Stradbroke Park saw one its tightest contest in recent years with some of the best Under 19 football you’ll see. These two sides needed no history lesson on the rivalry that has built up in past years and the signs were good early for the Xavs as once they jumped out of the blocks on home turf.

1st quarter was end to end with De La ruing missed opportunities and the claret n stout making the most of theirs. Our forwards kicked truly and through goals from Ambrose, Lees and two magnificent running goals from Luke Bisset gave the team a 14 point buffer at the first break.

The second term was a fierce quarter, James Woods was excellent as he set-up plenty of attacks and also linking up well with our Half Forwards in Louis Tiernan and Nick Biddlecombe. Bidda’s was great all and was the only dangerous forward on the ground, he also played on through a broken hand for the majority of the 2nd half. We took a 13 point lead into the main break and knew the battle was nowhere near over.

De La kicked the first two goals of the 3rd quarter and saw them draw to within a point. Our bigger forwards who had been quite all day began to have an influence, as Patty Ambrose slotted his 2nd goal for the game and first game Daniel Barry not looking out of place and he took some contested marks in and around the forward 50. Johnny Pintal and Will Moffit were both great across half back, the Albury boys won plenty of their own ball whilst also keeping their men very quiet.

At the final break, the margin was 8 points and this arm wrestle could’ve gone either way. Unfortunately De La dominated the centre clearances in the last quarter and due to this were able to run away with the game. The Under 19’s now sit 3rd on the ladder, walk away from the game without points but know that there is still plenty more improvement to come.

Starting with this weekend against Uni Blacks at Crawford Oval at 2pm.