VAFA Classic Quarters

The 2nd semi-final proved to be one of the games of the year, certainly the #1 game of the finals series as Uni Blues went searching for their spot in the Grand Final for the first time since 2004. Their opposition Old Xav's were aiming to get back there after claiming the 2016 Premiership. A tight tussle ensued in what was a grand stand finish and a wonderful display of VAFA football.

Join the RSN Carnival commentary team Nick Armistead, Josh Heriot & Joe Pignataro for the full call of the 2nd half.

After a slow start to the year for both Old Brighton and Old Trinity, when they came face-to-face in round 6, the planets aligned for a classic. Only 4 points separated the 2 sides at half time, before Brighton extended the lead to 18 points at 3 quarter time. Trinity didn't let up and through Alex Polidoris they stormed home in the final term. Through his heroics, the dominance of Nic Pavlou and the high-marking of captain Harry Hill, these sides couldn't be split at the final siren with the game finishing in a draw.

Join the RSN Carnival commentary team for the final quarter with Nick Armistead & Joe Pignataro.

It was all an unfortunate case of history repeating for University Blacks in the 2019 Premier B Preliminary Final. 12 months earlier, they fell agonisingly short against Old Carey to advance to the Grand Final and earn subsequent relegation, in September of 2019, it all happened again as they threw everything at Old Scotch on Preliminary Final day. They cut a 21 point half time deficit to 14 points at 3 quarter time but Scotch answered every challenge to play off in the big dance and make their way back to A Grade in 2020.

Join the RSN Carnival commentary team for the final quarter with Nick Armistead, Josh Heriot, Sam Duncan and Joe Pignataro

When round 9 rolled around, Uni Blues were sitting pretty at the top of the VAFA ladder while Collegians were outside the top 4, with 4 wins and 4 losses. Stinging after giving away the 4 points to Old Xav's the week before, Collegians exploded out of the box to stun the Blues with 5 opening quarter goals. They stormed the Uni castle, withstood the challenge and walked away from Uni oval back inside the top 4.

Join the RSN Carnival commentary team with Simon Petch, Hamish McInness, Nick Armistead & Joe Pignataro for the call of the final quarter.

Round 16 of 2019 at the Uni Oval had it all. University Blues were hoping to lock away top spot, Brighton needed to win to stay in touch with Collegians in the race for 4th spot. A hot & in-form Nic Pavlou coming off 54 disposals accumulated at will in this match, but it wasn't enough to overcome the eventual premiers, however Old Brighton served it right up to them and gave them a pre-finals warm up in this classic encounter!

Join Tom Williams, Josh Heriot & Joe Pignataro for the call of the final quarter on RSN Carnival.

When Round 14 rolled around, Collegians needed everything to go right for them in the run to the finals, especially with Old Brighton breathing down their necks. Mid-way through the 3rd term, they held a 39 point lead over Old Melburnians, before OM's stormed the castle and nearly caused a boil over at Elsternwick Park.

Join Joe Pignataro and Nick Armistead for the final quarter on RSN Carnival.

Going into the final round of the home and away season, with Old Carey already confirmed to go down to Premier B. 9th placed De La Salle hosted 8th placed Old Trinity with the winner to stay up in William Buck Premier for season 2020. De La Salle controlled all the statistics throughout the day, but were unable to convert on the scoreboard going in at 3 quarter time 5.19.49 trailing Old Trinity 8.9.57. In Jacob Gotch's final match, De La were unable to finish the better as Harry Tinney & Alex Polidoros kicked truly to in the last term to keep them in the VAFA Premier Division.

Let's relive the final quarter on RSN Carnival with Sam Duncan, Josh Heriot & Joe Pignataro.

Going into Round 10, University Blues had given up top spot on the table after losing in Round 9 to Collegians. While St Bernard's had just 1 win from their previous 5 games. That run of losses looked set to continue as they trailed by 21 points at half time before Adam Bentick put the Snowdogs on his shoulders, keeping Uni scoreless in the 3rd term and helping to put St Bernard's ahead by 5 points at the final change. A tight tussle in the final quarter saw St Bernard's prevail before the double bye, by 7 points.

Let's relive the final quarter on RSN Carnival with Simon Petch & Joe Pignataro.

Round 8 saw Collegians hosting Old Xaverians at Harry Trott Oval. Collegians welcome back Anthony Bruhn's for his first game back after tearing his ACL in 2018, they stormed out to an early lead and had all the ascendancy at 3 quarter, holding a 22 point lead against the then ladder leaders Old Xavier. Whatever was said in the Xav's huddle at 3 quarter time worked as they exploded in the last quarter, coming home with a wet sail kicking 7 goals to 1, finishing 15 point winners!

We pick up the action with Ross Katsambanis, Josh Heriot, Nick Armistead, Simon Petch and Joe Pignataro calling all the action on RSN Carnival.