VAFA 2021: University Blues’ ex-AFL players lead way in victory

The VAFA club’s enviable group of big names were prominent as Jarred Moore scored his first win as coach.

Kieran Harper bagged four goals for the Blues. Picture: Hamish Blair

Defending premiers University Blues produced a scintillating second half as its ex-AFL stars came to the fore in the Victorian Amateur Football Association on Saturday.

After a shock loss to Old Brighton in their season opener, the Blues found themselves 13 points adrift of Caulfield Grammarians at halftime away from home.

But they responded with an eight-goal-to-three second half to kick-start their campaign with a 20-point victory in the top-flight clash.

“You don’t like losing in Round 1, so it’s good to hit back and find a bit of form,” first-year Uni Blues coach Jarred Moore said.

“It was a big day for them (Caulfield Grammarians), unveiling their (2019 Premier B) flag, so they came out firing too.

“To be able to weather that and come out in the second half and do what we did was encouraging.”

The Blues’ enviable list of big names played significant roles in the triumph.

Kieran Harper and Sam Grimley booted four goals each, while midfielder/forward Jay Kennedy Harris also fired and Cameron O’Shea was “brilliant” across half-back.

Tom Young and Joseph Macula helped their side gain the ascendancy in the middle of the ground after halftime.

Moore said his midfield was “heavily beaten” in the club’s 42-point defeat to Old Brighton.

“It was really good for those boys to fight back after they lowered their colours the week before,” he said.

“That gave the forwards a chance. I thought they competed really well.

“It gave us an opportunity on the back of the midfield dominance.

“It was good to find some decent players off every line.”

The Blues will next face Old Melburnians in their first home fixture of the season.

Moore said he would learn more about his group in coming weeks after a lengthy lay-off.

“There’s always work to do … areas we want to tighten up and get better at,” he said.

“What’s good as a coach now is you get the chance to watch a bit of vision and pick up where other teams might try and expose you.

“We didn’t play for 18 months and you play against yourself a lot.

“Everything thinks they’re going all right coming into Round 1, and it was a bit of a wake-up call.”