St Bernard’s one win away from locking in finals in VAFA Premier Division after anoter hard-fought triumph

ST BERNARD’S is one win away from booking its place in the Victorian Amateur Football Association Premier Division top-two after a hard-fought victory against Beaumaris on Saturday.

VAFA: St Bernard's versus University Blacks at St Bernards College, West Essendon. Victorian Football Association St Bernards coach Anthony Rock. Pictures: Angie Basdekis

ST BERNARD’S is one win away from booking its place in the Victorian Amateur Football Association Premier Division top-two after a hard-fought victory against Beaumaris on Saturday.

The Snowdogs came from behind at half-time, seizing the advantage with a six-goal-to-four third quarter at Banksia Reserve.

The Sharks were gallant, fighting back in the final term, but ultimately they came up short as Andrew Merrington’s five-goal haul inspired St Bernard’s 11th victory of the campaign. “To have seven changes and two debutants in the side, it was a pretty good effort to bounce back the way we did,” Snowdogs coach ­Anthony Rock said.

The victory lifted St Bernard’s to 11-3, three games ahead of a chasing pack ­including Old Scotch, Old Trinity and Collegians with four rounds remaining.

Beaumaris forward Waylen Manson, who is competing on reality television show The Recruit, booted three goals for the hosts.

Rock said Manson had the talent to play AFL, but he was kept under control by Snowdogs defender Simon Caven.

“I’ve been involved with getting him down, I did all the selection and trials for The Recruit,” he said.

“He’s got enough talent, he just probably needs to get into a system where they can nurture him a little bit and help support him … He’s coming from a long way back in terms of culture and the way he lives life.”

Tom Sullivan, Mitchell Hannan and Adam Bentick were also influential in St Bernard’s 14.13 (97) to 13.5 (83) win.

“(Merrington) was very good, along with our midfield who probably won the battle on the day,” Rock said.

“The week before, that wasn’t the case.

“We had eight goalkickers, so that was a good even spread.”

Reigning premier Old ­Xaverians’ resurgence continued on Saturday with victory against ladder-leader Uni Blacks.

Rock said there was no doubt Old Xavs, which is one game outside the top-four, was building momentum at the right time.

“They’re obviously getting themselves together in a sense and they’ll be challenging toward the top four,” he said.

“I think they’ve got to rely on a few other results to go their way but all they can do is keep winning.”

St Bernard’s hosts Collegians this weekend.