Round 6 Match Review, 2026
Senior Men's Match Report
Old Haileyburians 2.2 4.3 9.11 15.12 (102)
University Blues 4.5 6.3 13.9 15.13 (103)
Goals: B.Yates 4, J.Blight 3, C.Goonewardene 2, C.Harrop 2, N.Conway, L.Hornblower, J.Paitaridis, B.Seccull
Best: C.Harrop, J.Bell, H.Nosiara, B.Seccull, N.Higgins, B.Yates
Debut in 1sts: James Paitaridis
We were left to rue a number of costly moments in a heartbreaking one point loss to Uni Blues on the weekend. In a game where both sides held the lead in the dying stages, ultimately it came down to fundamental errors at key times which allowed Uni Blues to capitalise and kick some ‘easy’ goals. For large periods of the game, the Haileyburians looked the stronger side and the overall patterns of play suggested the visitors had control in many areas. Whilst not perfect, there was plenty to like across all facets of the game — contest, defence and ball movement — against an experienced Uni Blues outfit.
When considering the age and experience of the group, the performance itself was encouraging. The effort and competitiveness of such a young side continues to impress, however the focus now shifts from honourable losses to finding ways to finish games off and turn strong performances into wins.
Jack Bell produced his best game of the season as the solo ruckman, finishing with 17 contested possessions and ten clearances in an outstanding display around the contest. Charlie Harrop also had his most influential game of the year, to the point where Uni Blues sent a player to run with him in the second half in an attempt to curb his impact. Attention now turns to a crucial clash with St Bernard’s this weekend in what shapes as an important game for the season ahead.
How the VAFA saw the match:
It was a one-point thriller at Princes Park as University Blues just managed to hold off Old Haileybury by the barest possible margin. The Blues led for virtually the entire day, dominating territory early to generate nine first-quarter scoring shots to four and hold a 15-point quarter-time lead, which was trimmed to nine points by half-time when the Bloods flipped the script in the second term. The home team could have been in front, but booted 2.7. They would come to rue that inaccuracy later in the afternoon.
The game opened up into a shootout in the third term, with the Blues kicking 7.3 to 5.2 in a thoroughly entertaining quarter of football that saw the visitors head to the final change with a 22-point lead. However, the Bloods weren’t done yet. Could they come storming home to claim the points as they did in the opening round against the Blacks? Cody Goonewardene kicked the comeback off with a long-range set shot goal one minute in, and when Ned Conway roved a ball-up to finish with a clever snap five minutes later, it was back to an 11-point game, and the momentum was squarely with the hosts.
James Stewart temporarily held back the tide with his fourth goal for the Blues, but when Charlie Harrop marked in the goal square, it was back to a 10-point game at the 20-minute mark, and when James Paitaridis streamed into an open goal, it was game on, with the Bloods back within a kick and only 22 minutes gone. Old Haileybury then hit the front when Lucas Hornblower ran onto a spillage and slammed it through from the goal-line to give the hosts a one point lead as the local crowd went wild at the 23-minute mark.
But it wasn’t over yet, as the Blues surged forward from the centre clearance, resulting in a mark at the top of the goalsquare to Jack O’Sullivan that put the visitors immediately back in front by five. The Blues surged out of the middle again and added a further behind when Jack Hayter’s quick snap hit the post to make it a one-kick game, and when the resultant kick-in was turned over, a long-range Blues shot was touched off the boot. It sailed through the middle, and the single point it delivered turned out to be the critical one. The margin was now 7 points approaching the 28-minute mark.
With no time to waste, Durras Seccull grabbed the footy and launched it long from the kick-in. The Bloods won a clearance on the wing via a beautiful tap to the inside, releasing Hugo Nosiara, who booted it deep inside 50, where Charlie Harrop gathered and snapped truly to bring the margin back within a single point once again. The final two minutes was a desperate scrap, but the Blues ultimately did enough to hang on and rise to third spot after a heart-stopper at Princes Park, while the Bloods now slip two games behind the Top 4 after their second loss by less than a goal this season.
Charlie Harrop was best for the Bloods (19 disposals and two goals), while Jack Bell worked tirelessly in the ruck to finish with 20 disposals (17 contested) and ten clearances, and Hugo Nosiara (25 disposals and nine clearances) was effective as always.
Guy Martyn (Old Haileyburians): “For large parts of the game, we were well and truly on top, and although not perfect, I was happy with all facets for the most part – contest, defence and ball movement. We just shot ourselves in the foot with some bad mistakes. I thought we let it slip with some bad moments that led to ‘easy’ goals for Uni Blues. We talk about patterns and moments (or events). For the large part, I thought the patterns of the game went our way – Blues just capitalised on some fundamental mistakes that proved very costly.
