2020s

Boots were hung up in 2020 when the VAFA competition was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic

Happy days after a convincing win against De La Salle in Round 12

Gaspa's grab - Josh Gasparini marks in front of team mate Rohan Heasley (34)

Lachie Treverton (23) battles in the ruck and Brodie Steele contemplates a narrow loss by less than a kick

Ruckman Jack Bell boots forward and Raynor Seccull makes a spectacular fly

The brothers Seccull, Brede with a kick and Durras taking a strong mark

Where did that go? asks Jack Bell; Durras Seccull (14) sets sail for goal

Calm Lachie Treverton and a fired up Corey Connelly (12)

Emilio Bitters is free, but Rayner Seccull braces himself, caught up in a tackle

Riley Thompson and Peter Gleadhill

A big leap from Riley Thompson above team mates Jack Bell and Brodie Steele, while Joel Constable awaits behind in wonder

Action from the Reserves' Round 2 match against Old Carey as Cooper Wenck takes possession and Sam Algeri gets his kick in ahead of Scott Ellis

Tom Bain in the middle of the action

Prior to the Senior fixture both teams lined up for "Spud's Match"

Ben Hood in Reserves ruck action before Durras Seccull (14) stretches for a mark in the Senior game with older brother Brede in the background

The kicking styles of Brede and Durras Seccull on display

Nick Gooda kicks, Corey Connelly handballs

Rohan Heasley (57) battles the pack with Brede Seccull behind

Rohan Heasley in the centre of the action surrounded by team mates Josh Gasparini, Brede Seccull and Jack Bell

Riley Thompson clears out of defence; Castan Racunica prepares to handball in the direction of Jack McHale (27) as Durras Seccull looks on

Recruit Dino Karamoshos boots forward as Brodie Steele directs from behind

The leap of Corey Connelly and the broad back of Emilio Bitters (22)

The Hearts line up before "Spud's Match" in Round 2 against Old Mentonians

Tayllah Vines-Chapple on the turn while Kathryn Spencer (14) takes her kick against Old Mentonians

Holly Treverton fends and Carly Dillon just gets her kick in

The joy of kicking goals; Jordan Shanks and Taylah Vines-Chapple embrace while Serene Vudiniabola and Kathryn Spencer share a quiet high five in the background

Lauren Oliver in the centre leads the tackle of her Old Mentonians opponent, helped by Ellen Russell at left and Zoe Preston at right

Runners Danielle Frawley and Carly Dillon on a break

A big pack of players around Sarah Allingham handballing out towards Carly Dillon in the foreground; backing Sarah up are Hannah Pastore and Taylah Vines-Chapple, while Zoe Preston is at the far left and Carla Hewitt far right

The Hearts celebrate after their win

A grinning Emilio Bitters with Lachie Riley (53) and Dino Karamoshos; Lachie Treverton (30) takes a strong mark, Round 3 v St Bede's Mentone Tigers at Brindisi St

Brede Seccull lays yet another tackle with the Paul brothers Will (29) and James in support

Lachie Riley (53) marks and James Paul (2) tackles

Jack Bell in the ruck, Dino Karamoshos (11) in the foreground

Lachie Treverton marks as Sam Loewe gets his kick away

Castan Racunica in posesssion, Riley Thompson tackles with Lachie Riley behind

Wingmen Jack Munro and Nick Gooda in action against St Bede's Mentone Tigers

Veteran Peter Gleadhill clears the pack

James Paul in defence, Lachie Treverton in ruck

Riley Thompson (19) flies for a mark ahead of Jack Bell (17) and Dino Karamoshos (11), then wraps up a tackle with help from Brede Seccull

More tackling action from Riley Thompson

Dino Karamoshos (11) on the run, Nick Gooda ahead in support

Riley Thompson works his way through the pack, Lachie Riley and Durras Seccull (14) nearby

In Round 4 Carly Dillon won the inaugural winner of the Danny Frawley Medal for matches played between the Hearts and Old Brighton, and went on to win that year's Best and Fairest

Brad Prior and Aaron Toy in the Reserves' match against Fitzroy in Round 5

Brodie Steele pivots, Will Paul handballs

Rohan Heasley and Will Paul both ready to dispose of the ball

Brede Seccull wheels onto his left foot, Liam Kirkwood-Scott (35) under pressure

Will Paul (29) marks over Rohan Heasley (57), Dino Karamoshos (11) and Lachie Treverton (30); James Paul on the run

Defenders Emilio Bitters and Rayner Seccull

Josh Gasparini about to pick the ball up supported by Jackson Ross; Sam Loewe spoils with Lachie Treverton approaching

Playing in the Reserves, defender Adam Budge clears in Round 6 against University Blacks

Cooper Nolan clears from the boundary for the Reserves; Durras Seccull on his knees feeding out to Aaron Toy

Emilio Bitters (22) prepares to spoil; Rohan Heasley over the ball with Rayner Seccull behind

Rayner Seccull gathers and handballs

Harry Whitty leans back on a kick, Aaron Toy all eyes on the ball

James Paul on the bend backed up by Rohan Heasley; Aaron Toy takes a grab in the wet

Jack Bell kicks clear of an attentive Brede Seccull; Josh Gasparini brings his Uinversity opponent to ground as Lachie Treverton joins in

James Paul the spoil, Nick Gooda (8) the observer and Jack Munro the handballer

Brede Seccull (5) tackles before Harry Whitty (7); Jack Bell (17) marks and Corey Connelly (12) awaits the crumbs

Lachie Treverton in ruck, Harry Whitty on the ground

Billy Mackay clears late in the game watched by Durras Seccull and Rohan Heasley; the University Oval scoreboard shows a rare win to the Bloods, only their second ever at the venue and the first since 1991

Action in the Hearts' Round 6 clash against Whitefriars

Action in the Hearts' Round 6 clash against Whitefriars

Corey Rich about to pounce and Brede Seccull in control against Williamstown CYMS in Round 7

Durras Seccull flies high early in the game and Josh Gasparini breaks clear of the pack

Liam Delahunty on the run down the Princes Park wing

A set shot for goal from Noah Gown, who booted four for the day

Hearts on the Hill

Defender Ollie Sharpe on the turn; Noah Gown (16) marks close to goal, Liam Delahunty (27) and Corey Rich (23) in the foreground

