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OLDXAVS.com August '03 News |
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29 Aug '03 WILD AND WOOLLY WEEKEND WEATHER ON THE CARDS Finals' fever is upon us, but spring, it is not. In a strange twist of irony, it would appear that the competition's better teams will be playing under less than ideal conditions when they take the field for knockout semi finals this weekend. The weatherman is predicting rain and wind and one surmises that the Bayside suburbs of Elsternwick and Cheltenham may be on the wild side. Still, our great winter game is meant to be played in all conditions and the Xavs have two teams ready for action. RIP: GEOFF JAMES SJ Fr Geoff James, latterly the parish priest at Hawthorn, passed away suddenly last Sunday night. His funeral was held on Thursday. By no stretch of the imagination could Geoff have ever been described as a sportsfan, but he did provide temporal and spiritual advice to many Xaverians over the years. He will be missed. |
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27 Aug '03 HELLO
MR CHIPS. He’s nurtured them, he’s tortured them,
he’s written reports, he’s answered their retorts.
Say hello to Mr Chips, who now writes exclusively for OLDXAVS.com The completion of the home and away season saw five of our six sides advance to finals football. Already, there is one Premiership Cup in our Trophy Cabinet (or perhaps in the lost property section at The Motel, next to a mobile phone that seemingly sends text messages automatically). The Seniors have finished on top of the ladder, and in doing so have established a VAFA record of eleven successive A-Grade finals appearances. Clearly at the start of the year, Santayana’s warnings echoed through the plush confines of the committee room - "Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual.” Although our results thus far will not change the world as we know it, the massive task of appointing six new coaches and rebuilding the senior playing list has paid dividends in a hitherto most satisfactory season that has brought some sunshine into the bleak, gritty existence of those amongst us living in the margins of society. Now, down to the business of the week - and the crucial first semi between Old Scotch and Old Haileybury promises to set the tone for a gripping September. The coaches of the six sides that did not make the finals were unanimous in tipping Old Scotch to be victorious on Sunday. However, opinions of these six coaches were evenly divided over the eventual premiers, with two selecting St. Bernard’s, two for Old Scotch, with one apiece going for Old Xavs and Old Haileybury. This is particularly intriguing given that one of them believes that the Bloods will lose to Scotch but still win the flag, which would be a first – or as Jesper Fjeldstad would opine more conservatively, “almost certainly the probability of perhaps a first – well, as far back as the records go”. Who
will win? “Too early
to tell, not enough information,” as George Bush Sr
once ventured. However the equipoise of the contest alone makes
it worth attending, particularly for those with free tickets, life
members and others who can somehow duck the $8 admission charge. Then
again, where else are you going to see Loewe, O’Farrell, and Corrigan
x 2 versus Hawkins, Dennis, and Phillips x 2 – it’s shaping up like Wrestlemania.
The
curtainraiser sees our Reserves clash with Marcellin in a tantalising
scenario, given that just six weeks ago , in a dark drama, Marcellin
held us goal-less to three quarter time at Toorak Park.
Since then, however, the Xavs have been on a roll and the Bulleen
boys have bombed. And they
will bomb again on Sunday methinks, or more accurately, mehopes. These
teams clashed at Elsternwick Park in the GF last year, with the Old Xavs
thumping the Eagles in a game that scaled the Olympus of Oratory.
Since then, there has been a lot of water under the bridge, a lot
of blood on the carpet and a lot of foie gras on the liver.
Can it be true that the Old Xavs will employ a doorman to keep
other clubs’ recruiters from invading the locker room in the pre-match
lead-up? Just
as interesting is the canvas for the U19's first semi.
Old Scotch hammered us to the tune of 84 points at Shark Park in
Round 8, after we trailed by only 10 points at ¾ time.
Then two weeks ago, we ran out winners by 107 points. All
of which goes to show that every week is a whole new ballgame, but
finals football is a wholer newer ballgame.
