November 19, 2024
RALPH'S NEW ROLE
O'Shaughnessy is Xavs' Footy GM
A Century of the Red & Black
Ruckman Matt Smith, who got it all started, won the umpires’ nod for the medal for best on ground, but it was the electric performance of Harry Kelly that finished. The Harricane grabbed marks in the pack and on the lead and kicked like a machine to post seven for the afternoon.
Jack Bueno and Tom Fantasia held the defence tight, while James Agius and Cam Bishop cut through the midfield to create plenty of chances.
Team Manager Bruce Wilson reports:
The U23’s are to be congratulated on a brilliant year and the rare achievement of being Premiers and Champions for 2019 as well as holding a 20 – 0 against all opposition. The record speaks for itself:
Coach Healy sent the message early in the week: move the ball fast, play uncompromising football, and be prepared for a tough opponent. On Friday afternoon, he called for an 8.30 breakfast – 3 hours before the game. Within 10 minutes of arriving at Jake and the Beanstalk, the penny dropped and the previously puzzled playing personnel “got it’ and settled in for a relaxing pregame address with a light brekky and coffee to boot. It proved to be a masterstroke as the entire team from players, coaches, volunteers all arrived at the ground relaxed and in great spirits.
Themeeting afforded the great Anastasia and Miles plenty of time to tape, massage and get the lads up and about for 2 preg-ame warmups… luxury. It was great to see all the players who contributed to today’s game and all integral parts of the U23’s turn up and support. Again, Coach Healy pulls out a “game-changer” and at 11.29am, ten minutes before the first bounce, the classy Matt Forrest addresses the boys – “He who does not want to give 100% today, let me know, I am ready!!”
There was an air of confidence amongst the group as it was to be business as usual. From the first bounce, the Claret and Stout jumped out of the gates and jumped tp a first-quarter 3 goal lead. The midfield led by Smith, Agius, Bishop, Berry, Tiernan and Mantesso were on a rampage. Up front, Harry Kelly set the cornerstone for his brilliant game with multiple marks and two conversions. Other goals to Hess - a brilliant set shot on a 45-degree angle - and a snap from the elusive Silk. Further, if the ball was not taken in the air by the big boys in Ralph, Unger, Carroll, Hess and Mantesso, then it was quickly snapped by the brilliant ground force of Stanley, Brennan, O’Loughlin and Scala.
The second quarter didn’t get any easier for the Kevins and our lads set the pace once again with a brilliant quarter. There were no weak links at all in the first and second quarters and no let up, our boys had come to play. Any attack by SKOB was quickly shut down by a brilliant backline featuring Bueno, Nunan, Veljkovic, Captain Wilson, Fantasia, Lebebvre all prominent.
Two team-lifting goals from Agius and Kelly and an unbelievable snap from Ralph gave us a 6 goal half time lead. Skipper Charlie Wilson suffered a suspected broken hand during the quarter, which was later confirmed. He played the rest of the game out as a true leader to eventually lift the cup high.
In the 3rd quarter, SKOB threw the proverbial “Kitchen Sink” at us! Again our backline was superb as well as our lightning quick wingers with Will Wilson and Silky moving to support the backs to driving the ball into the forward line to break SKOB hearts. Then our lads set about converting more goals through Kelly and O’Laughlin. Let’s not forget the brilliant tactician in Tom Bergin who kept laying counter attacks and blocks with his moves and continued to be master of the board.
Its never smart to be over-confident, but the brains trust knew that SKOB had spent its silver bullets in the first 15 minutes of the last quarter and were now out of ammunition. It was another brilliant quarter from our lads who took advantage of the opposition’s mental state and stepped it up another notch. The heat was sapping and if not for the great work of our great water personnel in Callum O’Reilly and Will Honan the game could have been a different story. Kelly was dominant with another 3 goals to top off a 7 goal game – bravo. Hessy and the big Mountain Veljkovic converted truly as well
A great team effort in the truest sense with special mentions to Harry Kelly with 7 goals, who along with Matt Smith was brilliant. But how do you separate all of our great boys? As they say, you are only as strong as your weakest link and our team does not have one.
The siren sounds, the hugs are infectious, the supporters go wild, our team can truly be crowned The 2019 Invincibles. Matt Smith is awarded BOG with the VAFA medal, all the boys collect their Premiership medals and Captain Courageous Wilson -with broken hand - and Master Coach Healy - with dislocated shoulder - try to lift the cup and eventually do!
Thank you to all who contributed to such a great team and all are a part of this success. Thanks to Tom “The Master” Bergin, Anastasia and Miles for their hard work as always, Rob Bergin for a great season, James Samartzis, 3 classy guys in Will Honan, Callum O'Reilly and Matt “Fridge” Forrest for all their efforts and unselfish support. To Terry for being the “Jedi Master” of all things support and team management, Jacqueline Shields for helping me before the game and providing great support all year, Simon Massey is the best time keeper in the VAFA, Tony Fantasia and all the supporters, parents, Committee and past players. A big thank you to Bridget Wilson for the year and her terrific photos.
Also, a shoutout to Matt Cosgrave, Damian Berry and the committee for their generosity and support and for the brilliant night at the Smith, and sore heads the following day.
Finally, thanks to Michael Fitzgerald and Marcus Allan for their support and organisation through the year.
GO Xavs!
Old Xaverians 4.1-25 8.5-53 10.8-68 15.12-102
St Kevins 1.0-6 2.2-14 3.5-23 4.7-31
Goal Kickers: H. Kelly 7, J. Hess 2, J. Agius 2, O. Silk, D. O''Loughlin, E. Ralph, W. Veljkovic
Best Players: H. Kelly, M. Smith, J. Agius, C. Bishop, T. Fantasia, J. Bueno
