One of the Old Xaverians Football Clubs’ favourite sons, Andrew Oswald, will play his 200^th game in the Red & Black this weekend against Old Scotch.

Affectionately known around the Club as Ozzie, Meat, The Dragon or Bumblebee, Andrew first came to the Club in 1998 straight from the School, and quickly made an impact by winning the U/19 competition goal kicking award with 53 goals, in a Premiership year. The U/19s went back-to-back in 98, 99 with the latter year being under the guidance of Ozzie as Captain. Those same U/19 sides still hold the VAFA U/19 record for most consecutive games won…

Following a successful U/19 career, Ozzie made the step up to senior football and easily slotted into the Reserves and Senior sides, and quickly became a permanent fixture in the backline.

Ozzie tasted further Premiership success at the Club in 2002 at the tail-end of the Reserves three-peat of 2000, 2001, and 2002. If it weren’t for injury, he would have easily played in all three.

Despite Ozzie spending a majority of his time at the Club in the back-line, in 2003 after the departure of Michael Blood, he was thrust into the middle in the senior side as a ruckman. Like a duck to water, he performed with aplomb and played a vital role in one of the Clubs’ great underdog Premiership wins, again St. Bernard’s. Only two years later, Ozzie again played a major role at CHB in the Senior’s 2005 Premiership win against Uni Blues, who were also unbackable favourites on the day.

In 2007, despite playing for the majority of the season in the Seniors, Ozzie was unlucky to miss selection for the Grand Final, and ultimately what was the Premiership side.

True to form, Oz took it on the chin, without any fuss or fanfare and got on with the job, and played in his second Reserves Premiership.

Former Old Xavs Captain and good friend, Tim Fleming, believes that Ozzie is the best club man he has ever played with from a cultural perspective and feels he always set a great example of how to deal with adversity and get on with things, which takes a lot of courage.

Old Xavs former forward pocket, Tim Clarke said, “ Dragon's attitude to football and the club is amazing. I have never seen a guy put the club or the team before himself like he does. He never blows-up if he gets dropped, and we could all learn a lot from the great man.”

Aside from his on-field presence, Ozzie is a large figure around the Club off the field – his level of commitment in this area is unheralded. Always willing to lend a hand and contribute were he can when not playing, always one to be involved in locker room banter (to the point where he’s always the last in the shower, and last to leave every training session or game), and of course always the first to put his hand up when a fellow team mate or coach is looking for a beer.

More than any other, Ozzie has contributed to the success of all Old Xaverian social occasions since his arrival in 1998. Echuca 05 Footy Trip saw the birth of a legend, and it all culminated with back-to-back best on Footy Trip Awards during Bali 08 and Thailand 09. Watch this space in 2010…if his lovely wife Georgia lets him go.

Currently playing in the Reserves in what may well be his final season,
Ozzie is reinventing himself as a key forward, and in his 199th game booted three goals in a quarter.

Tim Fleming recently said, “Ozzie was once a power forward,
with a horrendous set-shot conversion rate…”!

A bit rich coming from a bloke that a] couldn’t kick over a jam tin, and b] never ever hit a set shot in his career.    

Triple Premiership Player and great friend Sammy Johnston said, “ Ozzie’s courage and dedication to the Xavs is inspiring, not only to me but everyone at the Club be it senior players, young pups, coaches and the diehard supporters.”

Ozzie’s former U/19s Coach, Pat Hawkins said, “Culturally, Ozzie represents everything that is great about Amateur football and the OXFC.”

Senior coach and former team mate Simon Lethlean said, “Drew is one of the great Old Xavs clubmen and characters. He gave his all on the field and was never out of place in senior football – he was part of a very successful era of the Club – testament to his football ability. He was never out of place off the field either - constantly giving his all, investing time, effort and his infectious character into the cultural and social fabric of the Club – a key ingredient to the successful era in which he played. He is a beauty.”

A sentiment that everyone involved in the Club would certainly attest to.

The entire Old Xaverians Football Club congratulates Ozzie and wishes him all the best in his 200th game, and hopes he remains one of the great figures around the Club for a long time to come.

One of the true gentlemen and great blokes of our Club!

Career Highlights

U/19s:

• Captain: 1999
• Premierships: 1998, 1999
• U/19 VAFA Leading Goal Kicker: 1998 (53)

Reserves

• Premierships: 2002,2007

Seniors

• Premierships: 2003, 2005