Finals Round #1 Recap and Photos
9 September, 2026
Senior Men
Senior men 20-9-129 def De La Salle 12-5-77
Best players:
Matt Warren, Ben van Twest, Alex Lukic, Hugh Johnson, Jim Bazzani, Will D’Amico.
Goal kickers:
Alex Lukic 5, Sam Parsons 4, Will Oakley-Kerr 2, Jim Bazzani 2, Scott Beilby 2, Josh Walker 1, Will Pocknee 1, Max Pinchbeck 1, Will D’Amico 1, Campbell Walker 1.
Coaches comments:
It was a pleasing win on Sunday and great to back in A grade. Our second quarter was the highlight, where our pressure and efficiency were immense, resulting in 10 goals. Credit to De La, who fought back strongly in the third quarter, especially with their contested footy. The second half was an arm wrestle, and we come away with some good learnings.
It was hard to select best players, given the even team effort. Matt Warren continues to take the best forward and does a great job. Ben van Twest defended well and gave great offensive drive from the backline. Bazzani and Johnson were huge around the ball. Up forward, Lukic, Parsons, Damico all caused lots of headaches for De La.
An extra break, but our sights are firmly on the next challenge against either De La or Beaumaris in the GF.
Reserves
Reserves 12-13-85 def De La Salle 3-5-23
Best players:
Luke McCleary, Herschel Waters, Kulang Kulang, Wilson MacDonald, Mario McKeown, Will Houghton.
Goal kickers:
AJ Walker 3, Ben Meachem 1, Ben Hill 1, Jake Cotchin 1, Luke Smith 1, Herschel Waters 1, Wilson MacDonald 1, Adam Celik 1, Fergus Ekins 1, Arley Wilson 1.
Coaches comments:
The Men’s Reserves completed a dominant home-and-away season, securing second spot on the ladder. They did so by ultimately winning 15 of their 18 games, earning themselves a double chance heading into the finals.
The week began with the team learning that their qualifying final would be played on a Sunday. This prompted a slight tweak to the carefully crafted pre-game routines of both players and coaches, but one they would prove more than capable of handling. The opponent for Sunday’s match was none other than De La Salle, the only team to have beaten the Reserves multiple times throughout the year. On arrival, the players found ideal football conditions at Elsternwick Park. The sun was shining and a gentle breeze cut across the ground. It is fair to say the conditions were a long way from the ground’s trademark howling wind. There was something else evident as the players arrived: they had come with a mission, win the game and qualify for the Grand Final.
It seemed like hardly any time had passed between the pre-game meeting and the opening bounce, but nevertheless, the players found themselves lined up in position and ready to play their biggest game of the season.
The match began as expected, with both teams attacking the football with intensity and determination. Unlike their previous meetings, Collegians managed to match De La Salle’s efforts. After several goalless minutes, Collegians eventually broke the deadlock, with Wilson MacDonald finishing neatly. The quarter remained a tight contest, with both teams having two shots on goal, but the only major remained with Collegians. The second quarter began much like the first, a tough arm wrestle. At times, De La found players in space and were able to kick two goals for the term. However, Collegians kicked goals of their own. Their ability to hit the scoreboard, combined with great attention to detail defensively, allowed Collegians to kick three goals for the quarter and extend their lead.
Collegians entered half-time 15 points in front of De La Salle. After finishing their line meetings, one theme was clear: this game was far from over. That message was again reinforced by coach Mark Hibbins as the team prepared for a second half that would demand even more from them.
Despite the task ahead, as the players ran out to begin the second half, they carried a steady confidence with them. Within the first few minutes of the third quarter, it was clear that the players had once again risen to the challenge. They not only matched De La Salle, as they had done to that point in the game, but raised the intensity even further with pressure, attention to detail and a willingness to do the basics well. Across all lines, players were chasing, tackling, talking and getting to the ball first. There was rarely an occasion when a Collegians player found themselves outnumbered. The team was committed to doing whatever it took to achieve victory, and that’s exactly what they did. The third quarter ended with Collegians adding a further 13 points to their lead, taking the margin to 28 points heading into the final term. After some light resistance from De La to begin the fourth quarter, Collegians began to assert their dominance. As the final siren sounded, Collegians walked off the ground with a convincing 62-point victory and, more importantly, a spot in the Grand Final. The story isn’t over. One more chapter needs to be written. Whilst there is still plenty of work left to do to achieve the team’s ultimate goal, it is also a good opportunity to reflect. The club is in a wonderfully strong position, however, that has meant a number of core members of the 2026 Reserves squad received some difficult news at the
selection table. I would like to congratulate those players on the way they handled what would undoubtedly have been a difficult situation, and for finding a way to put their own disappointment aside and support their mates on game day.
That kind of selflessness is a reflection of the character within this group, and something the entire club can be proud of.
Photos below by Bruce Tobin & Kristin Meachem
