Some big results for the Red 'n' Blacks as the home and away season ended for five teams. For the others, the quest continues.

SENIORS

Brave Red 'n' Blacks Blanket Blues

Old Xaverians, backs hard against the wall after a frustrating year and particularly horrific month, took the points on the Roche after a memorable struggle in the drizzle with premiership aspirant Uni Blues.

The spiritual confines of Barkers Road have not proved the sanctuary the Rossoneri had hoped in 2023, and with Uni Blues, who have made few recent missteps coming in, the prediction of the close game predicted by some seemed a touch optimistic. 

Still, the true believers did include the 22 strong band of brothers in the starting lineup. They competed, they fought, they hung in and then finally, they broke the Swamp Hens for the second time this year.

Xavs led at all five sirens –there was an early bonus blast in the first term at 18 minutes, but the players shrugged and went back to work. The difference between the teams at the first change on the scoreboard was all to do with the goalkicking. The deeper truth was that Xavs dominated the term.

At the half, the Xavs led by four goals and had even some of the home team pessimists believing they were in the game with a strong chance. The third term reversed the momentum to Blues, as the Red ‘n’Blacks’ possession advantage was eroded, along with some of the optimism on the terraces. By the lemons, the visitors had reeled in their quarry with strong running and quick ball use, and they were just three points adrift.

The last term produced plenty of pressure from the X-Men, but no scoreboard reward. The home team enjoyed many forward thrusts and as we hit half way in the stanza, the dividends began to come. Jack Hewitt, Mickey Batten and Marcus Stavrou all snapped great goals and this time, there was no reply from the Swamp Hens. The final siren saw Blues fall to fourth, while the X-Men, with a two game and healthy percentage advantage over those sitting on the cellar door, can now plan for a return to Toorak Park while still a Premier section club.

The X-Men had no shortage of contributors and winners. Dan Robinson put in a pearler, getting plenty of the ball and using it nicely. Charlie Holmes, Batten and Hewitt proved masters of the conditions, particularly near the sticks. Jed Feneley, Alex Trigar, Tommy Dunne and Jordy Kelly did plenty to shut down the Uni arsenal, while big men Jack Boyd and Alec Spralja got their hands on it often at clearances and provided plenty of opportunities for Robinson and his fellow midfielders Symeopoulos and Stavrou.

Much has been made about the number of rookies blooded this season and the value of the senior experience. To be sure, it is always valuable, but playing in a tight game against quality opposition and getting to sing the song is pure gold always.

Goal Kickers: M. Batten 3, J. Boyd 2, D. Symeopoulos, J. Hewitt, M. Stavrou, H. Bell, C. Holmes

Best Players: D. Robinson, C. Holmes, J. Boyd, M. Stavrou, M. Batten, D. Symeopoulos

RESERVES

Twos run close but survive

Traditional rival Uni Blues has not been around the mark for a couple of seasons, but frightened the X Man with a plucky display on the Roche yesterday. The Swamp Hens led at quarter time and again at the lemons, while Landrigan's Lads played better in the second and fourth terms and got home by a whisker.

Evergreen Matt Handley booted five, and the Senator, Ted Kennedy, nailed three, while Wade Brusnahan was best in Red 'n' Black.

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Goal Kickers: M. Handley 5, E. Kennedy 3, E. Niall, J. Lowe, W. Brusnahan, E. Ralph

Best Players: W. Brusnahan, M. Handley, J. Hansen, E. Kennedy, C. Niall, D. Panotis

WOX

Oggers too strong

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The season ended for the WOX yesterday on the expanse of Como. Xavs played their best footy before the half but couldn't hold the Oggers after the long break.

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Goal Kickers: S. Rothfield 2, C. Lacey

Best Players: T. Mant, E. Neuwirth, S. Rothfield, H. Ryan, M. Mennilli, L. La Rosa

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Finished: 3-12-1, 9th

U19 PREMIER

Prem Boys Pound Pitters

Will MacIsaac kicked six as the Xavs melted the Snow Dogs at St Bernard's. Nick Pozzi was named best for a team that allowed just one goal per half and played out the four quarters with style.