Lachie Treverton (30) punches clear of his Williamstown opponent in front of Jack Munro (3); Corey Connelly ready to go

Liam Delahunty (27) receives the handball from Josh Gasparini

Sam Loewe seems to be standing on his opponent's back with Liam Delahunty (27) alongside; Durras Seccull wraps up a tackle

Timekeeper extraordinaire Jim Bonwick's involvement with the Bloods exceeds 50 years

After two matches were lost to Covid restrictions, the Bloods hosted the Round 10 match against St Bede's Mentone Tigers; Brede Seccull (5) kicks strongly and ruckman Jack Bell handballs out of the pack

Durras Seccull (14) beats all challengers to mark strongly, including William Gown (21) and Jack Bell; Liam Kirkwood-Scott and Ollie Sharpe ensure their opponent is going nowhere

Round 11 at Fitzroy's Brunswick Street Oval and Billy Mackay accepts the handball from Brede Seccull

Young ruckman Jack Bell was a significant addition to the team; Corey Connelly over the ball with Billy Mackay in support

Aaron Toy twists and turns

The experienced Nick Gooda in control on his wing

Sam Hall-Kahan on his debut in the Seniors

Billy Mackay's strength and evasive skills on display

Jack Bell and Sam Algeri take marks in contrasting styles

Lachie Treverton enjoyed another fine season

Assistant Stewart Loewe and Senior Coach Daniel Ward on the bench in front of the old Fitzroy grandstand; Ward played for Fitzroy reserves in 1996 in that club's last year in the AFL before joining Melbourne the following year

Ollie Sharpe and Durras Seccull steady in defence

Tom Bain broke into the Senior team; forward Jackson Ross juggles the ball over a prone Sam Algeri (4) before kicking one of his five goals for the day

Rayner Seccull, Ollie Sharpe and Josh Gasparini

Josh Gasparini handballs and Jackson Ross takes another shot at goal

A handball out from Castan Racunica and a mark to Liam Kirkwood-Scott in the Round 12 match against De La Salle

Brodie Steele making sure his De La opponent is going nowhere

Brede Seccull and Aaron Toy in the thick of the action

Sam Algeri takes a mark and a tumble

The high-flying Noah Gown (34) and closer to the ground Jack Munro both prepare to mark

Uncontested mark to Jackson Ross with Emilio Bitters (22), Brede Seccull (5) and Aaron Toy (13) watching on

Lachie Treverton back in the number 23 and Liam Kirkwood-Scott

Lorenzo Venturi in the Reserves' Round 14 match against Beaumaris, which turned out to be the final game of the 2021 season before Covid lockdowns spelled the end; at right assistant coach Shane Valenti keeps his hand in

The teams lock arms before the game

Emilio Bitters clears from the boundary; the face of Victoria in the Covid years of 2020-21

Rayner Seccull at full stretch watched by Lachie Treverton

Coach Daniel Ward and his grand mud-spattered team celebrate the Bloods ninth Senior premiership on the soggy Elsternwick Park turf where they prevailed over University Blacks. Captain James Paul lifts the cup.

New Life Member Bruce Langford-Jones surrounded by the rest of the L-J clan on his induction at the Round 1 luncheon

New Life Members Stewart Loewe and Tony Doyle accepting their awards at the Life Members' Luncheon

Debutant Nathan Dowsett marks and takes his kick in the season's opening round against De La Salle

Repeated spoils from Kye Turner in defence, first behind Will Paul with Sam Hall-Kahan (33) awaiting the crumbs, and secondly in front of Rayner Seccull (16)

Max Sinclair enjoyed a solid start to the season

Sam Hall-Kahan flies in the pack and breaks away with a kick

Two more new faces in the Seniors were Max Sievers and Andre Stefanakis

Tall timber Durras Seccull (14) and Lachie Treverton (23) made their presence felt against De La

Castan Racunica and Will Gown dispose by foot and by hand

Will Paul clears out of defence with a long handball

Jordan Shanks and Taylah Vines-Chapple about to play their 50th games for the Hearts in their Round 3 match against Whitefriars

The Hearts' Serene Vudiniabola on the way to a Rising Star nomination in action against Whitefriars

Sam Loewe on the bend in the Round 3 match at Old Carey's Bulleen ground

The ups and downs of Durras Seccull's day against Old Carey

Eyes firmly on the ball for Castan Racunica

Another big day at the office for Lachie Treverton (23) with a tackle, a mark ahead of Will Paul (29), and a kick clear

Sam Algeri (4) and Liam Kirkwood-Scott show their kicking styles

Lachie Riley and Brede Seccull break clear

Nathan Dowsett stretches to mark watched by Liam Kirkwood-Scott

The long left foot of Liam Kirkwood-Scott

Andreas Stefanakis and Ollie Sharpe compete in the air

Lachie Riley on another break and Durras Seccull after another mark

Lachie Treverton in the middle of the chaos

Sam Loewe looks up and Matthias Rose looks down

Ben Hood and Will Paul (29) in defence

Happy days for victorious Reserves players Ollie Sharpe and Joel Constable as well as Senior Coach Daniel Ward, Round 4 against Williamstown CYMS at Fearon Reserve

Sam Algeri on a break down the flank and William Barrie (32) on Senior debut

Brede Seccull (5) bears the brunt of the pack but later has a clear kick away

Durras Seccull takes a tumble and a mark, Sam Algeri (4) ready to give a hand

Nathan Dowsett (63) flies and fellow first year player Max Sievers breaks away

Josh Gasparini (6) in front of the Williamstown crowd and team mate Sam Algeri (4)

Sam Hall-Kahan collects off the deck and heads goalward

Ben Hood in action during the Bloods' comfortable win

Hood again at Williamstown's seaside Fearon Reserve, watched intently by coaching assistants Darren Seccull and Stewart Loewe, and President Mick Constable

Sam Loewe revealed as the man behind the ball

Jack Lonie shows his disposal skills by hand and foot

Wingman Jack Munro and defender Kye Turner

Will Paul starred in defence

Castan Racunica surrounded by friend and foe

Lachie Riley kicks, Mattias Rose marks

Brodie Steele (31) proved a high flyer on the day ...

