Round 18 Match Review, 2025

 

Senior Men's Match Report

Old Haileyburians     0.7     0.9     3.11        4.12 (36)

Old Scotch                 1.4     4.8        6.9      10.13 (73)

Goals: H.Jones 2, O.Hotton, A.Stefanakis

Best: K.Turner, N.Higgins, D.Seccull, M.Sievers, O.Hotton, H.Jones

Milestone: Charlie Sinclair (50 games)

 

How the VAFA saw the match:

Fourth spot was up for grabs as Old Haileyburians – who had looked a likely finalist for most of the season – hosted Old Scotch at Haileybury College in a finals preview that would see the winner sneak in and the loser miss out.  Their lead-up form could barely have been more different, with the Bloods limping into the final round, while Old Scotch – buoyed by an injection of their VFL-listed talent – roared back into contention.

But, led by Olli Hotton (who had 12 disposals and four clearances in the opening term), Old Haileyburians were strong in the contest early, dominating ground balls and contested possession to generate seven scoring shots to five.  However, they failed to convert, and a disastrous 0.7 to 1.4 was the result, leaving them three points down at the first break.

They were left to rue their inaccuracy when the Cardinals managed to turn the tables on the inside as Sam Grant took control of the hit-outs and gave his midfielders first use. The reigning champs booted 3.4 to a further two behinds from Old Haileybury, who headed to half-time stranded on 0.9 and trailing by 23 points (despite only three fewer scoring shots).

Harrison Jones kicked the Bloods’ first goal in the opening minute of the third term, and when he added another 90 seconds later, momentum began to shift as the margin closed to 11 points. But long-range set shots from league-leading goalkicker Andreas Stefanakis and Jones both missed, before a 10-minute stalemate with no scoring ensued.

The next goal continued to grow in significance, and when James Tarrant nailed his set shot from 25 out, it felt like a big moment against the flow. Olli Hotton kicked a big goal at the 23-minute mark, but that was erased by a big pack mark and set shot goal on the three-quarter time siren, giving the Cards a 16-point advantage.

The early minutes of the final term proved decisive. James Tarrant gave off a slick handball for a running Jake Torney to make it 22 points, which blew out to 28 points just over a minute later when Jack Polkinghorne ran into an open goal.  From there, the Cards could control the game – and they did. Grant’s ruck dominance prevented the Bloods from getting first use, allowing Old Scotch to dictate the tempo, taking 33 uncontested marks to 11 in the final term and kicking 4.4 to 1.1 to keep their premiership defence alive and end Old Haileybury’s season.

The Cardinals looked dead and buried when they trailed the Bloods by three games plus 14% three weeks ago, but their three wins, combined with three losses to the Bloods and Blacks, have seen them complete the most unlikely of ‘Steven Bradbury’ late surges to snatch fourth spot.  They will face St Kevin’s in the cut-throat First Semi-Final, and while they will not have all their VFL-listed talent available due to finals eligibility rules, their rejuvenated line-up is enough to challenge for back-to-back titles.

Disappointment for Old Haileyburians, who have been one of the season’s success stories after rising back up from Premier B this season. They had been in the Top Four since Round 5, but five losses from their final six games ultimately cost them their first Premier Men’s finals appearance since their 2006 premiership.

Daniel Ward (Old Haileyburians): “We had periods of the game where we had control but didn’t take our chances. Kicking seven behinds in Quarter 1 with the wind is not going to get it done.  Couldn’t fault the effort of my group at all, but Old Scotch took their opportunities and deserved the win. Best of luck to Gnatty and his group for the upcoming final series.

"From an overall season perspective, it’s tough to sum up. After coming up from B-grade, we are proud of our improvement, remaining in finals contention right up until the last day. With that being said, we are disappointed we let an opportunity slip. After the double bye, we couldn’t find the same form and struggled to replace key players missing with VFL duties or injuries.  Special mention to Andreas Stefanakis for winning the A-Grade Goalkicking. A fantastic effort from a 20-year-old with a bright future.”

For full pictorial coverage of the Seniors' match against Old Scotch go to the Gallery

 

Men's Reserves Match Report 

Old Haileyburians     2.0     4.2       5.2         7.4 (46)

Old Scotch                 3.2     4.2     8.11     11.13 (79)

Goals: J.Black 3, M.Cowell, E.Hardeman, J.Kennedy, S.Marshall

Best: J.Black, J.Gillon, E.Hardeman, L.Wood, P.McPhee, S.Stefanakis

Debut: Austin Lingaro

 

Under 19's Match Report

Old Melburnians        3.1               10.4     12.4 (76)

Old Haileyburians     2.4                  4.8     5.14 (44)

Goals: L.Burfurd 3, J.Blight, J.Paitaridis

Best: L.Burfurd, L.Giliam, J.Blight, J.Waring, L.Hornblower, E.Jones