Round 9 Recap and Photos
23 June, 2026
Senior Men
Seniors 14-13-97 def Old Melburnians 5-7-37
Best players:
Ben Van Twest, Max Pinchbeck, Caleb Franks, Hugh Johnson, Will Pocknee, Josh Walker.
Goal Kickers:
Josh Walker 5, Will Pocknee 4, Wilson MacDonald 1, Max Pinchbeck 1, Scott Beilby 1, Zac Greeves 1, Caleb Franks 1.
Coaches comments:
We had a big focus on a hot start, and it was executed very well and we gained dominance around the footy and were able to play the quarter in our front half. It was a tight battle from that point on, as we slowly added to our lead. Our ability to handle the conditions the last 2 weeks has been pleasing, with our pressure and ball handling being a highlight. Ben Van Twest gave outstanding drive from the backline. The midfield had another dominant display, lead by Johnson, Pinchbeck and Franks. Josh Walker picked up where he left off with an outstanding display fresh off a long term knee injury. He was well supported up forward by the consistent Will Pocknee who continues to gives opposition backs a headache. Zac Greeves also continued he’s great start in purple and gold, showing his class on numerous occasions. Another big clash this week v De La Salle.
Senior Women
Senior women 0-0-0 def by Hawthorn 8-10-58
Best players:
Sheldon Menzies, Mikayla Collins, Alice Leahy, Ruth Sheridan, Lauren Kenneally, Katelyn Fleming.
Coaches comments:
Our women’s side entered the round significantly undermanned, facing a strong and physical Hawthorn outfit with several highly skilled players. After a three-week break, it was a cold and wet return to action. Hawthorn started strongly, generating multiple forward entries and scoring opportunities to put us under pressure early. The group competed hard throughout the first half and produced some encouraging passages of play. While we were able to match them for periods, Hawthorn’s ability to score quickly and capitalise around stoppages made it difficult to build momentum. Injuries during the game also reduced our flexibility across the ground. Our best football came in the third quarter, where we controlled possession and territory for long periods, keeping the ball locked in our forward half. Unfortunately, we couldn’t convert our dominance onto the scoreboard. Hawthorn regained control early in the final term and added several goals, leaving us with a disappointing result. Despite the scoreboard, the effort and resilience shown by the players never wavered, with the group continuing to compete courageously until the final siren. It was a challenging day, but one the team will learn from as we prepare for another big test against the ladder leaders next week.
Reserves
Reserves 10-3-63 def Old Melburnians 9-2-56
Best players:
Kobi George, Oliver Andrews, Oliver Toussaint, Ben Meachem, Fergus Ekins, Zak Bowes.
Goal kickers:
Kobi George 5, Ben Meachem 2, Jake Cotchin 1, AJ Walker 1, Fergus Ekins 1.
Coaches comments:
An 8-point game! A long way out, but this was an important game in terms of ladder finishing positions. The first thing to say is a big thankyou to the U19 boys who played on Friday night in their win against Old Xavs and then fronted up again on Saturday morning to play Old Melburnians – Finneas Arnold, Will Johnson, Will Scott, and AJ Walker, well done! We started slowly and grimly defended for the first seven minutes in wet and slippery conditions. Gradually we worked ourselves into the game and led at quarter time by five points in a low scoring quarter. The second quarter was much the same as the first, hard work, low scoring, and lots of mistakes (bouncing the ball, not allowing the ball to run over the boundary, too many handballs). A goal on the half time siren, saw Old Melburnians take the led by one point at the half time break. The third quarter was a repeat of the first and second quarter. Two goals each meant that we still trailed by a point at the last break. Kobi George who had been playing deep forward and had kicked four goals, was moved into the midfield and AJ Walker, who had played the night before went from the midfield to deep forward. Two quick goals at the start of the last quarter to Fergus Ekins and Kobi George (now five goals) gave us an 11-point lead. Old Melburnians refused to surrender and worked their way back into the game. It was a one-point game in our favour with five minutes to go. The game became a game of contested stoppages. A free kick to Old Melburnians, was marked strongly by Jake Cotchin just outside the arc. A long bomb from Jake, sailed through the goals and we led by sevenpoints with three minutes to go. Fierce defence by the whole team saw Collegians hold on to win an important game. A Big Thankyou again to the four U19 players, we would not have got over the line without you. It does not get any better than a win over Old Xavs and then a win over Old Melburnians in less than 24 hours!
U19’s
U/19’s 12-8-80 def Old Xaverians 8-8-56
Best players:
Will Johnson, Blake Stack, Will Scott, Finneas Arnold, AJ Walker, Alex Elg.
Goal kickers:
Will Johnson 5, Alex Elg 2, Blake Stack 2, Ned Hartnett 1, Archie Graham 1.
Coaches comments:
Friday night at the Trott under lights post the Wesley Boys First XVIII victory. It was a great set up with numerous brothers represented across both the Wesley First XVIII and the Collegians 19s team. The weather had largely held off until the start of our match vs Old Xavs and it made for a pretty slippery start. Xavs up by a point at quarter time. We had a strong second quarter kicking 5 goals to zero as our backline proved to be impenetrable and provided plenty of rebound. We entered the main break 32 points in front. Xavs came out strongly after half-time and built momentum which proved difficult to stop, fighting back to within 13 points heading into the last quarter. Their momentum continued into the last and they were able to move to within 5 points of us, however a brilliant 3 goal burst saw us run out victors by and even 4 goals. One of our best wins for the season.
Thirds
Thirds 4-5-29 def by Old Brighton 13-19-97
Best players:
Zac Hines, Jamie Tassone, Declan Waddington, Tom Penberthy, Richie Dell, Peter Wren.
Goal kickers:
Aden Castle 1, Nic Crema 1, Tom Penberthy 1, Peter Wren 1.
See photos by Bruce Tobin, Kristin Meachem and Charlie Minogue below
