VAFA live stream: Collegians v St Kevin’s, VAFA Premier Men’s grand final

A decade of Collegians heartache has been blown away by an empahtic grand final performance, as they vanquished their premiership demons. Watch the VAFA grand final REPLAY.

They have done it.

After a decade of heartache, close calls and ultimately disappointment, the Purple Army are finally VAFA Premier Men’s champions once again.

And they blew that decade of misery away in empahtic fashion, running out 19.16 (130) to 6.9 (45) grand final victors over St Kevin’s Old Boys.

WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Collegians’ Jim Bazzani celebrates during the VAFA Premier Division Grand Final between Collegians and St Kevin's at Elsternwick Park in Brighton. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Lions grand final triumph will go down in the history books as the second-biggest grand final winning margin in VAFA history.

From the opening whistle, the most dominant side of the VAFA Premier Men’s season were determined to flex their muscle.

They opened up a six-goal margin by the end of the first term, and while they were reigned in before halftime, after the break it was a wave of purple.

Collegians kicked clear in a dominant third term putting on 47 points to St Kevin’s two.

Collegians’ David Mirra celebrates a goal during the VAFA Premier Division Grand Final between Collegians and St Kevin's at Elsternwick Park in Brighton. Picture: Andy Brownbill

As he has done all season, Collegians sharpshooter David Mirra led from the front, booting home five goals for the premiers along with Lachie Ferguson who kick five of his own in the 19-goal stoush.

Ferguson won the Jock Nelson Medal as player of the grand final, as judged by the umpires.

Collegians coach Jared Rivers could not hide his emotions after the match, and admitted it was the best football his side had put together all season.

“It has been a special year ... today we played our best footy we have played all year,” he said.

“I thought our pressure and intensity around the ball was just first class today.

“These footy clubs are hard, a lot of supporters and people who help out for very little. To see it all come together on a day like today, I was really proud as a coach.”

Preview: St Kevin’s prepared for ultimate premiership fight

St Kevin’s coach Anthony Lynch believes his side is perfectly prepared for a shot at back-to-back VAFA Premier premierships.

Lynch’s side has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the VAFA’s final day on the back of an impressive finals series after initially finishing fourth on the ladder.

Now they’ll take on minor premier Collegians from 2.30pm on Sunday with the game set to streamed LIVE on KommunityTV.

It will be the third time the two sides have met in the grand final since 2018.

Collegians have been the team to beat all season.

“The feeling has mainly been excitement this week,” Lynch said.

“I’ve got a great group, there’s no one else I would rather be coaching. This is the club’s fifth straight grand final, which is a remarkable achievement.

“Some guys have played in all five, 20 guys played in last year’s premiership. Collegians deserves to be the favourites, they’ve been the best side all year.

“For us, we just needed to qualify and we managed to scrape into fourth. We’re fortunate to have a great finals record in recent times and that’s held us in good stead.”

With the grand final now just a couple of days away, Lynch is also hoping for a smoother preparation than last week’s preliminary final.

Callum Matheson and Sam Cameron both withdrew on the morning of the game due to illness, while Tom Jok was injured in the warm up.

It meant heartache possibly loomed at selection.

“We have a squad of 24 we’re working our way through,” Lynch said.

“Liam Gunson, an under-19s player, came in for as well and he performed incredibly strongly. It was a funny 24 hours before that game.

St Kevin’s star Mitch Wallis.

Collegians have had the week off.

“But it has been a lot smoother since.”

Collegians will have recent history in their favour having won the two previous meetings between the two sides this season.

The Lions have also had the luxury of the week off while SKOB were forced to play in almost summer-like conditions in the prelim.

Collegians coach Jared Rivers admitted nerves were already getting to him several days out from the game.

“To be honest mate I haven’t been sleeping that well, I didn’t think I would be thinking about the game as much,” he said.

“We’re fresh and ready to crack in. Belief is what has driven us all year and I don’t think that’s going to be any different.

“We feel our game plan stacks up, we’ve beaten every team this year except Old Brighton.

“Four more quarters and hopefully we can get the job done.”

The former Melbourne and Geelong AFL defender’s lead into the game hasn’t been either easy with two changes at the selection table.

But the team won’t be confirmed until the end of a “light training session” on Saturday.

“It’s a stressful time when you might have to tell two people they’re going to miss out, it’s the first time all year we’ve had a full list to pick from,” Rivers said.

“We know St Kevin’s have quality players in all areas of the ground. They’re well-structured and defend well. If we allow them to set up defensively quickly it could be a long day for us.

“I want our guys to just be brave.”

David Mirra looms was one of the key’s for the Lions after a dominant year in front of goal.

Meanwhile if ex-AFL midfielder Mitch Wallis rises to the occasion for SKOB again, he may just finish the afternoon with a medal around his neck