Round 13 Match Review, 2026

 

Senior Men's Match Report

University Blues        1.5     4.9     10.14     17.18 (120)

Old Haileyburians     0.0     0.0         1.2          3.5   (23)

Goals: W.Barrie, S.Stefanakis, B.Yates

Best: D.Seccull, B.Seccull, H.Nosiara, B.Findlay, A.Harrop, L.Wood

Debut in 1sts: Angus Bonwick

 

It has been one of those seasons for the Bloods.  For much of the year, Old Haileyburians has battled an extraordinary injury toll, and Saturday was no exception, with an incredible 26 players unavailable through injury, many of them long-term absentees. Despite the adversity, the Bloods never stopped competing against the ladder-leading University Blues.  The final scoreboard didn't reflect the commitment and effort shown throughout the afternoon. Taking on the competition's benchmark side while missing so many experienced players was always going to be a monumental challenge, but the Bloods continued to fight until the final siren, refusing to lower their colours.  One of the positives to emerge from another difficult day was the continued development of the club's younger players, who have been forced to shoulder significant responsibility throughout the season. The experience they are gaining now will prove invaluable in the years ahead.

Brede Seccull once again led from the front with another tireless performance through the midfield, while Durras Seccull continued his impressive season with his run and composure.  Hugo Nosiara worked tirelessly despite receiving close attention, and Brodie Findlay battled manfully against a quality ruck division. Archer Harrop continued to show why he has such an exciting future, while Liam Wood was once again dependable in defence, competing strongly under constant pressure.

While the result was disappointing, the Bloods' spirit remains intact, and there is no time to dwell on the loss.  Attention now turns to what shapes as the biggest game of the season. This Saturday the Bloods take on St Bernard's in a must-win clash, with the battle to avoid relegation reaching its defining stage. Every contest, every possession and every moment will matter.  The challenge is significant, but if this group can continue to show the resilience and determination they have displayed all season in the face of incredible adversity, they will give themselves every opportunity to get a win on the board.

How the VAFA saw the match:

The final game of the round saw University Blues seize top spot for the first time since Round 18, 2019, courtesy of a thumping 97-point win over an undermanned and outgunned Old Haileyburians at Melbourne University.  The Blues owned the football from the outset, but early inaccuracy prevented them from taking immediate control on the scoreboard.  The game was almost literally played at one end, with an incredible 24 Inside 50s to one in the opening term. However, credit to the Bloods’ defence, who managed to continually turn back the tide.

James Stewart would boot the only goal for the entire quarter nine minutes in, after which time the Blues kicked five consecutive behinds while holding the Bloods scoreless for the term to lead by just 11 points at the first break.  The hosts’ dominance continued unabated in the second term, as the Blueboys once again owned the Sherrin with a remarkable 122 Disposals to 51 directly leading to 16 Inside 50s to six. But once again, the Blues didn’t take full toll on the scoreboard, booting 3.4 to no score, yet still headed to the major break with a comfortable 33-point lead: 4.9 to 0.0.

It was Old Haileyburians' first goalless opening half since Round 18 last year (when they kicked 0.9 versus Old Scotch). It was their first scoreless opening half in the modern era (2011 onwards).  The Bloods’ first goal finally came four minutes into the third term, when a quick centre clearance resulted in Bailey Yates (who had been swung forward) being held when not in possession. He went back and coolly slotted the set shot from 40 metres out to give the visitors some hope of a revival.  They were beginning to even up the inside battle, however the Blues remained in control of the outside game via intercept marking and uncontested possession chains, and there was a sense that, should the Blues find their range around goal, the dam wall could break in a big way.

It was James Stewart who wielded the sledgehammer.  The former AFL forward exploded to boot five goals for the quarter, as the Blues began to put the Bloods to the sword. By three-quarter time they had extended their lead to 66 points, and Stewart had kicked an incredible 8.4 of their 10.14.  ‘Ten Watch’ was suddenly on at Melbourne Uni Oval, and Blues fans didn’t have long to wait, when Stewart added majors at the four and seven-minute marks to reach double figures.

He would kick his eleventh at the 26-minute mark as the rampaging Blues kicked 7.4 to 2.3 in the final term, powering away to an imperious 97-point win that lifted them above Old Xavs on percentage at the top of the table.  Full credit to the young and inexperienced Old Haileyburians line-up, who never gave up and kept on fighting all afternoon, despite the unflattering scoreboard.

The Seccull brothers (Brede and Durras) were best for the Bloods with 23 touches apiece, while Hugo Nosiara once again stuffed the stats sheet with 35 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 11 Rebound 50s and five Inside 50s in a superb performance.  It was a ‘double whammy’ loss for the Bloods, who not only missed out on the four points, but copped a 6% hit to their percentage as well, which slides them nearer to the clutches of ninth placed Old Trinity – there’s now less 2% separating them in the race to avoid relegation.

Next up, the Bloods must regroup and find a way to get over the Snowdogs at Princes Park. If they can do that, they’ll kick three games clear of the Dogs with just four to play. But if they can’t, only one game will separate them, and should Old Trinity defeat Caulfield, Old Haileybury will slide into the drop zone.  One of the most critical weekends of the entire season awaits!

