Live stream: VAFA Premier Men, Round 13, Collegians v Uni Blacks

Down to one man on the bench and running into a stiff wind, University Blacks fought against the odds to overcome their demons and down Collegians. Watch the VAFA REPLAYS.

A rousing and expletive laden half-time address from Uni Blacks coach Dale Bower has inspired his troops to a gutsy win over Collegians in the VAFA Premier Mens.

With just one man left on the bench and running head-on into the breeze in the final term, the University Blacks lifted to win the final quarter and ultimately the match 13.9 (87) to 9.5 (59) at Harry Trott Oval.

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

After losing teammate Sam Bennett to a serious leg injury, which brought a lengthy stop to the first term, and down on the scoreboard, Bower knew he had to find something to spark his side.

The coach demanded his troops go back to ‘blue collar University Blacks football’.

It was a message heard loud and clear, with three-goal hero Kane Loftus inspiring a third-quarter fight back which put his side in the box seat up two goals at three-quarter time.

They built on that lead in the last, booting five goals against the breeze to catapult themselves into the VAFA Premier Men’s top five.

“It was a big win,” Loftus said. “The season was on the line for us. We made that our focus going in.

“We knew they were going to bring it, they are a really well contested team. We just tried to stick it up to them as best we could all day and it paid off.”

Collegians one-man army Alexander Lukic tried valiantly to keep his team in the contest with four majors, but it wasn’t enough as the Lions slip into a desperate relegation battle with University Blues.

Collegians v Uni Blacks (Reserves) - 2025 VAFA Round

On paper the VAFA Premier Men’s reserves clash between University Blacks and Collegians should have been a close contest.

Coming into the clash the two sides sat side-by-side on the ladder, even on three wins with only 30 points separating them in terms of for-and-against.

But sport isn’t played on paper.

University Blacks pulled off a heist, keeping the Collegians side scoreless as they powered home 15 majors at the other end of the field.

Jack Drummond finished with eight goals - and probably should’ve had more after sitting out the final term - as the Univeristy Blacks scored a statement-making 15.18 (108) to 0 win.

PREVIEW

University Blacks star Campbell Moorfield feels there is a point of difference to his side this season.

The skipper believes the VAFA Premier Men’s finals contender is playing with more “flair and dash” than previous years.

And they’ll be hoping to get it up and running when they travel to take on Collegians on Saturday afternoon.

The game will be live streamed on KommunityTV from 2pm with the reserves kicking off our double header at 11.40am.

“Gone are the days where University Blacks were playing some dour footy,” he said.

“We’re still a really hard working side but some of the young guys like Jack Cassidy, James Clark and Kane Loftus have taken the next step and it’s allowed us to play with a bit more freedom which is a lot of fun.

University Blacks are aiming to stay in the finals hunt. (Photo by Cath Coady/VAFA Media)

“We’ve had some good moments this year, beating a few of the better teams, it’s done a lot for our confidence.”

Sitting at 6-6 and sixth on the ladder, the Blacks will enter as favourites against Collegians who are 4-7 and one game clear of the relegation zone.

But the Blacks have not won against the Lions since being promoted from Premier B in 2023 with an 0-5 record.

Are the seventh-placed Collegians ripe for the picking for University Blacks Premier Men’s side? (Photo by Dennis Timm/VAFA Media)

“It’s the one I am keen to get,” Moorfield said.

“We’re getting a few guys back which should help. Collegians always play the ground well, it seems we’re always chasing all day when we play out there.

“They spread across the ground well. A good start will be the key.”

In the next two weeks, the Blacks will face the Lions and De La Salle, sides they will enter as favourites against.

Moorfield knows nothing less than the four points is important to his side’s finals chances.

“Doing the math we probably need to win five of the last six to really give ourselves a chance,” he said.

“I feel like it’s easier when you break the season down into these six-week blocks. The bye came at a good time because we struggled in those last couple of games.

“It’s important now that we start to build some momentum.”

Originally published as Live stream: VAFA Premier Men, Round 13, Collegians v Uni Blacks