Congratulations
are certainly in order to 2003 U19 (2) coach "Now clap
your hands and do the" Freddie Chamberlain, assistant Peter
Glynn, team manager Tim Meehan, and especially the players on completing
a most competitive season with a most impressive 31 point win last
Saturday. Along with De La
Salle and St. Bernard’s, we are the only club fielding two U19 teams,
so finishing the season in sixth spot with an 8 and 10 record was a
terrific effort against "first" teams. From all reports, the
Scoobys put in a huge Super Sunday as well, with the coach leading from
the front like General Custer. Perhaps
Fiery Fred would elicit comfort from the words of the great Chinese
militarist Sun Tzu, who ventured: "The
general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing
disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good
service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom." |
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27 Aug '03 VALE NOEL RUNDLE The Old Xaverians note with regret the passing of Noel Rundle, who served football as VAFA Treasurer for 40 years. Our Reserves and U19s teams will observe a minute's silence prior to the commencement of their finals in honour of a great servant of our game. |
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24 Aug '03 Nothing is so beautiful as spring - when weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush . . . Gerard Manley Hopkins, poet and Jesuit, must have been thinking about a 'Wick burger or two and finals footy when he penned those lines . . . Four teams are going to the VAFA spring festival, with just two to go to the great gran'daddy of them all to slug it out for all the marbles. The Old Xavs are again on their way to Elsternwick for the 11th consecutive year, which has not been done since, well ... since 1928, when they began recording such things. A quick scan of the dusty VAFA files indicates that Old Scotch did it 10 times on the trot and De La 9 times . The Old Xavs THEN, are enjoying the greatest run of any club in VAFA history. Six times of those ten previous appearances resulted in premierships. But I don't need a lecture from Hypocrite Hill about dwelling for too long in the past. What of this year? Well, I guess we'll leave the prognostications to others. It's an impressive lineup of teams, with Scotch to play Haileybury in the KO final next week, while the Bernards plot their revenge against the Xavs a week later. |
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24 Aug '03 R18: WILD CONCLUSION TO THE FIRST SEASON The late season upsets continued yesterday as teams battled for spots in the four and to avoid relegation. The Xavs, as we will document, albeit very briefly, played their part in the drama by dropping their 5th game of the year to Old Melburnians at the Junction. St Kevin's fell to Scotch at Righetti and they head to B Section along with Ivanhoe. Trinity turned it on again to beat St Bernard's, but then heard the bad news that their late lunge had failed because Haileybury had climbed over Marcellin to hold fourth spot. But back to the Junction, where the Old Xavs played premiership football until the 12 minute mark of the first quarter, had a rest, came back strongly early in the last and went down by plenty. 'Nuf ced. The hoodoo continues. The 2s were far more impressive, winning in a canter and buying their ticket for another trip to the finals, while the U19s did similarly and will prepare for a trip to Cheltenham. The Scoobys are headed for Mad Monday, but they did extremely well to trounce the Animals in their final encounter of the season.
1s Chris Vernuccio braved the rain: Old
Xaverians wanted this win. A win in the lead up to the finals
would have been the perfect platform from which to launch an assault for
the 2003 premiership. Old
Melburnians needed this win, in a desperate bid to avoid relegation into
B-Grade, and they followed last week’s remarkable defeat of St.
Bernard’s with an equally exceptional performance against the Xavs. “I’m
not hugely disappointed (with the loss),” said Old Xaverians coach,
Michael Sholly. “We
play in a final in two-weeks time and the result today, whilst it does
matter because you want to go in (finals) with a winning feeling, it
really didn’t matter.” Old
Xavs had already secured the double chance, while Old
Melburnians avoided the drop-zone by four points.
In
wet and greasy conditions, Old Melburnians handled the ball better, were
more direct and were more threatening up forward. After
Simon Lethlean snapped the Xavs second goal of the opening quarter to
put his side one goal up, Old Melburnians exerted their dominance
by kicking four straight goals from the 13 minute mark of the first
quarter to midway through the second. The
Xavs did not register their third goal until the time-on period of that
quarter. In this period Michael Hazell and Nick Daffy
started to control the contest, with Daffy booting two goals in this
period, eventually ending with three for the game, and a number of
telling midfield possessions. “We
looked very good in the first 10 minutes (of the game),” commented
Sholly. “But then, I
don’t know what it was (but) Hazell was very dominant for them. The
Xavs eventually mounted a spirited comeback to reduce the margin
to single figures. Goals to John Pasceri and Nick Baker reduced the
margin to eight points after five minutes of the final term. Then
Old Melburnians slammed through five goals to seal the result and their
place into A-Grade for next season.
