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OLDXAVS.com April 03 News |
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29 Apr '03 JOHN GIBSON RIP Old Xavs' stalwart John Gibson passed away in March after a sudden illness. John was the middle brother of the three Gibson boys, the others being Neville and Brian, who played for Xavs in the fifties and sixties. John was a good footballer playing a number of games in the firsts and mainly contributing his skills as a centreman in the Reserves. He won the Old Xavs’ Fairest and Best for the Reserves in the mid sixties and played in numerous teams that made the finals, including the 1964 premiership team. John was a regular at every home game as a supporter, a keen student of the game, a man of not many words, but always of profound judgement. He was amongst the Xavs on the Hill at last year’s Grand Final and will be waiting regularly at the Pearly Gates for delivery of the Sunday papers to find the weekend’s results. Vale Gibbo, a great bloke who loved a good game of footy, particularly one in which the Old Xavs were playing. - John O’Keefe |
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27 Apr '03 IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY Anyone remember the opening line from last Wednesday's LUGAR preview? Here it is . . . 23 Apr '03 R3 PREVIEW If a week is a long time in football, then a fortnight is an eternity. Now let's turn to the Ammos column in today's Sunday Age . . .
COINCIDENCE? Or has Cameron Noakes joined the ever-increasing numbers turning to OLDXAVS.com for all the news that's fit to print? |
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27 Apr '03 R2: CROCS - XAVS JOB SKOB ST.
KEVINS
0.2
1.2
2.2
5.5 (35) Best: Davies, Carrodus, Dalton, Calman, Curnow, George. |
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27 Apr '03 R3: U19 1s - DUGGO's DISCIPLES DANCE ON DONS In a spiteful game against Old Essendon, the Xavs kept their heads, winning both the fights and the match. Full back Simon Hulett was flattened early, setting the tone of the game, but OX responded well to seize control of the game. Pat Purcell did a great tagging in the middle, while forward Andrew Armstrong provided a focal point and continued his good form with 6 goals and really. He was ably assisted by Matt Roache, who gave a real contest across the half forward line. After spending the first quarter on the bench after arriving late, Josh Agius was superb in the middle, with 30 odd disposals, most of which hit the mark. The skipper Michael Scanlan had his best game of the year at CHB, providing highlights with his high marking. Although it took over 3 quarters to shake the visitors in the hot conditions, the Xavs ran away with it in the end. The final siren did not end the hostilities, however, with some of the OE team keen to show that the scoreboard was somehow a mistake. OLD
XAVERIANS
2.4 6.10 15.13
15.17 (117) Best: Agius, Roache, Barrett, Scanlan, Armstrong, Purcell. |
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27 Apr '03 R3: U19 2s - SCOOBYs DOn't - CHAMBO STILL CONFIDENT The
Old Xavs U19 2s, aka the "Scooby Doos" were determined not to lose
two on the trot. However, the facts were clear and simple: After two
games, Uni Blacks had an average winning margin of 125 points and no
team had yet scored in the first quarter against them. Therefore, there
was great emphasis placed on coming out with all guns blazing. The game was physical from the outset with fierce tackling and hard straight running at the ball from the Old Xavs. Unfortunately every attack was strongly repelled by the classy Uni Blacks backline. The Blacks kicked four first quarter goals and the Xavs become the third team in succession to be goalless at quarter time. Despite being more physical, the second quarter was more of the same. We continually worked really hard in the middle of the ground, only to break down across our forward line. Danny Meehan and Simon Vaughan were great off the half-back line and Andrew Nadinic, playing his first game for the year, was sensational in the centre. But the Blacks booted five and Xavs were down 58 points at the main break. After half-time, the Old Xavs came out firing. Nick Butler kicked one off the ground in the first minute, but 30 seconds later the Blacks replied with one of their own. Despite dominating most of the play, we failed to deliver the ball correctly to our forwards. In contrast, the Uni forwards rattled on six three-quarter goals. However, to their credit, the Xavs kept fighting in the last. Both Tim Rogan and Jules Martin started to control the half-back line and Josh Silk was good up forward. Despite having as many scoring shots as the Blacks, Xavs could only manage 1.4 to the Blacks accurate 4.1, and it was an eventual loss of 99 points. Despite this, it was clearly evident that the Scoobys we were the more physical team of the two, with delivery of the ball into the forward line and some inaccurate kicking around the ground letting them down. Coach
