November 19, 2024
RALPH'S NEW ROLE
O'Shaughnessy is Xavs' Footy GM
A Century of the Red & Black
Another weekend of mixed results, with some solid victories perhaps outweighed by some unwelcome defeats. Playing a triple header at St Kevin's College turned out nicely for the hosts. They coughed it up late in the Magoos, but won the Premier Thirds and senior contests easily.
After last week's win at the beach, there was a fair deal of confidence approaching this much-anticipated clash. When Marcus Stavrou opened the scoring into the strong breeze, the visitors looked to be on song. For much of the term, they controlled play and thwarted the Tricolours, but as the clock moved to time-on, the home team found another gear and took over. A late goal to the X-Men gave them fresh hope as they pondered their turn with the breeze.
It was Skevs who drew fiirst blood and then the elements intervened. There was rain, hail, sleet and probably snow, none of which helped the Red 'n' Blacks to bridge the gap. Conditions eased after half-time, and the reigning premier again stamped their authority on the game. In the end, St Kevin's doubled the Xavs' score, took the points and moved two games clear in fourth spot.
Marcus Stavrou and Alex Spralja have been high in the best for a few weeks now and they were again yesterday. Grant Valles and Charlie MacIsaac worked hard, and there were some promising performances from several others. 'Not good enough' summed up the performance, a phrase that has been bandied about too regularly after recent contests with St Kevin's, who proved again they are plenty good enough.
The only small compensation on the day for the X-Men was the defeat of Old scotch at the hands of Old Haileybury.
Goal Kickers: M. Stavrou, B.Bilston-McGillen, C. Holmes, J. Hewitt, H. Troiani, J. Soccio
Best Players: M.Stavrou, A. Spralja, G. Valles, C. MacIsaac, C. Holmes, E. Ralph
The top-ranked Twos looked fairly average in the first half, then went to sleep entirely in the third term as the Kevs rattled on 5.2 to seize a commanding lead. Then, just like that, the Red 'n' Blacks came to life and booted 5.3 to zip in the final term to grab the points.
The X-Men maintained top spot from Old Scotch, who received a forfeit from Old Haileybury.
Goal Kickers: B. Scala 2, C. Knott, M. Exell, W.Hart, E. Kennedy, B. Kennedy, M. Handley
Best Players: J. Tobin, O. Smart, C. Niall, B. Kennedy, H. Bell, A. Sheedy
Another very tough loss for the Red 'n' Blacks, who were perhaps done in at the end when a blood rule saw play stop when a Wellers' pleyer left the field. The clock, however, rolled on and Xavs, deep into attack, couln't force the score to tie or win.
As they have done each week, the WOX gave it everything, but couldn't quite get the points.
Goal Kickers: C. Lacey, V. Murphy, M. Gaffney
Best Players: V. Murphy, M. Mennilli, C. Lacey, E. Neuwirth, C.Bonnett, M. Hung
Dan Rush's boys returned to the winners' list with a strong performance against the Brindisians. Oscar Lawrance was best as the Xavs kept the Tigers on the leash all afternoon.
Goal Kickers: W. Macisaac 2, C. Bourne, M. Mahommed,W. Stevens, E. Dalton, B. Moyle, W. Exell
Best Players: O. Lawrance, J. Nelson, W. Stevens, O. Britten Jones, L. Moore
Won on forfeit.
Matt Dahlsen booted six as the young 19s ripped the visitors to put a two game gap between the Xavs and fourth place.
Goal Kickers: M. Dahlsen 6, H. Tobias 3, P. Hoy 2, O. Sheehan 2,T. Ivak 2, S. Anderson, L. Kenyon
St Kevin's, at their ancestral home 'twixt freeway and river, proved way too strong for the 23s in their Premier Thirds clash. The visitors could only muster four goals for the morning. Xavs are in fourth spot.
Goal Kickers: C. O''Brien, S. Gordon, T. McGowan, N. Brown
Best Players: N. Brown, T. Paul, H. Hosking, H. West, J.Francis, C. O''Brien
Seond-placed St Bernard's were never in it as the X Men powered to a big win in ordinary conditions. Given the opposition, it was a meritorious win by home team, which is building nicely for the back end of the year.
Goal Kickers: O. Silk 4, J. Forrest 3, J. Hanger, B. Curtis, L.Busk, E. Ponari, T. Wynne, M. Tempone
Best Players: E. Silk, W. Honan, T. Fantasia, S. Cleeve, T.Wynne, B. Curtis
Truck Speakman was best as the Reptiles rolled over Willy.
Goal Kickers: T. O''Brien 2, G. Lachal, A. MacIsaac, M. Perrett,H. Vanderkley, J. Jones, A. Taouk, J. Lyon
Best Players: M. Speakman, W. Veljkovic, S. Stanley, A. Taouk,A. MacIsaac, J. Jones
Won on forfeit.
