Round 7 Match Review, 2026

 

Senior Men's Match Report

St Bernard’s OC        4.1     6.5     10.6        16.9 (105)

Old Haileyburians     4.4     6.7     8.10     12.14   (86)

Goals: F.Gregor 3, J.Chilcott 2, C.Goonewardene 2, B.Yates 2, B.Findlay, C.Harrop, L.Riley

Best: N.Conway, H.Nosiara, B.Findlay, J.Russell, B.Seccull, N.Higgins

 

Old Haileyburians travelled to St Bernard’s and were right in the contest for most of the afternoon before eventually going down by 19 points.  At half-time, the Bloods felt they had controlled much of the contest but had failed to make the most of their opportunities. Despite creating plenty of chances, they held only a three-point lead at the main break when it could easily have been more.

The game was evenly poised throughout, with the scores level midway through the final quarter. Both sides enjoyed periods of momentum, but St Bernard’s proved more efficient when they were on top and used the energy of their home crowd to finish the game strongly.

While the result was disappointing, there were once again strong contributions from Old Haileybury’s VAFA representative players. Brede Seccull, Hugo Nosiara and Ned Conway all worked tirelessly throughout the afternoon and were among the Bloods’ best performers.  The King's Birthday bye arrives at a good time for the young Bloods, providing an opportunity to refresh, regroup and prepare for the second half of the season.

How the VAFA saw the match:

St Bernard’s scored a critical win – their second of the season – by ultimately seeing off a persistent Old Haileyburians at the Snake Pit, reinforcing once again that EVERY game looms as a danger game at the Pit.  The hosts set the tone early, booting three goals in four minutes to be 17 points up just ten minutes in.  But the Bloods settled into the game and responded with the next six scores of the game – three of them goals – to get back on an even keel, before Cody Goonewardene slotted one at the 28-minute mark to give the visitors a three point quarter-time lead.

The Snowdogs snatched the lead back via Lachie Papley in the opening minute of the second term, before the Bloods booted two goals in as many minutes midway through the quarter. Matthew Watson then hauled down a strong grab and converted from close range to draw the hosts back within two points at the major break.

The arm wrestle continued in the third term, with St Bernard’s booting the first two goals, Old Haileyburians responding with the next two, then the Dogs with two more, before a Flynn Gregor goal at the 25-minute mark reduced the Bloods’ deficit to eight points at three-quarter time.

The game tightened even more when Goonewardene’s second goal was followed by a series of Old Haileyburians behinds that levelled the scores seven minutes into the final term.  Sure enough, the teams exchanged goals once again – Mitch Hughes for the Dogs, followed by Charlie Harrop for the Bloods, and this game appeared destined to go all the way to the wire.

However, as they had done repeatedly throughout the day, Steve Alessio’s team had the answers to nudge back in front once again, and goals to Marcus Holland and Ben Huggard opened up a handy break early in time-on.  Bailey Yates gave another yelp for the Bloods with a goal at the 25-minute mark, but that was their last.  Back-to-back goals to Matthew Watson and Luke Said were followed three minutes later by the sealer from Ben Huggard as the Snowdogs breathed life into their season with a gritty, hard-fought 19-point win.

Brede Seccull continued his good form with 34 disposals and 11 clearances for the Bloods, while Jasper Russell racked up another 34 touches and eight rebound 50s.

It’s a win that could help ignite St Bernard’s season, and they join the Bloods and Blacks on eight points, a game clear of Old Scotch in the race to avoid relegation. The Dogs have proven themselves canny evaders of relegation in the last couple of years, and victories such as this one can prove absolutely critical come the business end of the season.  Old Haileyburians remain in the twilight zone mid-table, two games behind the Top 4 and one game clear of relegation. Much like Bernard’s, they’ll look at their next block of games with some optimism, as well as recognising a couple of critical tests.

Guy Martyn (Old Haileyburians): “Both teams had their periods of momentum, but I feel St Bernard’s were more efficient during the periods they were on top. They definitely lifted in front of their home crowd at the end, and finished off too strong for us.  Our usual suspects – our Big V reps – did a lot of the heavy lifting again: Brede Seccull, Hugo Nosiara and Ned Conway. We need a bit of a break and a circuit-breaker, so the King’s Birthday bye has come at the right time.”

