Old Trinity go down to St Bernards in Premier final

ON the back of a disappointing loss, Old Trinity is looking at how best mount a challenge for the next Premier flag.

VAFA grand final: Old Trinity Grammarians V St Bernard's played at Icon Park. Trinity Coach Adam Andrews. Picture: Stuart Milligan

OLD Trinity will be forced to regroup for another tilt at the Premier title after a disappointing loss to St Bernards in the season decider.

Despite leading by a goal the final change Old Trinity were unable to hold on for the win, losing 17.11 (113) to 15.15 (105).

Old Trinity coach Adam Andrews said the close nature of the match made the loss more disappointing.

“We really did give ourselves every opportunity,” Andrews said.

“In the end the opposition was more composed at the end of the game and that is what cost us.”

The loss was a reversal of the result a fortnight earlier when Old Trinity defeated St Bernards in the qualifying final by 7 points.

“We definitely played better in the grand final on Sunday than we did two weeks earlier,” Andrews said.

“If I’d just been watching and hadn’t known the score I would’ve sworn we were in front.

“In the end we tried our best and that just wasn’t good enough.”

Old Trinity’s Jake Steinhart shows his disappointment just after the siren. Picture: Stuart Milligan

While the loss was a disappointing way to end the season it marked a number of important milestones for the club, Andrews said.

“It was the second finals series in our history, so that was a massive plus,” Andrews said.

“It was also the first time we’d played off in the Premier grade which is another milestone.”

Andrew Kyriacopoulos starred in the loss, gaining plenty of the ball in the middle of the ground, while Sebastian Nicolosi shone in the forward line, booting five goals.

Andrews said he had reminded his players that this was not the end of their journey.

“After the match I stressed that this was not the highlight of their playing careers,” Andrews said.

“We have to win one. We need to work even harder and come back better and try again.”