Live stream: VAFA U19 men’s finals series week 1, Old Brighton v St Kevins, Old Scotch v Uni Blues

SOKB are the first team into the VAFA U19 grand final, but Old Brighton played the role of spoiler. Meanwhile, Old Scotch ended Uni Blues’ season. Check out both the REPLAYS.

Oscar Newstead missed with a kick after the siren that would have won the game for Old Brighton as St Kevin’s snuck through to the VAFA U19 grand final by a mere four points.

Newstead pushed his set shot to the left for a behind as Old Brighton were denied what would have been a spectacular come-from-behind win in a desperate finish.

Meanwhile, Old Scotch kicked three times as many behinds as goals but still had plenty in reserve to beat University Blues in the elimination final.

In windy conditions, the Cardinals landed 20 behinds, including seven each in the second and final quarters, but they got their majors when it mattered most to win by 15 points, 6.20 (56) to 5.11 (41).

Aiden Johnson grabbed two goals in the first quarter for the victors while Luca Di Lallo scored two for Uni Blues, including the only goal of the final term.

Old Scotch v Uni Blues - VAFA U19 Premier men's semi finals

PREVIEW

St Kevins are ready to turn the tables on a season of Old Brighton dominance when the top two sides clash in the VAFA U19 Premier men’s second semifinal on Sunday.

SKOB haven’t beaten the Tonners yet in 2024, losing by 44 points back in round two and 26 points in round 11, but they come into one of the biggest games of the season in hot form.

Last weekend’s 15-point success over Uni Blues took their winning run to seven games and there is plenty of confidence in the camp, according to coach Harry Long.

Catch the first weekend of U19s finals action LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV from Box Hill City Oval.

Can St Kevin’s knock over the minor premiers?

The first match between Old Scotch and Uni Blues kicks off at 9.20am, while the Old Brighton v St Kevins showdown starts at 11.40am.

Long said the key to Old Brighton beating his side so far in 2024 had been their tall timber dominating.

The focus at training this week had been combating that as well as encouraging his players to play the game on their terms.

“We’re playing on a nice big ground, so there will hopefully be less aerial contests,” Long said.

“We will go in with a plan for them.

“There might be a role change for a few of our players. We might try something different and see how we go.

“First half of the year we let ourselves down, we didn’t win too many close games.

“We put ourselves in a position to win and then couldn’t get over the line.

“It happened the second time we played Brighton.

“Their class rose to the fore in the second half and they ran over the top of us.

“But we’ve been able to run out games better in the second half of the year.”

Long said players to look out for were centre half forward Hudson Lefoe and midfielders Conor Lynch and Oscar White.

“Hudson has been building really nicely playing some really good footy at the moment,” he said.

“Lynch has been our stand in captain, and has done a really good job.

“White has been another stepping up to a leadership role. He’s a hard as nails tough inside midfielder.”

Old Brighton know the contest will be closer than most anticipate.

“They’ve got a couple of kids with firsts experience,” Old Brighton coach Matt McLennan said.

“We’re expecting a tough game.

Can anyone knock off Old Brighton?

“We’re just a bunch of goers, we try to be predictable to each other, play with manic pressure and respect the opposition.”

McLennan said the success will rely on a full team effort.

“We just need to bring our A-grade game and back ourselves in,” he said.

“We don’t rely on any one superstar, it’s a team effort.”

McLennan added the midfield on-ballers Thomas Marriott, Tom Howden and Oliver Goodger will be the players to watch.

The earlier match is an eliminator and features an Old Scotch side looking to beat Uni Blues for the first time in 2024.

Uni Blues won by 10 points back in round eight and then by a massive 57 points win in round 15.

Originally published as Live stream: VAFA U19 men’s finals series week 1, Old Brighton v St Kevins, Old Scotch v Uni Blues