Chamberlain feels that better days are ahead. “The month of
May could be a very successful month for the team. We play the
bottom three in the competition and everyone is determined to finish the
month with a 4-2 win/loss record. It's a huge statement to make so
early, but all the boys really have the belief that they can achieve
that goal. So, bring it on!” UNIVERSITY
BLACKS 4.3 9.4
15.8 19 9 (123) GOALS: Silk, Vaughan, Butler BEST: Nadinic, Meehan, Rogan, Vaughan, Ginnivan, Silk. |
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27 Apr '03 R3: 2s: POWER SERGE PREVENTED OLD XAVERIANS
2.1 5.1 8.7 12.11 (83) |
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27 Apr '03 XAVS SAY THANKS TO THE STARS There were more veterans present than at an Anzac Day two-up game, as the OXFC gathered at the Syrup Lounge to say thanks to its champs of recent years. With ample refreshments available, the newly retired stars passed on football tips to the men who have replaced them and swapped old football stories. Many thanks to the Drake family for another excellent night at the Inkerman.
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27 Apr '03 SCOTCH SUPERIOR IN SUMMER SHOOTOUT The weather and the scoring was more the stuff of the game played by flannelled fools. Former cricket coach Sholly might have felt at home, but his team was all at sea. The Xavs kicked straighter, but the Cardinal scored more. Indeed, it was a reality check for the Old Xavs as they fell to the highly touted and highly skilled Scotch at Elsternwick Park yesterday. With the wind at headquarters surprisingly not a factor, there were several opportunities for the Xavs to make their charge. Despite their straight shooting , however, they never threatened the Cardinal's ascendancy after quarter time. Scotch answered every challenge, with the estimable Hawkins at the goalfront providing a focal point for their midfielders who won plenty of the ball. Ace reporter Chris Vernuccio reports: Old Xaverians
have missed out on an opportunity to end round three as outright leader
of the Amateur A-Grade ladder after they suffered their first defeat of
the season at the hands of Old Scotch. The crowd at
Sportscover Arena witnessed some exhilarating football in the first
quarter as both sides piled on a combined 15 goals for the term. In a free
flowing affair, Old Scotch got the early jump, kicking three of the
first four goals. For Old
Scotch, Luke Hawkins proved to be a handful for the Old Xavs defenders,
kicking two first quarter goals and booting five for the match. “Hawkins is
arguably the best player in the competition,” said Old Xavs coach
Michael Sholly. “We would’ve been happy with 5 (goals) but I think he
could’ve got seven, he missed a few.” Old Xaverians
couldn’t get the forward structure to click with Old Scotch
midfielders dropping back in defence to block the leads of in-form
forward James McDonnell. But he kept plugging away and managed three goals for the
game to take his tally to 11 after three rounds. The move of
Orlando in attack had its desired results with his two goals wresting
the momentum. Pasceri was also
brought onto the ground to add some much needed spark through the
midfield and in the 20th minute his delivered a pin-point pass onto the
chest of Orlando, who was knocked down after taking his mark.
The resulting 25-metre penalty and goal put Old Xaverians in
front for the first time. Goals to
McInerney and Landrigan deep into time-on extended Old Xavs lead to two
goals before Hawkins flew over the back for a spectacular speccy to end
the term with a major for Old Scotch. From then on,
the game turned out to be an error-riddled contest, even though it
was a shootout. It was Old Scotch who were able to capitalise on
Old Xaverian mistakes. Old Xaverians
were breaking down up forward with their passes missing targets and
allowing Old Scotch to counter. What
disappointed Sholly was his team's inability to dispose of the ball
quickly, “Way too slow . . . " “The most
disappointing aspect was a lack of run we had out of the backline. We
didn’t use the first option and we ended up being reactive.” Chatfield and
McInerney were again among the Xavs best as both continued to run hard
throughout the game and win possessions, which kept their team in the
contest. According to
Sholly, there were many positives Old Xaverians could take from the
game. “To lose the game and kick 17 goals and to play below our best
is something to take heart from.”