... as did Andreas Stefanakis (61)

The Hearts celebrate their massive Round 5 win against Old Camberwell

The bench on a difficult day for the Bloods in their unexpected Round 5 loss against St Bede's Mentone Tigers. Runner Scott Ellis, coach Daniel Ward and assistants Darren Seccull and Stewart Loewe.

Debutant Justin Davies in great position to mark, Lachie Treverton prepares to shoot a handball out

Durras Seccull in the favourite long sleeves and Will Gown get their kicks away

Nathan Dowsett and Max Sievers in the thick of the action

Nathan Dowsett gathers and kicks

The Jack Munro handball school and Brodie Steele on the chase

Defenders Will Paul and Max Sinclair

Max Sievers feeds out under pressure and a beautifully poised Jack Lonie

Dre Stefanakis shows off his kicking style

High flyers Durras Seccull and Justin Davies (71)

Jack Munro breaks a tackle, more great balance from Jack Lonie

Defender Max Sinclair in action against St Bede's Mentone

For the Reserves Dom Taverniti (21) takes a strong mark and Joel Constable lays a tackle in front of Tom Bain (10), Round 6 at Beaumaris' Banksia Reserve

Will Paul (29) kicks under pressure and fellow defender Max Sinclair (25) reaches to spoil

Will Gown (21) clears from the goal square and Justin Davies on the run before a hand injury took him out of the game

Castan Racunica (28) and Sam Hall-Kahan (33) fly in the pack and Will Paul (29) lays a typically vigorous tackle

Ruck warrior Lachie Treverton in his 100th game and Jack Lonie kicking for goal in the last quarter

Milestone men Sam Hall-Kahan (33) in his 50th game and Lachie Treverton attempt to spoil

Physio Av Kumar and coach Daniel Ward deep in thought on the bench

Castan Racunica (28) and Josh Gasparini were both in the Bloods' best, while Will Barrie keeps his eye on the ball

Dre Stefanakis and Durras Seccull put boot to ball

The Hearts celebrate the record 9-goal haul of Serene Vudiniabola (seated at the front) against Therry Penola in Round 7

The Centurions - Hundred gamers Lachie Treverton and Jack Munro take the field against University Blacks in Round 7

Old blokes watching the young blokes. Former players (L-R) looking on with how they appeared in their playing days are John Gyngell, Bruce Langford-Jones, Ross Bannon, Peter Bowring, Doug Loney, Rob Forbes and Andrew Langford-Jones. A Magnificent Seven! Brodie Steele with the ball and Dre Stefanakis (61) in the foreground.

Gracie Vanderwaal, Carly Dillon and Serene Vudiniabola in action for the Hearts against Therry Penola

Peta Simkin evades a tackle

Joel Constable tackling and Ollie Sharpe on the Chase in the Reserves match against Uni Blacks

Jacob Gown (50) marks and kicks for goal, Ben Oakes (44) awaits the crumbs that never came

Will Barrie and Corey Connelly (12) in action for the Reserves

Bloods big men Lachie Treverton and Austin Bradtke (59) battle for the ball

Liam Kirkwood-Scott with a spoil and Will Paul (29) with a strong mark

Veteran Nick Gooda returned to the side; Austin Bradtke gets his kick away in traffic

Forwards Jack Lonie and Dre Stefanakis

Sam Loewe's kicking style

Andrew Hicks on duty, Durras Seccull in pursuit

First year player Max Sievers on a break

Nathan Dowsett (63) and Lachie Treverton (23) in the pack; Treverton again rising high

Hearts in the warm-up for the Therry game: Ellen Russell, Bridget Hanrahan, Mim Waterman and Bella Scaunich

More warm-up photos with Ella Gown, Taylah Vines-Chapple (9) and Gab Suriano (8)

Pulli Gardiyawasam handballing with Bridget Hanrahan, Alexandra Vanderwaal and Lauren Oliver in support

Chelsea Frawley (2) in the ruck surrounded by team mates Bridget Hanrahan (39), Alana Hall (20) and Peta Simkin (15)

Hannah Pastore and happy coach Sean Brady

Round 8 highlights included Castan Racunica's extraordinary 8 goals and Hannah Pastore's 50th game for the Hearts. The last time a player kicked 8 or more goals in the Seniors was Mick Meehan in 2014.

Sam Loewe stretches to mark, Will Gown held up in a tackle

Brodie Steele (31) and Rayner Seccull (16) submit their nominations for the Golden Fist award

Josh Gasparini on the turn and veteran Peter Gleadhill (9) laying a comprehensive tackle on his return from injury

Mattias Rose about to deliver a raking left-foot kick and Nathan Dowsett shows great judgement to mark in the pack above team mate Sam Loewe

Clearing kicks from Lachie Riley and Liam Kirkwood-Scott

Mid-fielders Max Sievers and Peter Gleadhill at work

The Castan Racunica Show in full flight

A mark for Will Barrie and a tumble for Durras Seccull

High flyers Nathan Dowsett, Austin Bradtke (52) and Sam Loewe in action

Durras Seccull (14) takes a ride and a fine mark, watched by team mate Nathan Dowsett

Forward Dre Stefanakis twists and turns while debutant Jesse Laity puts his head over the ball

Spud's Match was held in Round 10 as the Seniors took on Beaumaris and the Hearts Old Trinity. Four teams gather before their respective games.

Carlton defender Liam Stocker with devilish MC Mark Thompson speaking at the Spud's Game luncheon with Anita Frawley in the foreground; Senior captains Chelsea Frawley and James Paul address players before their games

Junior's joy; Bridget Hanrahan celebrates her late goal that sealed the Hearts' match against Old Trinity and is swamped by team mates

Chelsea Frawley roars with delight after the Hearts' win

Under coach Jason Bek the Reserves completed a remarkable turnaround from their early-season loss to Beaumaris to comprehensively demolish the visitors; forwards Jacob Gown flying for a mark and Dre Stefanakis (61) each contributed 5 goals to the massive win

Ben O's at work; forward Ben Oakes (44) snaps for goal and Ben O'Leary heads forward with the ball

Reserves captain Jordan Hurley on the run and defender Cooper Nolan (56)

Tom Bain and Jesse Laity continued to be rising stars for the Reserves

Mr Fixit Andrew Bonwick doing yet another job, this time as boundary umpire, and the impressive final scoreboard for the Reserves

