Round 2 Match Review, 2026

 

Senior Men's Match Report

Caulfield Grammarians     4.3     5.3       8.7     10.13 (73)

Old Haileyburians              3.1     6.9     7.10       9.15 (69)

Goals: C.Goonewardene 2, H.Nosiara 2, B.Yates 2, F.Gregor, N.Higgins, J.Kennedy

Best: N.Conway, H.Nosiara, M.Sievers, J.Bell, H.Lynch, B.Seccull

Milestone: Hugo Lynch (50 games)

Debut for club: Brodie Findlay

 

It was a heart-wrenching 4-point loss for the Bloods on the road against Caulfield Grammarians, falling 9.15 (69) to their 10.13 (73). Our midfield general, Hugo Nosiara, was exceptional with two goals, 26 disposals, and a massive eleven clearances, driving the team forward all day. Brede Seccull and Brodie Findlay both battled hard early, each registering four tackles in a fierce first term.

Ultimately, our inaccuracy in front of goal proved costly in this  tight contest. The opening quarter saw us under early pressure, with Caulfield Grammarians kicking four goals to our three, leading by eight points (27-19) at the first break. However, the team responded magnificently in the second quarter, exploding with three goals while restricting our opponents to just one major.

This strong surge saw Old Haileyburians claim a  twelve point lead at half-time, 45-33, a testament to our resilience and fighting spirit. Afterthe main break, Caulfield Grammarians clawed their way back in a challenging third quarter, taking a three point lead, 55-52. Hugo Nosiara continued to inspire, adding a crucial goal and five clearances in that term to keep us in the fight.

The final quarter was an absolute nail-biter, with both sides kicking two goals, but we simply couldn't get back in front. Our side pushed relentlessly, but the lead just remained out of reach. The final scoreboard read 73 to 69 points, a truly narrow defeat. A major statistical difference was in tackles, where Caulfield Grammarians had 94 to our 66, highlighting their defensive intensity. Hugo Nosiara was clearly our best, showcasing his all-around brilliance. We need to build on the strong patches and address our tackling output to ensure we come out on top in such close encounters next week.

How the VAFA saw the match:

The first thriller of the round was at Glen Huntly Park as two late goals saw Caulfield Grammarians win a nailbiter over Old Haileyburians.  The Fields had been impressive all day in their gritty 19-point loss to Old Scotch in the opening round, while the Bloods had come from the clouds to pull off an incredible last-quarter comeback win over Uni Blacks. It was a combination of results that made this game virtually impossible to predict.

Caulfield kicked with a strong wind and seized the initiative with the first two goals, before the Bloods booted the next three against the breeze.  These early momentum swings would indeed be an indicator of things to come, as Oscar Roberts – who had been repurposed as a forward – booted two late majors to give the Fields an eight point lead at the first change.

But, sure enough, Old Haileybury responded with the wind at their backs and controlled all scoring for the first 17 minutes of the second term. Unfortunately for Guy Martyn’s men, they couldn’t take full toll, booting 2.4, before a Caulfield goal to Flynn Ellis was cancelled out by a late goal to Bailey Yates as the Bloods hit half-time with a  twelve point advantage.

The breeze dropped a little after half-time, but Caulfield Grammarians were still able to control the early stages of the third term. But Paul Satterley’s men made slightly more of their chances, adding 3.3 to get their noses seven points in front, before Hugo Nosiara goaled to reduce the margin at the final break to just three points.

Early in the final term, it was Caulfield’s turn to be wasteful – the Fields peppering away, only to score five behinds in the first ten minutes.  The Bloods rallied, and seized momentum back with two goals in a minute to hit the front midway through the term. They led by five points entering time-on, before Caulfield’s Dylan Ting had his say.  His opportunist goal at the 22-minute mark put the Fields back in front by a single point, with scores levelled a minute later.  He then bobbed up again at the back of the pack to restore Caulfield’s six point lead at the 26-minute mark – his third goal for the afternoon proving to be the decisive one.

Try as they might, the Bloods just couldn’t find the response, with two late behinds reducing the margin to 4 points but handing Caulfield Grammarians their first Premier Men’s win since Round 6 of 2023.  The team they beat that day? Yep, Old Haileyburians at Glen Huntly Park!

Guy Martyn (Old Haileyburians): “We were really poor at some fundamental basics – spoiling from behind, defensive accountability, talk/communication. We also didn’t play the windy conditions well. 3.8 to 1.0 in the second quarter says a bit, and we continually wasted time in the dead pocket.  Then, as the wind died off as the game went on, we didn’t adjust back to ‘normal’ conditions and just presumed the wind (which had gone) would do it for us.