OLD
MELBURNIANS 3.2 6.6 7.9
13.9 (87)
2s OLD
MELBURNIANS 2.1 2.3
3.6 4.8 (32) Best: Howard, Sapuppo, Skidmore, Fox, Hawkins, Speekman.
U19s OLD CAULFIELD 2.1 4.5 5.5 7.8 (50) OLD XAVERIANS 6.4 11.6 17.11 23.17 (155) Goals: Rush 8, Corcoran 4, O'Hanlon 2, Agius 2, Ryan 2, O'Meara 2, J Ryan, Rees, Chapman. Best: Purss, O'Meara, Purcell, Freer, Serafini, Rush
Scoobys OLD XAVERIANS 4.5 8.7 12.9 16.10 (106) ST LEOS EMMAUS WP 3.0 5.2 8.3 12.3 (75) Goals: Ford 3, Nolan 2, Bowlby 2, McInerney 2, Hulett, Kaine, Quinn, Fusimato, Martin, Silk, Corrigan. Best: Hulett, Silk, Ford, Kaine, Nolan, McInerney. |
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23 Aug '03 PRESIDENTIAL ARRIVAL Club President Davina Connors-Calhaem looks like missing just the one game after giving birth to Koo Grace Calhaem on Thursday night. Yup, it's a little girl for Rod and Dav, and a little sister for Indigo (In-de-way). Congrats to all. Rumour has it that young "Coup de Grace" will make her debut on Thursday night. |
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22 Aug '03 HELLO
MR CHIPS. He’s coached them, he’s caned them,
he’s sought their retention, he’s given them detention.
Say hello to Mr Chips, who now writes exclusively for OLDXAVS.com Well, what a week in football. The Seniors clinch the double-chance, the Reserves move ominously into fourth spot and the U19s (all but) seal a finals berth. And what about the A-Grade results? St.Kevins safe after their 3 point win over Ivanhoe . . . but wait, OM’s have beaten St.Bernards at The Pit. I can’t believe it !! Then, somebody reckons its Old Trinity by six points over Old Scotch at Shark Park. OH’s loss puts their place in the four in jeopardy. AND,
the postman did not bite the dog. The Crocs are 2003 Club XVIII
Champions. Firstly, congratulations on their sixteen match undefeated
season, culminating with an emphatic sixty-eight point win over Prahran
last Sunday. The
win was set up with a brilliant six goal first quarter into the strong
breeze, from which the men-in-green sox never let their ascendency slip.
Eight flags in a row, twelve in the past thirteen years, and the first
time a guy named Andrew had coached the Crocs to the Holy Grail. Modest in victory, the Big Hawaiian was looking to keep a lid on things after the match. Pressed on his coaching future, he would concede only that he was taking things one premiership at a time. Also keeping his feet firmly on the ground, captain Nick Fay implored his players to enjoy themselves at the post match celebrations back at The Motel. As Nick pointed out, as he accepted the Cup back, premierships, much like Christmas, only come around once a year. Again, congratulations to all involved in a great season. Back to Toorak Park, where the day got off to a flyer when, in a win-win situation, the table cloths arrived and Stewie Loewe didn’ t. Simultaneously, the Reserves moved back into the four, taking Old Haileybury’s place as a result of the seventy-four point win. The win by the Seniors has ensured that planning can now go towards the second semi-final-but not until after this weeks fixture against Old Melburnians is completed. It can be confirmed however, that there are definitely no plans to introduce into the game-plan the through- ball, used to such devastating effect by Brazil in their 2-0 win in last year’s World Cup Final. Consideration may be given to trialling this revolutionary tactic in next years practice matches. Interestingly,
veteran supporters described the possible innovation as the most radical
at the club since someone suggested at the infamous Crisis Meeting
of June 1971 that handball could be added to the game plan. This
meeting was held at The Tower Hotel, fitting given that we were
heading towards the gallows. But we digress. The
only downer last weekend was that the Scooby s were not able to upset
the third placed La Trobe Uni, despite an impassioned half time address
from coach Chamberlain. Doing his best Dean Laidley impersonation, Fiery
instructed them to "get aggressive" in the second half.
