The U19 Twos concluded their season with a fourth-placed finish, and the U23 Blacks were too good for the U23 Reds in their second semi at Toorak Park. The U19 Premier team and the Reserves secured minor premierships with big wins, while the Seniors had a strong win over Uni Blues in their final game at the ‘old’ Toorak Park.

SENIORS

Old Xaverians finished their home and away campaign with a 49 point shredding of Uni Blues at Toorak Park. The contest was fierce in the first, with Xavs booting the first goal, but the Swamp Hens hit back with two in response. Then, after missing several opportunities, the Red ‘n’ Blacks added their second deep into time-on and went to the huddle with a three-point lead.

There was tension among the Titans of the Terrace with the news that the game at Old Brighton was neck-and-neck.Knowing that only a draw at Beach Road and a Xavs loss would keep James Byrne’s team from an appearance next week, the anguish continued as Blues added the first three goals before the quarter reached midway.

The X-Men responded, clawing three goals back before the break. The faithful went to the final-ever afternoon tea in the Charles Lux Pavilion a little more confident but still on edge.

The third term saw the X-Men take control. By the halfway point, they had added another three majors to stretch their lead to 21 points. However, six unanswered was not enough for the home team. They slammed home another two before the lemons to lead by 34 points.

Meanwhile, the news had filtered through from Trackside that Old Melburnians had fallen well off the pace once the Tonners finally straightened up.

For the final time this campaign, theXavs kicked to their favoured Malvern Road end. But the visitors struck first at the ten-minute mark after the home team had kicked two minors earlier in the piece. Then Blues booted another, and suddenly there were just four goals between the combatants. Xavs responded with vigour, blowing the margin out to eight goals before the final siren blew.

The Xaverians won the first Carmody Cup and are now in recovery before they meet Old Brighton in the cut-throat semi-final next week. Blues ended their season of turmoil with another loss, their second-heaviest of a campaign they’d rather forget.

Xavier Richards booted five in a masterful performance. The brothers Troiani showed their usual zip around the packs and near goal, while Jordan Kelly turned on another strong effort in a back six that is travelling well. Kudos to Tommy Hart, who rucked against the colossus Ayce Cordy, the dual Woodrow Medallist. Cordy has for some seasons proved a problem for all ruckmen in the VAFA, but Xavs plug-and-play youngster plugged away all afternoon and ensured the big fellow didn’t do too much damage. Joey Ayton-Delaney gave plenty of drive from the midfield that resulted in chances upfield.

Goal Kickers: X. Richards 5, C. MacIsaac 2, J.Troiani 2, W. Goss 2, B. Bilston-McGillen, W. Hams, M. Stavrou, J. Soccio

Best Players: X. Richards, H. Troiani, T.Hart, J. Ayton-Delaney, J. Kelly, J. Troiani

RESERVES

Old Xaverians massacred traditional rival Uni Blues to close their season at the top of the ladder. The visitors, short-handed, and a mere spectre of the lineup that once traded finals’ wins with the Red ‘n’ Blacks, went behind early and never recovered.

Darcy Feutrill was best in a team that boasted five players with hat-tricks or better. Ed Delany kicked 6.4 to lead the pack, as several players pushed claims for senior selection.

The Xavs will play Old Melburnians in the second semi-final at Sandringham next Sunday.

Pics here and here

Goal Kickers: E. Delany 6, T. Simmons 3, B.Scala 3, H. Bell 3, M. Handley 3, L. Soccio, H. Cullity, D. Tuddenham, B.Kennedy, T. Gilbert
Best Players: D. Feutrill, E. Delany, D.Tuddenham, T. Amad, T. Simmons, J. Dalbosco

U19 Premier

The U19 Premier team smashed CaulfieldGrammarians to complete a 17-1 home and away campaign. Jude Sassi was best afield, but he had plenty of mates as the Red ’n’ Blacks controlled the play throughout.

The Senator booted another five and Tom Silvagni three in the big win.

Next Sunday, the minor premier meets Williamstown CYMS in the early game at Sandringham.

Goal Kickers: E. Kennedy 5, T. Silvagni 3, H.Woodhouse 2, D. Fitzgerald 2, W. Stevens 2, J. Sassi, E. Niall, L. Moore, C.Thomas
Best Players: J. Sassi, D. Fitzgerald, E.Kennedy, W. Bowen, S. Hansen, T. Dunne

U19 Twos

A brave season performance by Batty’sBoys ended yesterday when they fell by 12 points to Mazenod. Battling all year against other club’s first eighteen U19 squads, the Red ‘n’ Backs gave themselves every chance to pull off an improbable finals win. In the end, it was not to be, but a fourth place finish capped a season of ups-and-downs that featured many great victories.

U23

The Blacks won convincingly over the Reds in their second semi-final, leaving the Reds to face Uni Blues next Saturday at Coburg.

Matt Exell again excelled for the Blacks with five goals and Charlie Westcott kicked three in the win.

Ollie Tehan and Stinger Stanley tioiled hardest for the Rouge. with Charlie Niall booting two.

Pics here

Blacks

Goal Kickers: M. Exell 5, C. Westcott 3, T.Barbakos 2, B. Whelan, S. Stynes, M. Salvatore

Best Players: M. Exell, A. Lamanna, C. Westcott, P. Cockerill, W. Bryce, E. Hummerston

Reds

Goal Kickers: C. Niall 2, M. Speakman 2, C. Dunne, J. Lowe

Best Players: O. Tehan, S. Stanley, C. Dunne, M. Dowdell, A. Eden-Lachowicz, M. Speakman

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