“Caulfield made it really hard for us to score, and we couldn’t work our way through it – continually kicking long to contest/numbers. The two goals Caulfield then kicked in the last quarter are really hard to watch and simply not acceptable at this level.  This week, we’ll acknowledge the non-negotiable football stuff we were really poor in. These are mindset, not talent or ability. Two games in with a new group means we can continue to refine our style – we learnt a lot, and we’re looking forward to challenging the best team in the comp this coming week.”

For full pictorial coverage of the Seniors' match against Caulfield Grammarians go to the Gallery

 

Hearts Match Report

Fitzroy                        0.0     1.0       2.0        3.2 (20)

Old Haileyburians     2.5     3.8     3.14     7.15 (57)

Goals: G.Folwell 4, R.Barbakas, T.Baxter, L.Guestella

Best: C.Irving, L.Guestella, C.Scahill, Z.Clavarino, R.Barbakas, T.Baxter

Debut: Ciara Scahill

 

The Hearts travelled to Fitzroy to face a side coming off a 100-point Round 1 win, determined to respond after their De LaSalle loss. With the wind early, the Hearts controlled play but managed just two goals due to inaccuracy. Their pressure lifted in the second quarter, restricting Fitzroy to a single goal and building a 20-point halftime lead.

Despite losing Claire Shafter-Jakoby, Claudia Irving stepped up in the midfield, leading a relentless team effort. The pressure was so fierce that a Fitzroy parent later remarked, “Those Haileybury girls are scary.” It summed up the Hearts’ physical, uncompromising approach. Old Haileyburians maintained control in the second half to run out 37-point winners, though their 7.15 suggests it could have been much more. Shay Phillips was strong on-ball, Leesa Guastella controlled half-back, debutant Ciara Scahill impressed, Zahra Clavarino competed well in the ruck, and Gypsy Folwell kicked four goals, with Tess Baxter and Reanna Barbakas adding pace.

How the VAFA saw the match:

Old Haileyburians got off to a great start however, plagued by inaccuracy, were unable to take advantage. Despite this, Fitzroy were also unable to hit the scoreboard in the first term, until they found their rhythm in the second and third, where Fitzroy were right in the game before the more experienced Old Haileyburians kicked away in the last sealing the win.

Old Haileyburians coach David Lappage was impressed with his team. “(They) were great from the first bounce. Their tackle pressure was incredible.” As well as being impressed by a few individual efforts. “Our best was Claudia Irving in the centre, Zahra Clavarino in the ruck, Shalyn Phillips and Jas Bettess led from the front. Gypsy Fowell … moved from being a defender last year and kicked four.”

Lappage did make note of his side’s inaccuracy and that they may not have played Fitzroy’s best side. “Fitzroy smashed their opponents last week; there were only a couple of girls in that team that played against us.”

 

Men's Reserves Match Report 

Caulfield Grammarians     5.4     7.6     14.8     15.11 (101)

Old Haileyburians              0.0     3.2       4.2          5.4   (34)

Goals: A.Bonwick, Matthew Cowell, T.Goyal, L.Kirkwood-Scott

Best: L.Wood, J.Black, L.Burfurd, P.Gleadhill, Matthew Cowell, L.Kirkwood-Scott

Debut: Jamie Fleming

 

Under 19's Match Report

Old Haileyburians         0.3     2.6     9.10       9.11   (65)

Williamstown CYMS     2.4     8.5       9.7     15.12 (102)

Goals: T.Carty 4, E.Jones 2, L.Jamieson, N.Law, J.McNamara

Best: J.Waring, S.James, E.Jones, T.Carty

Debuts: William Dempster, Kennedy Jacobi, Hayden Rexhepi

 

Round 2 saw Old Haileyburians take on Williamstown, with both sides coming off strong wins. The first quarter was a bit of an arm wrestle, with the Bloods not making full use of the wind or the scoring opportunities they created, managing only three behinds. Williamstown kicked 2.4 and began to build some momentum. In the second term, Williamstown started to get on top, using the ball well to create a number of opportunities. The Bloods were not out of the game, however, and at times showed signs of breaking it open. Old Haileyburians had six scoring shots to Williamstown’s seven.

After the main break, the boys came out ready to respond and work their way back into the contest. Strong tackling, relentless pressure and positive, controlled ball movement helped break the game open, with Old Haileyburians scoring 7.4 to Williamstown’s 1.2. The Bloods were back in front at three-quarter time. In the final quarter, the wind picked up and the game opened up. Williamstown went on to win by 37 points.

Not the result we wanted; however, there were plenty of positives to take from the match. The better players were Jasper Waring, Sam James, and Emerson Jones, while Tyson Carty continued his strong form, booting another four goals.