November 19, 2024
RALPH'S NEW ROLE
O'Shaughnessy is Xavs' Footy GM
A Century of the Red & Black
Murray Browne’s team had faced Caulfield three times this season and won its most recent contest. The frightful weather conditions proved no advantage at all to the pacy Xavs, rather favouring the stronger Grammarian lineup.
The first half was a low-scoring contest, and it would have been lower still but for an appalling 50 metre penalty against the Xavs that gifted the Fields their second goal. The second half was a no-scoring contest, as both teams struggled to link.
The Red ‘n’ Blacks had their moments, but couldn’t finish. There was to be no dais, no glory, just a disappointed bunch of 24 who braved more rain and cold while watching their opponents enjoy the soils of victory.
Despite the loss, there were some outstanding efforts. Caitlin Hickey, the Camperdown Crusher, was a prime mover in the ruck, and skipper Gabby Golds was brave and hard at the ball. Overall, luck and form deserted the WOX when they most needed it, but the loss shouldn’t over-shadow the improvement and the achievement of a fine season.
Old Xaverians 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Caulfield Grammarians 1.0-6 2.2-14 2.2-14 2.2-14
Best Players: C. Hickey, G. Golds, E. Dwyer , G. Henderson, I. Ellis, A. Harangozo
It was wind, rather than the rain, that affected the quality of the curtain-raiser at Mentone. A bigger and perhaps more skilled OG team handled the conditions with greater aplomb and worked their way to a 16 point lead at the final change.
Old Xavs had the better of the final term, and at one stage, a miracle victory looked possible, if still improbable, but the kicking in front of the sticks was not as accurate as it might have been and the WOX, who had a brilliant year under Fran Moodie, had to settle for second. A tough finish to a brilliant year.
Old Geelong 1.0-6 3.1-19 3.4-22 4.5-29
Old Xaverians 0.0 1.0-6 1.0-6 2.3-15
Best: H. Ryan, D McLaren, C. Sgarbossa, G. Cleaver, B. Robertson, A. Smith
Goals: Z. Manning, E. Ko