Returning skipper James Paul with a checkside kick

Kye Turner played impressively against his old side

Defenders Will Paul in a powerful pose and Max Sinclair putting boot to ball

Left-footers launch; Peter Gleadhill with a drop-punt and Jack Lonie with a torp

Noah Gown marks, kicks and goals in his welcome return to the team

Rayner Seccull clears from defence watched by the Throng, including the coaches bench and club legend Hyxy in the background with a sly pie

Rayner Seccull seems to have the contest covered ... until Kye Turner comes over the top

Lachie Riley and Will Paul in the action

Castan Racunica in full flow while the two Lachies Treverton and Riley watch their Beaumaris opponent being brought down in a tackle

And the big men fly; Durras Seccull (14) and Lachie Treverton (23) at left and Max Sinclair (25) high in the pack at right

Jack Munro employs the strong tackling that was a feature of the Bloods' significant win against the previously unbeaten University Blacks in Round 11; skipper James Paul heads for goal

Defender Liam Kirkwood-Scott on the turn evading his Uni Blacks opponent

Durras Seccull and Billy Mackay up in the air with Will Paul (29) and Brodie Steele (31) awaiting crumbs

Rayner Seccull spoils his Blacks opponent

Lachie Treverton on the prowl while former captain Peter Gleadhill watches his successor James Paul lay a tackle

Sam Loewe flies for a mark, Max Sievers considers his options

Jack Lonie all over his Uni Blacks man with a comprehensive tackle

Jayce Morgan takes a mark in front of Kye Turner (12); Jack Lonie, shifted to the midfield, drives forward with yet another kick in a dominant display

Tall forwards at work; Durras Seccull with eyes only on the ball and Noah Gown kicking for goal

Durras Seccull kicks in the fading winter sunlight and Max Sinclair under pressure

Noah Gown shoots for goal in the shadow of the old pavilion at University Oval

The scene at University Oval with the Raymond Priestley building and those of the city in the background, and the Bloods off to an early lead

Lachie Treverton celebrates a goal and contests behind the pack in front of Melbourne University's Redmond Barry building

Treverton again, with Jayce Morgan (19), Nick Gooda, Brodie Steele (31) and Peter Gleadhill (9) in support

Jayce Morgan clutches the ball to his chest, Ky Turner backs up behind

Max Sievers marks ahead of Jack Lonie, veteran Nick Gooda stretches to tackle

Durras Seccull shoots for goal; he booted two for the day

Sam Loewe and Brodie Steele at a similar stage of their kicking action

The bell tolls on the Ormond College clock tower as the scoreboard records another rare win for the Bloods at the University Oval - only their third ever but the second in successive years, and against the top placed team no less

Ky Allcock and Blake Gordon show off their kicking styles in the U19s match against Hampton Rovers at Elsternwick Park

Noah Higgins takes his kick, Ben Bishop-Schoff a mark

George Aivatoglou fends off, Max Walstab looks to kick downfield

Ethan Hardeman rises above the pack; Michael Cowell contests the hitout watched by Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott

A very happy group of U19s in the Princes Park change rooms after comfortably defeating old rivals Old Xaverians in their Round 13 match

The mud-spattered Hearts also enjoy their Round 13 win out at Therry

Senior coach Daniel Ward and assistant Stewart Loewe watching the Reserves' Round 13 match against De La Salle; Ben O'Leary at left and Keaton Law at right

Max Walstab and Lorenzo Venturi battle it out for the Reserves

Ky Turner lays a tackle on a day the Bloods generally lacked this sort of intensity

The ball eludes Castan Racunica (28) and Brodie Steele (31)

Max Sievers and Nathan Dowsett in the thick of the action

A muddied Jack Munro and the end of Jack McHale's spectacular but unsuccessful attempt at mark of the day

Sam Hall-Kahan juggles, gathers and kicks clear

Still in with a sniff at a damp final break

The Bloods were under pressure all day, as Josh Gasparini experiences after sharking a Lachie Treverton hitout

Ollie Sharpe (26) and Jordan Andrews (22) playing their part in the Reserves one goal win over Old Carey in Round 14

Billy Mackay and Justin Davies made welcome returns from their VFL commitments as the Seniors posted 26.14 (170), their highest score since the 1990 Grand Final

Durras Seccull and the five steps to taking a mark

Jack Lonie swings on to his deadly left foot and Sam Loewe crashes the pack

Ruckman Austin Bradtke and Jack McHale on the move

Eyes firmly on the ball for Billy Mackay and Rayner Seccull, even with the Bloods well in front

Justin Davies (71) flies and Jack McHale heads forward

Jack Munro on the run

Lachie Riley with no room to move and Brodie Steele with plenty

Winners are grinners - Lachie Treverton, Justin Davies, Lachie Riley, Rayner Seccull and Will Paul savour a 131 point win

Past players John Warnock, Rob Forbes, Keith Nance, Roger Gerny, Simon Meehan and Jim Bonwick enjoying themselves at the Marine

Blair Main, Jeremy Bourke, Dave Connell and Matthew Armstrong

At left Cam Lasscock is flanked by Jason Dann and Jason Steenholdt; at right it's back to the 80's with Brucie Dann and Ian Horse Clydesdale

Phil Benton, Drew Gilby and David Mason

Premiership players David Mason, David Mackenzie, James Bell and Paddy O'Donnell

Ward Caspers and Greg Anderson

President Mick Constable, Ash Byrns and David Lappage

Andrew Bonwick, Ian Clydesdale and John Kingsley

It wasn't just the past players who enjoyed the night; current players including Lachie Treverton and Castan Racunica in the foreground celebrate their comprehensive win earllier in the day over St Bede's Mentone Tigers

All eyes on the ball for Sam Loewe but not so for father Stewart in the background; Billy Mackay looks a little surprised to have taken the mark in the Round 16 match at Fitzroy's famous old Brunswick Street Oval

Dre Stefanakis backed up by Sam Loewe; Jack McHale kicks forward

Matthias Rose turns and kicks

Noah Gown flies, Brodie Steele swivels

Night sets in on physio Av Kumar and defender Liam Kirkwood-Scott

The CBD cityscape viewed from the Brunswick Oval

Old Mates Scooter (in his 200th game) and Waity in the Reserves' narrow Round 17 win over AJAX; Owen Gorodizis takes a drink at the break

Double trouble at quarter time as coach Jason Bek and centreman Harry Whitty address the two number 28s!

