November 19, 2024
RALPH'S NEW ROLE
O'Shaughnessy is Xavs' Footy GM
A Century of the Red & Black
Old Xaverians finished their season with a 28 point win over Old Brighton at Como yesterday. The big South Yarra ground was the Xavs' fifth home venue for the season.
It wasn't until midway through the third term thst the Red 'n' Blacks took the lead, but once ahead, they kept their feet to the pedal and finished the job. The Rossoneri's final quarter of this frustrating season offered glimspses of what might have been.
Charlie MacIsaac seized the game by the throat, turning on a five goal best on grond effort for which the Tonners had few answers. He was aided by a productive midfield that pushed forward often to create sufficient opportunities for the front line.
Old Brighton had jumped away early, and still held sway at the half, but the Claret and Stout dominated the game beyond the long break to win their eighth game of the year, four points adrift of these same Tonners they beat twice on the season.
Goal Kickers: C. MacIsaac 5, J. Boyd 2, D. Symeopoulos 2, A. Spralja, M. Batten, J. Hewitt, J. Soccio
Best Players: C. MacIsaac, D. Symeopoulos, D. Robinson, A. Trigar, M. Stavrou, J. Boyd
Wade Brusnahan booted three and turned on another great game as the top-ranked Xavs overcame a plucky Tonner team, who had needed a victory to hold fourth spot.
The Beach Boys were the more effective early, but Xavs reeled them with seven goals to two after half-time.
Next week, the Reserves will play a second semi-final against Old Scotch, who finished their home and away slate with a 75 point win at the Trott. Next week they will find it a bit tougher.
Goal Kickers:W. Brusnahan 3, E. Kennedy 2, H. Bell 2, M. Lowe, M. Exell, E. Ralph, M. Handley
Best Players:W. Brusnahan, J. Langford, D. Feutrill, C. Whitehead, A. Sheedy, J. Hansen
The Xavs warmed up for the finals with a ten point win over Uni Blues in a tight contest. Makuc Mahommed continued his form and will be tought to stop for any opponent. He has plenty of teammates who seem likely to enjoy what is left of the season.
Goal Kickers: M. Mahommed 4, W. Macisaac 2, W. Exell, J. Sassi, A. Scally, E. Dalton, W. Stevens
Best Players: H. MacIsaac, D. Calvert, J. Sassi, M. Mahommed, H. Woodhouse
Old Trinity bounced out of the gates and stayed on top all day, defeating the Red 'n' Blacks by 72 poits. Next week, the X-Men meet Hampton Rovers in the first semi-final.
Coach Andy Batten reports:
I have undoubtedly overused the phrase “perfect conditions” this season, however those that attended our game on the weekend would surely agree that this was the best of the lot. Not only was the sun shining, but the condition of the oval at Trinity was first class.
The coaches had implored the players to take this game seriously. With finals already assured, it was still important to build on our progress and take some form into finals. Unfortunately, the first quarter was a shock to the system. The Tees were classy and precise. They were winning the early clearances without much resistance. Troy and Bird were doing their best, but every time we looked to get clear the tackling pressure from OT was immense. Our backs were under siege but we weren’t helping our cause, with poor kicking and unaccountability giving OT too many opportunities. We needed a nerve settler, but it was hard going and the ball was bouncing the other way every time we looked to have some momentum. Bird was getting plenty of the ball through midfield now, but the Trinity backs were playing with confidence. Again our poor entries cost us. Up the other end they were clinical, goal to Chard, goal to Galbally, goal to Chard. It was hard to watch. Regan cleared the D50 on several occasions, but the ball came back with interest. Considering the one-sided nature of the quarter, we were fortunate to get a classy goal to Chappy just before the break and stop the bleeding at 32 points.
It was clear and obvious that we hadn’t shown up. The coaches and players alike were disappointed, but there was still much to be gained from the match. We asked the players to be ruthless, to be harder to play on and not make anything easy for the Tees in the second quarter. To the boys credit we got a much better showing. After a goal in the opening seconds for OT, one could be forgiven for thinking it was about to get worse, however some grit and conviction from the mids started to steady the ship. We enjoyed the lion’s share of possession as our renewed hunger won us plenty of ball. However our decision making and execution weren’t giving our forwards much chance . The ball would sail over our heads or drop short, and it felt like the ball had a mind of its own on other occasions. Despite our stuttering start, there were some shining lights. Gilmour was continuing his fine form on the wing, providing plenty of run and thrust, and Eddie Paul looked dangerous forward taking some nice marks and was moving freely. Pick grabbed a much-needed goal after we owned all the play, before OT went up the other end and replied quickly. As footballing educations go, there were lessons everywhere and the boys were working overtime to soak it in. Nelson snapped truly (or falsely? 😉) and we ended up winning the quarter, still with enormous improvement in the locker there was a platform to work from.
Half time was a good opportunity to take stock. We had done well that quarter to ensure OT weren’t having easy access to the ball, we just needed to use it better ourselves. The start of the third quarter was our best patch of footy for the match. We spread from the back, ran in waves and used overlapping handballs to break through the OT man-on-man play. LaFrantz was having an electric game, turning on the jets, he looked a real threat across half forward and up into the midfield. Gilmour, Spears and Sheehan were moving the ball much more freely on the coaches side and we had a number of good looks forward. Unfortunately, the final entry into the forward line was our kryptonite. Yes OT have some great overhead marks, but we were making It easy for them. The wind was in our face and we just couldn’t hit our targets. In addition to LaFrantz’ terrific quarter, Charlie Bourne kicked an exquisite goal from the pocket to bring some hope, but it was a long road back as we were 48 points down at the final change.
The last quarter was disappointing as we finally hit our wall. It is true that you spend more energy defending than attacking, and we had done our fare share. We just couldn’t get it out of the backline all quarter and suffered a goalless finish to the game. Harvey, LaFrantz and J.Nelson all finished the game strongly with good dash and dare, as did Eddie Paul up forward who was the pick of the key targets. However it just wasn’t our day, as OT ran out 72 point winners in one of our poorer games for the year.
A week is a long time in footy and though the result was disappointing, we have come back from sluggish games many times this year. The result is now behind us and the excitement of finals footy takes over!
Finals footy is a whole new season. Simplicity reigns supreme and sheer effort and will-power can go a long way to getting you over the line. We are every chance to knock off Hampton who we have a 1-2 record with this year.
Goal Kickers:N. LaFrantz 2, C. Christopher, C. Bourne, E. Nelson
Best Players:P. Gilmour, W. Troy, J. Spiridonos, H. Bird, E. Paul, N. LaFrantz
The Krushers ended the Threes' season with a big win at Scammell on Friday night. The X-Men would have played finals but for the first loss of the season inflicted on PEGS by a marauding Therry Penola, which looks to be the form team.
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