St Bernard’s set to welcome back key players for VAFA finals after powering past Old Carey in Round 18
ST BERNARD’S flexed its muscle on the eve of Victorian Amateur Football Association finals with a comprehensive victory over Old Carey on Saturday.
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ST BERNARD’S flexed its muscle on the eve of Victorian Amateur Football Association finals with a comprehensive victory over Old Carey on Saturday.
The Snowdogs finished at the top of the Premier Division ladder after an 18.10 (118) to 9.10 (64) victory over Old Carey at St Bernard’s College.
Coach Anthony Rock said the side’s response to its Round 17 loss against premiership rival De La Salle had been pleasing.
“We had about 19 changes in the last three weeks,” Rock said.
“We had a pretty unsettled side through flu, injury and what have you.
“We were a bit disappointed with our performance against De La Salle (in Round 17).
“While we still had a lot of players out on Saturday, we had to respond in a manner that was going to take us forward.”
Tom Sullivan shone with four majors in Saturday’s triumph, while Rock praised tagger Nathan Kazuro’s lockdown job on Old Carey star Cam Howat.
Chris Hughes, James Bennie and Alex McLeod were also impressive.
“You don’t want to go into the finals series with a loss,” he said.
“Just to get that confidence back and play the way we wanted to, which we did.
“The conditions weren’t conducive to great, free-flowing football in the first half, but then it dried out a little bit in the second half and we had a really good third quarter which set up the win.”
The Snowdogs hope to recall a host of senior players for this weekend’s major semi-final against Old Trinity.
Nick Cooke, Adam Bentick and Mitch Hannan are among a core group ready to be unleashed on VAFA finals after missing the club’s Round 18 match.
“We're in a much better space than what we were last year,” Rock said.
“(We were) bundled out in straight sets and kicked 5.22 in the prelim.
“But having said that, Trinity are a really good side.
“Both sides match up well against each other.”
St Bernard’s and Old Trinity’s two fixtures this year were decided by six points or less.
University Blues and De La Salle will meet in Premier Division’s knockout semi-final.
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