Round 1 Match Review, 2026
Senior Men's Match Report
Old Haileyburians 3.1 5.4 6.6 13.13 (91)
University Blacks 3.3 7.7 10.8 11.9 (75)
Goals: N.Conway 2, C.Goonewardene 2, F.Gregor 2, D.Seccull 2, J.Blight, J.Chilcott, N.Higgins, J.Kennedy, B.Yates
Best: J.Chilcott, H.Nosiara, D.Seccull, N.Conway, J.Blight, J.Russell
Milestones: Durras Seccull (150 games), Josh Gillon (50 games)
Debut for club: Joel Chilcott, Nick Mavropoulos, Beau O’Neill, Jasper Russell
Debut in 1sts: Jack Kennedy, Joel Lasscock
The comeback win of the VAFA's opening round was at Princes Park as the Bloods stormed home against University Blacks to deliver their first victory of the Guy Martyn era. The Blacks dominated the contest early, racking up 17 Clearances to 6 in the opening term off the back of Sam Conway’s ruckwork. Their pressure was elite (Tackles 29-15), and they generated 6 first-quarter scores from turnover to lead by 2 points at quarter time. “Uni Blacks’ quick hands around the stoppage were really impressive,” said Old Haileybury coach, Guy Martyn. “That helped them break away from contested situations.”
While Dale Bower’s men continued to dominate possession in the second term (+27), the Bloods actually generated more Inside 50s (18-13). However, the Blacks were more potent, taking 7 Marks Inside 50 to 0 for the quarter, and booting 4.4 to 2.3 (including 2 goals in time-on) to lead by 15 points at the major break. “We were pretty wasteful in the second quarter, which was deflating,” said Martyn. “The ball was parked in our forward half for the first 12-15 minutes, and we just couldn’t score. Then they kick a couple of goals late in the second to go into half-time with a lot of momentum.”
Old Haileyburians evened up the clearances in the third quarter, but the Blacks were still controlling contested footy around the ground as the game turned into an arm-wrestle. Neither side could find a goal until Patrick Smith pounced on a loose ball at the top of the goalsquare to snap the first of the term 19 minutes in. Kane Loftus and Joel Ernest would subsequently make it 3 Blacks goals in 7 minutes , blowing the lead out to a game-high 32 points before Flynn Gregor booted a vital goal for the Bloods at the 28-minute mark to make it a 26-point deficit at the last change and provide a glimmer of hope.
Fittingly, it was the Bloods' 150-game milestone man Durras Seccull who kick-started the final quarter comeback with a goal 90 seconds in. Gregor added another 90 seconds later, and the vibe began to change. Kane Loftus provided a steadier for the Blacks, before the floodgates suddenly opened as the Bloods ran riot with 3 goals in 6 minutes. Brede Seccull snapped a clever goal, then X-factor Cody Goonewardene added 2 more to close the margin to just 2 points at the 15-minute mark.
Scores were level entering time-on when an out-of-bounds on the full became a 50-metre penalty when the ball wasn’t returned to Noah Higgins. He was walked to the top of the goalsquare and put the Bloods in front for the first time since the opening minute of the game. They added a further 4 behinds in time-on before Ned Conway added icing to the cake with an after the siren goal – Old Haileyburians coming from the clouds with a 7-goal-to-1 final term (after kicking just 6 in the first 3 quarters) to score a 16-point win.
Joel Chilcott and Durras Seccull were both singled out for praise by Guy Martyn. “It was Joel’s first game for the club and an example of impact over possessions, although he still finished with 19, 13 contested and 7 tackles, including a Forward 50 holding-the-ball which delivered our first goal. He went into the midfield in the last quarter and was influential, winning some clearances to give us the momentum. “It was the ‘perfect’ Durras Seccull game in his 150th. He was a rock in defence for most of the day, then went forward in the last quarter to help win it.”
Guy Martyn (Old Haileyburians): “We had 18 players aged 22 or under on Saturday, so to come back from 26 points down at ¾ time to finish that was really pleasing to watch. That hopefully gives the group plenty of belief for the weeks to come. Obviously, the 4 points/win right now is huge, but the impact a finish and result like that can have for future games is immeasurable and something we can refer back to.”
For full pictorial coverage of the Seniors' match against University Blacks go to the Gallery
Hearts Match Report
Old Haileyburians 1.1 1.2 3.2 3.2 (20)
De La Salle OC 3.4 6.6 7.8 8.11 (59)
Goals: T.Baxter, L.Guastella, I.Nazaretian
Best: S.Phillips, J.Bettes, L.Guestella, C.Schafter-Jacoby, Z.Clavarino, I.Compton
Debuts: Olivia Fernandez, Isabelle Nazaretian, Marissa Van Heer
De La Salle got the win over Old Haileybury, on what was a huge day for the De La Salle Women’s program with a senior and reserves team running out for the first time. De La Salle coach Andrew Donnison applauded the quality of the opposition as well as the way his team played. “Old Haileybury are a quality side. So, whilst we had the best of the first half on the scoreboard, we were made to work hard all throughout the game to combat their run. It meant that our defence could get to work behind the ball and that the delivery to our forwards allowed them to get into space and create multiple scoring opportunities”.
Old Haileybury coach David Lappage acknowledged De La Salle’s experience against his team’s youth. “(De La Salle was) a bit too experienced for our young girls. They jumped us early, but it was an even second half with two goals each.” He also mentioned two key contributors: “Shalyn Phillips and captain Jas Bettess battled hard all day on ball and key position players Zahra Clavarino and Ivy Compton were good too”.
Men's Reserves Match Report
Old Haileyburians 1.2 2.5 3.6 7.6 (48)
University Blacks 6.7 9.9 14.16 20.19 (139)
Goals: L.Kirkwood-Scott 2, B.Oakes 2, W.Barrie, S.Connolly, E.Hardeman
Best: J.Black, L.Wood, Matthew Cowell, J.Schutz, L.Kirkwood-Scott, W.Barrie
Debut: Charlie Bartel
Under 19's Match Report
De La Salle OC 2 0.0 1.2 4.7 4.9 (33)
Old Haileyburians 5.4 12.6 16.7 22.10 (142)
Goals: T.Carty 5, O.Murphy 5, J.Paitaridis 5, A.Adams, T.Goyal, E.Jones, N.Law, J.McNamara, A.Prokupets, K.Ta
Best: S.James, T.Carty, A.Adams, A.Harrop, O.Murphy, B.Woodman
Debuts: Archie Adams, Oscar Bailey, Kaviru Bala Manage, Tyson Carty, William Cosman, Theeran Goyal, Sam James, Luke Jamieson, Charles McNabney‑Stevens, Jack McNamara, Oliver Murphy, Kenneth Ta, Blake Woodman