St. Bernard's OC Football Club - VAFA - Melbourne

_THE LATE MAIL

Ressies And Pups Both Through To Grand Finals!

Yeees! Where in the GF! .. the boys are all smiles after a hard fought win at Elsternwick Park

Reserves: Ressies Show True Grit and Book Grand Final Spot!

Jossa BOG
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St Bernards 6.6 (42) def Uni Blacks 4.6 (30)

Our Best: Alex Jolley, Mick O'Dea, Jesse Manunzio, Jim Moloney, Mark Salvadori, Kyle Dalmau
Goals: Salva 3, Harris, C.Mitchell, Bugryn

After the angst of mid week selection where coach Nick Smith had to leave out eight players who all had a case it was time to focus minds on beating Blacks who had held top spot all year and who had a number of senior players in the line up.

It was a tough slog all day in the slippery conditions with Bernards showing great tenacity all over the park and really earning the 19 point margin we held at the last break.

Would it be enough against the stiffening breeze? .. Early in the last Salva snatched a mark on the goal line and his conversion gave us the breathing space we needed.

From there on the Bernards boys showed terrific desperation to hold Blacks to 2.1 for the quarter giving the Ressies a well deserved 12 pt win and into the big one we go!

Josh Ryan did a great job in the ruck

Josh Smith flies in the tense last stanza

Tired but happy .. the boys are in the big one Sat 18th Sept!

Under 18: Pups Off The Leash and Barking!

St Bernards will play in its second consecutive Under 18 Grand Final after upsetting St Johns in the Prelim final at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Saturday.

After an even first quarter St Bernards trailed by 4 points but whatever coach Anthony Sullivan said at quarter time worked as the Pups went bezerk in the second stanza slamming on 8.2 while holding St Johns scoreless.

After that blistering second term St Johns fought back and actually outsored St Bernards 2.7 to 2.3 in the last half but it was all over early into the last stanza.

Aside from those named in the best six below we had every player contribute. Matt Sargent, Charlie Connelly, James Weir Mark Kelly, Liam Bevanda, Matt Gurrisi and Sam Firth were terrific and in the wet and "Guririsi" conditions Andrew Gurrisi really showed his value in the second half.

The Pups finals form has been red hot and they will enter the Grand Final next week confident that they can match it with VU/UHS Flemington who have been the top side in the home and away season.

St Bernards: 11.6 (72) def St Johns 3.11 (29)
Our Best: James Bennie, Peter Lenoury, Michael Sulzberger, Tom Lynch, Jake van Meel, Andrew Graham
Goals: P. Lenoury 2, A. Graham 2, C. Connelly , J. Weir , M. Sulzberger , L. Bevanda , J. Bennie , M. Kavanagh , J. Pignataro

Next week - Grand Final
St Bernards v VU/UHS Flemington
Sunday 12th September
Highgate Reserve, 229 Grand Bld. Craigieburn

Andrew Gurrisi

derftg

Go the Pups!

St Bernards capped off a terrific year in the WRFL with two of our boys winning Competition Best and Fairest awards.
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Brandon Davies took out the Under 13 B&F with team mate Matthew Modica Runner Up and Tom Madden won the Under 16C B&F.

full story .. click here

Thirds: Brave Comeback Falls Agonisingly Short!

Coach Mono, dissapointed in the 4 point loss but very proud of his boys gutsy performance

Franky Mono had some concerns earlier in the week over selection with a number of players likely to miss out on this weeks finals action but as it turned out a few injuries and unavailables left Mono with a bare 22 to face up to Uni Blacks.

After an even first half Uni Blacks slipped away in the third quarter and at the 15 minute mark things looked a little grim as Blacks kicked 28 points clear. But the Bernards boys dug deep and with Andrew Ciantar, Jimmy Stapo and Mounty getting on top in the stoppages the boys snatched three late goals to narrow the margin to 8 points at the last break.

Dave Kavanagh, Jesse Creasey and the Bear were now starting to look dangerous up forward and Bernards were all over Blacks hitting the front and holding a slender 2 point lead at the 25 minute mark. Just when we looked home Uni Blacks pounced on a loose ball, shot it forward and goaled with 45 seconds left on the clock. Yes we were stiff but well done to Mono and the boys on a gutsy effort!

Uni Blacks 8.9 (57) def St Bernards 8.5 (53)
Our Best: Mount, Ciantar, Evans, Weir, Stapleton, Flannery Goals: D.Kavanagh 2, J.Stapleton, J.Creasey, A.Johnston, G.Breheney, L.Baird, J.Mount

Mono gets some help at Thirds selection Thursday night

Mounty BOG

gthyjuk

Grant Breheney

Under 19: Bernards Beaten in a Photo!

Coach Damien Sullivan

In a high standard game under lights at Elsternwick Park St Bernards and Carey were evenly matched and scores remained close all night. When Isaac Madden goaled in the last stanza to put Bernards eight points clear it looked like we had the momentum, however, a late lunge by Carey with 10 mins left gave them a 1 point lead at the 31 min mark before a goal after the bell produced a final margin of 7 points.

