VAFA Round 11 live stream: St Bernard’s and Fitzroy renew rivalry in crucial Premier Men’s showdown

Fitzroy kicked the only two goals of a nervy final quarter to grab a valuable success at the expense of one of their traditional rivals. Check out the Reserves/Premier REPLAYS.

Fitzroy kicked the only two goals of the final term to pick up only their second win of the VAFA Premier Men’s season as traditional rivals St Bernard’s failed to hit the mark on Saturday.

After recovering from 16 points down to level the scores at 35-35 at three-quarter-time, St Bernard’s looked to have the advantage, but they could only kick three behinds and eventually fell 48-38.

Fitzroy are still last on the table but they enter the two-week break in fine heart now and will look forward to the rest of the season.

Fitzroy vs St Bernard’s - VAFA Round 11 (Reserves)

A four-goal final term paved the way for Fitzroy to grab just their second win of the VAFA Premier League Reserves season on Saturday.

Played in wet, greasy conditions, the Roys upstaged St Bernard’s by 34 points - 8.8 (56) to 3.4 (22) - but only got away from their rivals in the last quarter, kicking 4.5 to 1.0.

After failing to win any of their opening seven games, Fitzroy have now won two of their last four.

Defeat for seventh place St Bernard’s is certainly a setback for their finals ambitions.

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St Bernard’s coach Steve Alessio has a simple way to describe Ben Overman and Charlie Vague.

“They’re real warriors,” he said.

With the Snowdogs’ opening half of the season hampered by injuries, the pair have played significant roles in leading their side’s midfield.

And they’ll be at the forefront in a crunch clash with Fitzroy on Saturday afternoon.

Catch the game LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV via the Herald Sun website as part of a big Reserves/Premier double header from 11.40am.

Check the full LIVE STREAM schedule below.

Overman has averaged 18.9 disposals this year while Vague is the Snowdogs’ leading baller winner with 24.6 touches.

“Charlie on the outside, Ben on the inside and outside,” Alessio said of their impact.

“What’s happened (is) we’ve had too few players shoulder the burden each week.

“But now it’s a combination of guys coming back and guys starting to find their feet at Premier level.

“We’re starting to get a more consistent performance and hopefully we can continue with a bit more consistency in the back half of the season.”

Just several players have been available for selection for every game and Alessio it had been the biggest challenge his side had face.

After an upset against University Blues last weekend, Alessio’s men climbed out of the relegation places.

It’s a win he hopes can provide a springboard for the rest of 2024.

“The boys have really been tested in the first half of the year,” he said.

“Especially with a B-grade club coming up, it’s going to test you in all facets anyway.

“We’ve had a massive amount of injuries to our top quality players compared to last year. Our depth is being tested.

St Bernard's coach Steven Alessio makes a point to his players.

“Having the best team available each week is what you need.

“We’re starting to get some of those guys back and it just helps with a bit of leadership and maturity in the team.

“Last weekend was a step in the right direction and hopefully it helps our belief continue to grow.”

Fitzroy and St Bernard’s have developed a mini-rivalry in recent years with the latter prevailing in the Premier B grand final last year.

Saturday’s meeting will be the sixth time they’ve met in the past 18 months.

The Snowdogs won the round 1 game this year by just two points.

“They’re fantastic competitors,” Alessio said.

“You get a real sense of the history, the pride and culture that Fitzroy has. I’m expecting a pretty physical game.”

After this weekend, the VAFA will head into a two-week break and Alessio knows four points can be critical.

“We’re both in the bottom half of the ladder so all wins are important at this stage of the year,” he said.

Originally published as VAFA Round 11 live stream: St Bernard’s and Fitzroy renew rivalry in crucial Premier Men’s showdown