Live stream: Minor premiers Old Brighton face Old Scotch in VAFA Premier Men’s Grand Final
Old Scotch have ridden a wave of momentum to the club’s first premiership title in 46 years - in the process driving a dagger into the hearts of Old Brighton. Watch the VAFA grand final REPLAY and find out which players made the difference in the decider.
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Old Scotch are kings of the VAFA Premier Men’s competition again.
For the first time since 1978, the Cardinals have prevailed in the competition’s top tier after a thrilling 18-point win over Old Brighton at Elsternwick Park.
Over 3500 packed into the hills for a high level contest with the Mark Gnatt coached Cardinals completing a remarkable run to the flag in the 14.11 (95) to 10.17 (77) win.
WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
They finished the home-and-away season third on the ladder and broke several droughts in the last three weeks.
A win in the elimination final was the club’s first A-grade win in 21 years and momentum eventually proved to be the key.
This was just Old Scotch’s second top tier flag in 90 years.
BIG MEN FOR THE BIG OCCASION
It was the big men who did the damage for Old Scotch. Better known for his ruck work, Will Clark turned the game up forward in the third term. He kicked two goals and sent Cardinals supporters into raptures. He showed great nous to intercept a handball metres out from goal before kicking truly for his second of the quarter. Clark’s first of the day was at the centre of controversy after Old Brighton players’ argued with the goal umpire they had touched it after the big man grabbed it out of the ruck and snapped truly.
James Tarrant and Ryan Valentine were identified as keys in the build up to the contest and it proved true as they kicked four goals apiece. Both men marked everything which came their way and were dobbing them from everywhere including two goals from outside 50 from Tarrant. Tarrant’s ability to go into the ruck was also on show as he impressed with his athleticism.
TAKING YOUR CHANCES
Old Brighton will be kicking themselves for a time to come. They led the scoring shots 27 to 25 and on reflection should and probably have led at halftime. They kicked 5.8 to 2.2 in the second term including hitting the post from just metres out. Even losing the third term 4.2 to 2.4 was telling. It just proved the old adage of why scoreboard pressure is so important.
PREVIEW
The chance to be part of history awaits Old Brighton and Old Scotch in Friday’s VAFA Premier Men’s grand final.
The Tonners have never won a senior flag in the competition’s top tier, with their last premiership the Premier B success in 2017.
Meanwhile, Old Scotch is chasing a first premiership since 1978.
You can watch history being created when the game is LIVE STREAMED on AFL Grand Final eve public holiday from 2.30pm on KommunityTV.
The game is shaping as a thriller with the two sides having recorded one win a piece in their two previous meetings this season.
Marcel Bruin’s Old Brighton stormed to a 26-point win in round 6 while Mark Gnatt’s Cardinals overturned the result in round 14.
The Tonners will be well rested for this one having won through to the grand final in a thrilling second semi-final against St Kevin’s a fortnight ago.
After finishing third on the ladder, Gnatt’s side have come the long way but momentum is a thing of beauty at this time of the year.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jonah Campigli, Old Brighton: The youngster broke into the side on the back of injuries earlier in the year and has become one of the most watchable forwards. Will fly at absolutely everything.
Charlie Cormack, Old Scotch: Will break the game open out of defence for the Cardinals with his brilliant skills. Loves to intercept.
Ben Hays, Old Scotch: Hays has averaged 24.8 disposals for the season and looms as one of the game breakers in the middle of the ground.
Jamie Hope, Old Brighton: A young gun who has thrived in the Tonners’ forward line this season with 27 goals in 15 majors. Snagged three in the first final to prove he belongs on the big stage.
Nicholas Pavlou, Old Brighton: The leading ball winner for his side this season having averaged 25.8 disposals in 16 games. Pavlou is damaging going forward, averaging almost two goals a game.
Ryan Valentine, Old Scotch: One of the leading forwards in the competition this season. He’s kicked 34 goals in 15 games.
WHAT THE COACHES SAID
Marcel Bruin, Old Brighton
On the opportunity for the club’s first premier flag: “It’s a massive opportunity for the group and we’ve spoken about it once during the year, but haven’t again. You can weigh yourself down with that legacy if it’s your mindset and could be detrimental to your mindset if you let it take over. It would be naive to think people aren’t talking about it. It’s a privilege to have this opportunity, but the boys are just determined to get the job done.”
On being the hunted: “We’ve been the hunted for the entirety of the year having been on top of the ladder, we earned that right. We’ve had some significant challenges, but they’ve been an opportunity to improve ourselves as a team. When you’re coming up against opposition sides, I’ve always felt there’s an added incentive to beat a team above you. We’ve embraced being in our own bubble and focusing on ourselves.”
Beating Old Scotch: “Mark Gnatt has put together a really strong program and system which stands up. They’ve got dominant ruckmen who give them first use and inside midfielders who know how to win the footy. Their balance around the stoppage is very good because if they get the ball to the outside they can do some real damage. We’ve got a massive focus on putting pressure on them to try and make it easier for our back six.”
Mark Gnatt, Old Scotch
On the finals series so far: “It’s been all about writing our own chapters in the club’s history. When we won the first final on September 13, it was five years to the day since I coached the under-19s to the flag and a lot of those players are now in the senior team. That win against Collegians was our first A-grade finals win as a club in 21 years. When we beat St Kevins earlier in the year, it was the first time we had beat them in 16 years. We’ve celebrated every little moment we’ve had.”
On ending the club’s Premier flag drought: “It’s something we’re not shying away from. Just to get to this point has been a great success, but this is only the start of our journey. We’re now taken more seriously by other clubs than we might have been in the past. We’re not overawed by the situation which is in front of us.”
Beating Old Brighton: “They play the game the right way, they’ve easily been the best side all year. We took a lot out of the game when we beat them earlier in the year. They play a real contested brand, being strong at the contest, it’s an area we’ll have to match.”
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