November 19, 2024
RALPH'S NEW ROLE
O'Shaughnessy is Xavs' Footy GM
A Century of the Red & Black
Old Xaverians won their eleventh of the season when they overcame a strong and spirited St Bernard’s at the Snakepit yesterday.
As in days of yore, the Snowdogs were hard at every contest and troubled the Xavs early. While the X-Men drove forward often, the Bernards’ defence held firm with some solid overhead marking a strong rebound. Rohan Bewick and Nick Prowse goaled in the first stanza, a feat they repeated in the second. However, it wasn’t until Alex Browne snapped truly on the half-time bell that the Claret and Stout hit the front.
The home team had the use of a strong breeze in the third stanza, but inaccuracy let them down when they had a chance to build a solid lead. By contrast, Xavs had just four shots - two from Jack Hewitt, one from Marcus Stavrou and one from Chopper Handley - all of which drew twin calicos.
The Pitters led by less than a goal at the lemons, but that lead disappeared when Matt Handley booted his second. Bernies responded, but then Matt Merlo calmly punted one from distance. St Bernard’s wouldn’t lie down, regaining the lead. But Matt Margin had the final say, calmly booting the sealer after his previous kicked had restored the lead.
After a winless July, it was a welcome return to the winners’ list. Coach Satterley was satisfied with the endeavour of his team, which had to fight hard all the way to snatch the prize.
St Bernards 4.2-26 6.3-39 10.11-71 12.11-83
Old Xaverians 2.5-17 5.12-42 9.12-66 13.16-94
Goal Kickers: R. Bewick 2, J. Hewitt 2, M. Handley 2, M. Margin 2, C. Prowse 2, M. Stavrou, M. Merlo, A. Browne
Best Players: J. Kelly, A. Trigar, J. Holmes, H. Troiani, M. Stavrou, R. Bewick
Given their respective positions on the ladder, the ultimate result was no surprise. though St Bernard’s hung tough throughout. For an hour or so, their pluck was enough to keep the game close, but eventually, the quality shone through. The Xavs’ defence, led by Nick McCann and Luke Barry, shut down the Snow Dogs, while the powerful forward setup began to click.
St Bernards 2.0-12 4.2-26 4.6-30 5.8-38
Old Xaverians 2.4-16 4.7-31 9.11-65 12.12-84
Goal Kickers: B. Goss 4, C. Kennedy 3, E. Lachal, W. Mantesso, T. Hart, N. Prowse, P. Phillips
Best Players: J. Troiani, N. McCann, L. Barry, H. Batten, N. Prowse, C. Kennedy
The Xavs romped away in the first term and were never troubled by third-placed Old Scotch.
Team Manager Bruce Wilson reports:
A chilly morning welcomed the Old Xavs with a first up game at Camberwell Oval. The ground was in magnificent condition and allowed our boys to dominate all day. Once again, the only issue for improvement is inaccuracy in front of goal.
Apart from several errors in clean balls gets, wayward handballs and dropped marks, the game could be rated as one of the better wins for the year. Old Scotch has been our toughest opponent all year and, in the past, have led at quarter time on both occasions. Not so this week and the result was a 122-point winning margin that could have been 200 points if we had kicked with accuracy.
A few team changes occurred before the game, with two players back into the 2nds, a late withdrawal through injury, and so the 3 emergencies got the nod for the day.
It was great to have Louis Tiernan play his first game for the year. He showed his class and delivered the ball with pinpoint accuracy.
Today’s win was a great team effort, with Old Scotch not knowing the number of the bus that hit them. This was no more evident than when captain Charlie Wilson took a blinder of a pack mark taking out his opposing number who was left flat on his back counting “birdies”. This was a lifting moment and all day the team followed suit with no prisoners taken.
Special mentions to Matt Smith who dominated the ruck all day and had amazing presence around each contest, including a moment when he physically picked up his opponent to get him out the way. Christian Impala with four goals, which could have been six. Harry Kelly totally dominating every marking contest, Big Velks making his presence felt, Charlie Wilson everywhere, and scoring a boundary goal on the run, Sean Stanley bullocking his way through everything in his way and making two conversions, James Hess having his best game , with the ball on a string, and Cam Bishop bursting his way through the centre on endless occasions.
We head into the last three rounds and again Super Coach Healy will remind all players to train hard, fight hard and continue to press for selection.
A big thanks to Anastasia our trainer extraordinaire, Meg Purdon who was our other trainer (and now a Grand Finalist with the WOX Firsts), Sam Turner and Tiernan O’Brian on water, Rob Bergin for goals, James Samartztis as runner, Bridget on photography, Rooch Brennan on the board and again to Tommy Bergin who coached and set the standards early.
Old Scotch 1.0-6 1.0-6 2.4-16 3.4-22
Old Xaverians 5.7-37 9.12-66 14.14-98 21.18-144
Goal Kickers: C. Impala 4, W. Veljkovic 2, J. Unger 2, S. Stanley 2, J. Hess 2, M. Lowe, E. Barr, C. Wilson, C. Bishop, M. Smith, L. Tiernan, J. Bueno, H. Kelly, D. O'Loughlin
Best Players: M. Smith, J. Hess, C. Wilson, S. Stanley, C. Bishop, W. Veljkovic
Josh “Tooka” Hanger slotted five and the Cain/Lane combo fired again, leading the X-Men to a big victory over St Bernard’s at the Snakepit.
