2nd Semi Final Match Review, 2024

 

Senior Men's Match Report

Old Haileyburians     4.1     8.5     10.8     15.13 (103)

De La Salle OC          1.4     3.5       6.7          9.8   (62)

Goals: A.Stefanakis 4, H.Jones 3, C.Harrop 2, P.Gleadhill, H.Lynch, J.Magner, C.Sinclair, L.Treverton, L.Vaughan

Best: B.Seccull, L.Treverton, A.Stefanakis, M.Sievers, C.Riley, D.Seccull

 

Finals footy had arrived as we headed out to Box Hill for our first final vs De La Salle on Sunday. Our boys were well prepared during the week and we thought if we played our best footy we would be very hard to beat.  I keep repeating myself weekly but again we had windy conditions to encounter so needed to bring different tactics to each quarter.

The first term we were going into it so we were looking to get numbers back end control the footy and try and get them out the back on counter attack. We set up our whole day with how we carried out these instructions. De La had more territory but our backs had up brilliantly and we took our chances forward of the ball. After a four goal to one quarter, we led by 15 points at the first change.

Now with the wind we needed to get the ball to the grandstand side and try and keep the forward line as open as possible. Again, we carried out these instructions beautifully to extend our lead to five goals at half time.  We were exactly where we wanted to be but De La right throughout the year have shown an ability to score quickly so we needed to be diligent to play the right way throughout the third term.

As expected ,the opposition lifted, but again we held up well with our lead still 25 points with a term to go. Chat at the huddle was that we needed to finish the job and not give them an opportunity to get back into the game. Pleasingly our group were relentless as they never really threatened us as we kicked five goals to three for the quarter and ended up victors by 41 points.

A fantastic result for our group as we now have qualified for the Grand Final in two weeks’ time and are promoted back into A Grade.  Our ability to stick to a game plan carried out by our leaders and the pressure they put on De La Salle was outstanding all day.

Individually our captain Brede Seccull led from the front with his attack on the footy and the rest of the mids fell in behind. Trevo was fantastic rucking one out. Gassy, Nosiara and Rose were great in the middle. Noah Higgins and Max Sievers work rate on the wings was sensational. Down back we were strong all day and all played our role to perfection.  Special mention to Hugo Lynch playing his first year of Senior Footy and a key back. Lynchy kicked his first senior goal in the last term from outside 50 that had his teammates up and about.

Up forward we are really dangerous currently with Dre Stefanakis & Harrison Jones ending up with four goals. Charlie Harrop worked his backside off and finished with two majors.  Lachie Vaughan, Connor Riley and Charlie Sinclair are playing a selfless role for us currently helping to set up their other forwards with their effort and intensity.

It's a great for our club to get back to A Grade but this playing group are desperate to hold up another cup in two weeks’ time.

How the VAFA saw the match:

Old Haileyburians is the first of two sides to graduate from Premier B, defeating De La Salle by 41 points in the second semi final at Box Hill City Oval and securing a place in the Grand Final to take place in two weeks time.  It’s a successful bounce back to William Buck Premier for the Bloods, who despite a six-win season were sent down in 2023, finishing 1.52% shy of safety in its first year in top flight since 2011.  Now Daniel Ward’s men, following a 14-win home-and-away season, will be out for their second Premier B premiership in three years.  “Obviously it didn’t go our way last year – a bit unlucky, winning six games and going down on percentage,” Ward said.  “It’s a real credit to our group. I’m really proud of them.”

Ward felt as if his side was able to set the game up well in the first term, and the signs were there early in the piece – De La Salle kicking with a wind that has been so prevalent over the last fortnight of football in the Amateurs, yet unable to capitalise, kicking 1.4 (10) from 16 inside 50s, as compared to the Bloods’ 4.1 (25) from ten entries.  Space inside the Bloods’ forward 50 allowed dangerous forward Andreas Stefanakis two early goals, dynamic key Harrison Jones joining Stefanakis on the scorer’s sheet with one major of his own.

Nick Hyland was left to rue his squad’s over-use of the football, inviting pressure from an Old Haileybury squad that would ultimately record 38 more contested possessions, 15 more clearances and 11 more tackles.  “We expected their best, and I think that’s what we got. I think they dominated every facet of the game…every KPI you look at, they beat us,” Hyland said.  “It was disappointing that we didn’t quite get our game up and going, but credit to them, they didn’t allow us to get our game up and going.  “They were able to take their chances, and we sort of squandered ours when we got some looks.”

With the wind, the Bloods extended their advantage to 32 points at the long break, Stefanakis having booted three goals while Brede Seccull, Josh Gaspirini and Charlie Harrop were busy.  And after half time, the Old Haileyburians enjoyed a territory advantage that ensured any comeback would be mightily difficult to undertake, winning ten more inside 50s than De La in the second half and incrementally increasing its advantage to eventually run out 15.13 (103) to 9.8 (62) victors.

Stefanakis and Jones finished with four goals apiece, while Charlie Harrop had claims to best-on-ground honours with two goals from 26 disposals.  The availability of the full complement of Old Haileyburian forwards has been a key storyline this season – and with Stefanakis, Jones and Harrop available, the Bloods look nigh on unstoppable forward of the football.  “They’re all professional – the good thing about them is that they’re all different types of match-ups. ‘Dre’ (Andre Stefanakis) is good on the ground, but also very good overhead,” said Daniel Ward.  “Charlie (Harrop)’s an athlete who can leap and take a catch, and can get up (the ground) and back, and Jonesy (Harrison Jones) is more of a key forward that flies for everything.”

The Bloods will meet the winner of this weekend’s preliminary final, De La to play Old Trinity for a place in the Grand Final and William Buck Premier.

For full pictorial coverage of the Seniors' match against De La Salle OC go to the Gallery

 

Under 19's Match Report

St Bernard’s OC        3.6     9.10     10.12     13.20 (98)

Old Haileyburians     0.2       2.5         6.9        6.10 (46)

Goals: W.McPhee 3, S.Lynch 2, H.Whitaker

Best: J.Connell, G.Kokoros, W.Gordon, E.Hardeman, W.McPhee, A.Daniel-Reid

 

The U19's headed out to Malvern Oval on Saturday to take on St Bernards for a spot in the 2024 Grand Final.  Unfortunately, we were unable to get the job done, footy can be cruel sometimes.  Pre-game we spoke about how there will be times in the game where we aren't in control, but we just need to keep our heads in the game and things will turn.

We had heaps of the ball in the first quarter, we just didn't take our opportunities when they presented, St Bernards did. St Bernards got on top in the second quarter and we had a significant challenge ahead of ourselves if we were going to get ourselves back in the game. Down by 40 points at the big break.

Our third quarter was sensational and if luck had been on our side we could easily have been within three goals at the last break. They didn't, and we went into the last quarter having won the quarter but trailing by 27 points. It was a superb quarter of football and there was a real believe in the group that we could work ourselves into striking distance if we played out the game for the full 30 minutes.

St Bernards were too good for us on the day and we ended up bowing out of the finals at the last hurdle.  What an amazing season we had, we won 14 out of 18 home and away games, a 1st Semi-Final and made our way into a Prelim in Division 1. We defeated both the Grand Finalists throughout the year and finished with a percentage of 153%.

We also had six players play senior football during the season. It was a great year.  The club has a bright future with the quality of players coming through the U19 program and there is a real desire for these guys to be a major part of the senior program over the next 10 years.

For full pictorial coverage of the U19s' match against St Bernard's OC go to the Gallery