Simon Caven was terrific over the four quarters as was Harry Overman. Jack Saundry was in everything, Keiran Farrell hit top gear in the second half and Evan Cole was a rock down back.

It was a dissapointing end to a solid year by Damien Sullivan's boys but with most of the squad still U19 next year and five U19 boys playing seniors this season we can expect some big things from the group into 2011 and beyond.

Our Best: Simon Caven, Harry Overman, Jack Saundry, Keiran Farrell, Evan Cole Goals: D.Wall 2, S.Jones 2, B.Cooper, L.Sullivan, I.Madden, S. Caven, J.Gay

Simon Caven BOG

U12s Take Flag in a thriller! .. U13s Pipped by two Points!

St Bernards Under 13's were desperately unlucky to be pipped by two points by Altona in their Grand Final but had a terrific year. The Mighty Under 12's also fought out a thriller against Hoppers Crossing before snatching the flag by six points!

Match details and photos .. click here

Shocking Luck For Josh Kassis!
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After succesfully over coming knee surgery from last season Josh Kassis has had another set back and will require a knee reco. Terrible news for Josh and the club particularly as Josh was just starting to find red hot form and looked set to have a great finals series with the Ressies.

The positive is that its not the same knee as last time and with Josh's youth, talent, and the fact that he has already overcome a similar injury he can no doubt look forward to resuming his footy career!

We should know more by Thursday night .. In the meantime best wishes to Josh from all at Bernards!

Josh Kassis

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Rd 18: Undermanned Bernards Give Hoers Finals Fright!

Rd 18 Seniors:
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On paper it didn't look promising, Old Ivanhoe were playing for a finals spot on their home turf and St Bernards, decimated by injuries in recent weeks had slid from 3rd spot to be out of finals contention. Missing stars Byrne, Overman, Indomenico and several other key players most supporters felt a win was unlikely.

But the Bernards boys gave it a red hot shot and there was one significant inclusion, Josh Madden .. after twelve weeks overseas, Josh rocked up and preceded to take Ivanhoe's star forwards apart and in the process take mark of the year! Madden's performance inspired the side in the first quarter as Bernards shocked the Hoer's with a four goal lead which should have been much greater but for some poor disposal.
Full Story and all Round 18 match reports .. click here

Josh Madden starred after 12 week break

Pictured right:
'Up and Comers'
From left:
Jake Forder 20, Keiran Farrell 18, Sam Scott 21, Sam Jones 18

Rd 17: Battling Bernards Beaten By Blacks!

A terrible run of injuries in the past few weeks has finally put paid to St Bernards finals aspirations after Saturdays loss to Uni Blacks. In an extraordinarily even year we are only two games out of second place but a que of sides remain ahead of us with one game remaining ... full story and all rd 17 match reports on RESULTS page


	Bad Break For Hogi!		Hogi
	Talk about bad luck .. in the last minute of the Ressies game Ben Hogan received a knock that resulted in three fractures in his arm that required surgery on Sunday. Hogi would like to thank everyone for their phone calls and messages of support and assure all that while he won't be donning the famous No.12, he will still be a part of the clubs finals campaign.		Hogi


	Rd 16: Bernards Fall Well Short Of The Mark At Bulleen!
	After a competitive first half an undermanned St Bernards could not hold off a rampant Carey line up at Bulleen on Saturday and will now rely on some unlikely upsets to make the finals. ... full story and all grades Match Reports click here
	Hogi and Stapo que up for a speccy against Carey on Saturday


	Round 15: Seniors: Shocker Bounces Bernards From 3rd to 6th! Reserves: Ressies Slow Start Before Last Half Blitz! Thirds: Bernards Burn Whitefriars At 'the Pit' Under 19: Undermanned 19s Go Down To Fitzroy! Under 18: Pups Also Undermanned But Get The Points! Match Reports .. click here

	Congratulations 'Shagga' on 2010 B&F Former senior star Daniel Janides was named Best & Fairest for 2010. Owen McIntyre was Runner Up, Jimmy Stapleton took out the Most Determined Award, Peter Villani Most Consistent and Clarke Mitchell won the Coaches Award. Pics below Well done to Miracle Mel Beyer who selflessly cut his career win ratio to shreds this season and along with Team Manager Deb Marinier and Trainer Chris Tandy held the ship afloat in a very difficult year for the hordes in Division One. Some of the boys will train on with the Thirds and hopefully a few will help out with water etc for Seniors, Ressies, Thirds sides for the remainder of the year		Daniel Janides B&F
	left: Scatters presents the Scarborough Family Shield to Daniel Janides following his B&F win, right: Mel Beyer presents the B&F Runner Up trophy to Owen McIntyre Peter Villani Most Consistent Clarke Mitchell Coaches Award
	The Warriors crew at Saturday nights Awards

	Round 14: Seniors: St Bernards Take Third Spot After MHOB Win! There were moments of brilliance but they were in between big patches of average footy as St Bernards gradually overcome a very determined MHOB's outfit. Bernards held sway all day but never got motoring until the last quarter when they rammed on 8.6 before taking the game by 71 points. Full story and all Match Details go to RESULTS page

	Round 13: Miracle On Beryl Street!
	A happy crew .. Paddy, George, Bocca and Scotty belt out the song! Seniors: This was always going to be a test of St Bernards depth and there were some pre match concerns with a number of players out against a full strength Hampton Rovers line up. The gale force wind was described by Scatters as the strongest he's seen in over 30 years at 'the Pit' and at the 20 min mark of the third quarter even the most optimistic of the Bernards faithful had conceded the game was lost as Bernards trailed by 47 points .. full story and all Match Reports .. click here

Tom Liberatore Named All Australian!

