VAFA: St Bernard’s back into Premier after grand final win

St Bernard’s president Steve Perrett has sung the praises of coach Steve Alessio for his impact on the club’s premiership and promotion success. Here’s what he had to say.

St Bernard’s had two goals in mind when it was relegated at the end of the 2022 season.

First was immediately bouncing back from Premier B into the VAFA’s top flight — a goal that was achieved when the Snowdogs qualified for the grand final.

The second was winning the premiership.

That second goal was completed on Saturday when St Bernard’s overcame a slow start to run out 15.13 (103) to 10.12 (72) winners over St Bernard’s at Elsternwick Park.

The club’s first premiership since 2018 completed a remarkable first season in charge for former Essendon big man Steve Alessio.

Snowdogs president Steve Perrett said he couldn’t speak any higher of Alessio’s impact.

“He’s been magnificent,” he said.

“The way he engages with everyone on the list right from the seniors down to the under-19s and thirds, he treats everyone the same.

“He has developed a fantastic culture with the players and those relationships will last forever after the weekend.”

It was a day of double delight for the Snowdogs with the reserves also taking out the premiership with a big win over Old Trinity.

Both games were similar with how they played out with St Bernard’s trailing at the main break in both games.

In the reserves, Old Trinity didn’t score after halftime.

“I think winning the second semi-final helped a lot of our boys,” Perrett said.

“Both games were played at a high level, it’s been a great year for the club with the thirds making the grand final as well but unfortunately they went down.”

Luke Di Lizio was awarded the best on ground medal while Ben Huggard was among St Bernard’s better players fresh off winning the league best and fairest just days earlier.

“It was a pretty special week,” Perrett said.

“Ben has been magnificent all year. Jordan Farrell finished second in the medal as well which is a testament to his own season.”

Perrett said the club was already looking forward to the challenge ahead in the top flight.