VAFA replay: St Kevin's re-emerge as VAFA champions (VAFA Finals Series)
It has been a few years but Anthony Lynch and his team have regained the VAFA A-Grade premiership trophy after going back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. Relive the action here:
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St Kevin’s are back on top of the VAFA after knocking off Old Brighton by 22 points in the Men’s Premier Grand Final to win their third premiership in four seasons.
In a wet and wild affair at Trevor Barker Oval - live streamed on KommunityTV - St Kevin’s proved the better side as inaccurate kicking kept Brighton in the game until the late stages of the encounter.
Shaun Kennedy booted the first goal and timed another one to perfection in the third term to put his side eight points ahead.
From there, the Saints took off as Jack Darmody stepped up with a heroic drop punt to give his side the first double-digit lead of the game just before three-quarter time.
Darmody kicked the first of the fourth term, lifting his side to a 21 point lead as the Saints held on to win, 5.16 (46) to 3.6 (24).
The win marks a special year for the Saints who becomes the first club in VAFA history to win an A-Grade premiership in both their senior men and women’s teams in the same season.
The Jock Nelson medal for best on ground went to Saints midfielder Tom Jok, who provided outstanding spark for his side on a consistent basis.
Youngster Luke Winter sealed the win with a long bomb that trickled through for a victorious goal.
Saints skipper Sam Critchley said the contest proved to be a difference in his side’s third-quarter surge.
“Our game that we have developed since November last year has been based around the contest,” Critchley said.
“And I felt like once we started to get on top in the contest, that’s when we started to get some scoreboard pressure, mind you a lot of points, but on a day like this any score is a good score.”
Saints coach Anthony Lynch, who captained the club to back-to-back premierships in 2017 and 2018 said the win was a sense of relief.
“Their such a big build up for grand finals,” Lynch said.
“We have been working for 10 months to get to a day like today.
“Their definitely is an immediate feeling of relief but then just watching the players and how much it means to them, that’s where my joy comes from.
“Watching those boys being able to win a premiership, that’s really special.”
The pregame action was nothing short of mayhem as rain plummeted down on Saturday morning which caused flooding to Elsternwick Park and a venue change for the grand final.
Lynch credited the VAFA for their handling of the situation.
“The ground change was an absolute positive for both teams I think,” he said.
“Obviously Elsternwick Park was a mud pit so I think for your premier competition, it was definitely the right decision by the VAFA so congrats to Jason Reddick and his team.
“Once the rain came, we didn’t change anything from a positional point of view but we were conscience that it was just a bit of simple wet weather footy, which to be fair is really finals footy anyway.
“Once our players got their heads around the conditions - which probably took until the second half - then I felt like we started to get control of the game.”
Lynch was complimentary of Jok’s performance which earned him the Jock Nelson medal for being best afield.
“He is a special player,” he said.
“I said to him before the game that he has got a level that not too many can go to.
“His ability to compete and be clean below his knees and keep the game simple, I thought he had some massive moments particularly in the second half.
“In the end, there are probably several players that could have got that award but Tom thoroughly deserved it.”
Lynch credited his players across every line of the field, including ruckman Bill Coates who battled through an injury scare in the first quarter.
“I thought Luke Winter was unbelievable,” he said.
“I thought Bill Coates, he got injured early, there was actually a chance halfway through the first he wasn’t got to come back on which was a real concern because we really only played one ruck.
“It was a knee so he was off for about 10 or 15 minutes early in the game and there was a chance he wasn’t going to come back on, but he was a genuine warrior and he just wanted to stay out there so his role was enormous.
“I thought our backs were very good Josh Tynon, Conor Ross.
“And then in a fairly low scoring game guys like Shaun Kennedy, Jack Darmody to be able to hit the scoreboard had a massive impact on the game.”
Lynch was stoked about the special occasion the premiership marked for defender Josh Tynon, who courageously stood up for his side on multiple occasions in the game.
“He is a really experienced player, never won a premiership before,” Lynch said.
“Although there is a group of young guys that I am thrilled for, Josh is 28 and has never won one so I am incredibly proud for him that he has been able to get one finally.”
Relive all the drama from the premiership decider in our full match replay in the video player above.
GRAND FINAL PREVIEW
One team has made playing on grand final day a habit in recent years, the other, well, it’s been a long time between drinks.
The VAFA Premier Men’s decider on Sunday sees St Kevin’s enter their fourth straight Grand Final, while Old Brighton haven’t appeared on this big day for 15 years and are eyeing an inaugural A-grade premiership.
Four of the last five matches between the teams has been decided by four points or less. Old Brighton have won three of those close finishes.
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Saints, this year’s minor premiers, enter the match having won nine of their final 10 home and away games of the season and six on the trot heading into the grand final.
The Tonners have had to win their last three matches over Old Melburnians, Old Xaverians and Collegians to keep its season alive.
ST KEVIN’S
Match facts
The Saints are an unbelievably strong defensive team.
They have conceded 51 points per game this season on average, the closest comparison to these sorts of numbers would be Ormond in 1989 when they held teams to 61 points per game.
At the other end, the Saints are also damaging, being the number one team for inside 50’s and intercept marks in 2022.
Players to watch
Patrick Kerr
Joined the club full-time this season after being on an VFL list last year. He has kicked 43 goals from 18 matches, third most in the competition this year. The Kerr name is not unfamiliar to the Saints. His father played at the club. Patrick’s brother Thomas was a premiership player in 2018.
Sam Tucker
A Richmond listed-VFL player who has been “exceptional” this season, according to coach Anthony Lynch. Tucker is an athletic tall player who has spent time in the forward line and wing for the Saints this season. Lynch says he “has no doubt he will play more football at a higher level in years to come… it wouldn’t even surprise me if he was on an AFL club’s radar.” Tucker is a player to watch as an impressive player at age 20.
