VAFA: Old Haileybury caused a rousing upset win over Old Scotch to keep season alive

Old Haileybury knocked off a premiership contender to record its first win in six weeks. Here’s how the Bloods did it.

Daniel Ward speaks to his players.

Boosted by a trio of VFL-listed players, Old Haileybury was able to accomplish a feat it was yet to achieve all season.

The Bloods, according to coach Daniel Ward, recorded their first four-quarter performance.

In turn, it swayed the result, as the reigning Premier B premiers knocked off the now third-placed Old Scotch 6.8 (44) to 3.16 (34).

“We haven’t played four quarters of footy for the last month, we’ve had 10-15 minute patches that have hurt us in games,” Ward said.

“At A grade amateur level, you’re going to get hurt – your opposition is going to take advantage of that.

“For the 120 minutes on the weekend, we played the game we wanted to play and we were good enough to get it done.”

Daniel Ward has been itching for a four-quarter performance from his side.

With Sam Gilbert and Brede Seccull missing a chunk of the season through injury, the Bloods have been missing on-field experience.

They weren’t short of it on Saturday however, with Connor and Lachie Riley from Frankston as well as Jack Bell from Casey stepping up to play during their VFL bye.

Ward said the additions had a huge impact on the outcome of the game while also noting they didn’t have to play.

“They had a huge impact for us, that was beneficial for sure,” he said.

“Credit to those boys, they play at a higher level and I think they might’ve played nine or 10 games already, so it would be easy for them to want to have a break and rest the body.

“To come back and help their local club, we’re still in a position where things haven’t gone our way this year, we’re in a battle for relegation at the moment – every week is truly important.

“For them to recognise that, come back and assist says a bit about them as people and our young blokes definitely got a lift from that.

“We have been missing that football experience around the contest and those three boys provided that on the weekend for sure.”

Frankston’s Connor Riley was among the Bloods’ best. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Although the win is crucial for the Bloods, having previously lost six on the trot, Ward believes his side’s season can turn quickly provided they show up for the same length of time they did on Saturday.

“All bar one of those six we were in the game,” he said.

“I think our boys have a fair handle on what works for us and how we need to play, it’s the ability to make sure we are following that through for the 120 minutes.

“It is a battle, we see we can mix it with anyone, we showed that on the weekend, Old Scotch is a great side and we stuck at it for long enough to come away with the points.

“Hopefully coming forward for the remaining eight games it’s given our group what we can achieve in A grade if we play the right way.”

Each of the VFL-listed players were named in the Bloods’ best, as was Brodie Steele, Durras Seccull and James Paul.

Benjamin Hayes, Jordan Clarke, Aiden Franetic, Rhys Galvin, Hugo Bromell and Brodie Easton were Old Scotch’s best.

Elsewhere, Collegians defeated Old Melburnians 14.11 (95) to 3.7 (25) and University Blacks defeated Caulfield Grammarians 9.19 (73) to 3.7 (25).

St Kevins also beat Old Xaverians 13.14 (92) to 6.10 (46) and University Blues overcame Old Brighton 12.10 (82) to 6.6 (42).