Things fell a tad flat when a burly backman responded with "Sure
Fred, what number is he?" What can you say? |
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20
Aug '03
NO JOY FOR CROCS IN INDIVIDUAL AWARDS The
Old Xavs have missed the individual awards in VAFA Club XVIII
competition. The 3s picked up 41 votes out of a possible 72, while
the all conquering Crocs amassed 65 of a possible 84. Nick
Rathgeber finished 3rd in his class, while the paltry recognition
accorded Chris Wazza Warry as captain of the Menages surprised. But who wouldn’t trade a medal for a flag? (Unless you are Bloody, then you can have both!) congrats to those players who did win the Club XVIII medals. 3s: WINNER: 10 votes, Therry Penola: A. Chapman OLD XAVERIANS: WALSH, M - 6 ; JONES, A - 4 ; O'LOUGHLIN, K - 4 ; AIKMAN, M R - 3 ; DIXON, B T - 3 ; HOARE, C - 3 ; STONEY, D T - 3 ; STOREY, D - 3 ; ERFURTH, W - 2 ; MCINERNEY, J M - 2 ; ROGERS, M - 2 ; AINSWORTH, S J - 1 ; MCCARTHY, S F - 1 ; MCLEAN, J P - 1 ; ORLANDO, A N - 1 ; STONEY, D M - 1 ; WARRY, C P - 1
Crocs: WINNER: 15 votes, Prahran: J. N. Storer RATHGEBER, N ;13 ; JONES, M C;10 ; HARDWICK, L - 8 ; CURNOW, T - 5 ; DAVIES, M H - 5 ; LANDRIGAN, A J - 4 ; FAY, N J - 3 ; HALL, P W - 3 ; CONQUEST, P - 3 ; HARDWICK, J F - 2 ; OCKLESHAW, P - 2 ; FOWLER, T - 2 ; GEORGE, R - 2 ; ERSKINE, G - 1 ; HARDWICK, J - 1 ; FITZGERALD, T P - 1 |
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20 Aug '03 EXTREME UNCTION AT THE JUNCTION The
Old Xavs can finish their home and home season in the rarified
atmosphere at the top of the ladder if they put away OMs at the Junction
Oval on Saturday. Win, lose or draw, the Old Xavs will deliver last rites to either Old Melburnians or St Kevins. With these clubs locked on 6 wins and only 0.59% separating them, one will get an eleventh hour reprieve and the other will once again be looking at B Section. Back-of-the-envelope calculations have OMs holding a percentage advantage of about 17 points, but with rain forecast to fall before Saturday, it might be greater than that. SKOB entertains the Cardinal at Righetti, which might not help their chances. The other clashes of immense interest will be those that decide the four. At Bulleen, the late-lunging Trinity will throw the kitchen sink at Bernards, who have nothing to gain but confidence. Marcellin, which displayed its best form in months last week, venture to the Badlands to meet Haileybury, which needs a win to stave off the challenge from the inconsistent Carlson crowd. By 4:40 Saturday, we will know a lot more. |
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17 Aug '03 DOUBLE CHANCE IN THE BAG; XAVS TO WEAR BLACK SHORTS?? The Xavs hosted Haileybury at Toorak Park yesterday and set them packing in the final term to complete a perfect home score of 8 wins from 8 attempts. The clash was expected to be an arm-wrestle and for three quarters, it was. Haileybury kicked nearly three goals clear in the 3rd quarter, but the Xavs stormed home as they unleashed the run on a bewildered Bloods lineup to lead by 28 points before the visitors walked in with three uncontested consolation goals. The Killer Bees, this time Beetham, Biddlecombe and Brushfield, and a fast leading Orlando who proved too much for the boys from the Badlands, who must now fend off a late challenge from Trinity for fourth spot. With OMs tossing St Bernards, the Red 'n' Blacks have moved into top spot, though the minor premiership has never been an ambition at Toorak Park. OMs, of course, are locked in a mortal struggle with SKOB to remain in A Section, which bodes well for a big clash at the Junction. The 2s and U19s assured themselves of a final four engagement by thumping their opponents yesterday, while the Scoobys performed creditably but went down.
