VAFA Premier: Collegians outlast Old Xaverians after surviving a late rally

Collegians banked another four points on Saturday. Yet you sense they’re happy to have seen the back of Old Xaverians.

Sam Higgins (Left) of the Old Collegians is congratulated by team mate Lindsay Apted during the VAFA Premier match at Brighton Beach Oval, Melbourne, Saturday, Jane 2, 2018. Old Brighton v Old Collegians. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING

COLLEGIANS banked another four points in VAFA Premier Division on Saturday — and went to the top of the ladder thanks to St Kevin’s slip-up against University Blues — yet they’re doubtless happy to have seen the back of Old Xaverians for the year.

Xavs inflicted the Lions’ opening loss of the campaign back in Round 7 and again made life hard for the Premier pacesetters at Harry Trott Oval on Saturday.

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But on this occasion Collegians survived a late rally to prevail 10.13 (73) to 9.10 (64).

“After a fairly even first term, there were periods in the second and third quarters where we dominated play and created some forward opportunities, but we let ourselves down in front of goal,” Lions mentor Shane Joyce said, highlighting a wasteful 3.6 return in the second stanza.

“So we went into halftime four goals up rather than six or seven. We also missed two gettable set shots early in the third term that could have stretched the margin even further and made things more difficult for Xavs.

Sam Higgins (Left) of Collegians is congratulated by teammate Lindsay Apted. Picture: James Ross.

“Then things turned halfway through the third quarter; they kicked three unanswered goals and went into the last break with a bit of belief (and only a 15-point deficit), and that led to a real arm-wrestle in the last quarter.”

Among the eight post-bye inclusions to the Collegians’ line-up were a group of players who’d missed a large chunk of football.

“We had three guys — Will Johnson, Matt Jenkinson and Nick Dixon — playing their first game in six weeks,” Joyce said. “And Lachie Ferguson was playing just his second game of the year.

“We went in with some players that weren’t match-hardened and we always thought they might struggle to finish the game strongly. But we have to get these senior guys up and going for the back end of the year and their contributions were certainly very valuable in the first half, particularly Johnson and Ferguson combining for six goals.

“Jenkinson did a fantastic job at fullback on Matt Handley, keeping him goalless, and Nick Dixon was great in the midfield.”

Collegians produced a hard-fought win on Saturday. Picture: James Ross.

The 11-2 Lions continue to operate with one eye on the end game — finals and a possible premiership.

“We’re getting some resemblance to the team that we want to take forward (into the finals), but we’re still missing two ruckmen in Tom Penberthy and his back-up Fergus Huntington,” Joyce said.

“Jesse Band-Conrick played his first senior game in five years (to plug that hole) and that’s a great story of perseverance.

“He was up against former St Kilda ruckman Jason Holmes, battled manfully and we were able to finish fairly even in the stoppages, which was critical.

“Sam Parsons, who has been holding down centre half back for us this year, had another really good game as well.”

Things tightened up significantly at the bottom of Premier B, with Old Haileyburians and Ajax remaining near the drop zone following losses.

The Bloods were beaten 15.16 (106) to 13.13 (91) at home by the Monash Blues, while the Jackas were blitzed after quarter time in losing 14.22 (106) to 3.6 (24) at Beaumaris.

And Caulfield Grammarians’ losing streak stretched to five games after a 17.15 (117) to 12.10 (82) defeat by University Blacks. Nick Silvestro booted four majors for the Fields.

Ajax and Old Haileyburians are close to the VAFA drop zone. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Power House secured a priceless win at St Johns as it fights to avoid relegation from division two.

Kane Goodwin slotted six goals for the House in the 13.9 (87) to 10.14 (74) triumph.

In division three, Albert Park lost a two-point heartbreaker to Richmond Central after leading all day, 9.12 (66) to 9.10 (64).

Greg O’Shea and Joshua Beets had three goals apiece for the Falcons.

Elsternwick put in a strong display on the road in division four, downing Mt Lilydale 21.7 (133) to 11.12 (78).

Justin Hunter had a six-goal bag for the Wickers and the steadfast Julian Yeatman added a further five.

South Melbourne Districts’ finals aspirations suffered a setback with a 15.12 (102) to 10.9 (69) loss at home to the Eley Park Sharks. Elliot Costello managed three majors for the Bloods.