AGSV football grand final preview 2025: Penleigh and Essendon Grammar v Ivanhoe Grammar

The AGSV’s two premier ruckmen are set to go toe-to-toe in a must-watch battle that will shape Friday’s grand final. Read what both coaches had to say ahead of the match.

Cooper Duff-Tytler and Harry Van Hattum are two promising ruck talents who will be key on Friday.

The AGSV’s two premier ruckmen are set to go toe-to-toe in a must-watch battle that will shape Friday’s grand final.

Underage Ivanhoe Grammar ruckman Harry Van Hattum will be out to inspire his side to an upset over the might of top 10 draft prospect Cooper Duff-Tytler and Penleigh and Essendon Grammar.

The school’s last met at PEGS’ Shann Oval in round 7, with the home side cruising to a commanding 57-point victory.

“We beat Ivanhoe comfortably last time but there were periods in the game where they had opportunities to stick with us and just didn’t quite take their opportunities,” said PEGS coach Mark Williams.

Top draft prospect Cooper Duff-Tytler in action for Penleigh and Essendon Grammar. Picture: Penleigh and Essendon Grammar.

“We had control of the game and we were able to continue scoring and stop them from scoring.”

Ivanhoe coach Ben Ingleton PEGS was the one team that “got hold of” his side in the home and away season.

“PEGS beat us comfortably, we had a couple of injuries that day … there’s a couple that have come back in the team since then and we’re a different look since the last time we played them,” Ingleton said.

“They’ve got Cooper (Duff-Tytler) in the ruck, it’s going to be a great contest to watch and Cooper’s one to we’ve got to be aware of when he goes forward, but they’ve got other players too.

“We’re going to need a really good team performance from us but we’re confident we will bring that effort and make a good game of it.”

PEGS coach Williams actually coached Van Hattum’s dad “many years ago” at Preston, and said the emerging ruck was a “ripper”.

“Tough, really good player,” Williams added of Van Hattum, who joined Duff-Tytler in the Vic Metro squad a train-on player this season, one of just four underage players to be included.

Harry Van Hattum (right) has starred for Ivanhoe. Picture: Facebook

“Their midfield’s really potent as well, like most the game will be won in the midfield, it’s about who’s cleaner at getting the ball inside 50 and who can convert really.

“They’re really well coached … in the end it’s about who wants it most really and both our sides will be evenly matched again.

Ingleton said that the pressure and contest would be key.

“We’ve just got to make sure we bring that again for four quarters, and our effort,” Ingleton said.

“(PEGS) are similar to Marcellin, if you let them off the chain they can score quickly so we’ve got to make sure we’re attacking the ball hard and winning first possession and applying pressure when they’ve got it.”

Semi-final previews, players to watch

The Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria football semi-finals are upon us.

Yarra Valley Grammar will host Penleigh and Essendon Grammar at 10.30am on Saturday, while minor premiers Marcellin College will host Ivanhoe Grammar at 10.45am.

Discover the previews for both matches below.

Yarra Valley Grammar v Penleigh and Essendon Grammar

Yarra Valley Grammar form: W, W, W, W, W (2nd) 

Penleigh and Essendon Grammar form: W, W, W, W, L (3rd)

Last time they met

There’s recent history between these sides, with Yarra Valley pulling off a come-from-behind victory over PEGS in the final round of the home and away season.

PEGS had led at every change but was scoreless in the final term as Yarra Valley kicked four goals to surge to a 9.7 (61) to 6.7 (43) victory.

“It was a really tight game, we were in front until three quarter time and they overran us in the last quarter, they got on top on the midfield and then their forwards ran away and kicked some critical goals in the last quarter,” reflected PEGS coach Mark Williams of the loss.

“We’ll need to keep the game tight, try and play it on our terms and get a bit of quick ball movement going, they’re very good defensively.

“Both teams are evenly matched but in the end it’s going to come down to momentum and a little bit of scoreboard pressure.”

