Live stream: St Kevins take on minor premiers Old Brighton in VAFA U19 Premier Grand Final

Two weeks ago it was St Kevins barely holding on. This time, in the biggest game of the year, it was roles reversed as Old Brighton claimed the VAFA U19 title in the tightest of finishes. See the REPLAY.

Minor premiers Old Brighton turned the tables on arch rivals St Kevins to win a thrilling VAFA U19 Grand Final at a wet and windy Elsternwick Park.

Beaten by four points two weeks ago in the semifinal by the same opponent, Old Brighton got their revenge in the biggest game of the year by the same margin, eventually winning 8.10 (58) to 7.12 (54).

But it was a tense final few minutes as St Kevins missed three attempts at a goal that would have won them the game, the last one coming with a barely a minute remaining.

The Tonners got off to a flyer and Luke Travers’ goal right on quarter time gave them a commanding 28-7 advantage.

SKOB hot back hard in the second quarter and Ben Palmer’s acrobatic goal in the final seconds got them to within a point at the main break.

Old Brighton jumped out the blocks in the third quarter by kicking the first two goals as St Kevins struggled to get anything going up front.

That all changed in the first 13 minutes of the final quarter as SKOB kicked three goals and threatened to steal the match.

But Old Brighton kept their nerve under immense pressure to take the title.

PREVIEW

They may have got the nod in the qualifying final, but St Kevins know a better performance is needed against Old Brighton if they are to claim this year’s U19 VAFA Premier title.

SKOB face the minor premiers in the grand final on Saturday morning buoyed by their four-point success two weeks ago. SKOB coach Harry Long says his charges can’t afford to be ‘off even a fraction.’

Catch all the grand final action LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on Kommunity TV from 9.20am at Elsternwick Park.

Check out the full VAFA finals LIVE STREAM schedule below.

SKOB won their first match against Old Brighton in 2024 in the qualifying final, 6.10 (46) to 5.12 (42), but were lucky do so.

After dominating early, leading by 19 points at quarter time, SKOB was forced to hold off late pressure from Old Brighton.

Old Brighton kicked five behinds in the final few minutes of the game, including one on the final siren, to miss their chance to win.

“For us, we’re happy with the win, but we need to make sure we keep on improving and we keep on sharpening aspects of our game,” SKOB coach Harry Long said.

Can St Kevins take the Grand Final?

“We need to be wary that they are the benchmark team this year and we can’t be off a fraction over the weekend.”

Old Brighton progressed to the final with a 37-point win over Old Scotch.

Long said he expected the final to be similar to their clash a couple of weeks ago.

“We were very prepared (back then) and didn’t think it (being close) would end up any other way,” he said.

“Old Brighton is a quality side.

“We know the match would be one of those arm wrestles.”

Long said the team would be fit and healthy heading into the contest after having the week off.

Ronan Smythe, who kicked two goals in the last game, will be one player to watch for SKOB.

“He’s in an under small forward,” Long said.

“He’s a team first player so it’s great to see him get some reward.”

Old Brighton leads the head to head 2-1 for the season and will be looking for their first title in more than 13 years.

Originally published as Live stream: St Kevins take on minor premiers Old Brighton in VAFA U19 Premier Grand Final