TWOs TURN IT AROUND TO STOP SKOB

After a draw and a loss against the first semi-finalists, Dimitri's Gladiators led from go! to whoa! in a strong second semi performance.

‍

RESSIES ROMP IN STYLE

Old Xaverians, already crowned minor premiers, are now also a grand finalist after their 54 point demolition of St Kevin’s at Elsternwick Park. They are no strangers to the big dance, having played in every playoff since 2011. Prior to that, they missed the Grand Final in 2010 and 2005 (knocked out in the preliminary) and in 2004 when they missed the finals altogether. On Friday week, the Reserves will attempt the three-peat, only once achieved when they won 2000-2002.

This, of course, is a different year, with a different coach and different players. Nonetheless, it has performed this year in the tradition of its predecessors and yesterday's semi-final reiterated that.

The X-Men led from start to finish, and will defend their title against the winner of next week’s Preliminary clash between these Kevins and last year’s runner-up Old Scotch, who pumped Old Brighton by 43 points in the first semi-final at Sandringham.

The sou’wester was blowing when Ben Scala won the toss and kicked to the Glenhuntly Road end. When the breeze is up at Elwood, woe betide both the team that buckles when kicking into its teeth, or the team that sprays shots when wind-assisted.

Xaverians kicked straight enough – marginally - in the first term, with Hugh Basset getting the party started at 4 minutes. Skipper Scala goaled four minutes later, and right on thirteen minutes, Ben Bilston-McGillen added another. At 21 minutes, the enigmatic Bobby Knott kicked the X-Men’s fourth. At the scoreboard end, the Kevins hadn’t troubled the scorer. The minor premier took a 27-point lead to the first change: handy, but no means match-winning.

The U19 Grand Final played immediately before this contest had been decided by less than a goal. The victors, Old Brighton, had booted two goals into the wind in the final term, and that had proven the difference. Would recent history reveal something similar in this game?

Kevins’ first score in the second term was a minor, and the X-Men quickly matched it. Xavs took Route 66 for the first time and got the Sherrin to Ted Kennedy. The Senator booted his first for the day and his 34^thfor the season, but missed at 12 minutes. Still, the Red ‘n’ Blacks led by 34 points, with the Skobbers finding the going tough. A couple of behinds edged them closer, but they were still five goals adrift and their chances of a decent response shrunk with the ticking time clock. It was Xavs that scored next: just a behind, but nonetheless valuable in a low-scoring affair. Jack Hewitt put the hurt on at 23 minutes, slipping through a six-pointer to break a 17-minute goal drought. The Tricolours finally managed a goal at 27 minutes, and the half-time scoreboard revealed a 33-point lead to Xavs. Again, the margin was not insurmountable, but with the breeze at their backs in the third, Dimitri’s Gladiators had a substantial opportunity to shut the gate before the lemons.

Kevs restarted with the first goal. Jack Hewitt nailed his second to open the second half scoring for the X-Men, then the Senator goaled again at nine minutes.Harrison Bell put one through ten minutes later, then Billy Kennedy kicked his first at 21 and Will Hart drew twin calicos at 24 minutes. At the final change, the X-Men led by 63, surely enough to see them home.

Of course, the Tricolours were having none of that. Two goals in eight minutes reduced the margin to 53, but then their ship was becalmed. Or sunk. They scored no more. Xavs added just another behind to win by an even 9 goals on a day when scoring was not easy.

The Red 'n' Blacks had plenty of performers on the day. Skala led from the front, Charlie Westcott and Hugh Basset were outstanding in the middle, and Connor Dunne played at a high level again in defence. Big men Nick Brown and Ted Kennedy were key cogs in the victory.

The Claret and Stout has 13 days before their final test, which will take place on the AFL GF holiday Friday. The Reserves will chase their 17th premiership at this level and the 91st flag overall for the Old Xaverians.

Old Brighton (67) won through to the Grand Final with a 6 point victory over St Kevin's (61) in the 2nd Semi-Final at HQ. The Tricolours had led all afternoon, though the Tonners edged closer in the second half. Kicking with the wind in the final term, they tied it up late, and attacked thereafter. At 31 minutes, they goaled from a stoppage.

At Trevor Barker, Old Scotch (86) was too strong for Collegians (42) in an efficient performance that will give them encouragement for next week's sudden death final against SKOB.

De La Salle (66) beat Old Trinity (59) in the Premier B Preliminary Final. Princes Park Caulfield, home of Old Haileybury, and Dairy Bell, home of DLS, are back on the Premier fan's GPS for 2025.