St Bernard’s Edge Old Scotch in an ANZAC Day Classic
On a significant ANZAC Day stage, St Bernard’s produced a long-awaited victory, edging out Old Scotch Football Club by just two points in a contest that had momentum swings and a finish that will be remembered for years to come.
The Buckley Street end breeze was influential and shaping the flow of the game throughout the afternoon. From the opening bounce, it was clear that this would be no easy win, both sides traded blows in a genuine tug of war and neither was able to establish a decisive break. Throughout all four quarters the contest remained tight. Old Scotch made the early running with the wind, capitalising on their opportunities to take a slender lead into quarter time. St Bernard’s responded strongly in the second term, gaining more control of the ball and although the effort was undeniable, it proved a frustrating quarter with limited reward for the dominance they were beginning to build. St Bernard’s ability to run and utilise the full width of the large oval kept them in the contest and laid the foundation for what was to come, however heading into half time, Old Scotch still held the lead 5.4.34 to 3.5 23.
After the half time break the work rate across the ground began to shine, with the midfielders setting the tone and the backline holding firm under pressure. The organisation behind the ball was particularly impressive, consistently repelling attacks and limiting the opposition’s scoring opportunities. The third quarter continued in much the same fashion with a tight and fiercely fought contest. St Bernard’s ability to win the contested ball became a defining feature, reflecting the hard work put in on the track and the growing cohesion within the group.
Entering the final quarter, St Bernard’s carried belief and momentum. However, Old Scotch struck first with a couple of quick goals, momentarily silencing the home crowd and testing the resolve and the belief of the group. With supporters growing nervous, it was a moment that demanded composure and that’s exactly what the boys delivered. It wasn’t until the 18 minute mark when Matthew Watson stood tall, marking a strong return to form taking multiple strong contested marks. His presence inside 50 proved decisive, converting two vital goals that swung the game back in St Bernard’s favour.
Across the ground, several standout performances underpinned the victory. Karan Bharathi was everywhere, even commentators remarked on the difficulty of assigning him a position, as he impacted all areas of the ground. Ben Overman again proved to be instrumental to the team and back structure, working well with Mitch Hughes and performing well under the pressure of the final moments.
It was Zac Overman who was the recipient of the Lambert family delivering a best-on-ground performance. His ability to read the play, take intercept marks, spoil the ball, and never let his opposition find an easy possession was pivotal. Time and time again, he repelled the Old Scotch attacks, offering a sense of calm and control whenever he was near the contest. He finished the day with 26 disposals, 19 intercept possessions, 13 one percenters and 12 spoils.
As the final siren sounded, the emotion was unmistakable. This was more than just a win, it was the club’s first victory of the season and their first triumph over Old Scotch since 2017. For players, coaches, and supporters alike, it marked a moment of belief and renewed momentum bouncing back from such a challenging loss in Round 1. In a game defined by grit, resilience, and composure under pressure, St Bernard’s delivered when it counted. A hard-fought, character-building win and one that signals that their hard work on the track is beginning to pay off.
Round 3, sees the team travelling to TH King Oval to play another finalist for 2025 in St Kevins. It’ll be another challenging match up but after pulling off such an impressive win, the group is more than capable.
SCORES:
ST BERNARDS: 1.2 8 3.5 23 6.7 43 9.11 65
OLD SCOTCH: 3.3 21 5.4 34 7.7 49 9.9 63
BEST ON:
St Bernards: Zac Overman, Ben Overman, Matthew Watson, Mitchell Hughes, Harrison Schumann, Karan Bharathi
Old Scotch: Will Clark, Alex Noblet, Oliver Badr, Henry Brown, Charlie Cormack, Henry Dixon
GOALS:
St Bernards: M.Watson 3, K. Bharathi 2, D.Gilham 2, L.Alessio, O.Liberatore
Old Scotch: W.Clark 3, O.Badr, H.Brown, C.Jackson, N.Macmillan, Q.Spencer
Written By: Hannah Juricskay