VAFA live stream: Old Xaverians face defending champions St Kevins in blockbuster round five encounter (VAFA)

It’s five out of five for the reigning premiers now, but Old Xaverians made them sweat late by kicking the last 21 points of the game. Relive all the action from the double header.

Old Xaverians kicked the last 21 points of the game to send a real scare through St Kevin’s before the reigning VAFA Seniors premiers regathered their composure to see out a 10-point victory - 83-73.

St Kevin’s looked set for a big win after kicking 38 points in a dominant third quarter to lead by 31.

But Xavs, who took the lead momentarily in the second quarter after fighting back from a large quarter-time deficit, hit their stride late.

With Old Brighton losing, St Kevin’s are now the only undefeated team in the competition.

VAFA REPLAY: Old Xaverians v St Kevin’s (Reserves)

It wasn’t as conclusive as some of their earlier wins, but Old Xaverians still showed why they are such a force in the VAFA Premier Reserves competition with an ultimately comfortable victory over fourth-placed St Kevin’s.

The 43-point margin - 78-35 - was actually testimony to the quality of St Kevin’s who kept Xavs honest until the final quarter floodgates opened.

There was only 10 points in it - 44-34 - at three-quarter time before a 34-1 final-quarter run guaranteed Xavs their fifth consecutive win.

PREVIEW

It’s congested at the top of the VAFA Premier Men’s standings and that means Saturday’s second v fifth showdown between Old Xaverians and St Kevins is sure to have some extra spice to it.

Five teams are within four points of the lead after four rounds. Second-placed SKOB are unbeaten while fifth-placed Old Xavs have lost only the once.

High stakes has definitely arrived early for two clubs with big title aspirations. .

You can catch the action from the Old Xavs v SKOB Reserves/Seniors doubleheader LIVE from 11.40am on KommunityTV as part of a two-year streaming partnership between News Corp and VAFA. See the live stream schedule below.

SKOB have a chance to go 5-0 and potentially take top spot on the ladder as they chase a fourth flag in five seasons.

Their four wins this season have come by an average winning margin of 34 points.

A win for Xavs will be a big step forward in their hopes for a premiership-winning season, but a loss would send them tumbling down the table.

SKOB’s Alastair Richards’ side is undefeated so far this season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The 100-year-old club enter the match having won three straight games by an average winning margin of 46 points.

SKOB captain Sam Critchley was expecting a strong challenge from Xavs.

“Coming up against them, we know they are always strong,” Critchley said.

“I think it will be a good test to see where we are at five rounds in.

“Obviously we have won our first four but another test and a big month coming up.”

Critchley was wary of the changes Xavs have made during the off-season, which has included the strong addition of Billy Gowers and Dan Hannebery, but he remained focused on the controllables.

“We know that it is always a big game, it doesn’t matter who is sort of running out for them,” he said.

SKOB captain Sam Critchley lays a tackle against Old Melburnians. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We don’t do too much scouting in general, we try and focus on the things that we can control.

“We try and play the way that we want to play the game and hopefully that’s enough to get us over the line.

“But we know they are always going to be strong.

“It’s also a tough match against those guys, I think we have had some pretty good battles over the past few years.”