

(81)

(12)

GOALS: Parkdale Vultures: F. Johnston 1

BEST: Beaumaris: J. Appel, N. Bodi, Z. Hawkins, A. Ward, J. Stewart, D. Richards

BEST: Parkdale Vultures: L. Kinsella, C. Gleeson, L. Sullivan, F. Johnston, A. Eales, D. Kelson

HOLMESGLEN U19 DIVISION 2 MEN’S

Kew: 2.2

(58) Old Ivanhoe: 1.1

GOALS: Kew: M. Zicman 2, R. Meeuw 2, B. CAHIR 1, J. Pereira 1, D. Webb 1, B. McGowan 1

(83)

GOALS: Old Ivanhoe: R. Johns 5, F. Cleary 3, K. Papanagiotou 2, W. Hanlon 1, H. Price 1, I. Dugdale 1

BEST: Kew: M. Holland, J. Reid, N. Murphy, R. Meeuw, J. Pereira, M. Zicman

BEST: Old Ivanhoe: R. Johns, H. Price, M. Walling, I. Dugdale, W. Hanlon, J. Shadbolt

University Blacks:

Kevin’s 2:

GOALS: University Blacks: S. Litras 3, H. Holmes 1, F. Japp 1

GOALS: St Kevin’s 2: L. Arthur 1

BEST: University Blacks: F. Watson, S. McNamara, E. Peucker, J. Enticott, C. Carmichael, K. Lane

BEST: St Kevin’s 2:

HOLMESGLEN U19 DIVISION 3 MEN’S

2:

(33)

GOALS: St Bedes/Mentone 2: H. Crosby 2, S. Taylor 2, R. Francis 1, J. Fraser 1, R. Jewitt O’Reilly 1, M. Weir 1

GOALS: Beaumaris 2: H. Sims 1, L. Henschke 1, J. Towns 1, B. Lauder 1

BEST: St Bedes/Mentone 2: N. Mccolough, R. Wilson, B. Sloan, M. Smith, H. Crosby, L. Davoren

BEST: Beaumaris 2:

THIRDS RESULTS

THIRDS PREMIER MEN’S

Old Xaverians: 4.2

AJAX:

(115)

(60)

GOALS: Old Xaverians: W. MacIsaac 6, T. Bourne 3, T. Mantesso 2, O. Britten-Jones 1, T. Davine 1, J. Alexeyeff 1, T. Curtain 1, W. Stevens 1, B. Whelan 1

GOALS: AJAX: J. Jones 1, J. Jones 1, A. Meyerowitz 1, K. Gold 1

BEST: Old Xaverians: BEST: AJAX:

THIRDS DIVISION 1 MEN’S

Old Xaverians 4: 2.3 3.5 7.6 9.8 (62)

Old Trinity: 1.3 3.5 6.6 10.7 (67)

GOALS: Old Xaverians 4: S. Stangherlin 5, F. O’Callaghan 1, T. Wood 1, H. Mcauliffe 1, W. Troy 1

GOALS: Old Trinity: T. Mitchell 2, M. Stephenson 1, W. Rees 1, C. Simondson 1, H. TAYLOR 1, T. Robinson 1, R. Sanders 1

BEST: Old Xaverians 4:

BEST: Old Trinity: O. Stella, H. Bowman, F. Braden, T. Mitchell, J. Cooper, C. Simondson

THIRDS DIVISION 2 MEN’S

Old Xaverians 5:

Old Carey:

GOALS: Old Xaverians 5: E. Paul 4, C. Spears 2, B. Sherman 1

GOALS: Old Carey: d. wyer 3, D. Maurice 3, J. Helmot 2, J. Hunt 1, J. Klotz 1

THIRDS DIVISION 3 MEN’S

St Bedes/Mentone:

St Kevin’s 3:

GOALS: St Bedes/Mentone:

(9)

(89)

GOALS: St Kevin’s 3: R. Smythe 4, B. Griffin 2, H. Ryan 2, P. Jones 2, R. Fernandes 1, H. Toohey 1, G. Simpfendorfer 1

BEST: St Bedes/Mentone: J. Dawes, O. Grasso, T. Hewett, S. Ralph, M. Scott, M. Valenzuela

