2025 VAFA live stream: St Bernard’s v University Blues, Men’s Premier League

The lead changed more times than most could keep count, and both sides had opportunity to win, but in the end St Bernard’s and Uni Blues finished in dramatic fashion. Watch the REPLAYS.

After four gruelling quarters and a see-sawing lead which changed more times than anyone could keep count, nothing could separate St Bernard’s and University Blues in the VAFA Men’s Premier League.

The two proud clubs were left to lament what might have been as they shared the spoils at the Snakepit, 7.12 (54) to 7.12 (54).

WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY ABOVE, SCROLL DOWN FOR THE RESERVES REPLAY

Both sides saved their best moments for the final five minutes with Jack Whitehead snapping a miraculous goal from the forward pocket to seemingly give the Blues a much-needed win.

But only moments later rival small forward Luke Di Lizio took a screaming mark in traffic and snapped off a quick set shot goal to lock it all back up.

It was a match that was hard to split throughout with both sides getting the better of the other for a quarter early on, before heading the main break locked up.

In a game of no winners, everyone won.

It will be a tough result for the Uni Blues side to swallow, with the two points not helping their finals cause, but they will be proud of the way they took the fight to a St Bernard’s side knocking on the door of the top four.

St Bernard’s Tom Sullivan was named best on ground for the contest, and admitted the drawn result was on the cards from the outset.

“It was an arm wrestle all day, even in the early stages,” Sullivan said. “With the score going back and forth, it sort of felt like this could happen.

“It is probably a tough one to swallow for both sides.

“It was hard fought from both teams, and we just need to look forward to next week.”

Replay: St Bernard’s v Uni Blues (Reserves)

In the earlier reserves clash, the University Blues buried the Snow Dogs under an avalanche of points in a blistering third term.

Trailing by a two-goal margin at the main break, the Blues kicked seven goals, five behinds to St Bernard’s lone point in the third term.

With the wind at their backs, the Blues were full of running with a length of the field effort from two-goal hero Ben Sinnott exemplifying their fight back in the 8.8 (56) to 5.9 (39) win.

The Blues failed to score a single point in the final quarter, but it mattered little with the lead they had set up proving too tall of a mountain for the Snow Dogs to traverse.

PREVIEW

University Blues coach Matt Smith knows every game for his side is now “crucial”.

Sitting eighth on the ladder with a 2-6 record, the Blues find themselves in a battle to avoid relegation from the VAFA Premier competition.

The path forward to potentially closing a gap on the teams above them starts with a trip to take on St Bernard’s this weekend with the senior and reserves games to be live streamed on KommunityTV.

The Blues have only won two games to start the VAFA Men’s Premier League season. (Photo by Dennis Timm/VAFA Media)

“Every game from here on out is massive,” the first year Blues coach said.

“They beat us in the opening round with a kick after the siren so this is one we want to get back.

“We’ve had patches or quarters in games where we’ve been too easy to play against, it’s been the story of the season. We’ve been in winning positions but relinquished leads going away from what we’ve worked on.

“It doesn’t look good being 2-6 but the positive is it can turn quickly given how even the competition is. If you pick up a couple of wins you’re right back in the mix.”

While Smith’s side have now lost four on the trots, there have been some positives against the better sides in the competition.

In a side which has ex-AFL talent including Marty Gleeson and competition leading goalkicker James Stewart, several others have taken their games to another level this season.

James Curran has adopted his new found role as a half-forward to be one of the Blues best.

University Blues coach Matt Smith talks to his players on field. (Photo by Dennis Timm/VAFA Media)

“He’s been super consistent,” Smith said.

“He’s very unassuming, a quiet guy who just goes about his role. He’s so disciplined.

“He’s not someone who needs the accolades.”

Smith said Ben Townson was a player who had been a “revelation” this season playing up forward with Stewart and Sam Grimley, two players who have played at the highest level.

“His ability to get up the ground and take a mark is one of the real features of his game,” he said.

Despite their record, the Blues have proven their worth as a defensive unit and Smith is determined to see his side improve their link between the forward line.

“We’re aiming to get some deeper entries so we can have field position and set the ground up a lot easier,” he said.

Originally published as 2025 VAFA live stream: St Bernard’s v University Blues, Men’s Premier League