St Bernard’s prepares to ring the changes for Victorian Amateur Football Association final against University Blacks

ST BERNARD’S is set to swing the changes for its Victorian Amateur Association Final against University Blacks after resting more than 10 players 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 set to swing the changes for its Victorian Amateur Association Final against University Blacks after resting more than 10 players on Saturday.

The Snowdogs were soundly beaten by Uni Blacks in the final round of the season, going down 18.14 (122) to 6.7 (43).

St Bernard’s coach Anthony Rock said the result was “irrelevant”, with both sides having already secured their top-two spots.

“Probably the result is irrelevant really, we had quite a few that needed to be freshened up,” Rock said.

“While we were in the game to half-time, they played a reasonably strong side, they had four or five out.

“They were very good on the day, we were competitive but probably turned the football over and our pressure after half-time was pretty non-existent.”

Rock denied Uni Blacks would take a psychological edge into finals after his side’s 79-point loss, with the make-up of St Bernard’s side to change dramatically.

“We rested quite a few, once again it was out of necessity not trying to be cute or anything like that,” he said.

“We’ve had a really long year and a lot of game time for certain individuals who were sore and things like that.”

Jacob Forder, Alexander Singleton and Luke Scerri were the Snowdogs’ best players on Saturday, while Adam Pattison snagged four goals for Uni Blacks.

Rock said “about 10 or 11” players would be recalled as St Bernard’s looked to hit its straps in finals.

“We’re still working on what our right mix is at the moment so we’ll sort of go through that this week,” he said.

“(Uni Blacks) are a quality team, they’ve had a super year, they’re very well-drilled.

“It’s one each. We beat them at our ground, they beat us at their ground and now we’re playing on neutral territory.”

Rock said the division’s other finalists, Old Scotch and Collegians, could not be underestimated.

“I rate the competition in a sense that there aren’t any easy games,” he said.

“You have to be up and about every week.”