November 19, 2024
RALPH'S NEW ROLE
O'Shaughnessy is Xavs' Footy GM
A Century of the Red & Black
Strange days indeed. Xavs will want to retake that test after only five of the ten teams saluted yesterday. While the Seniors, Reserves and Crocs all dominated, four teams - all three !9 outfits and the U23 team - all lost after leading at the lemons. We are betting we won't see that again for a while. Hopefully, a very long while.
Old Xaverians won their second game for the season and their first at the Heath in over a decade, overcoming Caulfield Grammarians with a power display from seasoned veterans and fast-seasoning rookies alike. The X-Men saluted by 66 points and might have been much greater if the visitors' goalkicking had been a little more accurate.
James Byrne blooded two more - Will Doquile and Jack Boyd. The latter, who already looks an accomplished ruckman ans well-balanced forward, featured prominently in the first half, teaming up with second-gamer Oscar Duncan to give the Claret and Stouts first opportunity at the stoppages.
In truth, finding players who under-performed was more difficult than picking good ones. Jordan Kelly and Denis Symeopoulos owned their opponents, displaying the high-level form that has been their hallmark. Campbell Lane could have kicked six or seven from his wing with a touch more luck, while on the opposite side, Tommy McRae played his best game for the year.
His rookie mate Ned Niall returned to the lineup and showed plenty in and under. Dan Tuddenham again featured strongly and up forward, Harrison Bell continued to mark against bigger opponents.
The defence was led by Kelly, of course, but Tom Hart, returning for his first senior game this year, showed his usual entusiasm for the contest and strong attack on the ball. Will Goss has made the half back line his own and his vision and penetrating boot has already created plenty of opportunities. Jed Feneley is looking stronger each week, while fellow third-gamer Tommy Dunne again played like a 100-gamer.
Key forwards Julian Soccio and Grant Valles were instrumental link men and booted two apiece in the win.
Caulfield, of course, beset with many player departures over the summer, are expected to struggle this season. Next week's foe, Uni Blues, have been highly touted as a contender, but were drubbed by a merciless Old Scotch yesterday. They will be ready to atone under the spires next week, and the Red 'n' Blacks will need to be ready on a ground that has never provided them with too much happy hunting. Still, this is a very new Old Xavs team that is finding its feet very quickly.
Goal Kickers: J. Boyd 3, H. Bell 3, C. Lane 3, D. Symeopoulos 2, G. Valles 2, J. Soccio 2, C. MacIsaac, O. Duncan
Best Players:J . Kelly, D. Symeopoulos, D. Tuddenham, W. Goss,T. McRae, H. Bell
Wade Brusnahan again pushed his name for higher honours with a polished display as the reigning premier smashed the Fields by 147 points. Xavs had winners all over the field - Jack Hewitt kicked six in his first game of the year, while Ed Ralph and the aforementioned Brusnahan slipped through four each. Eleven Xavs hit the scoreboard in the big win, which also featured great performances from Billy Kennedy, Gus Sheedy and Al Spralja.
Next week, the league leader takes nearly 600% to Parkville to meet traditional foe Uni Blues. The Blues Twos are traditionally strong, but yesterday, like its senior team, went down by 100+. Still, thye are usually a different team, a better team, at home and the X-Men will need to be ready.
Goal Kickers: J. Hewitt 6, E. Ralph 4, W. Brusnahan 4, W. Hart 3, E.Hummerston 2, E. Kennedy 2, O. Smart, B. Scala, J. Tobin, B. Kennedy, J. Kennedy
Best Players: W. Brusnahan, J. Hewitt, B. Kennedy, E. Ralph, A.Sheedy, A. Spralja
Goal Kickers: S. Anderson
Best Players: M. Clarke, K. Dowd, B. Crowe, V. Murphy, A.Fairweather, E. VandenBoom
Gallery here
Xavs conceded five goals in the final term as Caulfied over-ran the reigning premier at Caulfield Grammar. The X-Men led all day and went to the lemons with a twenty point advantage, but it went wrong in the last as the Fields got home by a point.
Coach Batten reports:
Round 3 and another perfect day for footy greeted us as we played host to the undefeated Hampton Rovers. With Anzac Day falling on the Tuesday leading up the game, we only had one formal training session to prepare which made preparations short but sweet. There was an optional player driven session on Anzac Day and it was great to see the majority of the squad have a kick.
