April 6, 2025
XAVS GO BIG
A powerful start to '25
A Century of the Red & Black
An uncharacteristically lean day for the Red 'n Blacks, whose Senior, WOX and both U19 teams all went down.
If you had offered Dan Donati an almost impassable backline with some strong rebound, a St Kevin's scoreline of 53 points and a Xavs forward line that would have ten more shots and several other chances more than the Tricolours, he would have taken that. He's take it again next week, and next year. Of course, hidden in the fine print of this Godfather offer was the clause that demanded the Red 'n' Blacks kick for goal with their eyes shut.
And yes, despite this, the X-Men nearly won. But they didn't. They had a chance to win at the King and all things were right ... apart from the goalkicking and some other glaringly appalling choices made in the front half.
The Red 'n' Blacks might have sealed the game in the first term, but instead, they sealed their fate with their listless disposal. Whether on the run, snapping over the shoulder or taking a set shot, it was the same story of woe.
Still, it's early in the season, and there's plenty of time to straighten up. They'll be wanting to have that worked out when Old Haileybury visit after the Easter break.
Best: Jed Feneley, Alex Trigar, Jack Whitehead, Thomas Dunne, Hayden Woodhouse, Nick Guiney
Goals: Nick Guiney 2, Knott 1, Lane 1, Symeopoulos 1, Tuddenham 1
The game at TH KIng wasn't the only close affair of the afternoon. Uni Blues (81) outlasted Collegians (76) on the Trott despite the Lions having plenty more opportunities. Old Brighton (127) put Old Haileybury (80) to the sword at BBO. Old Scotch (122) spanked De La (82) at Dairy Bell. Bernies (110) won their second in 8 days at the Varsity when they took down Uni Blacks (64).
1.Old Brighton 8 222.22 2.Old Scotch 8 134.62 3.St Bernard's 8 132.64 4.Old Xaverians 4 222.33 5.Old Haileybury4 114.21 6.Uni Blues 4 102.55 7.St Kevin's 4 92.03 8.Collegians 0 63.76 9.De La Salle 0 43.85 10.Uni Blacks 0 41.56
With coach Dan Richardson away with work, Angus Sheedy and skipper Ben Scala were left in charge of the Magoos as they ventured to TH King to take on St Kevin's.
In warm conditions, the home team looked the more settled early, but the Red ‘n’ Blacks came through to lead at quarter time, courtesy of a Ted Kennedy goal and a Charlie Whitehead brace.
The second term belonged to the Kevin’s, as they added 5.1 to 1.3 to lead by 20 points at the long break. They stretched that to 26 early in the third term. With Oscar Duncan the lone Red ‘n Blacks’ goalscorer for the term, one wondered how long the Xavs' bungee cord was.
Early in the third, the inevitable sling-shot took place. Enter Matt Exell, left out of the action last week, but not today, when he inserted himself with some high drama. ‘Monkey’ booted three goals in six minutes to give the visitors a chance. Nick Brown evened it up minutes later and then Will Golds put the X-Men in front by a goal. But the Kevins responded at 17 minutes and the teams were tied at 63. At 22 minutes, the Tricolours goaled again, but just before the lemons, Nick Brown’s second tied it up again. Xavs had straightened up, adding 6.2 for the term. Now, it all rested on the final 25 minutes.
The X-Men added a behind to move the scoreboard. The Senator entered the chamber again and booted his second. Two minutes later, Makuc Mahommed booted his first and the Kevs were suddenly under siege with the Claret and Stout out by 13 points. Duncan goaled again and Xavs led by 19 points. The teams traded minor scores for the next six minutes before Ben Moyle booted his first, and the Xavs’ tenth for the half. It was also the likely sealer given the late hour. No additions came in the final six minutes and the X-Men claimed a well-deserved victory.
Best: Hamish MacIsaac, Oscar Duncan, Matt Exell, Sam Hansen, Jack Kennedy, Nicholas Brown
Goals: Matt Exell 3 Nicholas Brown 2 Oscar Duncan 2 Edward Kennedy 2 Charlie Whitehead 2 Will Golds 1 Makuc Mahommed 1 Ben Moyle 1
The WOX visited Beaumaris and ran into another strong team. The Red 'n' Blacks kicked two goals in the first and another brace in the third, but were otherwise handled by the home team.
BEST:
GOALS:
Uni Blues upset Old Xavs at Stradbroke Park. A slow start didn't help the Red 'n' Blacks, who ran into a team that played four strong quarters to take the points. James Godde continued his good form and Rising Star nominee Harry Warfe booted three and looked dangerous throughout.
BEST: James Godde, Darcy Pelz, Jagger Stafford, Harry Warfe, Henry Lasscock, Xavier Austin
GOALS: Harry Warfe 3 Ned Betts 1 Gerard Forrest 1 James Godde 1 Max King 1 Lachlan Mallett 1 Lachlan McNeill 1
A tough day out for the U19 Twos, who were well and truly clipped by a strong Carey line-up.
Best: Harry Glass, Harrison Exell, Francis Bailey, Tom Mcauliffe, Charles Anderson, Ned Rogers
Goals: Charles Anderson 1 Sam Herring 1 Liam Jones 1 Tom Mcauliffe 1 William McNamara 1 NedRogers 1 Reuben Shale 1 Hugo Stevenson 1
The Premier Thirds smashed Old Brighton by 186 points in a masterful show. Harrison Bell returned to action with seven big majors while little man Will Stevens kicked four in the rout. The mercurial Sam Asdagi was the best of a winning bunch, but there were winners all over the park wearing red and black.
BEST: Sam Asdagi, Nick Honeyman, Fred Visentini, Tom Bourne, Harrison Bell, Ricky Wood
GOALS: Harrison Bell 7 Will Stevens 4 Sam Asdagi 3 Charles Ralph 3 Fred Visentini 3 Bailey Whelan 3 Tom Curtain 2 Nick Honeyman 2 Tom Comer 1 William Exell 1 Oliver Tehan 1
The Green Hose, buoyed by a six-goal BOG effort from Josh Lyon, cruised away from Fitzroy after half-time. There was plenty happening in the first half, but the Xavs couldn't quite shake the home team. After the long break, that changed markedly.
BEST: Josh Lyon, Edward Ralph, William Bryce, Ed MacIsaac, Joshua Nelson, Matt Perrett
GOALS: Josh Lyon 6 Callum Abrahams 2 Alistair Barr 2 William Bryce 2 Matt Perrett 2 Pat Frawley 1 JoshuaNelson 1 Edward Ralph 1
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BEST:
GOALS:
Paul Connors' and Andrew McLaughlin's boys smashed Mazenod by 25 goals at Central Reserve. Will MacIsaac booted eight, leading thirteen other goalkickers. Connor Briscoe was named as best in the big win, but it was a total team performance that promised much.
BEST: Connor Briscoe, Will MacIsaac, Oliver Sheehan, Jack Francis, Tom Egan, Will Troy
GOALS: Will MacIsaac 8 Tom Egan 2 Luke McCarthy 2 Conor O'Brien 2 Matthew Robinson 2 Connor Briscoe 1 Ethan Browne 1 Samuel Casserly 1 Daniel Collison 1 Jack Forde 1 Xavier McIntyre 1 Sam Purcell 1 Will Troy 1 Eddy Wain 1
After a midweek clash at Elsternwick, the T-Birds fronted OMs on a three day break. From the outset, they shrugged off any fatigue and dumped the Dark Blues into a dark place.