1s: Our intrepid analyst Chris Vernuccio was at the 'Rak: Old
Xaverians’ 111-point win over St. Bernard’s may have set the wheels
in motion for an assault for a top two finish but their win over Old
Haileybury may have set themselves up for a successful finals campaign. The
Xavs' 10-point win ensures they will finish in the top two
confirming a double chance and in the process, with St. Bernard’s
shock loss to Old Melburnians, end round 17 a ladder leader. “We
needed to win, we were desperate to win. To seal second spot means
we can now, whilst we’re not getting complacent, but we know for a
fact we are playing in the second semi-final so we can train accordingly,”
said Old Xaverians coach Michael Sholly after the game. Thanks
to the brilliance of Cadyn Beetham and Damien Orlando after the main
interval, the Xavs turned a half-time deficit into their 13th win of the
season. Xavs began the game in dominant fashion, dominating play around the midfield and half-forward as they slotted the first three goals of the game, the pick of them coming at the 15-minute mark. Oswald’s tap from the boundary throw-in forward of centre wing hitting the chest of Tim Ockleshaw who snapped the ball on his left boot to half-forward. Scott Mollard grassed a difficult mark but John Pasceri was perfectly placed in front of the pack to crumb then steady on his left to put through the Xavs' second goal. Old
Haileybury hit back in the time-on period, with Jeremy Bourke getting
his sides’ first goal at the 23rd minute mark and was later followed
up with two more by David Mason and Kejna. Haileybury
continued with their momentum in the second term, hitting the front
through Mark Corrigan. Corrigan
and Captain Matthew Armstrong were instrumental in Old Haileybury
getting out to a two-goal lead in this often tight but entertaining
match. Old
Haileybury looked as if they would be the first visitor to win at Toorak
Park this season, until the home team hit their straps with a five-goal
third quarter to go to the final break one-point in front. Beetham
found more of the ball, but more importantly, started to hit targets on
more occasions. Beetham changed his sides’ fortunes from the
centre clearances as Haileybury had the early control. Orlando
was again used as the game breaker down forward with five second-half
goals, his fifth midway through the final term extending the Xavs lead
22 points.
OLD
XAVERIANS 3.3 6.6 11.7 16.12 (108) Best:
Beetham Orlando Biddlecombe Brushfield Scanlan Johnston.
2s: OLD
XAVERIANS 4.3 9.9 12.14 15.20 (110) OLD
HAILEYBURY 0.3 1.4 3.5 5.6 (36) Goals:
Jones 3 Maher 2 Walsh 2 Woodruff 2 Rush 2 Rennex Bowen Hawkins Howard. Best: Woodruff Walsh Howard Hawkins Rennex Rush.