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

 

Hearts Match Report

Prahran/Collegians     2.2     2.4     3.6     4.6 (30)

Old Haileyburians       1.2     3.2     4.3     5.3 (33)

Goals: R.Barbakas 2, S.Allan, T.Baxter, M.Everard

Best: I.Compton, J.Bettess, T.Baxter, S.Phillips, J.Carty, S.Allan

Debut: Meg Cooper

 

Old Haileyburians produced a courageous team performance to defeat Prahran/Collegians by three points at Harry Trott Oval.  Facing one of their toughest challenges of the season, the Hearts were slow out of the blocks and spent much of the opening quarter chasing the football as the home side established an early lead.  A strong response followed the quarter time break, with the Hearts lifting their intensity around the contest, winning more of the football and beginning to control territory.  Their improved work rate paid off as they turned a six-point quarter-time deficit into a four-point half-time lead.

The third quarter was a fierce arm wrestle, with both sides playing tough, physical football. While the Hearts enjoyed plenty of possession and field position, they were unable to fully capitalise on the scoreboard and carried a narrow three-point advantage into the final term.  The game looked set to swing Prahran/Collegians' way when they regained the lead early in the last quarter, but the Hearts refused to yield.  A crucial mark on the goal line from first-gamer Meg helped set up the decisive score, with Maddi Everard ultimately providing the match-winning goal.  From there, the entire team dug deep, applying relentless pressure and keeping the ball locked in their forward half during a tense final five minutes before securing a memorable and thrilling three point victory.

How the VAFA saw the match:

It was a tight contest between the second placed Hearts and third placed Prahan/Collegians. With Prahan/Collegians getting the jump in the first, holding a one goal lead at quarter time – the biggest lead of the day. The Hearts clawed back the lead, finishing three-point victors in a nailbiter.

 

Men's Reserves Match Report 

St Bernard’s OC        4.5     6.7     11.10     16.11 (107)

Old Haileyburians     1.0     3.2         3.3          4.4   (28)

Goals: K.Bala Manage, J.Black, A.Bonwick, N.Mavropoulos

Best: N.Mavropoulos, A.Bonwick, J.Black, Michael Cowell, R.Seccull, J.Gown

Debut: Charlie Bell

Milestone: Liam Riedel (50 games)

 

Under 19's Match Report

Williamstown CYMS     2.0     4.2     6.4     6.9 (45)

Old Haileyburians         2.2     3.6     4.8     8.9 (57)

Goals: K.Mountford 4, T.Carty, J.Lasscock, N.Law, J.Waters

Best: K.Jacoby, W.Dempster, J.McNamara, J.Chamberlain, K.Mountford, J.Lasscock

 

Round 7 saw the Bloods take on Williamstown, which would let us see how far we had come since our Round 2 matchup where Williamstown won by six goals.  With seven changes to the team that played in Round 2 and a whole lot of growth from the group, it was an exciting match ahead.

It was a pretty much perfect day to play, with a slight breeze to the southern end of Fearon Reserve.  We were kicking against the breeze to begin.  The first term started at a frantic pace, with both teams getting the ball forward to create scoring opportunities without really capitalising.  The wings worked hard to get repeat entries, leaving OH up by two points at the break.  The second quarter meant we had the breeze, but we couldn't afford to go all guns blazing as their defensive pressure held us to 1.4, whilst they were able to get it forward and put scoreboard pressure back on us.  At halftime, we were two points down.

In the third term, things started to get spicy with a bit of niggle coming out.  OH settled the best, kicking the next goal of the match to keep us in touch. All the stats looked good; we just couldn't break them defensively.  Williamstown was up by eight points at three-quarter time.  For the final quarter, a few tweaks were made - throwing Will Dempster forward to create a different option, and Jack Mac playing a wonderful last quarter on the wing.  Keegan Mountford also began to work into the game, finishing with four goals as OH charged home to win by 12 points.

A really important win at this point in the season.