Victorian Amateur Football Association: St Kevin’s holds off Collegians to win Premier grand final thriller

In a memorable grand final with no quarter asked nor given, Collegians and St Kevin’s staged an epic VAFA Premier showcase at Elsternwick Park.

In a memorable grand final with no quarter asked nor given, Collegians and St Kevin’s staged an epic VAFA Premier showcase at Elsternwick Park on Sunday.

With everything on the line both sides played the type of football befitting a grand final and, when the dust settled, St Kevin’s resisted a fast finishing Collegians to win 12.13 (85) to 11.14 (80).

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St Kevins celebrates with the trophy Picture: Hamish Blair

Gallant to the end, it was a bitter pill for the purple and gold to swallow just 12 months after grand final defeat at the hands of SKOBs in last year’s decider.

In a battle of contrasting styles, that pitted the crumbing small brigade of St Kevins against the bullocking tall timber of an experienced Collegians forward line , the running players from SKOBs held sway for three quarters of the contest.

St Kevin’s swift ball movement through the centre of the ground caught Collegians flat footed and four first-half goals to best-on-ground Billy Kanakis gave SKOBs an 11-point lead at the main break.

With Collegians wasting opportunities around goal and looking to take the ball sideways, St Kevin’s piled on the pressure in the third quarter.

(From left) Captains Nick Wood and Anthony Lynch and coaches Tom Williams and Guy Martyn raise the silverware Picture: Hamish Blair

On the back of quicker ball movement through the middle of the ground, the reigning champions stretched their lead to 31 points at the final change.

The last quarter, however, proved to be one for the ages.

Down by five goals, Collegians threw caution to the wind and with quick direct football closed on a SKOBs line-up that had stopped to a walk. With Lachie Ferguson always threatening, and former Melbourne AFL player Viv Michie starting to find the footy, the Lions slammed on five goals to one in the last quarter and were on the brink of stealing a magnificent victory.

But it wasn’t enough.

The Lions were valiant but SKOBs fell over the line as the final siren started the club’s back-to-back celebrations.

While Kanakis, with five, bankrolled the St Kevin’s total, Gerard Gleeson and Shaun Kennedy snagged two each in support. Best for the premiers included Gerard Gleeson, Kanakis, Anthony Lynch and Lachie Sullivan.

Co-coach Tom Williams breathed a sigh of relief at the final siren.

Alexander Croft (Collegians) flies high but can't mark over Lachlan Farrugia (St Kevin’s) Picture: Hamish Blair

“Games have a narrative and I said to the team at three-quarter time that if we sit on our heels they will come back,” he said. “We didn’t sit on our heels but they came back because they are a good side. They missed a lot of shots and we took some chances which obviously helped but I am exhausted and I can’t believe that just happened.

“Strong clubs win premierships not just good teams, this is a good club. Winning back-to-back is special but this year I felt we had to win it and at no stage did I feel dominant or at ease with anything about the season or this game.

“VAFA footy is a good balance of life and football and as such we have played 48 players in our senior side this year. They are all here today and they are all excited to be part of it and I am really happy for them and the club as a whole.”

VAFA PREMIER GRAND FINAL

Elsternwick Park (Sunday, September 16)

Collegians 3.4 5.6 6.10 11.14 (80)

St Kevins 4.2 7.5 11.11 12.13 (85)

COLLEGIANS No goalkickers/best players supplied

ST KEVINS Goal Kickers: B. Kanakis 5, S. Kennedy 2, M. Brown, G. Gleeson, L. Sullivan, H. Lagastes, H. Parkes Best Players: B. Kanakis, L. Farrugia, L. Sullivan, C. Ross, A. Lynch, N. Wood

After going so close, it was heartbreak for Collegians Picture: Hamish Blair