WAYWARD KICKING PROVES FATAL FOR RED ‘N’ BLACKS

It didn’t end as it might have. A third consecutive U19 premiership was a bridge too far for the Old Xavs as they fell to Scotch in the grand final at Waverley Oval today.

The Cards began strongly, making the most of limited opportunities, while the X-Men wasted chances and allowed the Reds to slip away.

Scotch looked better organised early and they made good use of the ball, pinpointing passes to players in space, and giving their high-marking forwards the best opportunities when they went aerial.

Xavs came out firing in the second, but again failed to get value from their opportunities, and while they managed to staunch the bleeding, they went to the sheds 14 points adrift.

And then it was on. The Red ‘‘ Blacks dominated the early part of the third stanza, but again fell down near the uprights. They had the chance to tie it up, but squandered it. That was enough for the Red Men, who slapped through six goals in a blistering display.

Xavs responded in the fourth, but the lights were already out.

Lucas Soccio completed his two-and-a-half-season U19 career with his third grand final, but this time there was no medal. He played his heart out, but to little avail.  Tom McKay was strong and Liam Danielis-Morley showed plenty of dash. Tom Simmons was the pick of the forward line.

In the end, it was the Reds by 23 points, and they took home their first U19 Premier title in 67 years. That half of the Xavs squad who will return for revenge against the old enemy next year surely won’t have to wait that long. It is to be  hoped that many of the graduates will press on. Based on their season performances, many will press for senior selection before too long.

Old Xaverians 1.3-9 2.8-20 3.10-28    7.15-57

Old Scotch     4.2-26 5.4-34  11.7-73  12.8-80

Goal Kickers: T. Simmons 4, J. Ayton-Delaney, L. Soccio, A. Spralja

Best Players: T. McKay, L. Soccio, L. Danielis-Morley, T. Mantesso, Z. Hart, B. Christopher

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