Brad Prior and Harry Whitty happy with their day's work

Joel Constable (18) watches the hamstrings stretch on the way to goal, and 200-gamer Scott Ellis is chaired off the field by his team mates after the 5 point win

The slender Matthias Rose (36) and the broader beam of Ollie Sharpe (26)

A muzzled Brede Seccull at the bottom of the pack

Nathan Dowsett and Will Paul stoop to gather

The tackle by Liam Kirkwood-Scott

Rayner Seccull kicks on the run

Billy Mackay swoops!

Promoted from the reserves, Tom Bain and Jordan Hurley (32) played their roles in the convincing win over AJAX

Faces in the crowd Peter Jenke, Tony Doyle, Peter Bowring and Stewart Loewe

Jordan Andrews made the most of his inclusion; Lachie Treverton was enormous as always

The emergence of a new potential cult hero as Max Walstab kicks his first senior goal

Will Gown (21) leans back to kick and stretches for a mark

Happy coach Daniel Ward shepherds his team off the ground after their last home and away match and a comprehensive win over Williamstown CYMS as finals await

Play Hard and Play for the Game!

In the First Semi-final against Fitzroy at Coburg, Lachie Riley, Austin Bradtke, Billy Mackay and James Paul line up for the ball; Noah Gown flies for a mark above Durras Seccull and the scouting Jack Lonie

Ruckman Lachie Treverton taps, mid-fielder Billy Mackay handballs

Defender Nathan Dowsett at the front of the pack, then looking for a handball from Jack Munro (3)

Will Paul with another energetic tackle, Jack McHale's marking attempt spoiled

The swivel by Jack Lonie

Jack Munro (3) and Brodie Steele (31) came up through the Under-19s together; here in the centre of the action

Josh Gasparini makes a break for it while Lachie Treverton and Kye Turner (12) raffle the ball

Austin Bradtke (52) rucking in front of the old Coburg stand and team mates Brodie Steele (31) and Raynor Seccull; defender Max Sinclair on the bend

The Seccull brothers Brede (5) and Rayner (16) take their kicks along the wing

James Paul in a typical dash burning off opponents to break the lines from half-back

Nathan Dowsett (63) clears from defence in the desperate last quarter; Jack McHale (27) and WIll Paul (29) in support

Billy Mackay and the Bloods both look down and nearly out early in the last quarter, but gradually the scoreboard swung their way, Jack Lonie's goal with 90 seconds left securing a tense win

Pensive players Peter Gleadhill, Austin Bradkte and Sam Loewe after the narrow win ...

... as well as pensive officials and supporters Stewart Loewe, Anthony Gown and Peter Jenke in the rooms after the game

Coach Daniel Ward addresses the players after their narrow but still commendable win

Ruckman Lachie Treverton with an early mark and shot at goal in the Preliminary Final against Beaumaris at Elsternwick Park

Josh Gasparini under the pump with Jack Munro (3); mid-fielders Jayce Morgan and Billy Mackay combine

Jack Lonie wheels on to his left foot early in his masterclass performance that netted him 5 goals; Nathan Dowsett (63) wasn't letting anything pass in defence

Tall timber Austin Bradtke and Noah Gown doing their thing

Beaumaris found Jack Lonie way too elusive all day

Noah Gown (7) directs traffic for Sam Loewe and Jack Munro (3)

The Brede Seccull show; a gather, a swivel, a kick and a look downfield

Happy Jack - Jack McHale (27) kicks a goal and celebrates with ruckman Lachie Treverton

Jack Lonie was devastating with ball in hand but also tackled fiercely without it; Jack Munro braces himself at another stoppage with Austin Bradtke in the background

Josh Gasparini run down by a Beaumaris tackler with President Mick Constable a face in the background

Billy Mackay swoops on his wing, Raynor Seccull (16) reaches for the sky backed up by Noah Gown (7)

Brede Seccull surrounded by Sharks as the Bloods' score mounts; skipper James Paul off on another dash from defence

Austin Bradtke in ruck; Jack Lonie (11) wrestles with Beauie's Joel Di Natali

Faces on the bench and in the crowd including stats man Finn Broadbent, coaching panel Daniel Ward and Darren Seccull, President Mick Constable and club legend Roger Paul

Will Gown handballs out of defence

Lachie Riley enjoyed a fine finals series

Rayner Seccull kicks long from the backline

All smiles after the game are some of the VFL contingent Lachie Riley, Austin Bradtke, Noah Gown and Billy Mackay

Contented coach. Daniel Ward moments after the Bloods confirmed their rise to Premier A for the first time since 2011. Ward had lifted the Bloods up two grades since taking over as Senior Coach in 2017.

Atrocious conditions greeted the teams at Elsternwick Park for the 2022 B Grade Grand Final - "warmup" would be a very loose description of this photo

Captain James Paul is pristine for the coin toss in the middle of the Elsternwick Park slop - but not for long

Josh Gasparini leads the pack including Lachie Riley (42), Jack Lonie and Jayce Morgan early in the game

Ride 'em cowboy Rayner Seccull lays a tackle

Nathan Dowsett in the contest

Austin Bradtke battles Uni Blacks' giant ruckman and captain Josh Steadman

Last in line Kye Turner (12) spoils behind Nathan Dowsett (63) and WIll Gown

Tackling was the order for most of the day - two from Brodie Steele

Kye Turner (12) swivels in the mud

Jack Munro kicks the first goal of the match, one of only four between both teams for the day

Water, water everywhere for Sam Loewe and Jack Lonie

Brede Seccull is clear for once in the tightly fought match

The Bloods hold a handy early lead near quarter time as Austin Bradtke rucks and Bred Seccull (5) and Brodie Steele (33) await the outcome

In 2017 Jack Munro and Brodie Steele took out the quinella in their Under-19 section Best & Fairest; five years later they were premiership team mates for the third time together

Kye Turner on the boundary and Jack Lonie in the midfield

Brodie Steele's busy day continues watched by spectators including Andrew Langford-Jones, Heath Broadbent, Mark McHale and Andrew Bonwick