Scoobys: LATROBE
UNIVERSITY 4.5 9.11 11.13 17.6 (118) Best: Ford, Montgomery, Kaine, Frawley, Silk, Kizza |
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17 Aug '03 R17: U19s ENJOY SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS With
challengers coming from everywhere trying to steal 4th place, an
under siege Old Xavs team played their last home game at McHale
Stadium against the third placed Scotch. Scotch
had been in terrific form and were full of confidence - so full of
confidence that many of them were spotted at 1:30pm in civvies
pontificating about past glories. Once
the ball was bounced they had a rude shock. A terrific first quarter saw
Xavs kick 5.4 while Scotch were still wondering what had hit them - not
troubling the scorer at all. Andy Nadinic and Josh Agius were getting
plenty of the ball out of the centre - relishing the Cam Purss ruck
clinic he was putting on for the benefit of his opponent. Scotch
have three players on the leading goal kicking ladder - Beaurepaire,
Snaddon and Thompson - and while Thompson didn't play the others didn't
get near it. Xavs defence was superbly led by Oliver Gidley and the
skipper Michael Scanlan who returned to his favorite CHB (after some
Friday night pestering of the coach via SMS). Pat
Purcell however was simply sensational in the back pocket, doing all the
things a coach loves, such as smothering and tackling without any regard
for his own safety. Up forward DVC Andy "Angry" Armstrong was
causing headaches for the opposition while Matt O'Hanlon snuck under
everyone's guard and was a real live wire - finishing the game with
three goals including one from the "impossible angle" on the
boundary line. (In
fact, I think it's fair to say O'Hanlon was closer to the second
row of the Bob Rose stand than the actual field of play - still a damn
good kick though!) Sammy
Freer has re-invented himself on the wing and he did a superb job on the
VFL listed player Dick, both nullifying his opponent and getting plenty
of it himself. Playing four quarters of good football has proved a
difficult task for the team this year but the guys were determined to go
on with the match and showed the Candy Coats no mercy. Josh Agius was
lively, ending the match with four goals, James Ryan was good at CHF and
really the whole team simply was superb with not a poor player amongst
the list. A pleasing aspect was that Nick Serafini was classy and solid
as usual, but wasn't the lone hand and didn't have to dominate to get us
over the line. OLD
XAVERIANS 5.4 11.8 14.14 17.21
(123) Best - Purcell, Scanlan, Freer, O'Hanlon, Agius, Armstrong, J.Ryan |
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17 Aug '03 CROCS SMITE TOORAK CO-TENANTS IN GF CAKEWALK
OLD XAVERIANS 6.1 12.5 14.7 19.13 (127) PRAHRAN 3.2 4.2 7.4 9.5 (59) Goals: Davies 3 Rourke 3 L Hardwick 2 Perry 2 Fitzgerald 2 Erskine Curnow Ockleshaw J Hardwick Bond P George Jones. Best: Erskine Hall Perry Poulis Jones Rathgeber. |
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16 Aug '03 GLORIOUS PAST MEETS FUTURE PROMISE The Lux Pavilion was packed for the final lunch of the season, which featured both a tribute to the APS premiers Xavier College First XVIII and a reunion of the 1978 C Section premiership team coached by Jack Batten. The skipper of that side John Noonan addressed the gathering amid strains of the ancient Old Xavs spiritual "Ole John Noonan, he keeps on rucking" emanating from the tables at the back of the room. Guests at the lunch included Xavier Principal Chris McCabe and members of his staff, and Madge Sanders, widow of John Sanders who was President of the club in 1978. It was great to see so many convene to talk of glories past. The Year 12 men had some divided loyalties, as their teammate Dan Rush was on the ground making his debut in the 2s. Click on the thumbnails below for full-sized versions and hit the back button to return here.
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14 Aug '03 HOME CLOSER VITAL FOR SEPTEMBER CHANCES The final home outing this Saturday sees the Xavs defend their perfect record at home against Haileybury. The significance of the thus-far perfect home record is not lost on the Titans of the Terraces, most of whom can't recall a similar feat by an Old Xavs senior team. Maintaining the clean slate against the Bloods will not be easy. The visitors warmed up for the finals with a wire-to-wire victory over St Bernards at Elsternwick last Saturday and will be looking to repeat their victory over the Red 'n' Blacks at the Badlands in R8. Club
CEO Kevin O’Shaughnessy has admitted that the Xavs game plan that day
was perhaps flawed. “Our pre-game strategy of wearing out the
Corrigans, by kicking the ball to them at every available opportunity,
whilst brilliantly executed was, probably, in hindsight, not the way to
