Round 9 Match Review, 2026
Senior Men's Match Report
Old Haileyburians 2.1 9.2 9.3 12.7 (79)
Caulfield Grammarians 3.5 7.6 9.14 10.18 (78)
Goals: W.Barrie 3, J.Magner 3, J.Blight 2, D.Seccull 2, H.Nosiara, B.Seccull
Best: D.Seccull, B.Seccull, J.Bell, J.Russell, K.Turner, H.Nosiara
If you haven't seen the finish yet, chances are you've been living under a rock. In one of the most dramatic endings you'll see in local football, Old Haileybury snatched a one-point victory over Caulfield Grammarians thanks to two late goals from Durras Seccull in the
dying minutes, including the match-winner after the final siren. The game itself was a tight, hard-fought contest from start to finish. Neither side was able to gain complete control, with momentum swinging throughout the afternoon and both teams having opportunities to put the game away. With a slight breeze favouring our end late in the match, there was a sense we would finish strongly, but as the clock ticked down it looked increasingly unlikely. Enter Durras.
While the final two goals will understandably dominate the highlights package, his contribution across the entire game was outstanding. Playing largely across half-back, Durras continually repelled Caulfield attacks, taking several intercept marks and providing plenty of drive before producing a finish that will be talked about around the club for years. His brother, Brede Seccull, was once again a midfield workhorse, winning a mountain of contested possessions and clearances, while Mitch Kirkwood-Scott and Jasper Russell were influential
across half-back with their composure, ball use and ability to generate attack through their run and carry.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the day, however, was the continued development of some of our younger players. There were some really encouraging moments from James Blight, Lucas Hornblower and Nick Mavropoulos, with all producing what was arguably their best senior games to date. As a group, they are beginning to look increasingly comfortable at senior level and showing signs that they can become important contributors in the second half of the season. The old football cliché says good teams find a way to win when they're not at their best. On Saturday, we certainly found a way.
How the VAFA saw the match:
Old Haileyburians pulled off a miraculous last-gasp win over Caulfield Grammarians at Princes Park. The Fields had the breeze in the opening term, and booted the opening three goals inside 11 minutes, before two late majors to Will Barrie and James Magner reduced the Bloods’ deficit back to ten points at the first change. A free-flowing, high-scoring second term saw Old Haileyburians boot seven goals to four and take an eight point advantage into half-time – Barrie and Magner with three goals apiece to the major break.
The third quarter would prove to be crucial. The Fields dominated territory with the breeze (17 Inside 50s to seven), but squandered their opportunity to open a match-winning lead by kicking 2.8 to 0.1. What could have been a huge margin for the Bloods to chase down became just 11 points at three-quarter time.
But to Caulfield’s credit, they didn’t make the chase-down easy for Old Haileyburians. James Blight goaled for the Bloods nine minutes in to make it a four point game, but the Fields responded through skipper Jack Ellwood to re-establish a 10-point buffer. The next 16 minutes saw the two teams exchange a series of behinds as the tension steadily built, and approaching the 26-minute mark of the final term, it was still Caulfield by 11 points with time running out for the Bloods.
Enter Durras Seccull. He had been outstanding all afternoon, racking up intercept marks across half-back before Guy Martyn threw him forward late to try and swing the game. He was held in a marking contest 40 metres out, directly in front, then went back and drilled the set shot with authority to make it five points with 26 minutes gone.
A couple of players down, Caulfield was scrapping hard and trying to close the game down, while the Bloods had no option but to open the game up and go for broke. A free kick for insufficient intent on the outer wing saw Old Haileyburians launch it long to a big pack 40 metres from goal. When the dust settled, it was Durras Seccull with ball in hand once again, after hauling down a superb contested pack mark.
The ground hushed, as Seccull went back to take his set shot. It left the boot well, was on line and distance was now the only question. Caulfield’s defenders soared into the air to try and get a finger on it as it crossed the goal-line… and it just made it. The goal umpire signalled a major as the final siren sounded – Old Haileyburians pulling off a miraculous last-kick win to breathe life back into their season, as Durras Seccull’s boot kicked them a game clear of the drop zone.
The Bloods players leapt for joy and swamped the hero of the hour, as Caulfield were left stunned – hands on heads, unable to immediately process the four premiership points having been snatched away from them at the death. They had given their all for four quarters, but footy can be an unforgiving game. 28 scoring shots to 19 in favour of the Fields, but they didn’t capitalise on their chances, and that ultimately came back to bite them.
Seccull was judged best afield for his 21 disposals, ten marks, six Rebound 50s and two late match-winning goals, while his brother Brede was also superb, with 26 touches (17 contested), seven tackles, nine clearances, 13 Inside 50s and a goal. Mitch Kirkwood-Scott returned from VFL duties to rack up 37 disposals and 15 Rebound 50s, while Jasper Russell continued his stellar season with 34 and eight Rebounds for the Bloods.
It was a huge win for Old Haileybury, who bounced back from last week’s 91-point humiliation at the hands of SKOB to snap their four game losing streak and jump a game clear of the relegation zone. It was even more important given they will face the league-leading Xavs, then one of the teams currently in the drop zone – Old Scotch – in the next two weeks before the second bye.
