VAFA Premier B grand final: St Bernards hammers Old Carey by 83 points

ST BERNARD’S sounded a loud warning to the top clubs in the VAFA with a resounding Premier B grand final victory over Old Carey on Saturday.

St Bernards celebrate their win during the VAFA (Premeir B (GF: St Bernards v Old Carey game. Saturday, September 15. 2018. Picture: David Crosling

ST BERNARD’S sounded a loud warning to the top clubs in the VAFA with a resounding Premier B grand final victory over Old Carey on Saturday.

Two weeks after securing their return to Premier Division with a 31-point victory in the major semi-final, the Snowdogs romped to an 18.15 (123) to 5.10 (40) victory at Elsternwick Park.

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The result was sealed in a rampant second quarter when St Bernard’s piled on seven goals to four behinds kicking against what coach Mark Riley rated a “four or five-goal breeze”.

“We knocked over their spirit,” Riley said.

“They kicked with a four or five-goal breeze and we kicked six or seven into it to their none with it. We were just good enough to keep going.

“We were still pressuring and playing hard footy right up until the end.”

St Bernards celebrates its thumping grand final win over Old Carey. Picture: David Crosling

Running machine Tom Sullivan was adjudged best on ground after contributing three goals from midfield in the 83-point demolition.

“I became a much better coach the minute Tom Sullivan came back into that team,” Riley said.

Riley said “the top end of the town” inspired his side to glory, with Chad Jones (four goals), skipper Simon Caven, experienced on-baller Adam Bentick and centre-half-forward Jack McNamara influential.

St Bernards captain Simon Caven and coach Mark Roley hoist the silverware. Picture: David Crosling

Mitch Hughes, Connor Riley and Alex McLeod (three goals) were also prominent.

“Our aspirations were to return to A Grade and to win the flag,” he said.

“We have never shied away from that. When we beat Carey in the second semi to go back to A Grade, we discussed that that was only half the job done.”

Leading by 59 points at halftime, St Bernard’s logged seven goals to four after the main break to power to its first Premier B flag since 1991.

“We were the best team all year, that’s indisputable,” Riley said.

“But grand finals can throw up different challenges. You have to be the best team on the day and we were the best team on the day.”

Adam Bentick tries to burst through a tackle in the Premier B decider. Picture: David Crosling

After a two-year stay in the second tier, the Snowdogs have put their rivals on notice as they prepare to return to Premier Division.

“We were very good around the ball and our defensive pursuits were excellent. Mainly the same story as all year,” Riley said.

St Bernard’s players start their premiership celebrations after the final siren. Picture: David Crosling

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