November 19, 2024
RALPH'S NEW ROLE
O'Shaughnessy is Xavs' Footy GM
A Century of the Red & Black
"You gotta take the bad with the good," goes the old expression, which is clearly not coined by a perfectionist. Nor is it something heard often on the terraces of Toorak Park, unless it emanates from visiting fans.
A convincing start by the Old Xaverians, but the afternoon turned sour for the Red 'n' Blacks as they fell to Old Melburnians at Toorak Park by a solitary point.
Leading by four goals at the first change and playing well all over the ground, the Xavs had every confidence this would continue for the duration. The Dark Blues worked their way back into it with a strong second term. They booted four goals, and while the home team added another three, the visitors looked the better team as the first half drew to a close.
This again proved the case in the third term, when the Redlegs, kicking into the breeze, outscored the Xavs. This set up a final quarter as the final exam. The Dark Blues had eight shots, Xavs seven, and the X Men marked Coach Byrne's birthday with a one point loss. The home team certainly had its chances late, but couldn't take them.
James Dalbosco replaced Jordan Kelly in the starting lineup, while Shaun Hampson and Kuiy Jiath debuted. Leading goalscorer Brendan Goss looks set to miss time with a knee injury.
The Claret and Stout heads to Glen Huntly Reserve next week to meet with the winless Caulfield Grammarians.
GoalKickers: B. Goss 3, E. Delany 2, C. MacIsaac, D. Symeopoulos, K. Jiath, J. Dalbosco, H. Troiani, M. Batten
Best Players: D. Symeopoulos, D. Robinson,M. Stavrou, S. Hampson, H. Troiani, G. Valles
A low-scoring and dour affair between two traditional rivals produced an inevitably close result, with the X Men getting home by five points. The game never reached the great heights it might have, though some strong performances from Ayton-Delaney and Tom Simmons caught the eye of several watchers.
The Red 'n' Blacks play winless Caulfield next week.
Goal Kickers: T. Simmons 2, B. Kennedy 2, T. Hart 2, H. Bell, B. Scala
Best Players: J. Ayton-Delaney, T. Simmons, C. Whitehead, B. Kennedy, A. Spralja, B. Scala
A few shots from the game here.
The WOX beat Marcellin for the first time ever, putting away the Sheagles by eight points in a close-fought contest at Greythorn. The WOX were well served by Audrey Rhodes, returnign from VFLW duties, and by Bella Villani, who continues to find the sticks.
Next week, a trip to West Brunswick, which on the form of the two contestants, looks a winnable game for the Red 'n' Blacks.
Goal Kickers:I . Villani 2, M. Jessup, S. Rothfield
Best Players: A. Rhodes, C. Sgarbossa, A.Benifer, L. Aitken, I. Villani, S. Rothfield
The Sheagles were too strong for the WOX Reserves, winning the curtain-raiser by 38 points. The visitors won the game in the first half, leading by 31 points at the long break. The second half was a tighter contest, with Marcellin managing a slight increase in its lead.
Goal Kickers: L. La Rosa, B. Metselaar
Best Players: A. Mauri, P. Haussegger, E.Christie, R. Cox , E. Shanahan, B. Metselaar
Goal Kickers: E. Kennedy 3, L. Hecker 2, D.Fitzgerald 2, J. Alexander, B. Bilston-McGillen, T. McRae
Best Players: L. Hecker, S. Hansen, T.Silvagni, E. Kennedy, C. Dodds, L. Moore
Kim Feneley pics here.
Goal Kickers: W. Exell 4, M. Doherty 2, J.Nelson, S. Dalton, B. Sherman, M. Murphy, N. Pozzi
Best Players: N. Kennedy, W. Jago, W.Exell, N. Nugent, E. Niall, A. Lo Giudice
Goal Kickers: B. Whelan 4, N.Brown 3, C. Westcott 3, E. Ralph 2, C. Dunne, T. Barbakos, J. Hess, S. Asdagi,E. Hummerston, C. Connors, J. Lowe, D. Condon, P. Cockerill
Best Players: B. Whelan, A. Lamanna, N. Brown, N. Jane, D. Feutrill, C.Dunne
Goal Kickers: A. Eden-Lachowicz 2, L. Lai, N.Kelliher, J. Lee
Best Players: L. Lai, A. Eden-Lachowicz, P.Bourke, M. Comito, N. McGrath, N. Kelliher
Goal Kickers: J. Forrest 3, J. Hanger 2, T. Warnakulasuriya, D. Nash
Best Players:T. Fantasia, O. Silk, J.Forrest, J. Buffon, M. Bell, R. Beaton
Goal Kickers: J. Lyon 5, L. Aikman 3, H.Aikman 3, C. Kim 2, O. Renehan 2, M. Perrett, H. Nidam
Best Players: H. Aikman, C. O''Sullivan, J.Bueno, L. Aikman, H. Nidam, C. Wilson