Players to watch

Cooper Duff-Tytler (Penleigh and Essendon Grammar)

Floating around the top five on most predicted draft boards, Duff-Tytler is one of the AGSV’s standout players this season. He’s a dominant ruckman who can act as an extra rover, his marking around the ground is exceptional and he’s potent forward.

Darcy McCall (Yarra Valley Grammar)

Dealt the daunting task of battling Cooper Duff-Tytler, the Yarra Valley ruckman performed well last time the sides met and another strong showing will be crucial. His tap work is his strength.

Hamish Pearce (Penleigh and Essendon Grammar)

A strong clearance player who has smart ball-use and won’t cough the footy up when under the pump.

Aaron Sharkie (Yarra Valley Grammar)

The Oakleigh Chargers prospect kicked 3.3 last time the sides met and was lively inside the forward 50. Can provide crucial spark for his side forward. Has also figured for Vic Metro.

Aaron Sharkie of Victoria Metro. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Jackson Watkins (Penleigh and Essendon Grammar)

The bottom-age midfielder is enjoying a great season. He’s played a few games for Calder, is very dynamic and hard at the ball with great skills. He breaks away from tackles and congestion really well.

Jordan Knapp (Yarra Valley Grammar)

The promising midfield prospect has been in fine form and stepped up to kick a matchwinning goal for the Eastern Ranges in the Coates league. He captained the Vic Metro under-16s last year and has impressed at AGSV level.

Tristan Leeds (Penleigh and Essendon Grammar)

A centre-half back who intercepts well and is key to PEGS’ offensive transition. He was tagged last time the sides met and the match-up will be an interesting watch.

Marcellin College v Ivanhoe Grammar

Marcellin College form: W, W, W, L, W. (1st)

Ivanhoe Grammar form: W, W, W, L, W. (4th)

Last time they met

Marcellin College and Ivanhoe Grammar haven’t met since back in round one.

Ivanhoe Grammar was fielding 11 debutants that day, and fell 28 points short losing 10.11 (71) to 6.7 (43).

“Now we’ve had a season together and natural improvement and development I think we’re ready to give it a shake,” said Ivanhoe Grammar coach Ben Ingleton ahead of Saturday’s semi-final.

“For us it’s about playing our game and sticking at it consistently, playing our style for longer I guess. We want to play our style and play to our strengths.

“We’ve got a very strong midfield and we’re pretty consistent across the board, which Marcellin are too.”

Marcellin coach Ryan Edwards said both teams play an attacking brand of footy and always look to score.

“Contest and clearance will be key in a semi-final along with the effective ball use,” Edwards added.

Players to watch

Harry Van Hattum (Ivanhoe Grammar)

Van Hattum is an excellent tap ruckman who is a premier big man in the AGSV competition. He leads the midfield and wins lots of possession around the ground. He has for Vic Metro as a bottom-age player this season.

Nick Canavan (Marcellin College)

Canavan is powerful midfielder who provides plenty of burst from stoppage.

Issac Dugdale (Ivanhoe Grammar)

The Ivanhoe Grammar captain, Dugdale is a Knights-listed and strong-bodied midfielder who leads his side well. His consistency is his strength, and he’s hard at the contest and a beautiful left foot kick.

Roman Moxon (Marcellin College)

Moxon is a classy midfielder with elite ball use.

Darcy Dunn (Ivanhoe Grammar)

Dunn’s been a big improver this season. He’s developed into a really good utility who intercepts the ball well. He can play in the midfield or forward.

Nico D’odorico (Marcellin College)

An underage player still in year 11, D’odorico is a midfielder-forward who impacts the scoreboard.

Stefan Nedelkovski (Ivanhoe Grammar) 

Nedelkovski is a big-bodied forward who attacks the footy and contests hard. Also has little trouble finding the scoreboard and has often kicked multiple goals this season.

Josh Kol (Marcellin College)

Kol is a speedy midfielder-forward who is great in the air and clean on the ground.