Round 15 Match Review, 2025

 

Senior Men's Match Report

De La Salle OC          2.3     3.6     4.7        6.7 (43)

Old Haileyburians     3.0     6.3     9.5     12.8 (80)

Goals: A.Stefanakis 6, Cody Goonewardene, C.Harrop, O.Hotton, C.Riley, C.Sinclair, L.Vaughan

Best: M.Sievers, A.Stefanakis, M.Rose, O.Hotton, N.Higgins, L.Kirkwood-Scott

 

How the VAFA saw the match:

Old Haileyburians consolidated its hold on fourth spot with a much-needed win over De La Salle at Waverley Oval.  Entering this 2024 Premier B Grand Final rematch having lost four of their previous five, the Bloods needed to regain some form and confidence – but De La were equally determined to make them work for it.  The hosts generated five shots to three in the first term but booted 2.3 to 3.0 to trail by three points at quarter-time – the league’s leading goalkicker, Andreas Stefanakis, causing havoc once again with all three majors for the visitors (on his way to six for the afternoon).

Inaccuracy continued to plague De La in the second quarter as they added 1.3 to 3.3 – the Bloods edging out to a 15-point lead in a high-pressure contest.  The third term provided more of the same, with Old Haileyburians' superior ability to convert opportunities into goals seeing them boot 3.2 to 1.1 and open a comfortable 28-point three-quarter time advantage.

But full credit to De La, who dug in and booted the opening two goals of the final term to reduce the margin to just 16 points, sparking hopes of a late revival from the hosts.  But a steadying response from Connor Riley settled the Bloods, who would ultimately break clear of a persistent, hard-working De La to run out 37-point winners and collect four precious premiership points that keep them a game ahead of the Blacks in the race to secure fourth spot.

Daniel Ward (Old Haileyburians): “Important win for our footy club. We know that De La has been in good form and probably should have already had some wins on the board. I thought they controlled the ball in the air at both ends of the ground and were on top for stages of the first half.  We lifted our workrate in the third term and started to get rewarded for effort, then finished the game off well and was very pleased to get away with the four points.  Improved effort after the last two weeks, but we are still searching for our best footy.”

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

 

Hearts Match Report

Whitefriars                1.3     4.8     7.11     8.13 (61)

Old Haileyburians     0.1     0.1       0.1       1.1   (7)

Goals: R.Hartney

Best: C.Schafter-Jacoby, R.Hartney, P.Gardiyawasam, S.Vudiniabola, E.Gown, K.Langford‑Jones

 

How the VAFA saw the match:

Unlike the rest of the games this weekend, Whitefriars smashed Old Haileyburians by 54 points and look set to play in finals. Haileyburians did not score a goal until the last quarter, held to just one behind for the majority of the game until Ruby Hartney hit the scoreboard for the Bloods.

Meave Bohanna was the difference on the weekend and looms as a key player coming into finals, kicking five goals. Bohanna has kicked goals in three games this season, and all three times these have been bags of multiple goals. Laura Mimmo and Clare Sullivan also had a strong game. Serene Vudiniabola was the best for Old Haileyburians and has been a consistent performer for them all season. Whitefriars will play Oakleigh next weekend in what could be a preview of a potential final in a great test for both teams. Old Haileyburians will host the Rovers in the final match of the home and away season.

 

Men's Reserves Match Report 

De La Salle OC          4.2     6.4     7.7       9.8 (62)

Old Haileyburians     4.1     6.2     8.2     14.6 (90)

Goals: J.Black 3, J.Kennedy 3, J.Magner 3, Cooper Goonewardene 2, M.Cowell, B.Steele, B.Yates

Best: Cooper Goonewardene, J.Black, S.Marshall, S.Connolly, S.Stefanakis, B.Yates

Milestones: Liam Wood, Jake Black (both 50 games)

 

Under 19's Match Report

Old Haileyburians     2.3     6.4     10.7     11.9 (75)

Old Brighton 2           1.3     3.3       7.4       9.6 (60)

Goals: J.Paitaridis 5, T.Antonis, L.Burfurd, R.Caddy, W.Hardeman, N.Law, R.Oakley

Best: W.Gordon, J.Paitaridis, W.Hardeman, T.Antonis, A.Russell, L.Burfurd