Defender Will Paul breaks clear

Jack McHale and Jayce Morgan battle in the pack

Rayner Seccull stoops in the mud backed up by Will Paul and Peter Gleadhill

James Paul takes a rare opportunity to dash downfield

Lachie Treverton prepares to smother

Lachie Treverton in front for a ruck contest, Max Sinclair on the left foot

Will Paul collects on the bend

Nathan Dowsett, Rayner Seccull, Austin Bradtke (52) and Billy Mackay (17) in the action

Veteran Peter Gleadhill played in his second premiership team

Durras Seccull's kicking action

Early in the last term and the Bloods lead by a point; they were to add four more while keeping Uni Blacks scoreless for the rest of the game

Noah Gown at the front of the pack, Jack Munro (3) at its foot

Players became less and less distinguishable as the game went on, but Noah Gown and Max Sinclair can still be recognised through the mud

Jack Munro and Brede Seccull in a scene typical of the game's late stages

Brede Seccull ploughs on

Jack Lonie at ground level and Bill Mackay just getting his kick away

Desperation ruled towards the end as seen in this tackle on Brodie Steele and his spoil with Kye Turner

Brede Seccull, Jack Munro and Jack Lonie roar with delight at the sound of the final siren

More siren mayhem

Josh Gasparini and Peter Gleadhill embrace after the siren, as do the coaching trio in the background

Soon to be muddied coach Daniel Ward joins his players in the huddle

Respect - the teams shake on it after their ordeal

Happy Haileybury faces in the crowd after the siren

James Paul heads to the podium ahead of his team already with their premiership medals

Captain and coach lift the premiership cup

Players and coaches in the rooms after the game

Elsternwick Park left alone and unloved after the game

2022 Senior Men's teams. Rear: Stewart Loewe, Jason Bek, Jack McHale, Tom Rogerson, Jordan Hurley, Ollie Sharpe, Justin Davies, Kye Turner, Nathan Dowsett, Ben Hood, Lachie Treverton, Jackson Coleman, Jacob Gown, Jarrod Mantell. Standing: Will Gown, Jayce Morgan, Sam Loewe, Max Sinclair, Liam Kirkwood-Scott, Sam Hall-Kahan, Jack Lonie, Andreas Stefanakis, Max Sievers, Castan Racunica, Joel Constable, Peter Gleadhill, Harry Whitty, Brad Prior, Emilio Bitters, Mathius Rose, Will Paul, Tom Bain Seated: Jordan Andrews, Josh Gasparini, Sam Algeri, Jack Munro, Brodie Steele, James Paul (captain), Daniel Ward (coach), Brede Seccull, Durras Seccull, Rayner Seccull, Zac Plafadelis. On floor: Cooper Nolan, Jack Grenda, Stuart Connelly, Will Barrie, Finn McNamara, Spiridon Poulos, Ari Ventouras, Dom Taverniti, Keaton Law, Nick Gooda, Cooper Wenck.

2022 Hearts. Back row; Serene Vudiniabola, Grace Vanderwaal, Lauren Oliver, Zoe Preston, Holly Treverton, Danielle Frawley, Hannah Pastore, Amy Fletcher, Jordan Shanks. Third row; Alexandra Vanderwaal, Rachel Hobley, Carla Hewitt, Ella Gown, Alana Hall, Georgia Macshane, James Pierce (strength & conditioning coach). Second row: Dee Longwill (assistant coach), Peter Dunne (assistant coach), Jessica Doyle, Gabriella Suriano, Laura Bee, Madeleine Leyden, Georgia Emebrton (runner). Seated; Bridget Hanrahan, Peta Simkin, Pulomaja Gardiyawasam, Sean Brady (coach), Carly Dillon (captain), Taylah Vines-Chapple, Isabella Scaunich.

2022 Under-19s. Back row: Sam Morris, Joshua Gillon, Ryley Cairns, Cooper Becker-Valles, Max Walstab (deputy vice-captain), Jackson Williams. Centre row: Lachlan Hood, Daniel Zhang, Liam Hall, Jeremy Adams, Blake Gordon. Front row: Luke DiPietrantonio, Jack Hardeman (vice-captain), Andrew Bonwick (coach), Angus Bonwick (captain), Harry Grenda, Tyrone Foster.

2022 Men's & Womens

Season 2023 opened with a packed luncheon listening to guest speaker Max King (towering over barman Dave Connell and MC Jeremy Bourke)

The Hearts unveil their 2023 leadership team: Bella Scaunich, former captain Chelsea Frawley, new captain Bridget Hanrahan and Taylah Vines-Chapple

Premiership president Mick Constable and club legend Andrew Hicks unfurl the 2022 B Grade premiership flag before the opening round match against St Kevin's Old Boys. The Bloods battled bravely to give the reigning A Grade premier a huge scare, going down only by a solitary point.

Rayner Seccull all concentration as he kicks away; Matthias Rose rises above the pack

Will Paul (29) in the thick of things early in the game; Nathan Dowsett (19) and Dre Stefanakis (31) rise to the occasion

Debutants Charlie Sinclair and Luke Bailey (32) in action

The smooth kicking action of James Paul and jack-in-the-box Durras Seccull on the fly

Liam Kirkwood-Scott (35) delivers and veteran Nick Gooda ready to pounce

Will Paul kept a close watch all day on his opponent, former Western Bulldog Mitch Wallis (far left), while Nathan Dowsett let his hair up

Matthias Rose on his favourite left foot and Brodie Steele at a break in the rain

Faces in the crowd at the final change: former A Grade Best and Fairest Andrew Jenke, the weary trio of Nick Gooda, recruit Harrison Jones and the returned Corey Rich, and Max Sievers

Peter Gleadhill takes a strong chest mark in the deteriorating conditions and Corey Rich powers forward

Late in the game and the rain pours down on an increasingly desperate Matthias Rose and Max Sievers

Brede Seccull surrounded by team mates and opponents

Coach Daniel Ward watches on in front of the large Princes Park crowd

The Hearts opened their season with a strong win over St Mary's Salesian; here Joyce Dunne swings forward, shepherded by Amy Fletcher

