It can be the cruellest of games, and it was yesterday. There was heartbreak for the Old Xaverians as they fell at 33 minutes of the final term, losing the Preliminary Final by a solitary point. It had been an epic, pulsating contest, and it was decided by a six-pointer on the last kick of the day. The Red 'n' Blacks' 2025 campaign is over.

The Caledonians won the toss and kicked to the Glenhuntly Road end of the ground, favoured by the strong sou’wester which was estimated as being worth a couple of goals. Xavs attacked from the opening bounce, but a minor score propelled a Scotch attack that featured some pin-point kicking andstrong marking down the far side. The drive ended with a goal.

Xavs fussed around in their forward half but on their next entry, strung together some neat possessions in tight space. Charlie MacIsaac marked a short pass and goaled. But the Reds replied immediately when the ball fell loose in the goal square.

At 12 minutes, the Red n’ Blacks had their eighth forward entry, but as had happened consistently last week, the aerial supremacy of the opposition proved a stumbling block. A Will Goss tackle, a superb Julian Gangi pass and a left-foot snap from King Charlie restored the Xavs’ lead at 17 minutes. A flying boot in the goalmouth from Connor Dunne saw the X-Men go further ahead, but their next two forays both drew single flags. As happened last week, their dominance in the second half of the term hadn’t produced the required rewards, and this was emphasised again when the reigning premier kicked a goal in the 29^thminute. Xavs had made 15 forward entries for the term for just three goals, but went to the huddle confident they would do better in the second.

Early on, the ball rattled from end to end, but both defences held firm. At eight minutes, Hayden Woodhouse soft-shoed home the Xavs’ fourth goal. The lead lasted just a minute as Scotch replied, but shortly after, Spralja intercepted and hit C. MacIsaac. His arrow restored the one goalbreak at 11 minutes. Again, the Xavs found space where there was none, pushing forward with a chain of handballs. Bilston-McGillen goaled on the run. Twelve points up at 16 minutes, a game high lead. It went to 14 points with two further misses. The X-Men appeared well on top, and but for some poorly chosen short passing and errant goalkicking, would have been further ahead. At 22 minutes, Xavs missed again. So did the Cardinals, three times. They went to the sheds with Xavs 12 points up, with Jack O’Sullivan and Ed Delany very prominent for the Xavs in the second term.

The game resumed with Scotch a man down and a reset magnet board.The list of wounded levelled out almost immediately as big Alec Spralja  field with a possible broken hand. Scotch scored the first goal after linking successfully. Then at seven minutes, the Reds went the aerial route and levelled the scores. Xavs streamed forward but missed badly. Scotch immediately bounced forward and goaled from a free kick, taking them to a five-point leadat 11 minutes. The Big Mo was with the Cards, and the pendulum swung further their way when they goaled again. And again. Five goals in ten minutes from seven entries for the reigning premier, and the X-Men’s season was on the line. Connor Dunne made it two goals after another tap in after a great roving effort. A minute later, Jack O’Sulllivan snapped truly. But at 21 minutes, the Caledonians replied with their sixth of the quarter. Ten points the difference, but Bobby Knott found Hayden Woodhouse and the left footer split the centre. At 26 minutes, O’Sullivan gathered, sold the pup, and punted it home. The X-Men were somehow back in front. A point separated them at the lemons. Half an hour to play in a gripping contest, with a grand final berth the prize.

Scotch struck first against the early play and took the lead at 2 minutes. Xavs went forward, but the Red Men took it down the other end, only to miss. And then miss again. Six minutes in, Xavs down by a goal. Sam Ralph strode through the centre and hit the leading MacIsaac after some elegant work from Delany. King Charlie booted his fourth. Scores were level with eight minutes gone.

The man of the moment Ed Delany snatched a beauty in the square and slammed it home. The X-Men led by a goal with ten gone. Then Marcus Stavrou, in everything all day, goaled on the run from an angle. At thirteen minutes, the Red Men replied through a free kick. They had another shot at 15 minutes but missed. At 17, they missed again. Delany took a screamer on the half back line and pushed it forward. From a throw-in in the forward pocket, a Xavs snap missed as they hit time-on. Tried as they did, the Xavs couldn’t score. But then Westcott bombed it long, and O’Sullivan slotted his third. But again, the Red Men replied straight from the restart. Xavs by 5 points, 29 minutes in. At 32 minutes, Scotch hit the front and sent the Red ‘n’ Blacks to defeat.

The Claret and Stout are not fond of excuses, nor a club to value consolation. This season was one of great challenge, but strong improvement too, and a good number of players earned their senior spurs withsome outstanding performances. That will stand Dan Donati's team in good stead next year, though they would rather be talking about next week.

Today, Jack O’Sullivan and Ed Delany played their finest games for the club. Co-captains Marcus Stavrou and Campbell Lane ran relentlessly and drove the ball into dangerous zones many times. Connor Dunne played a solid role up front, scoring a brace, while Charlie Westcott was ever-reliable on the half-forward line.

Scotch have again come through the first semi-final, after qualifying in R18 when they tipped out Old Haileybury. They will be underdogs next week against a very slick Old Brighton team, but only a fool would write them off, as so many did last year.

The Old Xavs will be represented on Grand Final Day next Friday when the Reserves meet St Kevin's.

Best: Marcus Stavrou, Charlie Westcott, Jack O’Sullivan, Ed Delany, Campbell Lane, Connor Dunne

Goals: Charlie MacIsaac 4, Jack O’Sullivan 3, Hayden Woodhouse 2, Connor Dunne 2, Ed Delany 1, Marcus Stavrou 1, Ben Bilston-McGillen 1

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