Guy Martyn (Old Haileyburians): “Our young guys battled hard, but we were simply not good enough. Uni Blues are playing some really good football at the moment. They have plenty of experience, along with a very healthy list that is playing week in, week out.  They simply dominated us all over the ground. In the air, on the ground, their ability to use the open spaces of their home ground.  I watched James Stewart kick 7 goals in a quarter a couple of years ago, but his performance on Saturday was equally impressive.”

For full pictorial coverage of the Seniors' match against University Blues go to the Gallery

 

Hearts Match Report

Old Haileyburians     1.2     2.3     3.5     4.6 (30)

Parkdale Vultures     2.1     4.2     5.3     7.3 (45)

Goals: T.Baxter, I.Compton, G.Folwell, R.Hartney

Best: R.Hartney, S.Phillips, G.Folwell, I.Compton, R.Barbakas, C.Scahill

 

The Hearts suffered just their third defeat of the season on Saturday, going down to fellow premiership contender Parkdale in a hard-fought top-of-the-table clash at Princes Park.  With university holidays and injuries continuing to test the squad's depth, the Hearts once again fielded a remarkably young side.  Despite the challenges, Old Haileyburians was able to name two interchange players - more than their highly fancied opponents.  And despite our youth against an older and more experienced opposition, we never took a backward step in a fiercely contested match.

The game was an arm wrestle for much of the morning, with the Hearts winning plenty of the football and controlling territory for long periods. In fact, Old Haileyburians finished with significantlymore inside 50 entries, but the difference came down to efficiency in front of goal. Parkdale made the most of their opportunities, kicking an accurate 7.3, while the Hearts couldn't quite capitalise on their dominance, finishing with 4.6.

Ruby Hartney produced a best-on-ground performance, collecting possessions at will through the middle of the ground and providing tremendous drive for her team. While they’re normally midfielders, Reanna Barbakus and Shaylyn Phillips competed tirelessly in the ruck, giving away considerable height but never conceding the contest.  Stand-in captain Gypsy Folwell led from the front, working relentlessly to present as a target and setting the standard with her effort and determination up forward.

While the result was disappointing, there was plenty to like about the Hearts' performance against one of the competition's strongest sides. The resilience, effort and commitment shown by such a youthful group reinforced that this team remains a genuine premiership contender.
And we don’t need to wait long for our next big game facing Hawthorn in another blockbuster clash this weekend. The good news is that the squad is set to receive a significant boost, with as many as nine players expected to return from injury and university holidays, giving the Hearts renewed confidence heading into another crucial contest.

How the VAFA saw the match:

With the winner moving to the top of the ladder and the loser slipping to third, this game had huge consequences.  Parkdale got the jump early, kicking two goals to one in the opening term. Unfortunately for Old Haileyburians, they didn’t look back, kicking two goals to one in every remaining quarter.  In the end, they ran away with the win by 15 points and holding onto first place on the ladder.

Old Haileyburians coach David Lappage reflected on his team’s performance and the factors that impacted on it.  “Our young side had too many quality players away on holidays and the experience of Parkdale got a hold of us. Ruby Hartney was best for us playing on all and stand in captain Gypsy Folwell battled hard all day up forward trying to inspire us.”

 

Men's Reserves Match Report 

University Blues        7.3     15.7     18.17     27.21 (183)

Old Haileyburians     1.0       1.0         1.0          1.1     (7)

Goals: J.Schutz

 

Under 19's Match Report 

St Kevin’s Old Boys 2     2.5     6.7     11.10      18.10 (118)

Old Haileyburians          2.3     4.3          4.3          6.9   (45)

Goals: B.Woodman 3, K.Bala Manage, E.Jones, C.Wigney

 

Last weekend, the OHAFC Under 19s took on St Kevin's Old Boys 2 on a wet morning at TH King Oval. With just 18 players available, the odds were certainly stacked against the Bloods.  The first quarter was an even contest, with Old Haileyburians creating several opportunities by getting over the back of the SKOB defence but unable to capitalise on the entries they worked so hard to create. At quarter-time, the Bloods trailed by just two points, 2.5 to 2.3.  The second quarter followed a similar pattern. Old Haileyburians continued to find space behind the SKOB defence but struggled to finish off their good work. The home side made the most of their opportunities to extend the margin to 16 points by half-time.

The second half proved a real challenge with no rotations available, and fatigue inevitably began to take its toll on the group. SKOB kicked five unanswered goals in the third quarter to open up a 49-point lead at the final break.  To the boys' credit, they refused to give in. The Bloods actually had more scoring shots than SKOB in the final quarter, but inaccurate kicking prevented them from making any meaningful inroads, eventually going down by 73 points.

It has been a tough stretch for the group, with a number of players unavailable and several earning well-deserved opportunities in the senior teams. While that has made life difficult for the Under 19s, it is a positive sign for the future of the club. Hopefully, the boys can rediscover their best form when they take on Williamstown this weekend.