Mid-Season Recap: Ups, Downs & Grit – The 2025 Snowdogs Journey So Far

The first half of the 2025 VAFA Premier season has delivered a rollercoaster of emotion for St Bernard’s faithful – from after-the-siren elation to hard-fought heartbreaks, and everything in between.

A Dream Start
The Snowdogs set the tone for an unforgettable season opener in Round 1 with a dramatic after-the-siren win against Uni Blues at Uni Oval. Joey Agresta clutch goal sent the crowd into raptures and gave St Bernard’s a thrilling 1–0 start to the year.

Building Momentum
Round 2 took the boys to Uni Oval, where they backed up their Round 1 heroics with a gritty win over University Blacks. The Snowdogs entered the early-season bye with a perfect 2–0 record and belief building across the squad.

Reality Check
Post-bye, St Bernard’s faced a sharp reminder of the league's competitiveness. A tough day out at the Snakepit saw Old Brighton hand them their first defeat of the year, exposing areas for growth in structure and ball movement.

Return to Form
The team responded the following week with a strong four-quarter effort against Collegians. The return of some key players and a dominant midfield performance saw Bernard’s back on the winners list and climbing back up the ladder.

The Snakepit Turns On the Theatre
Round 5’s Ladies Day clash against Old Xaverians brought a blockbuster crowd and a high-stakes atmosphere. The contest lived up to the billing, with both teams trading blows in a physical and entertaining encounter, though the result slipped from Bernard’s grasp late.

Statement Win in the Wet
A trip to Waverley Oval in Round 6 saw the Snowdogs face De La Salle in wet conditions. St Bernard’s adapted superbly, winning contested ball and surging forward with precision, notching a morale-boosting victory and showing they could grind it out when needed.

Tough Stretch Against Top Dogs
Rounds 7 and 8 tested the group against heavyweights Old Scotch and Old Haileybury. Despite flashes of brilliance and periods of control, Bernard’s couldn’t quite close the gap, going down in both games while showing heart and effort.

Thrills, Heartbreaks and Close Calls
In Round 9, the Snakepit hosted a thriller against University Blues, ending in a nail-biting draw after a four-quarter arm wrestle. It was a hard-earned result that reflected the Snowdogs’ grit and refusal to back down.

The following week, a brave but undermanned Bernard’s outfit pushed Uni Blacks to the limit but fell just short. The same script repeated in Round 12 against St Kevin’s and again in Round 13 as a depleted side was outclassed by ladder-leaders, Old Xaverians.

What’s to Come

At the midpoint, St Bernard’s sits 8th on the ladder — just half a game clear of the relegation zone. So, let's address the elephant in the room, the challenge now is as clear as it is urgent: lift, win, and hold strong in a fiercely contested bottom half of the table.

The remaining fixture is a mix of must-wins and massive tests:

• Rd 13 vs De La Salle (H): A true eight-point game against the 10th-placed side.

• Rd 14 @ Old Brighton: A top-two outfit in strong form – a major challenge on the road.

• Rd 15 vs Collegians (H): Another critical clash against a team just above us on the ladder.

• Rd 16 @ Old Scotch: A finals contender with plenty to play for.

• Rd 17 vs Old Haileybury (H): A shot at redemption after a narrow Rd 8 loss.

• Rd 18 vs St Kevin’s (H): The final round, potentially with everything on the line.

With four home games in the final six rounds, the Snowdogs will look to turn the Snakepit into a fortress and ride the wave of community support into a strong finish.

Finals may be a stretch, but pride, belief, and Premier division survival are very much still in play.

One thing’s for certain: this group isn’t done yet.

Written by: Hannah Juricskay