Eloise McCrae

The long arms of Holly Treverton

A day in the life for Taylah Vines-Chapple; a kick, a tackle, a smile on the mark and a dash down the wing

Ella Gown twists and turns past her St Mary's opponent with Charley Ansell-Jones in the background

Crash! Taylah Vines-Chapple (9), Joyce Dunne, Mim Waterman and Eloise McCrae

Eloise McCrae about to pounce supported by Rachael Hobley (4) and Ella Gown

Peta Simpkin shoots a handball out to Lauren Oliver (23); Claire Haughey (34) and Jemima Shinsky join forces to tackle

Coach Sean Brady addresses his charges

Harrison Jones (36) in the thick of the aerial battles early in the Round 2 match against Old Brighton Grammarians

Sam Loewe and Charlie Sinclair taking shots at goal in the first quarter

Lachie Treverton and Durras Seccull battle it out in the ruck with Matthias Rose (22) and Corey Rich (4) waiting at ground level

Harrison Jones and Rayner Seccull with ball in hand, Nathan Dowsett (19) in support

Will Gown at close quarters; Corey Connelly and Dre Stefanakis compete for a mark

Jack Munro and Brodie Steele on the run

Brodie Steele marks in defence, Luke Bailey looks to thread his kick away

Josh Gasparini and Corey Connelly gathering at ground level

Peter Gleadhill swings on to that familiar left foot on his wing, Roger Paul in the background

Jack Munro (3) gathers with Dre Stefanakis and Brede Seccull in support; Corey Rich (4) stretches to boot forward

Durras Seccull takes a clean mark up forward in front of Sam Loewe (1); defenders Rayner Seccull and Will Paul had their hands full but battled hard all day

Round 3 v University Blacks at their Parkville Oval - Rayner Seccull lays a tackle in front of team mate Charlie Sinclair (21) then kicks out of defence

Nathan Dowsett and Durras Seccull form a two-headed monster; ruckman Lachie Treverton was in imperious form all day

Captain James Paul breaks away

Midfielders Josh Gasparini and Corey Rich had plenty of the ball

Sam Loewe considers his options, Durras Seccull reaches for a mark

Sam Loewe clears, Corey Connelly (12) helps the airborne Dre Stefanakis celebrate a goal

Nick Gooda at work on his wing

Skipper James Paul in front of runner Brock McLean, coach Daniel Ward and assistant Stewart Loewe

Nathan Dowsett soars over team mate Will Paul in the pack; Liam Kirkwood-Scott ready to deliver

Will Paul cleans up at the bottom of the pack

Luke Bailey dodges, clears and kicks

Josh Gasparini with another clearance ahead of team mates Max Sievers and James Paul

Brodie Steele and Corey Connelly mark in the forward line

Nathan Dowsett (19) hides Durras Seccull's mark; Max Sinclair on the run while Seccull (14) bites the turf

Corey Rich was highly influential even without his four goals

Luke Bailey tackles surrounded by four Uni Blacks opponents; Corey Connelly takes a snap at goal

Jack Munro heads for goal

Matthias Rose late in the game

Jack Grenda and Jack Hardeman in the Reserves' Round 4 match against Collegians

Will Gown and Will Paul (29) contest in the air

Justin Davies (71) in ruck and Luke Bailey looking for options

Nathan Dowsett and Corey Connelly

Max Sievers drives through a muddy centre and Rayner Seccull lays a tackle

The Kirkwood-Scott brothers Liam (35) and on senior debut Mitchell, still in Year 11 at Haileybury

Liam Wood (17) also made his senior debut; Will Gown kicks away

Skipper James Paul in the middle of the action

Jack Munro on the right foot and Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott with the goal that never was

Hearts captain Bridget Junior Hanrahan shows a determined kicking style in their Round 5 match against Old Xaverians

In the Reserves match against Old Scotch Jacob Gown (50) kicks the team's only goal and Davis Green (9) awaits the outcome of a ruck contest

Brothers in arms Durras (14) and Rayner (16) Seccull break the banner to celebrate their hundredth games for the club

Luke Bailey gets down and dirty in the Princes Park centre gluepot, supported by Brodie Steele

A wary Corey Rich; the big men Durras Seccull (14) and Lachie Treverton (23) fly

Max Sievers on the escape

Josh Gasparini swoops for a possession while Nathan Dowsett rises high to spoil

Fierce tackling was the order of the day for Brodie Steele (7) and Will Paul (29)

Past and current captains Peter Gleadhill and James Paul

Corey Rich kicks a goal from long range after the half-time siren and the Bloods take a lead into the main change

Josh Gasparini and Matthias Rose all eyes on the ball

Lachie Treverton (23) and Justin Davies reach for the sky

Luke Bailey and James Paul compete with the Bloods still well in the game

Centurian Rayner Seccull on a dash from defence

Nathan Dowsett and Harrison Jones

Max Sievers surrounded and in trouble

Brodie Steele with a fingertip mark and Will Gown with a tackle

Brodie Steele and Josh Gasparini in the late afternoon sunlight

Finn Laity in action for the Reserves in their Round 6 match against Old Caulfield

Ben O'Leary for the Reserves and Jack Munro for the Seniors at close quarters

The kicking actions of forwards Max Walstab and Sam Loewe

Harrison Jones marks and looks to handball

Jesse Laity (28) was promoted to the Seniors for the Caulfield game, team mate Corey Rich watches on

Durras Seccull (14) in leaping action, Charlie Sinclair (21) and Corey Rich (4) at ground level

Hugo Nosiara on debut, Liam Wood feels the weight of the pack

Brodie Steele swivels in front of Will Paul; Liam Kirkwood-Scott under the hammer

Harrison Jones marks and kicks, and the scoreboard shows the Bloods are off target - they finished with 5 goals 18 behinds

Justin Davies (38), Rayner Seccull (16), Charlie Sinclair and Brodie Steele in the contest

Lachie Treverton hauls in another mark

Rayner Seccull marks, Nathan Dowsett spreads his wings

The long arms of Will Paul (29) and Lachie Treverton (23)

Liam Kirkwood-Scott and Max Sievers

Will Gown (11) on the bend, Matthias Rose clears

Jack Munro gathers and puffs out the cheeks

The Ralphsmith boys Hugo and Sean were the guest speakers for another successful luncheon before the Round 7 action against Old Melburnians; Hugo a regular for the Tigers and father Sean a former Hawk and Saint, and 1995 OHAFC premiership player

