Live stream: Watch Collegians v St Kevin’s Old Boys, VAFA, Round 2

The unveiling of Collegians’ premiership flag has failed to inspire the reigning premiers, with grand final rival St Kevin’s catching them off guard. Watch both the seniors and reserves REPLAYS.

St Kevin’s have overcome a 20-point deficit late in the third quarter to run away from Collegians in their much-anticipated VAFA premier men’s grand final replay at Elwood.

In a contest which ebbed and flowed for both teams, St Kevin’s kicked the last six goals of the match from the 19-minute mark of the third quarter.

In the same period, the reigning premiers could only manage a paltry three points.

The magnitude of the momentum swing was totally unexpected, with St Kevin’s having failed to kick a goal for the previous 34 minutes.

It was Ollie Gill, a recipient of a free kick directly in front, who ended St Kevin’s’ goal drought and installed some confidence and belief into the visitors.

And when prominent forward Sam Tucker chimed in with two of his own, including one after the three-quarter siren, St Kevin’s had piled on four goals to take a one-goal lead into the last term.

REPLAYS

Collegians v St Kevins (Premiers)

Watch the full replay in the window above.

Collegians v St Kevins - (reserves)

The final quarter became a dour, hard-fought contest as fatigue set in, but when Liam Walters goaled from a tough angle deep in the pocket the contest was all but done.

Walters had been instrumental in the comeback, with some good late work, as St Kevin’s took the spoils by 19 points, winning 10.13 (73) to 8.6 (54).

Billy McGee Galimberti did a power of work for St Kevin’s and Alastair Richards, despite tiring, always seemed to find space to set up many attacking moves.

Ruckman Billy Coates had a strong game, while big men Patrick Kerr and Tucker offered plenty for the visitors in the forward line. Luke Winter also was busy.

For Collegians, co-vice captain Luke McCleary did everything he could to keep his side in the contest, newcomer Benny Hill showed plenty of promise with two goals, while Scott Beilby and Kenny Ong had their moments.

Collegians now slip to 0-2 and St Kevin’s enjoy an unblemished 2-0 start to the new season.

PREVIEW

Jordie McKenzie might have been on the end of a huge shock to start his Collegians coaching career but he’s refusing to panic.

The Lions went down to Old Melburnians, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, in the opening round and now face a 0-2 start ahead of a grand final rematch against St Kevin’s.

But McKenzie is confident his side only needs to make small adjustments in Saturday’s game which will be live streamed on KommunityTV from 2pm.

The KommunityTV match of the round coverage will kick off with the Premier Reserves clash between the two sides from 11.40am.

Players during the VAFA Premier Division Grand Final between Collegians and St Kevin's at Elsternwick Park in Brighton, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“I thought OMs got on top of us around the footy and it’s something we’re looking to fix this week,” he said.

“We dropped off in contested numbers which is usually a real strength of ours. Round 1 always can throw up some surprise results and the best thing from our point of view is we now have time to fix it.

“I’m expecting another tight and contested game around stoppages against St Kevin’s so we’ll need to be at our best in this area.”

While there was some changes to the premiership side in the opening round, there was only one new face who didn’t play for Collegians last season.

Rising star Josh Walker, a former student at Wesley College, made his senior debut after joining from Eastern league outfit Waverley Blues in the off-season.

“He’s a good, tough young kid,” McKenzie said of Walker.

St Kevin's Luke Winter during the VAFA Premier Division Grand Final between Collegians and St Kevin's at Elsternwick Park in Brighton, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We were pumped to get him out there on Saturday and I thought he made quite an impressive start.”

If Collegians are to get on top early against SKOB, the Lions will be hoping to produce a similar start it did in round one.

The Lions booted six opening quarter goals.

“We really set ourselves to get off to a fast start,” McKenzie said.

“I thought our pressure in the forward half really set the standard of where we want to be throughout this season.

“The goals were pretty to watch but that was the last of our concerns.”

St Kevin’s will bring plenty of momentum into the second round clash after three goals in the final quarter to secure a 20-point win over Old Xaverians in Round 1.