If there was any rust to show for the lack of track time, it didn’t show in the first quarter. After a few minutes to size each other up, we put the foot down with some scintillating end-to-end football. There were switches with confidence, transition with pace and delivery with precision. Luca Santalucia looked up for the challenge as he drove the surge early on with great vision, and delivery from Paddy Gilmour to the likes of Charlie Christopher and Eddie Paul was sublime. Charlie “Chappy” Christopher had it on a string as he booted three first quarter goals, with our surge mentality giving the Hampton defenders no time to react. Our set shot goal kicking was excellent as we took a 23 point lead into the main break.
One could be forgiven for thinking more of the same was about to unfold after our first two rounds of footy, however having coached several seasons in Division 1, I’ve seen first-hand well driven teams turn around quarters, games and seasons. Hampton made some noticeable changes and the game started to take a different shape. Their pressure around the contest lifted substantially, they looked organised in defending transition, and if it had escaped me earlier in the game, they suddenly looked extremely tall.
However when we got our surge game going, we still looked like we could blow the game open. Ben Sherman, Luca Patane and Jackson Gomezal were making quick decisions and moving the ball. When we anticipated these decisions it was impossible for Hampton to defend. Justin Salce was a real threat up forward, with his ability to play tall and small giving him the best match up possible. He hit the scoreboard twice and kept our lead intact. In the backline Jimmy Spiridonos and Will Wrigley looked to be great match ups for the dangerous Hampton forwards, with their ability to spoil and nullify attacks lifting the other defenders. Ed Pick took a few handy intercept marks and we kept our leads at 22 points going into the main break.
The half time message was clear – keep taking the game on. We agreed that Hampton had lifted around the ball and we had probably only half responded. It was important that we go out and try to win the game rather than defend it. The first 5 to 10 minutes of the quarter was a good arm wrestle, with both teams trying to grab the ascendancy. Will Troy was doing a mountain of work around the ground as the sole ruckman and Jack Shirley looked clean in possession when the pressure was on. The ball was starting to get entrenched in our defensive 50 as Hampton’s talls really got into the game. Will Beattie announced himself to the division with an outstanding quarter, winning multiple defensive 1v1s and giving Hampton something to worry about. The backline were commendable with multiple last ditch efforts to spoil and clear attacks all quarter. We hit the scoreboard twice, however Hampton got 3 agoals s our lead began to erode. A huge last quarter was needed as we took a 16 point lead into the break.
The final quarter began with only three available players on the bench which was impacting rotations. We asked for a huge effort from the mids and to their credit they got stuck in. Luke Fares and Harry Bird took responsibility with second, third and sometimes fourth efforts through the contest. However we just couldn’t compete for as long as Hampton and their pressure brought about some uncharacteristic turnovers. Hampton had 7 intercept marks in the defensive 50 for the quarter which really highlighted that their pressure had impacted our disposal and their structure was well set up to capitalise. Crawford for Hampton eventually got a few lucky bounces on Wrigley who performed amazingly all day to dribble through a couple goals and take the game away from us.
It was great to have a tough contested game of footy and whilst nobody likes losing, there are some really positive signs of development and a willingness to improve amongst the group. As the late Tom Hafey said, footy is good and it’s getting better. Looking forward to next week, at home again against Old Meburnians.
Thanks to all the parents who attended The Auburn last night. Hope you had a good time and as president Matt Cosgrave mentioned, there are plenty of avenues to get involved, support, become a member or even sponsor the club. In particular we have the 100 year gala on the Saturday 20 May.. a once in a century celebration. Tickets at trybooking.com/CFAUB.
Goal Kickers: C. Christopher 4, J. Salce 3, E. Paul 2, C. Bourne, C.Spears, J. Gomezel
Best Players: J. Spiridonos, J. Salce, C. Christopher, E. Pick,W. Beattie, H. Bird
Red 'n' Blacks surrender lead in last
Goal Kickers: D. Fitzgerald 2, C. Westcott 2, G. Villiers de Casanove 2, D.Condon
Best Players: R. Calvert, C. Briscoe, D. Fitzgerald, D. Condon,H. Hosking
Goal Kickers: X. Romanin-Green 3, J. Hanger 3, R. Beaton 3, W. Honan 2, W.Mantesso 2, L. Busk, T. Warnakulasuriya, T. Fantasia, N. Nunan
Best Players: W. Mantesso, T. Wynne, X. Romanin-Green, L. Busk,S. Cleeve, J. Norman
Goal Kickers: T. O''Brien 4, M. Perrett 3, J. Lyon 3, J. Cowell 3, G.Lachal, S. Murray
Best Players: M. Perrett, J. Carroll, S. Stanley, T. O''Brien,S. Murray, J. Stratford
Gallery here
