Snakepit Hosts Blockbuster Battle on Ladies Day
St Bernard’s returned to the Snakepit on Saturday for a huge Round 5 clash, with the home crowd in full voice for the club’s annual Ladies Day Luncheon.
The conditions were perfect for footy and both sides sitting at 3-1, the stage was set for a blockbuster showdown against a strong Old Xaverians outfit — and with a top-four spot on the line, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
From the opening bounce, it was clear both teams had come to play. The intensity was fierce, with contested ball and tackling pressure at a premium. Bernard’s struck first, kicking the opening two goals of the match, and kept the margin tight in a tightly fought first quarter.
In the midfield, Luke Di Lizio and Luke Said set the tone early, going head-to-head with Old Xavs' on-ball brigade and holding their own at stoppages. Their work helped generate repeat entries inside 50, where Karan Bharathi and Dom Sullivan kept the pressure on by laying strong tackles and keeping the ball alive. Though conversion wasn’t as clinical as previous weeks, the intent and effort never wavered. Up forward, Ben Huggard and Edyn Sibbald presented well all day and were rewarded with two goals each.
As the game wore on, Old Xavs began to find another gear. Their ability to transition cleanly and cover the ground proved decisive in the second half. Despite Bernard’s continuing to battle with grit and determination — emblematic of the Snakepit spirit — the momentum began to shift.
In the final quarter, fatigue set in. The boys continued to push, but the run from Old Xavs began to stretch the margin. In the final 10 minutes, the visitors strung together some composed passages of play, ultimately pulling away as Bernard’s struggled to find one last surge.
Although the 35-point final margin didn’t reflect the closeness of the contest through three quarters, there was plenty to like from the home side. The midfield contested work was strong, and the commitment from all 22 players couldn’t be questioned.
St Bernard’s 3.0 5.5 6.7 8.10 (58)
Old Xaverians 4.1 6.4 8.10 13.15 (93)
Goals
St Bernard’s: B. Huggard 2, E. Sibbald 2, M. Watson 1, L. Di Lizio 1, K. Bharathi 1, L. Papley 1
Old Xaverians: C. MacIsaac 3, D. Tuddenham 3, J. Soccio 2, C. Knott 1, D. Symeopoulos 1, N. Guiney 1, B. Moyle 1, W. Brusnahan 1
BEST
St Bernard’s: L. Di Lizio, K. Bharathi, H. Schumann, L. Said, X. Smith, D. Sullivan
Old Xaverians: A. Trigar, J. Whitehead, C. MacIsaac, C. Knott, H. Woodhouse, C. Lane
Now sitting at 3-2, the boys will look to bounce back quickly as they hit the road to face De La Salle next week. There’s still plenty of belief in the group, and Saturday’s performance — despite the result — will fuel the fire heading into Round 6.
Written by: Hannah Juricskay
