May 12, 2024
AGONIES AND ECSTASIES
Week 6 Wrap
A Century of the Red & Black
The Women were the stars of Week 5, both teams scoring all-time highs. On the Men's side of the ledger, the Seniors, U19 Premier and U19 Threes all went down, but the other six all won, some of them very handsomely. Eight wins for the weekend, a couple down on last week, but a solid club performance nonetheless.
Old Xaverians crashed to a 27 point defeat at the hands of the reigning premier at Toorak Park yesterday. The day started well enough for the home tem. Stirling Phipps-Parsons booted a couple in the first term and Charlie MacIsaac slotted one as the Red 'n' Blacks went to a 16 point lead before Collegians scored a late goal on a cost-to-coast sweep. The home team led by 10 points at the first change, a poor dividend from eight shots at the sticks.
Any thought of a big half-time lead evaporated quickly, as the Collegians defence held firm for the for the first ten minutes of the term and then rammed through four goals, with the only response coming from Ed Delany in time on. At the half, the Purples held sway by 11 points, despite one fewer scoring shots.
Observers recalled that the first half at Toorak Park a fortnight ago had similarly not delivered much joy, but there remained hopes for a better second half. This day, it didn't come as easily. The Purples kicked the first goal of the third stanza, and then first-gamer Sam Fisher responded. The guns fell silent for 15 minutes before the Lions goaled again. At the lemons, Collegians led by 19 points, and a last quarter steal by the X-Men seemed a remote possibility.
And so it transpired. Goals to Fisher and Delany were the only reward for the Claret and Stout, while the Lakers added another three goals. After quarter time, Xavs managed just seven scoring shots to Collegians' nineteen. This on a day with a sure surface and no breeze.
Fisher looked solid on his debut. He and Shaun Cross provided many opportunities via their hard attack on the ball. Alex Trigar was the pick of the defenders, while big 'Spag' Spralja was tireless and effective at the stoppages. Dan Tuddenham was again a very effective player, and Hayden Woodhouse continues to impress.
Xavs have now lowered their colours to both of last year's grand finalists. They have beaten the two teams that sit in the cellar. There is no shortage of candidates for the finals, and just four will achieve that status. Next Saturday, Old Brighton, unbeaten and fired up, will arrive. Xavs must bounce back after this week's poor showing.
collegians? Plenty of changes since last season, but they're a pretty solid and skilful unit that works together well.
Ari Hatzis gallery here
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Elsewhere in Premier, things went pretty much as predicted:
After four rounds, six teams are on two wins each. The four is far from decided and the cellar dwellers aren't that far off the pace.
Dimitri's Gladiators and the Lions had a bit of a tussle in the first term, but beyond the first break, the day belonged to the home team. Xavs had winners all over the park and went on to record a 99 point victory. Nine players scored goals, with Bobby Knott and Tommy Simmons nailing four apiece in the romp. Charlie Westcott was named best, and he had solid assistance from, among others, Sam Turner, Wade Brusnahan and the Dunne Bros. All in all, it was a solid team effort and there were no passengers.
With Scotch dropping its game with Blues, the Red 'n' Blacks take over first position. Old Brighton, next week's opponent, sits fourth.
Wearing a clash blue jumper, the WOX scored their highest ever tally, beating their previous best of 14.4.88 two years ago by a healthy margin. Keirah Dowd was best in the romp, Maggie Gaffney booted four and televen of her teammates also kicked goals in another team personal best. Sitting in third spot, the WOX are playing next Saturday in the twilight against Marcellin, who sit a game ahead in second spot. See Bridget Wilson's gallery here.
The WOX Twos bumped into third spot with a big road win at Ransford. In the process, they exceeeded their highest ever score by just one point. Sarah Anderson was best and landed four goals, while Monica Hung played her best game and slotted three. Next week, an early contest with top-ranked Collegians should provide a measuring stick.
The 19s dropped their second game of the year when they lost to St Bede's Mentone Tigers at Stradbroke Park. The visiting Tigers are small ground specialists and always play well in the confines. On this day, they jumped to an early lead and never surrendered it. The X-Men came back in the third stanza, but the Seasiders ran away again in the final term.
Ed Nelson booted three and was BOG as the 19 Twos survived the challenge from Hampton Rovers. Xavs lead all day, but the Rovers threatened late in the game, which was played as a twilight affair at Toorak Park.
Another seven goal stunner from Gus Gorman was not quite enough to see the Xavs home at Ted Adjani. The Bullants opened up a first quarter lead, but the X-Men went to the half, and the lemons, as the team with its nose in front. However, the Red 'n' Blacks could manage jist two behinds in the finasl term, and lost by that same amount.
XAVS TOP OF THE LADDER
The 23s rolled again, led by Liam Fitzpatrick and aided by five goals from Tom Comer, defeating Fitzroy by 34 points. Uni Blues and Old Scotch appear the closest rivals this season.
Will Mantesso slotted six and Hamish MacIsaac five as the Menages hammered Uni Blacks. The Red 'n' Blacks now lead the field by a game from Fitzroy. You'll find Savanna Villis' gallery here.
The Crocodiles smashed the Kew outfit that contained former OX players Will Balme and Lionel Lai. Jake Jones was best and Josh Lyon poked through another eight as the Emerald Hose won by 133 points at Vic Park. Bridget Wilson's pics are here
Jack Shirley and Connor Briscoe led the way as the X-Men trounced Old Yarra Cobras at Koonung Reserve. Frank O'Callaghan booted five in the big win, which sees the Red'n' Blacks sitting on top of the table, but with the same points as the four teams below it.
