RALPH'S NEW ROLE
O'Shaughnessy is Xavs' Footy GM
Five teams only competed for points, with the Men's Seniors, Reserves and three U19 teams still on sabbatical.
The two WOX teams played at Toorak Park and both lowered their cololours to strong SBMT lineups.
The Crocs had another good win, but bottom-placed St Bernard's stunned the U23s.
The top-placed U23 Twos dropped half a game in their draw with Melbourne High.
Unfortunately, Old Geelong forfeited their game against the Menages.
St Bede's Mentone Tigers inflicted a go to whoah defeat on the WOX at Toorak Park today. After the cliffhanger curtainraiser, the faithful were hoping for another close affair, but the WOX simply didn't have the power to go with the Seasiders.
A tough loss for the WOX on their return to Toorak Park.
After leading by eight points at the long break, the Xavs conceded two goals in the third term and never managed to get their noses in front again.
The Seasiders have now edged Xavs from the top four.
Lucy Lentini was best for the home team.
The Emerald Hose stayed unbeaten with a big win at Parkside. The first half was a competitive affair, but the Xavs domination of the back half extended to their front half after the long break. Holding the Devils to a solitary goal after two quarters, the Diles added ten themselves to take the points with comfort.
The top-of-the-table X-Men put in a shocking second stanza to go six goals behind the Bernies. After a strong third term, the Xavs again fell behind as the Snowdogs, reinforced with some highly credentialled players who were available because of other byes, took charge. Jack Kennedy was best in Red 'n black, and the 23s are two games clear of second-placed St Kevin's.
Mid-table Melbourne High took a half share of the points from the table-toppers yesterday, despite a big rearguard action from the X-Men in the final term. Tom Curtain was named best and Patrick Hoy booted four in the draw that sees the Red 'n' Blacks six points clear of Old Ivanhoe, whose nine games in this section post-promotion have all been wins.
Bridget Wilson gallery here