Round 8 Match Review, 2025

 

Senior Men's Match Report

Old Haileyburians     4.3     7.6     12.8     14.9 (93)

St Bernard’s OC        3.3     5.4        6.6     12.9 (81)

Goals: Cody Goonewardene 3, H.Jones 3, M.Kirkwood-Scott 2, J.Docking, L.Giliam, C.Harrop, H.Nosiara, C.Riley, A.Stefanakis

Best: M.Kirkwood-Scott, W.Paul, J.Connell, M.Sievers, C.Riley, H.Jones

 

How the VAFA saw the match:

Old Haileyburians made it five consecutive wins with a hard-fought  twogoal victory over a persistent and resilient St Bernard’s at Princes Park.  The Bloods rocketed out of the blocks with the first four goals of the game before the Snowdogs stabilised, then hit back with three of their own to reduce the damage to a single kick at the first break.  When the visitors kicked two of the first three goals in the second term to level the scores, it was clear that the travelling ‘Road Dogs’ (unbeaten on the road in 2025) were up for the fight once again.  Credit to the Bloods who lifted their intensity to kick the final two goals of the half to lead by 14 points at the half in an entertaining, high-quality clash.

Daniel Ward’s men then took control of the game in the third term, with their front-half potency delivering in spades. They took six marks Inside 50 for the quarter and booted five goals to one (despite only having three more Inside 50s) to open up a commanding 38-point lead at the last change.  But the Snowdogs didn’t go down without a fight, rallying superbly in the final term to give the Bloods a few uncomfortable moments late. The Dogs kicked five of the first six goals for the quarter to close within 13 points and another incredible comeback suddenly looked a possibility.

However, the Bloods managed to hold their nerve, and a Charlie Harrop settler ensured a hard-earned 12-point win that entrenches the 2024 Premier B champions inside the Top Three, two games clear of fourth.  Mitch Kirkwood-Scott was outstanding for the Bloods, as were Jack Bell and Jake Gasparini, while Dom Sullivan, Charlie Vague and Karam Bharati were amongst the Dogs’ best.

Daniel Ward (Old Haileyburians): “Tough game to assess, as it was a game of mistakes in the first half due to pressure put on.  We got our game going in the 3rd quarter to lead by 38 points at the last change, but a disappointing start to the last, where we let St Bernards back into the game.  We responded well to earn a tough win – credit to Bernards, as I thought we were beaten in the middle of the ground, but very happy with our backline holding up.”

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

 

Hearts Match Report

Old Haileyburians     2.0     4.3     5.4         6.4 (40)

Whitefriars                5.2     7.5     8.7     14.10 (94)

Goals: C.Ratcliffe 3, P.Murdoch 2, J.Bettess

Best: J.Carty, G.Elcock, C.Ratcliffe, E.Gown, S.Phillips, J.Feferkranz

 

Men's Reserves Match Report 

Old Haileyburians     2.0     4.1         5.2       10.3 (63)

St Bernard’s OC        4.3     6.7     10.10     14.15 (99)

Goals: J.Munro 4, J.Black 2, J.Adams, J.Gown, P.Gleadhill, B.Prior

Best: J.Munro, J.Black, J.Constable, P.Gleadhill, B.Steele, E.Hardeman

Milestone: Jeremy Adams (50 games)

 

Under 19's Match Report

Old Haileyburians     6.5     8.8     12.13     18.13 (121)

Old Camberwell        2.1     6.4         6.4        10.8   (68)

Goals: L.Burfurd 6, G.Brayshaw 3, J.Paitaridis 3, F.Gregor 2, J.Blight, W.Gordon, W.Hardeman, E.Jones

Best: L.Burfurd, F.Gregor, K.Christie, G.Brayshaw, J.Paitaridis, A.Prokupets