November 19, 2024
RALPH'S NEW ROLE
O'Shaughnessy is Xavs' Footy GM
A Century of the Red & Black
Round 7 showed again the ups and downs, with some sparkling performances and some less than brilliant performances on the weekend report card.
Uni Blacks recovered from a slow start to win the second term and then take advantage of the Red 'n' Blacks in the third term, outscoring them by seven goals to two.
Xavs fell by 21 points in the end, again falling to defeat at University Oval where it has not beaten the Blacks since 2008, when they first returned to Premier section to end their years in the wilderness.
Skipper Stavrou returned for his first game of the year. While not his best game, he was clearly the pick of the visitors. Jordan troiani also came back and was as trong contributor too, but by-and-large, the home team was better around the stoppages despite Al Spralja's efforts in the ruck, and far more atuned to finding avenues to score.
Charlie MacIsaac was the pick of the forwards and his first quarter goal was a Goal of the Year candidate. Jack Hewitt again showed his willingness to win any available ball, no matter the cost, while Alex Trigar, just three games back from injury, stepped it up a notch on the ball and in defence.
Next week, a must-win game against Old Haileybury. Despite its poor form of late, finals are certainly not beyond the Xavs, but the turnaround must come soon.
Goal Kickers: C. MacIsaac 3, M. Stavrou 3, J. Hewitt 2, B. Bilston-McGillen 2, D. Tuddenham, B. Moyle
Best Players: M. Stavrou, J. Troiani, A. Spralja, A. Trigar, J. Hewitt, C. MacIsaac
Billy Kennedy booted three and with Ned Niall, created havoc for the Blacks at Uni Oval in the R7 clash. Up front, Bobby Knott and Will Hart shared seven goals, as the reigning premier cashed in with a 94 point victory that saw them take back top spot on percentage from the other three 6-1 teams.
Blacks managed just four goals before the long break and trudged to the sheds down by 32 points. The pain continued after the half, when the X Men added four goals in the third without response and then six in the last to one solitary reply.
The Twos will start favourite next week against tenth-placed Old Haileybury.
Goal Kickers: C. Knott 4, W. Hart 3, B. Kennedy 3, T. Lowe 2, C. Westcott 2, E. Niall 2, M. Exell, D. Fitzgerald, A. Sheedy
Best Players: B. Kennedy, E. Niall, C. Knott, A. Sheedy, T. Lowe, J. Hess
Xavs got on the boeard early through Katta Mullins but couldn't add to their score after quarter time as the Oggers held them in check.
Tahryn Mant was best in a team that lost by three goals and she received strong support from the VandenBoom sisters in the R7 contest at Greythorn.
Goal Kickers: K. Mullins
Best Players: T. Mant, R. VandenBoom, K. Mullins, E. VandenBoom, B. Crowe, C. Bonnett
The Red 'n' Blacks looked good early, but were goalless in the second and final terms, allowing Old Brighton to steady by the half and do enough after the break to win.
A big win from Batty's Boys on Friday night at Ormond, as they jumped the Men of Harlech early and drove home their advantage.
Goal Kickers: J. Salce 4, B. Sherman 2, H. McAuliffe 2, J. Sandman, C. Bourne, E. Paul, J. McCarthy, W. Troy, M. Dahlsen
Best Players: H. McLean, C. Bourne, J. Salce, T. Regan, E. Paul, W. Wrigley
Ed "Calling Dr Casey" Nelson booted four in a BOG display as the Xavs defeated Old Paradians. It was a strong team effort and a strong finish from the Red 'n' Blacks, who now sit in third spot.
Goal Kickers: E. Nelson 4, F. OCallaghan 3, J. Shirley 2, S. Purcell 2, E. Lyons
Best Players: E. Nelson, T. Warnakulasuriya, J. Agelopoulos, J. Shirley, F. OCallaghan, T. Curtain
Oscar Silk kicked eight and Milky Forrest five as te Menages rolled over the Blacks. The game, well won by the half, was a little more competitive after the break, but a 57 point win means some nice percentage for the 'Nages, who sit in second spot.
Goal Kickers:O. Silk 8, J. Forrest 5, J. Samartzis, W. Mantesso, J. Buffon
Best Players:S. Cleeve, O. Silk, L. Busk, J. Buffon, L. Christie, B. Curtis
Anthony Taouk was the only multiple goalscorer and Hicham Nidam was best as the Emerald Hose rolled over Beaumaris in the second half. The Diles had trailed by 19 points at the long break, but hit the front with a strong third term and never relinquished their lead.
Goal Kickers: A. Taouk 2, J. Jones 2, H. Nidam, T. O''Brien, J. Lyon
Best Players: H. Nidam, A. MacIsaac, A. Taouk, W. Veljkovic, H. Ralph
A solid win from the Red 'n' Blacks, who led all afternoon. Conor O'Brien kicked three and Charlie Connors was named best as Xavs took second spot on their own ahead of next week's clash with table leader Old Scotch.
Goal Kickers: C. O''Brien 3, C. Connors 2, O. Tehan 2, S. Clark, K. Lowrey, M. Costello, M. Robinson
Best Players:C. Connors, O. Tehan, C. O''Brien, T. Davine, M. Costello, D. Collison