go.” The magnitude of the home ground advantage is the source of some argument amongst the Magi of the Mound. Some argue that the ground does not suit the Old Xavs style of play. Others have argued that it does. To be sure, the Xavs have played some inspired football there this winter and there have also been moments of mediocrity - though not enough to blemish the blotter. Their strength has to been being able to find a little bit extra in all conditions against most teams. The form of the current four, which are likely the final four, is fascinating. St. Bernards are averaging over 20 goals a game, but have recorded losses to the other three premiership contenders in the second round; Old Scotch have notched- eight wins on the trot, including the scalps of its top 3 rivals; Old Haileybury has beaten every side in the competition; and Old Xavs in second spot, but yet to beat Old Scotch or Haileybury. Where will it begin and end? The answer is a pineapple. “Not knowing, cannot say” as The Great Ho Tung said. Coach Sholly would like to clinch second spot this week and he will find no argument among the Xavs faithful. The 2s play a similarly important game and can replace Haileybury in the four should they get up. The Bloods appear to be slipping a notch, perhaps because their depth is being tested by a lack of U19 and 3rds teams. The Xavs 3rds bowed out in the Preliminary Final, after a most successful season. Congratulations to Coach Joe Lyttleton, Captain Chris Warry, their support staff, and the players who represented the club so admirably. The 19s need to return to the winners' circle in a hurry. They went all so close to clinching a finals berth last Saturday, and the signs are very encouraging that they will not only be there in September, but will play a meaningful role in proceedings. The Scoobys play for the love of it this week, after last week restricting the goal scoring prowess of the opposition, but being unable to put scoreboard pressure on the third placed side. Matters were not helped by some players believing it to be a 9.00.p.m and not a 9.00.am start. As coach "fiery" Fred Chamberlain was to muse later, this is all part of their learning curve in sport and, indeed, life itself. The Big Day looms for the Crocs and The Big Hawaiian at Sportcover Arena on Sunday. Unbackable favourites to complete an undefeated, untied season, the reigning Premiers have been ultra-conservative so as to not leave anything on the track this week, whilst a 4:00 am curfew for the morning of the game has been introduced as "a guideline". It is not anticipated that the immortal words of Malvern businessman, triple Club XVIII premiership coach, and 1993 William Denton Trophy winner, Scott "Dusty" Denison of "now is not the time to panic" will be heard during the game from the Crocs brains trust. The Crocs have an imposing record in the last decade of Club XVIII football - they didn't win the premiership in 1995, but took the marbles in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. They'll win again on Sunday and they'll probably win it again next year. Good luck men! |
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10 Aug '03 ACCURATE XAVS SAVE THE DAY AND SECOND SPOT On a ground that has given them problems in recent years, the Old Xavs steadied in the final ten minutes to snatch victory by seven points over Uni Blues. The Red 'n' Blacks began crisply and led by 2 goals at the first break, but squandered any wind assistance they might have had in the second term. Then, despite leading by 15 points at lemon-time, the Xavs could not hold the Blues, who finally edged in front half way through the final term. It was then the Xavs steadied, kicking two goals to end the Blues' slim hopes of September action, the latter a stirring 70 metre torp from Scott Mollard that brought the crowd to its feet and Uni to its knees. For their part, the Old Xavs must now win one of their two remaining games to secure the double chance. Coach Sholly was happy with the performance, which while producing more grit than grace, produced another 4 premiership points in the Old Xavs' account. He has asked much of his squad since December and they have responded magnificently to date. But now that they can almost smell those Wick Burgers, the tough stuff is only just beginning. Next week, they meet the surging Haileybury, who today defeated St Bernards at HQ. The 2s pushed Uni right to the limit but came up short. Their season would appear to rest with the result of the clash with the Bloods, who may be a little down on confidence after Bernies melted them by 20 goals today. The U19s also went down to the Blues - by a heartbreaking two points - and their season is most definitely on the line. The Scoobys bowed out of finals contention with a heavy loss. It is a matter of some satisfaction that it has taken until R16 for any of the Xavs' teams to be eliminated from contention. The 3s, of course, are now polishing their golf clubs, after their loss to the Reds, while the Crocs head into camp ahead of next Sunday's local derby Grand Final against Prahran. |
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9 Aug '03
R16 SKINNY 1s: Chris
Vernuccio lapped it up: Old Xaverians, five points down entering time-on in the final quarter and Dave Landrigan cleanly picked up the loose ball on half-back and started to run, as he had done throughout the game, down the wing, taking two bounces in the process. His
kick found James McDonnell on the Half-Forward flank. Too far out
to score, his short pass didn'tt reach John Pasceri as he slipped and
fumbled with the ball. Without no time to think, Andrew Dillion
picked up the crumb, threw the ball on to the boot , and along with his
teammates and opposition, watched as the ball bounced through a vacant
goal square for a goal. Old
Xavs back in front by a solitary point, before a free kick, and
subsequently a 25-metre penalty to Scott Mollard whose shot for goal
from point blank range sealed the game for the Xavs. In
tough windy conditions, where goals were hard to come by, it was
inconceivable that the Xavs would be in such a position.
