Live stream: Fitzroy face grand final nemesis St Bernard’s in VAFA Premier Men’s Division debut

It was supposed to be a ‘special opportunity’ for Fitzroy to announce its VAFA premier men’s arrival. Find out in thrilling circumstances if its plan came off. Seniors, reserves REPLAYS.

Snowdogs defender Mitchell Bateman has spoilt Fitzroy’s much-anticipated maiden foray into VAFA Premier Division with a freakish goal to pinch a result which appeared to be in the bag.

Floating forward with just over a minute remaining, Bateman snapped from 40m out, with the ball sailing through to effectively end the contest.

Although play went on for another minute, Fitzroy couldn’t get the ball deep enough into its forward line before the siren sounded.

It was a thrilling climax to a superb contest, which ebbed and flowed all day as both teams enjoyed different stages of ascendacy.

With a fierce intensity around the contest, a committed Fitzroy leapt out of the blocks.

But their dominance early in the game really wasn’t refected on the scoreboard, something that would later haunt them.

Despite Fitzroy holding a decent 5.9 (39) to 3.2 (20) halftime lead, the Snowdogs came out in the third quarter with a different mindset and quickly set about erasing the deficit.

Once they had achieved that, the contest came down to a battle of wills as both teams desperately tried to open their season with a win.

REPLAY

St Bernards v Fitzroy FC (Premiers)

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St Bernards v Fitzroy FC (Reserves)

PREVIEW

Fitzroy will look to ‘create our own history’ this season as they step up to VAFA Premier Division for the first time on Saturday.

New Lions coach Travis Ronaldson believes his team can make an immediate impact in what is considered the top metropolitan football competition in Melbourne.

The club has risen quickly in recent seasons, winning the Premier C premiership in 2018 before earning promotion last year by reaching the Premier B grand final.

They will kick off their maiden A-grade campaign away to grand final nemesis St Bernard’s.

Ronaldson said 2024 was a ‘special opportunity’ for his players.

“It’s a great thing for the club to be promoted up to the top-flight for the first time,” he said.

“It’s a special opportunity for the playing squad to be a part of that and we’ve spoken about creating our own history in 2024 and beyond, and trying to put our stamp on the competition early.

“We’re under no illusion it’s a really high-quality competition and know what worked in the past won’t work this year.

“We have to improve and step up the way we go about things to compete at that level - and that’s on and off-field.

Fitzroy make their VAFA Premiers debut on Saturday. Photo by Josh Chadwick

“We’ve worked at ensuring we play a highly competitive game style that suits A-grade footy.

“Obviously, the grand final rematch (in Round 1), and having played them four times last year, we know them well and they know us well.”

Fitzroy has been quiet in the off-season, instead trusting in their deep well of junior talent.

Last year’s grand final featured 20 players that have graduated from the Fitzroy Juniors.

Ronaldson listed Riley Kelly (Mt Gravatt) and Hamish McShane (Red Hill) as the two major additions over summer.

He backed the club’s developing talent to take the next step this season.

“Riley Kelly has come down from Queensland and will probably start on the wing in our Round 1 side, he’s an exceptional athlete and actually had a running scholarship over the US,” Ronaldson said.

“Hamish McShane is another one from Red Hill, versatile tall who can play all parts of the ground, we believe will be a really good asset.

Fitzroy were promoted after an impressive season in 2023. Photo by Josh Chadwick.

“We’ve obviously got a good feeder program through the Fitzroy Juniors ... and we’ve got a lot of confidence in that pathway.

“I’d say a lot of our improvement is going to come from our young players, they might not be on anyone’s radar in terms of names, but young guys who’s had good pre-seasons that we feel will be good senior football.

“Laird Ramshaw, Hunter Staples, Anthony Johnson and Miles Nelson are all guys who had impressive pre-seasons, put in a lot of work, and come into Round 1 in the best shape they’ve been.

“It’s exciting for them and us, we’re looking to them to take another step up and become quality senior footballers.”

The Lions will have to wait until Round 3 for their first home game of the season at Brunswick Street when they tackle Old Xavs.