Congratulations to Tom Liberatore on being named 'All Australian' following this week's completion of the National Under 18 Titles.

Younger brother of current seniors best and fairest winner Chris and older brother to Oliver (Under 11's) Tom played all of his Junior football at St Bernards before heading to Calder Cannons last season. Tom and fellow Bernards boy Mitch Wallis both starred for the Vic Metro side with Mitch named captain but unfortunately he was injured and missed a couple of games.

Both Bernards boys have enhanced their draft chances with strong performances for Calder and Vic Metro in this season.


Above: Tom starring for Vic Metro iat the national carnival. Right: Tom after St Bernards U16 Grand Final win in 2008


	All The Silverware Is In Raffs Trophy Room! . After St Bernards victory over Old Essendon last Saturday the club has all of the VAFA perpetual trophies in the cabinet at the one time .. full story .. click here


	Rd 12: Bernards Take Madden-Fletcher Cup, Equal Top - Then Party!
Lets Party! Over 260 Players and Supporters gathered at Docklands on Saturday night for the 2010 Players Ball and celebrated Saturdays big win in style! Stars of the Player Review Harves and George did a brilliant rendition of life at 'the Pit' but were knocked off by a monster performance from Marty Byrne and Irish O'Dea

	Rd 11: Seniors: Strong Last Quarter Gets Bernards Home!
	All week the message was that Old Essendon were playing their Grand Final and while their season was in a mess this was the game they wanted. With only one win over top side Carey Old Ess are now virtual certainties for the dreaded double drop and it may be a while before the Madden - Fletcher Cup leaves 'the Pit' .. full story and all Rd 11 Match Reports go to RESULTS page

	Bernards Boys Star For VAFA State Sides and in U18 Championships!
	Congrats to Alex Singleton, Tom Overman and Tom Caven who all played well in the VAFA U/21 side's big win over AFL Qld at Southport on Saturday. The U21 side has a real 'Bernards' feel with three players plus Ian Wheeler on board as Head Trainer and Mick Overman as Team Manager. Well done also to Nicholas Cooke who performed well in the VAFA U19 Rep side's big win over VCFL at Sportscover Arena on Sunday.		. Tom Caven, Alex Singleton and Tom Overman

	Funny Moment at 'the Pit'
	During the Ressies pre match .. Mick 'Irish" O'Dea's number one fan 'Chops the wonder dog' set the tone before a ball was bounced in anger .. as the Carey boys were jogging back from their pre match warm up in a tight huddle 'Chops' like his hero 'Irish' simply wanted the footy and charged into the Carey pack knocking over five Carey boys and coming out with the footy!
	. Chops in his No.36 gurnsey was in disgrace after knocking over a few Carey boys .. but all smiles after Irish was named in the best players for the Ressies


	New Players ... St Bernards Is The Place To Be!

St Bernards is the biggest and most successful VAFA club in the region and is on the look out for new recruits for the 2010 season ... some of the key benefits in representing St Bernards include: The club’s infrastructure and support matches VFL clubs with superb facilities including new clubrooms and social club, boxing gym, swimming pool and synthetic hockey courts. We have a first class coaching panel, including specialist skills, development, conditioning and boxing coaches supported by professional trainers and physio support services. St Bernards enjoys broad community support with a strong business network that enables us to provide great player amenities and a range of potential employment opportunities. Socially St Bernards is a vibrant club as you can see on this website. Our supporters match day luncheons are renowned in the VAFA where sponsors, family and friends mix in a relaxed welcoming environment. The VAFA offers the unique opportunity of wearing the 'big V' St Bernards has produced a wealth of State Reps including five this year who represented Victoria in VAFA Senior, U21 and U19 teams and four St Bernards boys were selected in the U18 side to tour New Zealand In 2010 an U23 side will be selected to play AFL Tasmania. Players in this side also have the opportunity to be selected in the 'all Australian Team' to tour South Africa and play a series of matches against the AFL South Africa Team. 2011 sees an U23 'all Australian Carnival,' in Adelaide South Australia playing against Tasmania, Western Australia & South Australia in a week of football wearing the 'Big V' see above for article on this years 'big V' players If you are interested in joining one of the great football clubs in Victoria contact Football Director Paul Garth 0412 533 314 just pop down to training at the College in Beryl Street West Essendon where you will be made most welcome!