Reserves action featuring Jacob Gown (50) and Jordan Johnston

More from the Reserves featuring Conrad Chow, coach Tom Rogerson, and Ryley Cairns (19) and Jack Grenda (20) in defence

Keaton Law under pressure, Brad Prior with fingertip control

Tackles received and given by Corey Rich (4) and Matthias Rose

A Max Sievers handball and a Brodie Steele balancing act

Crouching Sam Loewe and Peter Gleadhill

Will Paul first on the scene closely followed by brother James

Harrison Jones takes aim and kicks one of his four goals

Sam Loewe creating chaos in the pack and for team mate Peter Gleadhill, while Lachie Treverton concentrates hard on his kick

The broad beam of Max Walstab (31), and seemingly grinning as he is urged on by team mate Charlie Sinclair

Matthias Rose lays a tackle in front of team mates Charlie Sinclair (21) and Hugo Nosiara; defender Max Sinclair breaks clear

Another Gasparini (6) handball and the tangle of legs that is mainly Will Paul

A wary coach Daniel Ward watches from the bench; the pivotal final break when the Bloods went in leading by 7 points, only to be over-run in the final quarter

Midfielders Peter Gleadhill and Max Sievers (10) go to work against Old Xaverians on a rare Sunday game

Sam Loewe tackles and Josh Gasparini kicks

High flying Matthias Rose (22) and Castan Racunica (15) on his return to the senior team

Plenty of air time for Durras Seccull (14)

Will Paul (29) marks, Brodie Steele twists and turns with ruckman Lachie Treverton in the background

Lachie Treverton and Hugo Nosiara prepare to handball

Corey Rich and Max Sinclair looking to kick forward

Corey Connelly (12), Harrison Jones and Max Walstab in the thick of the action

Liam Wood and Charlie Sinclair

Bella Scaunich (27) marks and Peta Simkin tackles for the Hearts

Pulli Gardiawasam guards space while Eloise McCrae gets her kick away

Grace Vanderwaal clears, Arielle Cathcart dodges

Skipper Junior Hanrahan and Kassie Llerena

Sophie Roynic awaits her rotation from the bench; Maggie Dunn clears ahead of Georgia MacShane

Lauren Oliver is all determination in defence

The back of Ceridwen Speak (36) and the dash of Taylah Vines-Chapple

Daniella Tegoni and Maddie Leyden ready to pounce on the loose ball; Chelsea Frawley bulldozes her way through a pack

Hearts captain Bridget Hanrahan and Taylah Vines-Chapple, senior captain James Paul and captains of Old Brighton and University Blues line up in the pre-match ceremony for "Spud's match" in Round 9

A handball from Sam Loewe and a spectacular leap from Harrison Jones

Max Sievers (10) and Jack Munro contest in the pack, as does Castan Racunica

Corey Rich and Peter Gleadhill (9) get their kicks away

Will Paul and Liam Kirkwood-Scott (35) surround a Uni Blues opponent; Durras Seccull rides high at the back of the pack

Josh Gasparini and Rayner Seccull

The kicking action of Corey Rich

Corey Connelly tackles, Will Paul marks

James Paul ahead of Max Sinclair and Hugo Nosiara

Eloise McCrae gathers and kicks for the Hearts

Ella Gown and Eloise McCrae lay a tackle and Fern O'Brien takes her kick

Ella Gown

Serene Vudiniabola lines up a goal and watches the result

Danielle Tegoni (43) watches the action and Jemima Shinsky is sandwiched

Georgia MacShane and Taylah Vines-Chapple after the game

In Round 10 Hugo Nosiara breaks clear from defence and Peter Gleadhill battles his Old Scotch opponent on the wing; Gleadhill also played in the Bloods last win against the Cardinals at their Camberwell home back in 2011

Released from Frankston, Connor Riley turned out in magenta and black for the first time since 2016 and played a major part in the ninth-placed Bloods shock win over the ladder leaders

Younger brother Lachie Riley (42) also made a welcome return to the colours and was another shining light in the win

A third major return was that of ruckman Jack Bell who dominated the air

Jack Munro feels the heat in front of Will Paul (29) while Josh Gasparini has time to calmly take his kick under the watchful eye of Brodie Steele

Corey Connelly clears with a handball and Brodie Steele heads long downfield

The Old Scotch flyer discovers that what comes up must come down as he tumbles over Lachie Riley (42), Rayner Seccull at the base of the pack and Durras Seccull (14)

Max Sievers and Harrison Jones in action

Castan Racunica is all eyes on the ball while Corey Rich breaks clear

A wary looking Liam Kirkwood-Scott, but Sam Loewe is all smiles as he celebrates a clutch goal late in the third quarter

Jack Bell and Durras Seccull (14) were the Bloods best on the day

Will Gown (11) clears late in the day watched by team mates Jack Bell, Josh Gasparini and Max Sievers

Water carrier Brad Prior and coach Daniel Ward watch the Bloods hang on

Castan Racunica has just taken a mark late in the game and prepares to kick the winning goal, then shows his relief at the end

The Sinclair brothers Charlie (left) and Max (25, with Will Paul) celebrate the narrow win over their old club

Brodie Steele clearly delighted with the win and ready to sing the song as he heads for the change rooms with skipper James Paul

Ben O'Leary handballs in the Reserves' Round 11 match against Old Brighton that also marked the return of Aaron Toy

Corey Connelly on the run; James Magner on his highly anticipated debut had an instant impact

Young forward Max Walstab marks and mid-fielder Josh Gasparini (6) shoots out a handball

James Paul and Hugo Nosiara get their kicks away

Brodie Steele on his left foot and Durras Seccull (14) marking at the front of the pack

Peter Gleadhill and Jack Munro in tackling action

Lachie Treverton takes a fine contested mark but Rayner Seccull is surrounded by Old Brighton opponents

Sam Loewe had a fine game and was the Bloods best

Will Gown (11) and his Old Brighton opponent take a tumble while Dre Stefanakis rises above the pack to mark

Composed rookie Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott and Charlie Sinclair (47)

Liam Wood lays a tackle, Corey Rich on the turn ahead of Max Sinclair