RALPH'S NEW ROLE
O'Shaughnessy is Xavs' Footy GM
With the WOX season complete and a bye for the seniors and reserves, just seven teams took the field yesterday.
Old Xavs won just three of those seven contests yesterday, with all three U19 teams going down. The U23 Twos also lost and will take their double chance to next week's preliminary final.
Happily, the U23s, Menages and Crocs all saluted in their second semi-finals and rest next week before their Grand Finals on the first weekend of September.
Three wins from four as our Thirds teams took the patrk ion semi finals.
After losing their way in the second term, the Rossoneri came home hard, particularly in the final stanza. Holding a slender one point lead after a strong third quarter, the visitors rolled home in the final term to seize the first ticket to the Big Dance in two weeks time.
Played with the yellow Sherrin because of a 4:15 start time, the 23s picked up their game as darkness arrived, with Tom Paul and Pat Cockerill showing the way.
Fitzroy, who would consider themselves a 'good thing beaten' now must face Old scotch, who pipped St Kevin's in the knockout semi earlier in the day.
Goal Kickers: C. O''Brien 2, T. Mantesso, T. Silvagni, D. Condon, P. Cockerill, S. Stangherlin, D. Fitzgerald, E. Silk
Best Players: T. Paul, P. Cockerill, C. O''Brien, T. Silvagni, T. Mantesso, C. Briscoe
The red 'n' Blacks looked winners most of the morning, but Fitzroy came hard in the last. The Xaverian response was immediate, a two goal slap in the face that sealed the outcome.
Tommy Wynne was best and Jimmy Forrest slotted three in the victory, which puts the Menages on the GF express, where they will meet the winner of the clash between these Lions and the Snow dogs of St Bernard's.
Goal Kickers: J. Forrest 3, M. Tempone 2, J. Hanger, D. Nash, J. Samartzis, O. Silk
Best Players: T. Wynne, J. Whitehead, T. Fantasia, J. Forrest, J. Samartzis, P. Petrucci
Josh Lyon, best on ground. Same fellow, eight goals in a second-semi. The Emerald Hose looked safe at quarter time, home at the half and well hosed by the lemons. The last quarter was time to feast.
In next week's prelim, Beaumaris will host AJAX , who sent Williamstown to golf course this morning.
Goal Kickers: J. Lyon 8, G. Lachal 3, A. MacIsaac 3, T. O''Brien 2, C. Kim, C. Brown, A. Taouk
Best Players: J. Lyon, A. Taouk, T. O''Brien, G. Lachal, D. O''Shannassy, H. Ralph
It's off to the prelim next week, where the Red 'n' Blacks will meet AJAX, who accounted for Parkside.
Xavs looked a chance at the half, but Scotch had a great third term which gave them confidence to turn it on again in the last.
As they did some times in days of yore, De La Salle pipped the Xavs at Dairy Bell.
The Red 'n' Blacks woke up after a shoddy first half, but couldn't bridge the 33 point deficit.
The rising star Makuc Mohammed booted four and Danny Calvert was best afield, but the team was down. Next week, it meets top-ranked St Kevin's. If the Rossoneri win, they will likely finish in first place - should they lose, they could drop to third by the end of the minor round.
Goal Kickers:M. Mahommed 4, C. Bourne, W. Exell, W. Macisaac, H. Woodhouse
Best Players:D. Calvert, W. Exell, C. Bourne, M. Mahommed, H. Woodhouse
Not a great resulyt for the Batty Boys, but hope springs eternal. Big efforts required over the next two weeks for the X Men to hang in for finals. They sit 4th at present and things are tight.
Therry Penola were two strong, as the imnaccuracy of the X-Men cost it the opportunity to stay with the visitors. The Red 'n' Blacks fell to 5th with the defeat, with two games to play.