November 19, 2024
RALPH'S NEW ROLE
O'Shaughnessy is Xavs' Footy GM
A Century of the Red & Black
The wind did its best yesterday across Melbourne to ensure the football wasn't too pretty, but some of the results were still pretty effective.
Old Xaverians won their third straight at BBO to finish the first half of the home and away season on a positive note.
A strong north-easterly blew all day and scoring at the Kostka Hall end of the park was at a premium, though Old Brighton, having lost the toss, drew first blood in the opening term after 8 minutes. That term lasted an incredible 39:54 - the Red 'n' Blacks, contained early, broke the shackles and landed thirteen scoring shots for the term. Only five of them were majors, the same return their third term yielded, but it proved sufficient.
The Tonners could only maanage two with the wind, while the X-Men matched that into the gale. Goaless in the third term, the home team booted five in the last to restore some respectability to the scoreline.
Xavs had plenty of impressive players, with Grant Valles up forward and in the ruck booting three in his return to the team. Julian Soccio also gave plenty as a lead-up forward, though his goalkickig was uncharacteristically wayward. Little men, left-leggers Jack Hewitt and Jordy Troiani sparkled at times. In the middle, where the game is most often decided, Marcus Stavrou and Dan Robinson dominated and handed out plenty of opportunities for the runners. Alex Spralja was again sound in the ruck and around the ground. Sam Ralph had a great paasage where he won the centre tap, roved his own ball and booted truly from inside the square.
The defensive effort was strong, with all back men doing as they needed to stop the Brighton threat.
The Xavs hitt he back nine in fifth place, with a chance to move up one when they meet SKOB at Moonga Road next week.
Goal Kickers: G. Valles 3, M. Stavrou 2, T. McRae 2,J. Troiani 2, J. Soccio 2, D. Robinson, C. Holmes, S. Ralph, H. Troiani
Best Players: G.Valles, A. Spralja, M. Stavrou, D. Robinson, J. Hewitt, H. Troiani
The Ressies rolled over the Tonners in thrird term to seal a deal that had never really been in doubt. Sam Turner was best afield and the consistent Matt Exell again prominent. Scoring was never easy, but the Red 'n' Blacks managed enough for a solid win, crossing the 1000 point offensive threshold in the process. Next week, a trip to SKC to meet an old rival.
Goal Kickers: M. Handley 2, H. Bell 2, J. Hess 2, W.Brusnahan, C. Knott, E. Kennedy, C. Westcott, B. Kennedy
Best Players: S.Turner, M. Exell, B. Kennedy, W. Brusnahan, B. Scala, H. Bell
The WOX couldn't match the Beaumaris firepower and went down by 26 points in their R9 contest yesterday. Soph Rothfield kicked the only major, while seasoned performers Amy Benifer and Big V squad member Tahryn Mant were the best for the vanquished.
Goal Kickers: S. Rothfield
Best Players: A. Benifer, T. Mant, C. Psyhogios, E. Neuwirth, M.Gaffney, E. Forrest
The U19 Premier team returned to the winning circle with a big win over traditional U19 rival De La Salle. The Bellers challenged early, but the Red 'n' Blacks shook them off to run awy in the second half. A clash with seventh-placed St Bede's Mentone Tigers awaits next week for the Claret and Stout, who sit second behind St Kevin's.
Old Trinity knocked off the Red 'n' Blacks when they came home with a strong final term. The margin at the close was just four points. Croweater Ollie Britten-Jones booted three and was nearly best on debut.
Goal Kickers: O. Britten Jones 3, J. Sandman, J.Salce, M. Dahlsen
Best Players: W.Beattie, O. Britten Jones, C. Crisostomos, P. Gilmour, L. Fares, J. Spiridonos
The Krushers were too good for the Xavs, who struggled to stay afloat and couldn't post a competitive score.
Best Players: E. Newman, N. Tyrrell, J. Daly, T.Curtain, L. Kenyon, C. Quin
Xavs had a big afternoon and a big win over Old Brighton. Tom Silvagni booted four and was best afield for the Red 'n' Blacks, while Tom Lowe matched his output at the goalfront and in general play. The win sees the X-Men in third spot behind Old Scotch and Fitzroy.
Goal Kickers: T. Silvagni 4, T. Lowe 4, N. Brown 3, L.Danielis-Morley 3, H. Hosking 2, E. Silk, A. Lo Giudice, S. Stangherlin, A.McGowan, J. Francis, F. McCombe
Best Players: T. Silvagni, T. Lowe, D. Condon, H.Hosking, L. Danielis-Morley, T. Paul
Old Xavs were too strong for Green Machine, as Josh Hanger kicked three and Tommy Wynne was best afield. Trinity fought hard, particularly in the third term, but the X-Men came home hard with a brilliant seven goal effort. Xavs sit in second, just behind St Bernard's, whom they meet next week.
Goal Kickers:J. Hanger 3, J. Forrest 2, O. Silk 2, X. Romanin-Green 2, D.Nash, M. Tempone, B. Curtis, T. Wynne, W. Mantesso
Best Players: T. Wynne, W. Honan, W. Mantesso, X. Romanin-Green, D. Cotter,T. Fantasia
The Diles lost their first of the year, falling to AJAX on Sunday at Gary Smorgon. Josh Lyon booted three, but the Emerad Hose were slow to begin and didn't finish fast enough. The Crocs are in second place courtesy of an early season swap with the U23 Twos.
Goal Kickers:J. Lyon 3, M. Perrett 2, J. Stratford, T. O''Brien
Best Players:A. MacIsaac, S. Stanley, J. Stratford, D. O''Shannassy, H. Ralph, J. Lyon
Matt Costello was BOG and Matt Perrett kicked five as the Red 'n' Blacks took fourth-placed Glen Eira apart. Next week, a clash with third place Parkside and a chance to go clear second.
Goal Kickers: M. Perrett 5, M. Speakman 3, K. Poes, W. Greig, A. Mccormack,N. Ongarelo, G. Romanin
Best Players: M. Costello, M. Perrett, T. Lyons, A. Mccormack,S. Clark
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