VAFA Round 2: Uni Blues’ epic derby win, Collegians undefeated, Old Camberwell and Ormond thrill

The second weekend of the VAFA season was stacked with nail-biting finishes. Read about them here and the leading flag contenders.

The second weekend of the VAFA gave followers further evidence of how each team might fare in 2023.

With plenty of footy ahead, it is difficult to draw to conclusions this early but some initial thoughts can’t be avoided.

Here’s the major results from Round 2 and what’s provoking thought.

PREMIER MEN’S

The historic Uni derby had a big build up after a six year absence and it sure delivered on the exciting affair everyone was after at Melbourne University Oval on Saturday.

In front of a big crowd, the Blues devastated the Blacks by keeping them scoreless in the final term and coming from four-points down at the last break to win their seventh-straight derby by 12 points.

The Blues also trailed by a goal at halftime, marking their thrilling comeback in the match to triumph, 5.16 (46) to 4.10 (34), in a low scoring derby.

Blues’ forward Sam Grimley, who led the goal kicking leaderboard last season, scored two goals in the match while new recruit Tom Cutler kicked one for the victors.

Jack Stephens, Martin Gleeson and Matthew Crocker were named among the best players for the Blues.

Lachlan Knight and Austin Steere were among the Blacks’ top performers.

Old Haileybury’s Joshua Gasparini snaps. Picture: Hamish Blair

In other results, Old Brighton continued their strong start to the season by defeating Old Haileybury by a comfortable 58 points at Brighton Beach Oval.

The Tonners defeated the Blacks by 34 points the week before as well and look to be a major contender this season.

Old Brighton skipper Harry Hill pulls off a smother against Old Haileybury at Brighton Beach Oval. Picture: Hamish Blair

Collegians also continued their winning form from Round 1, defeating Old Scotch by five points at Camberwell Sports Ground.

Old Xaverians got on the board for their first win of the season with new recruit Dan Hannebery still on the sidelines as he continues to work towards reaching match fitness in the coming weeks.

The win for Xavs came against Old Melburnians by 36 points at Xavier College.

It sets up a big match for OM’s next week as they strive for their first win of 2023 against reigning premiers St Kevin’s.

SKOB defeated a hard fought Caulfield Grammarians by 28 points on Saturday for their second win of the campaign.

But some would argue it should have been by more if they are to be deemed the premiership favourites as voted by season preview readers.

With SKOB only defeating newly promoted Old Haileybury by a point in the opening round followed by Caulfield, an inexperienced side, by less than five goals, questions have to be asked.

Catia Cococcia of Kew contests with Brigitte Wolhuter of Caulfield at Glen Huntly Oval on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

PREMIER WOMEN’S

An unchanged scoreline in the final term led Collegians to a two-point win over Old Scotch at Harry Trott Oval on Saturday.

The Cardinals led by seven points at quarter time before the Lions came back to win the encounter, 2.5 (17) to 2.3 (15), in a low scoring affair.

It was an emphatic finish to the match with the ball in the Cardinals forward 50 for the last two minutes of the game.

Lions captain Maegan Harrison was stoked to get the win.

“It was a really tough contest,” she said.

“Our back six stood up really strong.

“It was our defensive pressure that won us the game.

“We just didn’t stop.

“I’m humbled that we got the win.

“It was an incredible fight between both sides.”

Georgia Harris booted the two goals for Collegians while Abbie Connor scored Old Scotch’s two goals.

It marked the second win of the season for Collegians while Old Scotch go 1-1 to start the campaign.

The Collegians men and women Premier senior teams are off to an undefeated start after the first two rounds of the season.

“The feeling around the club is really positive at the moment,” Harrison said about the club’s start.

“We have put in a hard pre-season going up to Premier A, we knew it was going to be tough so it is good to see the hard work paying off.”

Harrison, 29, and in her third season as captain, put her side’s strong start to the season down to time and effort, and the valuable support at the club including senior coach Dom Lucarelli.

“Honestly, I think it is hard work and persistence,” she said.

“We have got a great women’s program, our coach is fantastic and the people around us support us to be the best possible athletes that we can be.”

In other matches, West Brunswick and Fitzroy also played out a tight game with finals scores ending 7.8 (50) to 6.2 (38) at McAlister Oval.

Home side West Brunswick picked up the 12-point win as they booted two goals in the final term to remain ahead of Fitzroy who kicked three goals in the final term to try and snatch a win.

Coburg, Kew and St Kevin’s picked up big wins in the second round strengthening their hopes of making finals and winning the ultimate.

PREMIER B MEN’S

The most notable win in Premier B was Old Geelong defeating Monash Blues by 46 points in a grand final rematch at Frearson Oval on Saturday.

The comfortable win for OGs provided some strong evidence of how far they have come over one pre-season as they defeated the Blues who had beaten them in all three meetings last season including the grand final.

The Blues defeated OGs by 21 points in last season’s Premier C decider and also picked up 42 and 72-points wins in rounds 1 and 17 respectively.

But fast track to Round 2 this season and the OGs are on the other side of the ledger.

The OGs had 32 scoring shots to 11, thumping the Blues, 10.1 (61) to 15.17 (107), on their home deck.

Classy midfielder-forward Mickey Nicholls booted four goals for the OGs and was in the best players.

Luke Morfoot was rated best on ground with two goals to his name while Connor Dixon also scored two.

Harrison Kol, playing-coach Nick Dixon and Bailey Austin were also among the best players.

For the Blues, Nicholas Darling was hard to stop with seven goals.

Darling was among the best players for the Blues alongside James Flett and Charles Cosgriff.

In other B-grade games, it was fairly one-sided with Beaumaris and Fitzroy claiming wins by more than 12 goals against St Bedes / Mentone Tigers and Williamstown CYMS respectively.

St Bernards and Old Trinity also picked up comfortable wins by more than five goals.

It is difficult to pick out a premiership favourite in B-grade after two rounds but you would have to say Beaumaris, St Bernards, Fitzroy and Old Geelong are in the mix.

PREMIER C MEN’S

The second weekend of Premier C featured two nail biting encounters.

Old Camberwell registered a thrilling come-from-behind win, defeating Old Ivanhoe by three points after being down by 42 points at three-quarter time at Chelsworth Park on Saturday.

Ben Hart booted four goals for the victors while Sam Veitch and Harry Laukens scored two.

James Allen, Harrison Veitch and Thomas Oliver were the best players for Camberwell.

For the Hoers, Nick Riddle and Jacob Agrotis were the top performers while Luke Scuderi kicked four goals.

In the other close encounter, Ormond came from 11 points down at quarter-time to defeat Hampton Rovers by 11 points at Boss James Reserve on Saturday.

The victory came after the Rovers pressured the Monders as they cut their lead to seven points at three-quarter time after being up by four goals at half time.

But the Monders managed to hold on in the end winning 16.7 (103) to 13.14 (92).

Rhys Kennedy and Dae Szydlik were rated the best players for the victors while Cameron Morris was best afield for the Rovers.

Mazenod and PEGS also picked up wins in Premier C Round 2.

After the second round, it is difficult to predict who would be premiership favourite with a large number of teams showing promising signs.