OLD
SCOTCH
7.4 11.9 15.14
19.15 (129) |
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23 Apr '03 R3 PREVIEW If a week is a long time in football, then a fortnight is an eternity. With the Easter break upon us and the meritorious win against Bernards now well behind us, we look forward to next week's clash with Scotch. As befits the match of the round, the action will take place at Elsternwick Park, VAFA headquarters an and home of the finest fare in amateur football, the renowned 'Wick Burger with its 24 secret herbs and spices. And speaking of spice, there'll be plenty to go around on Saturday, with Xavs 2002 Reserves premiership coach Serge D'Angelo now guiding the Cardinal 2s, and helping another former OXFC player Dale Tapping plot our downfall. Rumour has it that Serge may even pull on the boots for Scotch to show his old pupils some of his textbook skills. Whilst it has been well documented as to the change in personnel of the Old Xavs side, the Old Scotch side does appear a stronger one on paper. The full time return from Essendon of goal kicking machine Luke Hawkins, the recruitment from Old Trinity of Colin Phillips, as well as the pick-up of ex-Hawthorn player Matthew Dennis has expectations high at Scotch. Experienced players in on-ballers Hume, Collins, Finnochiaro and Kitchen, along with Crow in the ruck, have again been prominent for Scotch so far. For the Old Xavs part, it will be interesting to see how the new and younger players handle the early on field success. Whilst they have surprised some with their form in these first two rounds, opposition sides will be now looking more closely at the personnel of the Old Xavs. The form of Drake, Nick McInerney and McDonnell at full forward has certainly given potency to the forward line, particularly in the absence of Mollard and Orlando, whilst the efforts of the back line, led by Stuart Ross at full back, have kept opposition scoring down. The form of experienced players in Ford, Ockleshaw, and recruit Adam Chatfield has also been a big factor in these early rounds. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, get along early for amateur football at its finest. |
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19 Apr '03 THEY WERE GIANTS IN THOSE DAYS
Old Xavs premiership players and club legends. Next Saturday night 26 April in the Syrup Lounge at the Inkerman Hotel, you will have your chance to honour their achievements and thank them for the great contribution they made to our club's golden era. Kick-off at 6:30, with formalities at 8:00pm |
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13 Apr '03 TIGER TIM
Flemo prepared for the contest by watching the Old Xavs beat St Bernards on Saturday. Our hearty congrats to a great clubman. |
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12 Apr '03 R2: NEW LOOK XAVS RAISE THE BAR
The Trinity result was greeted with a sense of relief by some and a feeling of de rigueur by others, but none would have argued that this round two clash with the reigning premier would be the acid test. Prognostications were rare, though the few who did dare stick out their necks did so with somewhat less confidence than in years previous, and the generous odds about a Xavs victory interested only few. There was even atypical silence from Hypocrite Hill, whose habitués are customarily among the first to offer discernment, laudatory or otherwise, on the chances or performances of their team. With so many players missing from the team that went down to St Bernards in September last, the approach was clearly to wait and see. In the locker room, however, there was apparently no such apprehension among a team that seems determined to keep the Old Xaverians at the top of the tree.