“Jack Bell had his best game for the year as solo ruck, while Charlie Harrop was another who had his best performance of the year – so much so that Uni Blues had someone running with him in the second half. When you consider the age, experience and ‘names’ on paper, I thought we put in a really good effort, but as was pointed out after the game, honourable losses don’t get you anywhere. So, whilst the effort of such a young group is to be commended, that needs to now be the expectation, and we build on that.”
For full pictorial coverage of the Seniors' match against University Blues go to the Gallery
Hearts Match Report
Old Haileyburians 2.3 4.5 9.7 12.11 (83)
Old Yarra Cobras 2 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 (1)
Goals: T.Baxter 4, G.Folwell 3, R.Barbakas 2, K.Langford-Jones, E.Middleton, I.Nazaretian
Best: J.Bettess, Z.Clavarino, G.Elcock, T.Baxter, G.Folwell, I.Compton
Old Haileyburian Hearts hosted Old Yarra Cobras in what was shaping as a big day for the club, with the Ladies Luncheon to follow after the game. The girls were keen to set the tone early — and they did exactly that. Captain Jas Bettess led brilliantly, throwing herself into every contest and setting the standard with her attack on the footy and relentless pressure. In the ruck, Zahra Clavarino dominated around the ground, continually giving the Hearts first use and driving the midfield forward.
With quality delivery inside 50, Tess Baxter and GypsyFolwell made the most of their opportunities, kicking four and three goals respectively in a dangerous forward display. Down back, the Hearts’ defence again stood tall. Key backs Gemma Elcock and Ivy Compton controlled the air, while the “little terriers” Lexie Connell and Abby McLaughlin applied enormous pressure at ground level to repel every Cobra attack. Their efforts ensured the opposition remained scoreless for the third consecutive week.
Leading by four goals at halftime, Coach Lappage challenged the team not only to maintain their defensive standards but to put a side away on the scoreboard. The Hearts responded emphatically, producing a dominant second half to run away 82-point victors and cap off a perfect start to a memorable club day.
How the VAFA saw the match:
Old Haileyburians continued their five-game winning streak with a complete domination over Old Yarra at Princes Park. The Hearts held the Cobras to just a point thanks to a defensive shutdown across all four quarters. Tess Baxter had a day out, kicking four goals, while vice-captain Gypsy Fowell kicked three of her own, and two to Reanna Barbakas. The Heart’s onslaught could have been even greater had they found better position in front of goal, kicking at just 52 per cent efficiency.
Men's Reserves Match Report
Old Haileyburians 1.0 5.0 7.0 7.1 (43)
University Blues 4.7 5.12 11.14 13.19 (97)
Goals: J.Magner 4, A.Bonwick, K.Ta, A.Wright
Best: J.Gown, A.Bonwick, K.Ta, A.Wright, L.Kirkwood-Scott, Michael Cowell
Milestone: Jacob Gown (50 games)
Under 19's Match Report
Old Haileyburians 2.4 2.4 4.7 7.10 (52)
St Kevin’s Old Boys 2 2.2 4.7 5.9 5.9 (39)
Goals: T.Carty 3, J.Waters 2, E.Jones, B.Woodman
Best: J.Waring, W.Dempster, A.Adams, A.Harrop, J.Lasscock, B.Woodman
Our U19s faced a massive test over the weekend, taking on St Kevin’s in a highly anticipated Round 6 clash with both teams sitting at 5-1. On a perfect morning for football, the game started like two heavyweight boxers sizing each other up — plenty of early pressure, but neither able to land a definitive blow. At the first break, we held a narrow lead. The heat was turned up in the second term. St Kevin's capitalised on their opportunities, keeping us scoreless while Jasper Waring and our defensive unit worked tirelessly under immense pressure. Despite trailing at the main break, the boys stayed positive, knowing a few cleaner possessions would turn the tide.
After some half-time tweaks, the group was challenged to stay the course and trust the process. The response was immediate. Momentum swung our way as our ball movement clicked, restricting St Kevin's and leaving us just eight points down heading into the last. By this stage, Blake Woodman was imposing his will on the contest, competing for everything up forward. The final quarter was a masterclass in grit. Our boys found their attacking groove, locking the ball in our forward half and keeping SKOB completely scoreless in the final term to secure a phenomenal character win.