A Long Overdue Victory for St Bernard’s
St Bernard’s have finally been rewarded for their efforts and breathed new life into their 2026 season, overcoming Caulfield Grammarians by 19 points in a crucial contest at the Snake Pit.
With both sides desperate for the four points, the clash carried enormous significance. St Bernard’s entered the round three games outside of safety for the season with only four matches remaining and Caulfield only one game clear of Old Trinity and could ill- afford a defeat with a difficult run home ahead.
Despite the pressure surrounding the contest, the Buckley Street end breeze proved too strong out from the bounce as Old Caulfield took a 5 goal lead and it looked like it would be a long day ahead of the home side. However, St Bernard’s were able to stay composed and stay in the game.
Caulfield made the most of their opportunities early, kicking 5.1 to establish a 19-point lead at quarter-time, while St Bernard’s were left to rue missed chances after generating plenty of promising passages of play towards the end of the opening term.
St Bernard’s controlled large periods of the second quarter, working hard around the contest and maintaining possession to keep Caulfield under pressure. Their ability to win the ball and force Caulfield into mistakes became a significant feature of the contest, with St Bernard’s doing much of their damage through turnovers.
The second quarter was one of the best St Bernard’s had produced all year and their highest scoring, slotting 8 goals in just the one quarter. They were agile around contest, controlled the clearances and brought pressure all throughout the ground.
Image : Captured By Brigette
One of the major positives for St Bernard’s was their dominance in the ruck, with Matthew Sauro winning the battle in the middle and providing his midfielders with first use of the football. Sauro’s work around the stoppages gave the team a consistent avenue to possession and allowed them to dictate the tempo for long periods.
The third term saw Caulfield fight their way back into the contest. Back with the wind, they began finding more opportunities and eventually turned their territorial pressure into scoreboard reward, while St Bernard’s continued to create chances they were unable to put the game away and only managed to score three points. It was set up to be a fascinating final term with St Bernard’s only 3 points up.
In the final quarter, St Bernard’s finally found the scoreboard and they were rewarded their effort, they capitalised on turnovers, turning pressure and opposition mistakes into attacking opportunities before converting enough of their chances to establish a decisive lead.
However, it was not without frustration.
St Bernard’s missed several opportunities that could have put the result beyond doubt much earlier, leaving the door open for Caulfield to remain within striking distance. It was another reminder of the fine margins that have cost St Bernard's throughout the season. But unlike several of their recent heartbreaking defeats, St Bernard’s held their nerve when it mattered. They finished the afternoon with four goals in the final term to run out 14.19 (103) to 13.6 (84) winners.
Image : Captured By Brigette
For a side that has suffered four-point and two-point defeats in recent weeks, finally closing out a tight contest was arguably the most important aspect of the afternoon. Despite sitting at the bottom of the ladder, their performances over the past five weeks have shown a team capable of competing with sides much higher on the ladder.
Luke Di Lizio, Matthew Sauro, Luke Said, Charlie Vague, Daniel Gilham and Nicholas Conlan were among St Bernard’s best. Luke Di Lizio brought the pressure all day, creating chances forward, clean hands in air and tackling everyone in his path.
The victory does not remove the enormous challenge facing St Bernard’s, but it keeps the door open. St Bernard’s remain three games from safety with four matches to play, with University Blues away, Old Brighton at home and Old Trinity at home still to come.
Image : Captured By Brigette
On paper, the clashes with Caulfield and Old Trinity represented their most winnable opportunities. Having now secured the first of those victories, St Bernard’s will turn their attention to the difficult run ahead.
For St Bernard’s, they have spent much of the season showing they can compete and they have spent recent weeks learning how to stay in games. Now, they have finally shown they can win one.
With the relegation battle going down to the wire, St Bernard’s are still alive.
SCORES
St Bernards 2.0 12 10.9 69 10.12 72 14.19 103
Caulfield Grammarians 5.1 31 6.1 37 11.5 71 13.6 84
BEST
St Bernards Luke Di Lizio, Matthew Sauro, Luke Said, Charlie Vague, Daniel Gilham, Nicholas Conlan
Caulfield Grammarians Noah Sutherland, Jack Ellwood, hugh mckenzie, Hamish McInerney, Patrick Fairlie, Archie Loughnan
GOALS
St Bernards D. Gilham 4, F. McNicol 2, M. Watson 2, L. Di Lizio, M. Holland, M. Hughes, O. Liberatore, D. Restuccia, L. Said
Caulfield Grammarians J. Dobosz 3, A. Loughnan 3, E.Lakman 2, O. Wilson 2, W. Allen, P. Fairlie, N. Yze,
Written by Hannah Juricskay