The resolute Xaverians stunned the favourites in the third quarter. Kicking into the breeze, they rammed home five majors without reply before St Bernards steadied to trail by only 9 points at lemon time. The final stanza promised a tight tussle and indeed it began that way. But powered by the relentless running of Scanlan and Drake, who rucked his way to his finest ever performance, the sangfroid of first-gamer Ryan, the class of Chatfield and the reliability of seasoned stagers Ford, Holmes, the Xavs put the game beyond doubt by the 20 minute mark. The vanquished St Bernards will no doubt relish the opportunity to host the return encounter at the Snakepit in late June. By then, we should know whether the Xaverians are merely a young team capable of the occasional upset or a more serious contender. For the most part, the Magi of the Mound are reserving their judgment, but are nonetheless anticipating the weeks ahead with some confidence. On Saturday’s showing, it is not misplaced. Ace
Cub Reporter Chris Vernuccio was at the game: An
inspiring second half comeback propelled Old Xaverians to the winners’
list in a hard fought, often scrappy, affair against reigning premiers
St. Bernards at Toorak Park. Led by Tim Ockleshaw and James Drake,
Old Xaverians turned a 14-point half-time deficit into a confidence
building 27-point win. The
Old Xaverian supporters went into raptures as their side knocked off
their grand final conquerors in an effort that pleased coach Michael
Sholly. “St. Bernard’s
seem to be the benchmark. The pressure was on and we were able to
keep running through the whole game. We were two or three goals
down at half-time and an inexperienced side could have gone either way
but they decided to keep going and run hard and that’s pleasing.” Ockleshaw’s
performance was worthy of man-of-the-match honours. He showed his
team mates the way by running hard through the midfield and with
pin-point disposal into the forward line. His desperation and ball
handling allowed for quick movements of the ball into his side’s
attacking zone. At
one stage during the second term, Old Xavs were able to reduce the
margin to three points with goals to James McDonnell and John Pasceri,
but two late goals to Neeson of St. Bernard’s brought the margin out
to 14 points at the main break. Enter
James Drake. From the moment he scored Old Xaverians’ first goal
for the match, there was no looking back. He found possessions at
will and gave the Xavs great run out of the centre. Coincidentally
enough, it was both Drake and Ockleshaw who set the wheels in motion for
Old Xavs early in the second half. From a boundary throw-in in the
Xavs half-forward line, Drake won the tap which Ockleshaw swooped on
before slotting through a goal with a left-foot snap, bringing the
difference back to eight points. Both
Ockleshaw and Drake drew praise from team mate Matthew Holmes, “Timmy
Ockleshaw was brilliant. I thought James Drake controlled the
ruck. He positioned himself well, kicked behind the play and took
some telling marks in the backline.” After
a quiet first quarter, McInerney had the ball on a string to number
among Old Xavs best. He looked to get the ball moving at every
opportunity by playing on, winning centre clearances and running hard
through the corridor. It
was he that put the result beyond
doubt with a goal in the last term to extend the lead by 14 points.
OLD XAVERIANS 1.0 4.3 10.5 13.14 (92) ST BERNARDS 3.3 6.5 8.8 9.11 (65) Goals: McDonnell 3, McInerney 2, Landrigan 2, Drake, Pasceri, J Bowen, Chatfield, Ryan, Ockleshaw. Best:
Drake, Ockleshaw, McInerney, Scanlan, Ford, Ross |
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12 Apr '03 THE WORD FROM THE THIRDS: Xavs kick Trins’ shins The Xavs stamped their authority on the match from the first bounce despite kicking into a stiff breeze in the first quarter. Dave Rennex and Matty Walsh dominated the midfield, with excellent efforts from Jonnie McLean and Chris Knott. The back-line, led by Captain Chris Warry, General Michael Ralph and the impressive James Dynon not only denied Trinity scoring chances but also won the ball and created opportunities for our forwards. Up
forward Daniel Stonker Stoney and Troy Shooter Gleeson
were prominent early and a four goal to one first quarter into the
breeze really set up a victory. Trinity
stacked the back half in the second quarter, which caused the Xavs some
difficulties. However, Walsh continually straightened the side up