BEST: St Kevin’s 3: R. Fernandes, R. Smythe, A. Smith, L. Hepburn, S. Doyle, N. Conwell

THIRDS DIVISION 4 MEN’S

GOALS: Old Melburnians: D. Dowling 2, S. Craven 1, M. Grosso 1, W. McMurrick 1, R. Crawford 1, W. Sultana 1

GOALS: Collegians: B. Hyland 1, R. Seidler 1, R. Fogarty 1

BEST: Old Melburnians:

BEST: Collegians:

THIRDS DIVISION 5 MEN’S

(61)

(67)

BEST: Old Xaverians 5: E. Paul, J. Mccarthy, C. Bourne, F. Kuner, L. Fares, J. Hynes

BEST: Old Carey: Z. Adam, D. O’Callaghan, J. Virgona, S. Inlander, D. Maurice, D. Bolton

GOALS: MHSOB 2: A. Shipperlee 6, L. Sharrock 2, K. Tailor 2, A. Claney 1, B. Gallop 1, H. Webb 1, B. Tyrrell 1

GOALS: Wattle Park: H. Brown 2, J. Davis 1, A. Singh 1, J. Manapsal-Lucas 1, R. Srey 1

BEST: MHSOB 2: A. Shipperlee, H. Lake, M. Haberfield, L. Judd, B. Tyrrell, A. Claney

BEST: Wattle Park: J. Dedes, J. Eyles, H. Brown, A. Singh, L. Hicks, J. Davis

SHARPSHOOTERS

SHARPSHOOTERS

Bailey

Jack

David

THIS ROUND’S GAMES

PREMIER MEN’S – SEMI FINALS

DIVISIONAL MEN’S – PRELIMINARY FINALS

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER WOMEN’S – SEMI FINALS

PREMIER B WOMEN’S – GRAND FINAL

DIVISIONAL WOMEN’S – GRAND FINALS

HOLMESGLEN U19 PREMIER MEN’S – SEMI FINALS

HOLMESGLEN U19 DIVISIONAL MEN’S – PRELIMINARY & GRAND FINALS

Knee

Knee problems

Hip problems

Hip

Shoulder problems

Shoulder

Foot & ankle problems

Foot & ankle

Sports injuries

Arthritis surgery

Arthritis surgery

Trauma & limb reconstruction

Trauma & reconstruction

Hand, wrist & elbow surgery

Hand, wrist & elbow surgery

Fractures & broken bones

Fractures &

Joint replacement surgery

Joint

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER

PREMIER B MEN’S

181260048112.42

Carey 181170044110.28

Williamstown CYMS 181080040120.22

Old Camberwell 181080040111.66

Old Geelong 18 99003699.58

Old Melburnians 187110028102.33 Fitzroy 18315001274.54

Hampton Rovers

181710068173.58

181620064216.28

Bedes/Mentone 181350052125.21 AJAX 181260048147.25 PEGS 181080040100.23

Glen Eira /

McKinnon 18711002883.18 Marcellin 18711002874.97 Mazenod 18414001676.14 Parkside 18414001657.85 Prahran 1801800048.23

PREMIER B MEN’S RESERVES

181170044116.87

18711002897.49

18611002473.06

18513002067.81

DIVISION 1

1811700455.28

188100032100.93

18512002077.84

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER WOMEN’S

Caulfield Grammarians 171520160292.22

Scotch 161420256327.09

161330252170.08

Kew 16 880232 115.46

West Brunswick 16 880232 103.23

Fitzroy 17710012873.08 Old Geelong 16511022071.97

Williamstown CYMS 17512012051.26

Beaumaris 1741211446.75

B WOMEN’S

15510012077.4

150150109.08

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER WOMEN’S RESERVES

2 WOMEN’S

1611502425.82

Beaumaris 161330052226.99

Vultures 161240048180.84

Melburnians 161240048164.1 Old Haileybury 161150044131.11

Old Carey 161060040108.09

St Bernards 161060040100.83

Williamstown CYMS 16 880032 159.79

Old Trinity 16 880032 106.17

Old Brighton 2166100024141.82 University Blues 216 69002490.29 Fitzroy 16412001668.71

THIRDS