Goal Kickers: W. MacIsaac 6, B. Bilston-McGillen 2, M. Mahommed 2, W. Exell 2, C. Bourne, A. Scally, A. Ivak, N. Pozzi, B. Moyle, C. Ralph

Best Players: N. Pozzi, K. Walford, W. MacIsaac, D. Calvert, A. Ivak

U19 TWOs

Xavs start fast to win crucial 8 pointer

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Coach Batten reports:

One thing I’ve always wrestled with as a coach is how much information you reveal to your players about the current state of the season. Do you build games up as do-or-die only to compound the sadness if you lose? Or is the allure of winning such a game too strong, and are you better off stoking the fire and drawing attention to it to bring out an improved performance? I’m still not quite sure where I sit on it, but I took a matter-of-fact approach to this weekend’s game against OM’s. Yes it would be huge if we won, but it wouldn’t guarantee anything for the remainder of the season, and the boys answered in style.

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Elsternwick Park looked the best it has ever been for our 2PM kick off. The Xavs, led by new addition to the leadership group Will Troy, started fast. Troy was working it to his hitting zone with Chris Cristostomos, Luke Fares and Fred Visentini giving us first use. There were flashes of the OM’s transition we had seen on three previous occasions this year, but they were comfortably repelled by Dan McCarthy and co in defense, who looked structurally sound and organised down back.

We looked the most threatening and eventually found Charlie “Chappy” Christopher on a lead. Chappy’s set shot kicking has been mentioned before but I feel it is timely to mention it again. He rarely misses, and when our forwards can give him space on the lead can be an incredibly efficient forward. When Chappy marked I had the utmost confidence that it would be a goal and just the start we needed. With Salce out for the season, Chappy is our leading goal kicker and has really stepped up these last few weeks. The goal validated our efforts and gave us more confidence. We peppered the forward 50 from both flanks, with Josh Nelson, Will Beattie, Connor Harvey and Harry Bird getting plenty of the ball. When Beattie goaled, his second in as many weeks, I knew it was our day, and we finished the quarter with a 30 point lead, though it could have been more as we had 10 scoring shots.

A challenge was given to our boys. Don’t let them back into the contest. Be ruthless and consolidate your lead. However, OM’s are a good team and it is after all their First XVIII team, so they started the quarter with renewed spirit as their classy players lifted. Their centre clearance work was particularly impressive and I noted Crisostomos’ observations as he came to the bench… “They’re not effing around in there anymore”. It was clear they had underperformed in that first quarter and there was a lot more they could produce. They kicked the first couple and looked dangerous, however like last week, the character in our team is really starting to show. Earlier in the season when momentum was lost it would be lost forever, however we are now consistently showing that we have the capacity and ability to wrestle back control. There were times when we overused the ball, got a little cute with our passes and gave OM’s a turnover, however our backs looked more than capable of repelling anything that came down. Paddy Gilmour was relentless with his defensive acts, McCarthy was a brick wall, and Tom Scalzo looked right at home playing his first game for the Old Xavs, defending first and stopping attacks. We steadied the ship, pinched a goal back and took a 20-point lead into the main break.

Half time was highlighted by the return of oranges and lollies which no doubt played a role in our strong second half. It was safe to claim that we had been the better team, but the game was not over. There had been a little rain around and a key feature of our game had been our cleanliness at ground level. We were cleaner and more direct (for the most part) and OM’s were trying to play silky football. Our pressure was excellent, and it compounded their turnovers. These were the main talking points and the key focus area for the season half. Could we go and play to the same level for another two quarters?

The third quarter was a clinical display of game management and execution. We simplified our approach to cater for the conditions, prioritised ball security and took the sting out of the game. Visentini looked classy through the midfield, his short passing and silky handballing released a number of players. Josh Nelson was afforded far too much space on the outer wing. He found Chappy twice in almost identical circumstances and we know what Chappy does with the ball with a set shot. Beattie was now being tagged, but he still stood strong in a number of 1 on 1’s in the back 50. Eddie Paul, back from injury, was finding his straps and moving with confidence, taking a couple of important marks and getting on the scoresheet himself. We were growing into the game, rather than slowing, and we took a 4 goal lead into the final break.

