All the key talking points from the weekend’s VAFA action
From standout displays to major scares, these are the 10 key lessons out of the weekend’s VAFA action. Here’s what you may have missed.
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The VAFA season is now pass the halfway mark and ladders are beginning to take shape across all competitions.
Here are ten things we learned from the weekend’s action.
OLD XAVS TURN IT ON FOR THE BOSS
Club great and incoming AFL CEO Andrew Dillon was in commentary as Old Xaverians turned on the style with a 48-point win over Old Brighton on Saturday.
The visitors burst out of the blocks with a five-goal-to-one first quarter to set up the 15.15 (105) to 8.9 (57) victory at Brighton Beach Oval. Star big man Grant Valles booted three goals and was named best-on-ground in a dominant performance.
The result sees Old Xavs leapfrog Old Brighton into fifth and within a game of the top-four.
KEVS STUNS SCOTCH
St Kevin's handed Old Scotch just its second loss of the Premier A campaign on Saturday. SKOBs roared home to claim a nine-point victory and stun the ladder-leader at TH King Oval.
Trailing by 14 points at three-quarter-time, the home team made good use of the breeze to kick five goals to one and run out 11.9 (75) to 9.10 (64) victors.
Sam Tucker was best afield in the win, while Pat Kerr and Jack Darmody kicked two goals each. The result keeps St Kevin’s a game clear in fourth, while Old Scotch remains top but now only on percentage ahead of Collegians and Uni Blues.
ARE THE PIRATES FINALS CONTENDERS?
Old Peninsula stormed into finals contention with its third Division 1 win on the bounce.
The Pirates improved their record from 2-4 to 5-4 and now sit just percentage from fourth in sixth.
Saturday’s 9.13 (67) to 9.3 (57) win over West Brunswick was a tough, hard-fought triumph after trailing at the first and main break.
While in form, the Pirates will face a true test this weekend when they take on second-placed Oakleigh.
In other matches, Oakleigh dismantled Ivanhoe 18.20 (128) to 3.1 (19).
A wayward Uhs-Vu defeated Preston Bullants 11.17 (83) to 9.5 (59), Prahran fell to an accurate Glen Eira 16.9 (105) to 8.12 (60) and Therry Penola defeated Kew 11.13 (79) to 7.5 (47).
WELLERS SURVIVE SCARE
Ladder-leader Old Camberwell pulled off an almighty escape against last-placed Marcellin at Gordon Barnard Reserve on Saturday, thundering home from a 37-point three-quarter time deficit to win 9.15 (69) to 9.7 (61).
The Wellers failed to register a major in the opening term as Marcellin took advantage of the wind for a 16-point lead, before a four-goal-to-none third term surged it ahead for what seemed a matchwinning lead.
Ben Hart finished with two goals for Old Camberwell while Kellan Percy was best afield, as Josh Atwell stood out for Marcellin.
Elsewhere in Premier C, Old Ivanhoe has leapfrogged PEGS into second spot after a runaway win. The 11.12 (78) to 4.6 (30) result lifts Old Ivanhoe to six wins, one loss and a draw – level with PEGS – as almost 40 per cent separates the pair in second and third. Nicholas Reeves-Smyth turned out a best-afield display for the winners, booting four goals while Zach Genovesi kicked two for PEGS.
Elsewhere, Old Carey notched its third win of the season with a 47-point win over Ormond to consolidate in fourth spot, while fifth-placed Mazenod remains in touch with the top four following a 49-point victory over the Hampden Rovers.
BULLEEN-TEMPLESTOWE KEEP FINALS HOPES ALIVE
The Bullants remain in touch with the Division 2 top-two after a come-from-behind win against Aquinas on Saturday afternoon.
Anthony Lucisano was a major factor in the 10.10 (70) to 9.12 (66) win with five goals while Jamie Cortese was named best afield.
Bulleen Templestowe now sit seventh with a 4-5 record.
LA TROBE GETS ITS SECOND WIN
For the second time this season, La Trobe University got the better of Swinburne University.
The 10.18 (78) to 9.13 (67) victory lifted La Trobe off the foot of the ladder.
Tate Spiteri impressed with four goals while Darcy Thorn was named best afield after booting three.
Brad Field was best in a losing effort.
UNDEFEATED, TALENT-PACKED AND FOCUSED
St Bernard’s has reached the halfway mark of the season as a red-hot flag favourite In Premier B.
The Snowdogs made light work of Monash Blues on Saturday, an eight-goal third quarter firing them to a 93-point victory, 21.12 (138) to 7.3 (45).
Luke Di Lizio was lively up forward with five goals, and Matthew Sauro was best-afield.
De La Salle boosted its finals hopes with a stirring nine-point win over third-placed Beaumaris, with William McKinnon and Will Mackie instrumental.
Donovan Toohey and Charlie Faubel booted four goals apiece to fire 8-1 Fitzroy to a 50-point win over St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers.
BOX HILL NORTH GAIN DOUBLE CHANCE ADVANTAGE
Box Hill North moved into prime position to claim the double chance in Division 4 with a 15.18 (108) to 8.14 (62) victory over Masala on Saturday.
Michael Trkulja returned to the side and produced a best on ground display which included two goals.
The Demons have now won four on the trot.
SOUTH MELBOURNE DISTRICTS BREAK WOMEN’S DROUGHT
After a difficult start to the season, South Melbourne Districts is on the board in the Division 4 women’s competition after prevailing by nine points against Canterbury.
Vanessa Elleman was named the best player on the ground.
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