Live stream: St Kevin’s v Old Xaverians, VAFA Under-19 Premier grand final

An impressive second half performance was the catalyst for Old Xaverians to upstage favourites St Kevin’s and win the VAFA U19 Premier Men’s title. Re-live the action from the LIVE STREAM.

Old Xaverians brushed aside the humiliation of their heavy major semifinal defeat to stun St Kevin’s in the VAFA U19 Men’s Premier game that matters most.

Old Xavs produced a stirring second half performance - and then withstood a late St Kevin’s surge - to win 9.8 (62) to 7.5 (47).

The game was very even up until late in the third quarter when two majors pushed Old Xavs’ advantage out to 16 points.

They led by as much as 28 points midway through the final quarter before St Kevin’s added some respectability to the scoreline.

Old Xavs success was built from the back, with their defence keeping the St Kevin’s attack quiet for much of the game, while their attack took the chacnes that presented themselves with aplomb.

PREVIEW

They might be the underdogs heading into Sunday’s VAFA Premier U19 grand final but Old Xaverians coach Dan Rush is confident his side have learnt from the past.

Old Xavs were outclassed by flag favourite St Kevin’s in the second semi-final a fortnight ago by 30 points.

But when the first bounce rolls around on Sunday, Rush believes his players will be ready.

Catch the game LIVE on KommunityTV from 9am at the beautiful Elsternwick Park.

“We’re always learning as a team,” Rush said.

“It has been a very even competition this season and that’s been showcased right through the finals series. You need to play your best in every game.

Old Xavs player Hugo Wyman.

St Kevin's have risen dramatically.

“If you’re off 10 per cent, you’re going to get beaten. We didn’t play well in the previous game and I’m confident we took a lot of lessons away from that.”

Rush and his players have every right to be confident after winning last week’s preliminary final in a thriller against Caulfield Grammarians by 12 points.

And now players including Sam Hansen, Ben Moyle and Will Stevens will be hoping to carry over their form from last week.

“We’ve got a good opportunity, St Kevin’s and ourselves are in a fortunate position where eight other teams would love to be,” Rush said.

“We’ve got about half a team who experienced a grand final last year and were fortunate enough to win one. They’re helping some of their less experienced teammates heading into the weekend.

“It’s going to be a great test but we’re excited by the time that lays ahead of us.”

If St Kevin’s were to come away with the silverware it would be a remarkable rise for a side who finished seventh on the ladder in 2022.

Among the keys for SKOB will be semi-final heroes Zane Greenham, Will Pfeiffer, Liam Gunson and Jack Palmer.