St Bernard’s Power Past De La Salle in Wet-Weather Win
St Bernard’s made the trip to Waverley Oval on Saturday for a crucial Round 6 matchup against De La Salle, looking to bounce back from the previous week and continue their strong form away from home. With persistent rain throughout the afternoon, conditions demanded a tough, contested style of football — and St Bernard’s delivered.
Despite a sharp start from the home side, it was St Bernard’s who took control on the scoreboard. Their forward pressure and clean ball movement stood out, even in slippery conditions. Down back, the defensive trio of Michael Caven, Mitchell Hughes, and Nick Tonge held firm, keeping De La Salle goalless in the opening term through their relentless pressure.
In the middle, Luke Di Lizio and Harry Schumann were influential, competing hard at the stoppages and helping generate repeat entries inside 50. As the rain continued and fatigue began to play a role, the contest tightened, but Bernard’s maintained their intensity and discipline.
De La Salle mounted a challenge in the third term, capitalising on a brief shift in momentum to kick three goals and restrict Bernard’s to just one for the quarter. But the visitors didn’t panic. Led by a composed and experienced group, they responded with maturity in the final term, regaining control and closing out the match with a strong finish.
Ruckman Matthew Sauro was outstanding all day. In difficult conditions, he not only won the hit-outs but also applied strong defensive pressure, laying tackles and covering ground to impact the contest around the ground. His performance was pivotal in maintaining Bernard’s advantage throughout the match.
A late surge in the fourth quarter sealed the result, with St Bernard’s running out 32-point winners — another statement victory on the road in their 2025 campaign.
De La Salle 0.2 (2) | 2.4 (16) | 5.7 (37) | 7.7 (49)
St Bernard’s 4.4 (28) | 6.8 (44) | 7.12 (54) | 11.15 (81)
Goals
De La Salle: Fisher 2, Miller 2, Cameron, O’Meara, Healy
St Bernard’s: Watson 2, Liberatore 2, Sibbald 2, Holland, Di Lizio, Sauro, Conlan, Papley
BEST
De La Salle: Corey Mackie, Thomas Deane-Johns, Thomas Filipovic, Jacob Williams, Joe Lloyd, Patrick Bohan
St Bernard’s: Matthew Sauro, Michael Caven, Mitchell Hughes, Luke Di Lizio, Harrison Schumann, Nick Tonge
It was a complete team performance that showcased the group’s growth, resilience and depth. Now sitting at 4-2, St Bernard’s return to the Snakepit next week, where they’ll host reigning premiers Old Scotch in what shapes as a blockbuster Round 7 encounter.
Written by: Hannah Juricskay