As with most weekends, mixed blessings for Xavier Nation. Eleven teams strutted their stuff, and there were some notable wins (6) as well as some disappointing defeats (5). But that's footy. It's not how you begin, but how you finish, and there is a long road to travel for all teams.

Dan Donati's team had a tough first hitout at TH KIng, losing a rugged battle with St Kevin's by 20 points. Under perfect skies, the Tricolors looked more lethal than the visitors in the first term, finding more avenues to the sticks than the Red 'n' Blacks. The second term was a more even affair, but at the half, the Kevins led by 11 points.

The third term was Xavs best, though it must be said they were again outscored.  Xavs booted three in four minutes to tie it up and then take the lead for the first time, but it was to be the only time. The home team banged tthrough four goals to one in the second half of the term to lead by 14 points at the lemons. Xavs traded goals with the SKOB, getting within 13 points before the Kevs kicked the last to win by 20 points.

The Red 'n' Blacks are no strangers to Opening Day defeat. As was the case last season, the early unavailabilties have proved a scourge, but the team has considerably more depth and experience than last year's vintage. SKOB, themselves a few short of their best, looked strong again, and thoughts of a fall down the ladder should be discounted.

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Round 1 provided some interesting results:

‍St Bernard's came from behind in time on to crawl over first-time entry Fitzroy (78-76).

Old Melburnians beat reigning premier Collegians by 21 points (103-82).

Old Brighton had the biggest win of the day at the beach, beating the highly touted Uni Blues (100-70).

.Old Scotch recovered from early trouble to top the Blacks at Uni Oval (58-49)

A super win for the Reserves on TH King. It was a tough encounter, with scoring at a premium. Xavs opened well enough, but the Kevins hit back in the second. The third term was a defensive struggle, with just eight behinds scored by the combined teams. An intense final term saw the lead surrenderd, but the X-Men nosed in front with nearly 21 minutes gone. A last minute forward foray by the home team yielded a behind, and Dimitri Panotis pocketed his first four points for the season.

The WOX ran into a tough one at Old Brighton. Under lights, and in front of a jubilant Tonner crowd, the Red 'n' Blacks struggled to contain the Seasiders and went down by 63 points. The visitors' inability to score against the strong Brighton defence did not augur well, but there was plenty of effort from the WOX, which will find greater reward against other opponents.

The Falcons proved too strong for the WOX in a low scoring affair on Saturday morning. Neither team found scoring easy, and it was the straight shooting from the Lakesiders that proved the difference.

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Xavs defeated Uni Blues by 20 points at Stradbroke despite allowing six majors in the final term. The visitors look to be a stronger lineup than in previous seasons, and challenged early. Matt Handley's team nailed it in the third term, leading by 45 points at the lemons, before the Swamp Hens came with a barrage of last term goals.

The 19 Twos conceded a first term lead to the Dark Blues, and never managed to bridge the gap, going down by 11 points at Stradbroke Park.

Gus Gorman booted seven to fire the 19 Threes to victory over Glen Eira. The Red 'n' Blacks pounced early and kept on going, increasing the lead each term and narrowly missing the 100 point win.

An easy victory for the U23s, putting the sword to the old enemy from the outset.

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Having put Old Geelong away on Stradbroke Park last week, the Menages belted them yesterday at Como Park. Will Msntesso kicked seven and was named BOG. Next week, they meet Old Melburnians and then Fitzroy, before a possible regrade of the competition.

Photos from Savanna Villis

Another win for the Diles. Under lights at the Trott, the Reptiles dazzled.

An early lead wasn't enough as the Skobbers had a big second term and then held the Red 'n' Blacks in check the rest of the way.