Guy Martyn (Old Haileyburians): “A game where both teams had periods of momentum throughout and it obviously could’ve gone either way. Apart from last week, where we were comprehensively beaten, we’ve been in all of our games and had a couple of ‘honourable losses’, so it was probably time the footy Gods did us a favour, and we perhaps snatched one.
“A spectacular finish with Durras Seccull kicking the final two goals, but it shouldn’t be overlooked how good he was throughout the entire day – taking plenty of intercept marks across half back before going forward late in the game. Mitch Kirkwood-Scott and Jasper Russell were great, providing run and ball use off half back, as well as Brede Seccull, again a workhorse in the middle of the ground.
“A really tough game against Xavier this upcoming week and it will take something special to get a win there, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
For full pictorial coverage of the Seniors' match against Caulfield Grammarians go to the Gallery
Hearts Match Report
Old Haileyburians 2.5 2.5 5.11 8.15 (63)
Caulfield Grammarians 3 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.1 (7)
Goals: G.Folwell 5, R.Hartney 2, C.Haydn-Evans
Best: S.Phillips, G.Folwell, Z.Clavarino, L.Pang, I.Compton, T.Baxter
Despite some ominous weather earlier in the day, the clouds cleared just in time and the Hearts got first use of a slight breeze, kicking to the left of screen after winning the toss. They wasted no time stamping their authority, dominating the midfield with fierce pressure and repeat forward entries. The only thing missing early was polish in front of goal, as a string of behinds threatened to blunt their momentum. Eventually Gypsy broke the drought midway through the term, settling the side before adding a second later on. Caulfield snuck a goal against the run of play, but the Hearts still looked comfortably on top, heading into the first break with a handy lead.
With the breeze at their backs, Caulfield looked to respond and opened the scoring with a behind. What followed, however, was a scrap worthy of a winter classic. Both sides dug in, but it was the Hearts’ backline that really stood tall — calm under pressure, smart with the footy, and unwilling to give an inch. That early behind proved to be the only score for the entire quarter, as defences well and truly took centre stage.
The Hearts came out with purpose in the second half. Owning both possession and territory, they controlled the third term from start to finish. The ball lived in their forward half, and while the scoreboard ticked over steadily, it could have been a much bigger score with a little extra accuracy. Still, the margin ballooned to 34 points by the final change. Thoughts of a tricky final quarter against the wind were quickly put to bed. Instead, the Hearts delivered their most dominant quarter of the day — running harder, spreading smarter, and consistently outnumbering their opponents at the contest. Three more goals followed, along with a flurry of scoring shots, as they slammed the door and put the finishing touches on a commanding performance.
In the end, it was a clinical team effort from the Hearts, who combined midfield dominance, defensive resilience and relentless work rate to run away convincing winners. While the inaccuracy early may have kept things interesting for a while, their overall control of the game never looked in doubt — a polished, professional performance with plenty to like across all four quarters.
How the VAFA saw the match:
Old Haileyburians continued their winning streak with a commanding performance against Caulfield. After a close first quarter, the Hearts held an 11-point lead. However, the Grammarians were unable to add to the majors column for the rest of the game with the Hearts defence only letting through a single point for the remainder of the match. Hearts vice-captain Gypsy Fowell kicked five goals as inaccuracy plagued the Hearts, kicking at 32 per cent efficiency for the day. It didn’t matter in the end though, with the Hearts taking away a 56-point victory and equalling Parkdale on points, only trailing by percentage.
Men's Reserves Match Report
Old Haileyburians 1.3 3.3 5.5 6.5 (41)
Caulfield Grammarians 3.2 5.7 7.11 11.15 (81)
Goals: E.Hardeman 2, C.Connelly, J.Gillon, J.Munro, N.Traficante
Best: S.Connolly, Matthew Cowell, E.Hardeman, J.Gillon, S.Stefanakis, A.Bonwick
Under 19's Match Report
Old Haileyburians 4.0 7.1 11.3 12.10 (82)
De La Salle OC 2 2.1 4.1 5.1 5.3 (33)
Goals: J.Marshall 3, O.Murphy 3, W.Sando 2, T.Carty, W.Hardeman, J.McNamara, J.Paitaridis
Best: C.Wigney, A.Adams, O.Bailey, T.Hendrie, J.McNamara, J.Chamberlain
Round 9 saw the young Bloods take on the De La Salle 2 team from East Malvern. With a heavy 10 track forecast for the weekend the game turned out to be wet and slippery at the beginning however dried off as the game went on. The first quarter was relatively even in the game and on the scoreboard. OH kicking four straight against the wind was the difference. Our small forwards ran riot down forward.
In the second quarter we had the wind and to De La Salle's credit were up for the fight and applying pressure to all parts of our game, not allowing us to get any sustained momentum. Half time and the message was simple, get the ball forward and invade the opposition back
half. In the second half the team lifted and started to move the ball much better and were creative and composed with the ball in hand. OH piling on 4.2 to De La Salle's single goal with the wind.
The final quarter and the team started to hit their straps, creating fast flowing ball movement from the back half and getting very dangerous looks at goal. Unfortunately the straight kicking stopped in the final quarter for the young Bloods kicking one goal and seven behinds. Another win and we are now sitting on top, with a top of the table clash against Old Melbournians this weekend at the home of the VAFA.