Live stream: Collegians take on Old Xaverians in huge VAFA Men’s Premier showdown

Split by a minute amount of percentage on the ladder, these two teams brought a finals-like atmosphere to Harry Trott Oval. Relive the Reserve/Premier double header LIVE now.

Due to a technical error, we can only show the replay of the final quarter of today’s Collegians v Old Xaverians Premier Men’s game. We apologise for the inconvenience and will endeavour to have the FULL REPLAY available as soon as possible.

Collegians vs Old Xaverians (Reserves)

PREVIEW

With six games remaining in the VAFA Premier Men’s season, the old adage of an “eight-point game” has never been truer.

It’s exactly what we’ll see on Saturday when Collegians welcome Old Xaverians to Harry Trott Oval .

The game will be a finals-like clash.

Catch all the action from the Reserves/Premier double header LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV from 11.40am.

Check the full LIVE STREAM schedule below.

Collegians currently hold the advantage in the race for the top-four over Old Xavs with both sides currently locked at 7-5 and separated by just .31 per cent.

A win for either side would push them clear into the top-four and in the box seat to play finals footy later this year.

Old Xaverians coach Dan Donati wasn’t playing down the significance of the clash.

“It doesn’t get any bigger than this at this stage of the season where both teams are on the ladder,” he said.

“Last time we played it felt a lot closer on the day, we didn’t use the ball well especially in the first half.

Jim Bazzani celebrates Collegians title success in 2023.

“We’ve got 10 different players from last time, it’s a different side. We’ve been growing and developing since then.”

Donati said he couldn’t speak any higher of this week’s opposition.

“They’re a bloody good side mate, they’re the reigning premiers for a reason,” he said.

“Their midfield is stacked and it’s an area of the ground which is going to be key. Two really good midfield groups going at it.

“They’ve got good key forwards and defenders, no weak links.

“We’re going to have to kick a winning score, it’s not a game you’ll win by kicking eight goals.”

When the two teams met earlier in the year, it was Collegians who prevailed by 27 points.

On that occasion, the Jordie McKenzie’s Lions were able to score on the back of their intercept game, producing over half their score from turnover.

The midfield battle one again looms as pivotal and if it is as even as the first meeting this season, it will be anybody’s game.

Among the key players for Collegians will be Nathan Boucher and Josh Walker who have racked up plenty of the footy this season.

Marcus Stavrou will have a big role to play for Old Xavs.

Ben Darrou is enjoying a fine season inside forward 50 and has been well supported by Alex Lukic and Walker.

If Jim Bazzani finds plenty of the footy forward of centre he could do some damage as Collegians’ leading goal assists man.

On the other side of the fence, the visitors will look to the likes of Big V VAFA representative guns Marcus Stavrou and Sam Fisher.

Inside forward 50, Stirling Phipps-Parsons, Ed Delany and Charlie MacIsaac could have a say on the result of this one.