and displayed leadership to the mid fielders. The visitors still managed
another three goals, two of which came from Rennex. Matt Rodgers
had an immediate impact with his tackling and attack on the ball and
Nick Quinn started to show some of the form he displayed last year. The third quarter once again evidenced Xavs ability to score against the breeze. With the OX forwards given room to move, three goals to one was a positive return for the quarter. Goalsneak Marcus Milne Quinn scored 2 goals and Shooter added another to his tally. The final quarter return of 1.5 didn't reflect the Xavs overall effort in the term. The tackling of Joe McGrath on the half back flank was a highlight, as was the solo effort of Rocket Rod Calhaem, who despite dropping an early mark, burst through a pack, shrugged numerous tackles, had a run and sent the ball deep into the forward line. It was a polished performance from the Xavs, who displayed great discipline in sometimes trying conditions. Unfortunately, after dominating in the ruck all day, Simon McCarthy sustained severe facial injuries requiring hospitalisation as a result of some uncoordinated shepherding. The injuries recovered sufficiently for Wax to make it to the golf course by Sunday, allegedly taking a taxi directly to the golf course from the emergency ward. OLD XAVERIANS 4.3 7.6 10.7 11.12 (78) OLD TRINITY 2.0 2.0 2.1 3.1 (19) Goals: Troy Gleeson, Dave Rennex 3, Marcus Quinn 2, Ainsworth, O'Callaghan, N Quinn Best: Dave Rennex, Matt Walsh, John Dynon, Daniel Stoney, Joe McGrath, Simon McCarthy |
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12 Apr '03 R2 ROUND-UP
RESERVES OLD
XAVERIANS 4.5 4.7 5.7
6.8 (44) Goals:
Joshua Young 2, A.E. Jones, Andy Biddlecombe, Rich Carey Best:
Luke Howard, Kenton Hall, Richard Coughlan, Andrew Oswald, Nick Hulett,
Chris Santalucia.
OLD
XAVERIANS 3.7 6.18 10.22 19.27 (141) Best:
Chris Carrodus, Greg Erskine, Michael Jones, Ben Perry, Mark Davies,
Damien Dalton. U/19(1) OLD
XAVERIANS 2.3 3.7
4.7 7.9 (51) Best:
Tim O’Meara, Jeremy McDonnell, Andrew Barrett, Peter Chapman, Oliver
Gidley, Sam Freer.
U/19(2) BANYULE
3.7 6.8 8.11 11.14
(80) Goals:
Tom McInerney 4, Quinn 2. Best: Ryan Silvagni, Stephen Ryan, Matthew Kenfield, Nicholas Trescowthick, Ted Rubira, Simon Montgomery.
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9 Apr '03 BIG BAD BERNIES TREK TO TOORAK Old Xavs home opener at Toorak Park this Saturday should be cracker, with last season's premiers St Bernards coming for a visit that may prove less than friendly. Bernies unfurled their flag at the Snakepit last week and responded to their first challenge of being "the hunted" by skewering '02 finalist Scotch to go immediately to the top of the A Section ladder. Old Xavs will need to be at their best to climb over their vaunted opponent in what is expected to be a tough encounter befitting a top-of-the-table clash. Though the Xavs pushed the premiers hard in both finals last season, they failed to beat them. But it's a new season with a new cast of characters and the football pundits will be watching this one closely to gauge the strength of both teams. |
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9 April '03 HORACE 200
Michael joined the club from Xavier in 1989 and is a four time premiership player, achieving that honour in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. He won the Brian O'Shaughnessy Perpetual Trophy for Best and Fairest in 1996 and the Jock Nelson Medal for his dominant performance in the Grand Final in 1998. Horace has represented Victoria twice and was named at CHB in the Old Xavs Team of the Century. Coach Sholly's view? "He’s a premiership player. He’s played half-back most of his life and has a good balance of when he should be running off (his opponent) and coming back (to fill holes in defence) and leaving his man. He makes good judgement calls." Welcome back to the Old Xavs and congrats on the 200 - may there be many more. |
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9 April '03 SHOLLY LIKES EARLY TEST
“Well, we played them in a grand final last year. There are only eight of our guys who played in that game who will play next week, so it will be a whole new outfit and I’m sure, an opportunity to be able to measure ourselves. We don’t know yet where we’re at while they have a settled side." |
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5 April '03 BROS. BOWEN NOW DOUBLE TROUBLE