It was important that we weathered the storm early in the last, but not fall into the trap of trying to hold the game. We still had to kick a winning score and this was the primary message. OM’s had the scoring end and we knew they would throw everything at us. There was an arm wrestle to begin with which we enjoyed, taking the sting right out of the game with repeat stoppages. OM’s did break the deadlock with the first of the quarter, briefly lifting their confidence, however our willingness to go again and again and again at the contest was demoralising our opponents. Ned Betts moved to the wing and looked dynamic as he controlled the near side of the ground, showing great width and poise with ball in hand. OM’s were getting frustrated and threatened to lose the plot, as we won a number of free kicks for simply being first to the ball and stronger in the contest. Betts scored a memorable goal, his first for the Old Xavs, and every single player got to him to celebrate. Sandman marked strongly after having a terrific day providing a focal point and bringing the ball to ground. He kicked a well-deserved goal and the game was done as a contest. Chappy finished with 5 as he and Crisostomos shared best afield honours.

An outstanding win against a quality opponent who had their season on the line. As I mentioned off the top, it doesn’t guarantee us finals, however it does place destiny firmly in our own hands. We need to win at least 1 of the next 3 games to confirm, but winning 2 might even give us a home final!

Also worth pointing out that OM’s behavior was pretty appalling as the game and their season unraveled. They gave away a number of 50 metre penalties for late hits, umpire abuse and more, with one player even reported for umpire abuse. I’m supremely confident that when our season does end, whether that be with a win or a loss, our boys won’t behave like that.

All three under 19 teams are in strong positions to play finals and because of this, selection is becoming extremely tight. There will be some unlucky boys in the coming weeks, an unavoidable reality of sport in general. We needed all 120 registered players this year to avoid forfeiting by a whisker, but that same 120 doesn’t go into 72. There will be disappointment, however those that take any setbacks as a challenge will find positives easy to find.

Next week we play Beaumaris and I cannot wait to test ourselves against the very best again. I’m interested in establishing good habits and denying our opposition’s strengths so that we can continue to progress as a team and set ourselves up for a strong finish to the season.

Thanks and see you at the footy

Goal Kickers:C. Christopher 5, W. Beattie 2, J. Sandman, J. Nelson, N. Betts, E. Paul

Best Players:C. Christopher, C. Crisostomos, J. Nelson, W. Troy, F. Visentini, H. Bird

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U19 THREEs

Threes take another step

A critical win for the Threes, whose remaining run home feature clashes with three finals aspirants.

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U23

Twenty-Threes Lick Lions

The 23s were in control for most of the day and kicked away in the final term. Next week, they get the chance to repeat the dose in the 2nd semi-final against the Roys.

Goal Kickers: C. O''Brien 2, S. Stangherlin 2, A. Lo Giudice, G. Villiers de Casanove, T. Mantesso, L. Danielis-Morley, D. Fitzgerald, S. Asdagi, D. Condon

Best Players:T. Silvagni, C. O''Brien, P. Cockerill, S. Stangherlin, T. Mantesso, D. Condon

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Finished: 11-4, 2nd

Next Week: Second Semi-Final v Fitzroy

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MENAGES

Milky, Mantesso, See 'Nages Home

James Forrest booted six and Will Mantesso led a strong contingent of good players as the Menages won the minor premiership. Tommy Wynne, Jack Whitehead and Josh 'Tooka' Hanger all featured heavily in the big win.

Goal Kickers:J. Forrest 6, J. Hanger 3, W. Mantesso 2, J. Buffon 2, M. Tempone, L. Strathdee

Best Players: W. Mantesso, T. Wynne, J. Whitehead, J. Hanger, J. Norman, J. Forrest

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Finished: 15-1, 1st

Next: 2nd Semi-Final v Fitzroy

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CROCS

Friday Night Lights

Friday nights are usually a bit different for the Diles, but before they resumed their routine, they harpooned the Sharks in a Friday night classic. Minor premiers again, and a repeat clash with Beaumaris awaits.

Goal Kickers: A. MacIsaac 3, T. O''Brien 3, A. Taouk 2, M. Panozzo, G. Lachal, M. Perrett

Best Players: H. Vanderkley, A. Taouk, T. Lyon, T. McCarthy, A. MacIsaac, T. O''Brien

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Finished: 12-2, 1st

Next: Second semi-final v Beaumaris

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U23 TWOs

Finals Bound

A big win propels the 232s into the finals and a clash with Old Scotch.

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Goal Kickers:A. Mccormack 3, J. Hynes 2, M. Constantino 2, N. Ongarelo 2, T. Russell, C. Carey, M. Costello, N. McGrath, T. Davine

Best Players:J. Hynes, N. Ongarelo, M. Costello, M. Constantino, E. Browne, N. McGrath

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Finished: 11-5, 2nd

Next Week: 2nd semi-final v Old Scotch

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