The Snowdogs booted their three goals in the first term, but none thereafter, as the Red ‘n’ Blacks took control all over the park.
St Bernards 3.0-18 3.3-21 3.3-21 3.6-24
Old Xaverians 4.3-27 9.10-64 12.14-86 17.18-120
Goal Kickers: J. Hanger 5, F. Lane 2, M. Cain 2, S. Grigg, M. Tempone, M. Hess , D. Pasquariello, L. O''Sullivan, J. Smarrelli, N. Sharkey, N. Nunan
Best Players: J. Hanger, J. McElhinney, M. Hess , J. Preece, D. Pasquariello, S. Grigg
A great win by the young bucks, with skipper Tom Waldron booting his first goal for the club.
Tom Davine and Will Sheedy dominated, while Joey Woodley, whose season has been cruelled by injury, sang the song for the first time.
Connor Dunne and Will Johnstone proved capable allies for Charlie Boots, who controlled the air in the defensive half.
Xavs started fast and never lost the initiative and their win was just reward for the perseverance of coaches and players alike.
Old Geelong 0.2-2 2.4-16 5.5-35 7.5-47
Old Xaverians 6.3-39 9.7-61 12.7-79 13.11-89
Goal Kickers: W. Sheedy 3, N. Jane 3, F. McCombe 2, T. Davine 2, C. Niall, A. Sheedy, T. Waldron
Best Players: W. Sheedy, T. Davine, C. Boots, F. McCombe, M. Comito
Nine goals from Luke Cotchett was enough to steer the Crocs to a big win over Old Ivanhoe in game number 200 for Tim Silk. The ‘Diles are now in fourth spot, but next week’s clash will be critical to their finals’ chances.
Old Xaverians 6.2-38 11.3-69 15.5-95 18.6-114
Old Ivanhoe 1.0-6 5.1-31 5.1-31 8.3-51
The WOX defeated Caulfield Grammarians in a spine-tingling second semi-final at Xavier today, securing both a place in the Premier B Grand Final and promotion back to Premier section in 2020.
Team Manager Jackie Shields reports:
What a game! What a win! Old Xavs have cemented their place in this year’s Premier B Grand Final in a nail biter. It was a hard-fought win with both sides determined come out on top.
Caitlin Hickey set the tone early on with her impressive physicality in the ruck. Two early goals had Xavs sitting pretty; the back line defiant and the forward line excelling. As the siren sounded to end the first quarter, the scoreboard showed an encouraging three goals to none.
The second quarter saw solid play from the centre by the visitors, resulting in a magnificent goal. This was quickly followed by a second with their defenders stepping up and thwarting the Old Xavs assault on goal. Indiarna Ellis finally broke through as both teams headed into half-time,
Caulfield upped the intensity in the third quarter, while the initial dominance of the home team dulled. The majority of the play was in the opposition’s forward 50 with only three points in it at the final break.
The last term was a nail-biter right down to the quick. Both teams turned up the intensity put on a desperate show for the spectators. It was anyone’s game but the Old Xavs’ defence went into lock down and the forwards maximised every opportunity. Two more goals in the dying minutes of the game and victory was assured.
It was a terrific achievement by the Brownies and an exciting chapter for women's football at Old Xavs! The next chapter will be written in a fortnight.
Old Xaverians 3.0-18 4.1-25 4.4-28 6.5-41
Caulfield Grammarians 0.0-0 2.1-13 4.1-25 4.2-26
Goal Kickers: A. Nichols 2, G. Knox, I. Ellis, I. Milford, A. Keith
Best Players: T. Tupou, G. Henderson, C. Hickey, G. Golds, A. Harangozo, I. Ellis
Old Xavs lowered their colours to Old Geelong in their second-semi final clash at Xavier today.
Jackie Shields reports:
Expect the unexpected was the key take-away from Sunday’s semi-final against Old Geelong. The visitors dominated from the get-go, earning their place in the Premier B Reserve’s grand final to be played in two weeks’ time. Off the back of a double chance, Fran Moodies’ team are still in the running, but must win next weekend.
The standard of the play by the visitors had the Frantastics blindsided. They were faster and stronger and dominated in all areas of the contest, kicking two early goals. The early three goals to none scoreboard was reflective of their firepower.
The second quarter told a similar story, with a six goal lead to Old Geelong as the umpire’s whistle blew to signal half-time. The Old Xavs rallied across the 15 minute term but were unable to penetrate the visitor’s defence managing only another four behinds.
The grit and determination of the Xavs was on display in the third term, with an even contest unfolding. Three goals were slotted through and with that came the hope that the game was turning. But the visitors kept the pressure and intensity in the fourth quarter, with their speed and carry keeping the Frantastics at bay.
Thoughts turn to next weekend - regrouping, rethinking and staying focused on the job at hand.
Old Xaverians 0.1-1 0.5-5 3.6-24 3.8-26
Old Geelong 3.2-20 6.4-40 7.4-46 8.4-52
Goal Kickers: S. Ongarello 2, B. Robertson
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