Old Xaverians returned to form and to the winners' list when they defeated previously unbeaten Collegians at Toorak Park today. Playing their best football since R18 last season, when they defeated these same Lions, the Red 'n' Blacks swept home with an eight goal final term to win by 27 points.

The Claret and Stout victory was fired by a brilliant performance from Jason Holmes in the ruck and the continued sensational forward work of Matthew Handley. both were helped by a midfield and forward setup that provided the linkages between the two giants.  Ben Kennedy was strong all day, and he had great assistance from Tomi Johnston, Matt Merlo, Louis Denton and the dashing rookie Michael Batten in a midfield that tackled hard, ran hard and won plenty of the ball.

Xavs had the better of the first quarter, with the defence tight, but were unable to apply any scoreboard pressure. Turnovers have proven fatal this season and late in the opening stanza, a goal gifted to the Lions through an errant inboard pass drew groans from the large home crowd. The Lions by 11 points at the first break, but the mood in the huddle was positive.

The visitors slammed through two quick ones early in the second, but paid a heavy price when ace forward Bruhn injured a knee and joined fellow gun Will Johnston on the pine. The next eight or so minutes produced a defensive battle, but Handley booted his second.  Three minutes later, Clay Johnston snapped truly after a chain of handballs. Luke Barry snared a kick-in and sent a drop punt sailing through the middle, then Handley struck again to give the x Men the lead. That advantage lasted all of a minute, but no longer, as the Purples replied.

Just before the half-time siren, Chris Margin, clearly best on the ground to this stage, had a set shot from deep in the scoreboard pocket. He nailed it, much to the delight of the boisterous crowd behind the goals.

Brendan Goss goaled early in the third term, but his teammates missed easy shots. Collegians threw Sam Hibbins forward and he looked for a few minutes as if he would the game off his own boot. The visitors took their chances, slamming home four goals without reply. They went to the lemons with a margin of 12 points, but with only one fit man on the bench.

And then, the avalanche: three goals in three minutes, Tom Anderson's scything drop punt, book-ended by two more from Matt Handley, who monstered opponents and in Purple eyes must have assumed the appearance of Godzilla. Xavs back in front by a goal.

There were some tense moments mid-term, but the back six held firm for the Red 'n' Blacks. But then Clay Johnston slipped through his second, Dan Stanford snapped truly and Brad Olsson hit a long one from a set shot. Matt Margin, who had spent much of the afternoon in defence, caressed the Xavs' fourteenth and then Godzilla booted his sixth before Collegians could manage a response.

Since defeating Xavs in the 2012 grand final, the Lions have beaten the Red 'n' Blacks just once in eleven tries. Now the Purples must face St Kevin's and beat them to guarantee they stay in the top two.

Xavs head for Camberwell to meet a gritty, but winless Old Scotch. Anything but another victory against the Cardinals would undo the good work of a team that today was daring, relentless and more precise than it has been all year.

Old Xaverians     1.2-8      6.5-41       7.9-51    15.14-104
Collegians          3.1-19      6.2-38    10.3-63    12.5-77

Goal Kickers: M. Handley 6, C. Johnston 2, B. Goss, B. Olsson, D. Stanford, M. Margin, L. Barry, C. Margin, T. Anderson
Best Players: J. Holmes, B. Kennedy, C. Johnston, L. Tiernan, M. Handley, B. Olsson

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