J-Bo's long striding, accurate kicking and superb aerial skills were clearly evident in the debut performance of Bowen the younger against Trinity. Andy has been allotted the #28 jumper and has slotted into the XVIII, not surprisingly, as a wingster. Proud parents Jack and Meg were at Trinity early, and spent much of the afternoon toting around the next generation of Bowen Old Xav footballers. We wish the Bowen Brothers many fine games together. |
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5 April '03 R1: ZIPPY XAVS TOSS TRINITY Ace
Cub Reporter Chris Vernuccio was at the game: For a team that only won seven games last season, Old Trinity began as if they believed they could knock off last year’s grand finalist. In fact, Old Trinity led by two points at quarter time due to the pressure and harassment they exerted on the Old Xavs midfielders. After vice-captain Tim Ockleshaw scored the opening goal of the season, two quick goals from Trinity hinted that this was going to be tight. However,
Stuart Ross and Michael Holmes took some telling marks across the
half-back line to halt the Trinity offensive. At the 14-minute
mark, Holmes grabbed a solid mark in defence before switching the play
to a loose James Scanlan, who streamed down the wing and pinpointed a
pass to a leading James McDonnell. His chip to Adam Chatfield
resulted in a major. At
times, however, Old Xavs bombed aimlessly into their forward line, which
brought a rebuke from Coach Sholly at the first break. Aided by
magnificent quarters from Scanlan, Chatfield, Drake and McDonnell, the
visitors responded by slotting through six goals while holding their
opponent to a single goal, skipping away to a 38-point half time lead. After
half-time, the Old Xavs took over. Sapuppo started to dominate the
ruck contests, and when Scanlan and Chatfield weren’t winning the
ball, it was Nick McInerney, John Pasceri and Lachlan Ford driving the
Xavs forward. Midway
through the third quarter, their lead was out to 56 points and the sting
gone from the game entirely. Eventually, the 44 point margin perhaps
flattered the home team. Old Xaverians didn’t leave the match unscathed however, as Nathan Bingham (at right) sustained a dislocated elbow while diving for the loose ball in the first quarter. OLD
XAVERIANS 4.2 10.6 15.8 18.10
(118) Best: Ford, Ross, Chatfield, Sapuppo, Ockleshaw, Holmes.
The
Reserves were able to play numerous first gamers, providing
opportunities for many of last years successful U19 players. Although
going down to a most impressive Trinity side, very good early season
form was displayed by James Hawkins, Andrew Dillon, Chris Ellis, Peter
Ryan, Joshua Young, and Anthony Fox. Both
U19 sides started the season with impressive wins, The 1s defeated last
year’s premier Old Brighton by 51 points, with Nicholas Corcoran,
Andrew Armstrong (6 goals), Oliver Gidley, Andrew Ryan, Andrew Barrett,
and Matthew Altis among the best. The U192 had a sound 26 point victory over Old Aquinas, with best players being Ciaran Nolen (6 goals), Ted Rubira, Stephen Ryan, Daniel Meehan, Tom McInerney (3 goals), and David Rees. |
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Michael
Blood, Adam Sassi, Dan Richardson, Damien Stoney, Simon Lethlean, Ben
Coughlan . . .
Old
Xavs premiership player Tim Fleming made his AFL debut
today, notching 10 possessions and jagging a goal in atrocious
conditions at the MCG.
This
grand-final replay had none of the hype or talk of revenge that often
accompanies these occasions, but in defeating a strong St Bernards, the
Old Xaverians have again raised the bar of expectation.
The
first half was a tough battle, with Ockleshaw, McInerney and Skidmore
ever prominent in the clinches and the run of the Xavs younger brigade
proving a constant threat. The 14 point deficit at the long break was
not for want of effort, rather the home team’s inability to apply
scoreboard pressure and a couple of untimely errors that allowed
Bernards easy goals.
Michael
"Horace" Holmes will play his 200th game for the Old Xavs when
they take on St Bernards on Saturday. 
With
a win in his first outing as coach, Michael Sholly has turned his mind
to next Saturday’s clash with St Bernards. He is pleased that
the clash with the reigning premier is coming so soon and sees the
game as a measuring stick.
Six-time
premiership legend John Bowen fulfilled another football ambition
today when he took the field with his younger brother Andy. 