Tom Jok
A player with X-factor who has a history of performing in grand finals. Coach Lynch said Jok was drafted by Essendon off the back of his 2017 and 2018 grand final performances. “He is probably your number one to watch on the weekend,” Lynch said. “He loves the big stage and loves performing for his teammates.”
Benjamin Mansfield
A VFL-listed midfielder who has developed strongly this season as a 19-year-old - and has played most of the season with the Saints. Lynch said “from the start of the year to now, he has just turned himself into one of our better midfielders.”
Sam Critchley
Cripsley is the captain of the Saints and is one of the best defenders and intercept markers in the competition. Lynch said the skipper is hitting top form after returning from a 10-week ankle injury in round 16. Critchley has won a Saints premiership before and will be roaring for another one come Sunday.
Luke Winter
A big bodied midfielder who is an “unbelievable” ball hunter. Lynch said Winter has been “the most impressive young footballer” he has seen in his time. Lynch said he doesn’t remember players having as much impact on the competition as what Winter has had.
Philip Edgar
The oldest player in the Saints side who could potentially be playing his final game on Sunday. Lynch said he is “an unbelievable player” who can have a great impact as a forward with his aerial capability and pace. Edgar is a “handful for any defender” and “loves the big stage” backed by previous performances.
Cameron Hodges
A player who leads by example and inspires his teammates by the way he goes for the ball and opposition players. Lynch said he is a “future captain of the football club”. Hodges has returned to the club on a full time basis after previously being on a VFL list.
Coaches comments
Saints coach Anthony Lynch, who is in his first year as coach, said his side had a theme of enjoying the grand final week.
“We just had a theme to enjoy the week and to respect the opportunity we have,” Lynch said.
“They’re very difficult to get to and they are hard to win, so we are really pumped to still be alive.
“We’re thrilled, we have trained incredibly well.
“We can’t do anymore now so it’s just about the boys enjoying the next couple of days and enjoying Sunday.”
Lynch captained the Saints to a Premier B premiership in 2015 and continued the success a few years later, leading the club to Premier A titles in 2017 and 2018.
He captained the club for a total of 10 years and joined Essendon in 2020 as a line coach.
Lynch credited the connection his team have formed this season.
“There are so many elements I have enjoyed, but probably the highlight is just how close the group are,” he said.
“They are probably the closest group that I have seen in terms of cohesion and chemistry off-field.
“They genuinely care about each other, it’s their biggest strength.
“There’s no egos in the group, there’s no hierarchy.
“The whole playing group is super tight and as a leader, myself and the coaches, we’re humbled to work with these guys, they are an amazing group.”
OLD BRIGHTON
Match facts
It’s the second A-Grade Grand final for the Tonners after they made it in 2007 playing against Old Xaverians.
The Tonners were inside the top four right until the end of round 17 but had to win their last game of the home and away season against Old Melburnians to book their finals ticket.
They have had many different looks to their team this season with coach Greg Hutchison turning to 46 different players this year, the most of any top four side.
The Tonners are ranked number one for contested possessions, clearances, hard ball gets and tackles this year.
Players to watch
Michael Karayannis
Old Brighton’s leading goalscorer for this season. Hutchison said he is “a really key player” for the side, including the leadership he brings as vice-captain.
Harry Hill
The captain of the side who has been in the best players the most of any player in the competition this season. Coach Hutchison said “he was a terrific leader who could win his own ball and was really brave.” A fit player who is courageous and will fight through any attention from opposition players in the midfield.
Tom Fisher
A hard trainer who prepares himself well. He is the vice-captain of the side and returned after suspension earlier in the season. Coach Hutchison says he will be important alongside his fellow midfielders and hinted at a potential tag this weekend. “This week we will send him to someone and he will go out, play his role and do a good job as he has done all year,” he said.
Jordan Segar
An exciting player who is still eligible for the under 19’s. Segar has kicked eight goals in the last three weeks, which were all games his side have had to win to remain alive in the season. He has played every game in the seniors this season and is one to look out for with his ability to jump at the ball and take strong marks.
Darby Hipwell
A VFL-listed player who played eight games for Old Brighton this season. A player who Hutchison says has been “really good” for them when he has played this year. Hipwell kicked three goals against Old Xaverians playing in the midfield in the elimination final.
Will Lewis
Played with the Footscray VFL side this season along with 10 matches for Old Brighton. A talented key position player who led the competition for goals last year before an injury-riddled backline initiated a move down back for Lewis in the Old Brighton side. Hutchison didn’t rule out a move to the forward line for Will if the game required it.
Oscar Lewis
A star midfielder who is VFL-listed with Sandringham. Oscar has played 14 matches for Old Brighton this season. Hutchison said it was nice to have the Lewis brothers in the team. “It’s good to have brothers running out with each other, I’m sure they will be looking after each other on the weekend,” he said.
Coaches comments
Hutchison said the Saints can expect to come up against a better side compared to the last time they played them.
“They were certainly way too good for us the last time they played us out there, but as you said, we got a couple of players back that didn’t play in that game and our form over the last few weeks has been really good,” Hutchison said.
“So we go into the game feeling pretty good about the way we have been playing.
“It’s been good what we have been able to do, all things being equal it should be a good contest on the weekend.”
Hutchison, who coached Melbourne in 1997 and played 96 games for the club, said it was a big weekend for the club with the under 19s also in a grand final.
“It’s a significant weekend for the club, we have got our under 19s in the grand final, we have got our senior team in the grand final, overall we have had our preliminary final, we had our fourths make a grand final.
“Overall we have achieved really well.
“It’s been a fantastic season on-field and we just hope we can do well on the weekend and give our fans something to cheer about.”
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