Midway through the third quarter, a James McDonnell goal extended his
sides lead to 23 points. It was only a question of how far Xavs. Then
came the Blues' revival.
Goals to Gleeson, Maddison, Young and De Crespigny took Uni Blues to the
front for the first since the opening two minutes of the game. The
third and fourth quarters summarised the performances of both sides.
The Xavs too often were let down by skill errors, frequently kicking to
contests, kicking to two-on-one contests and basically choosing the
wrong option, helping to bring the Blues back into the game. Uni
Blues were regularly caught out in defence. Defenders were caught
in the wrong position and were not in the right place at the right time.
Why wasn’t someone standing the goal line when Dillon slotted through
the Xavs eleventh goal of the match? Old
Xaverians will have their hands tied up next week when they try to
avenge their defeat by Old Haileybury in the first half of the season.
Old Haileybury returns to the top four after posting a win against
ladder leader, St. Bernards.
OLD
XAVERIANS
3.3 6.3 10.4
12.4 (76)
UNIVERSITY BLUES 3.2 6.6 8.9 12.11 (83) OLD XAVERIANS 2.3 4.4 6.10 9.11 (65) Goals: Green 3 Maher 2 Woodruff Skidmore Sapuppo Callinan. Best: Howard Fox Skidmore Carey Speekman Ryan.
3s: PRELIM OLD XAVERIANS 1.1 1.3 2.9 2.10 (22) FITZROY REDS 2.4 7.8 7.10 9.14 (68) Goals: Gleeson, Silk. Best:
O'Loughlin Ralph Warry Jones Ford Dynon.
UNI BLUES 3.3 4.5 6.7 8.9 (57) OLD XAVERIANS 2.1 5.3 8.4 8.7 (55) Goals: Scanlan 2, Agius 2, Ginnivan, Nadinic, O'Meara, A. Ryan. Best: Gidley, Nadinic,Freer, Barrett, Roache, Purss.
OLD XAVERIANS 0.0 1.1 1.4 1.5 (11) FITZROY REDS 2.4 6.4 8.8 10.12 (72) Goals: Martin. Best: Silvagni, McInerny, Rubira, Kenfield, Ford, Montgomery
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9 Aug '03
R16 PICS The 2s went down gallantly, the 1s action was intense, head cases abounded, Wrecker returned and Moldini is colour coordinated always. Click on the thumbnails below for full-sized versions and hit the back button to return here.
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6 Aug '03 XAVS WILL NEED TO BE ON TUNE AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES Michael Sholly has had his fair share of success at the Varsity, but on dry days and in warmer climes. His Xavs, in contrast, have been winter visitors and come up empty in recent years. But that was in other years. This year's outfit fully realise that a repeat dose will place second spot in serious jeopardy, while a victory takes them one step closer to the one they want - a second-semi bout with St Bernards. For their part, the Blues are still looking at finals football, as they hope to beat the Red 'n' Blacks, dispose of Marcellin and Ivanhoe and then sneak into the four on the back of losses by Haileybury and Trinity. The University form prior to last weeks shellacking at The Snake Pit makes for some interesting reading. Since the Xavs defeated them in Round Seven, they had won six out of seven, with their only loss during this period being by just two points at home to Old Scotch. Their better players during this purple patch have included big forward George De Crespigny, who reached 50 goals for the season last week (including 11 against Old Trinity); CHF Rob Wilkie; midfielder Liam Ryan; ex-Xav Chris Brookes on the wing; state player Quentin Gleeson in and around the packs (and goals); utilities Lowcock, North, and McIntyre, whilst Fairbank, Hayter, Young, and Roydhouse have been regulars in their best in recent weeks. With so much at stake, expect a close tussle at Parkville. Conditions could play a vital role - more rain is forecast and might not make for pretty football. But the Xavs have proven adept at winning in all weather this year. The 2s have returned to form, but will need to be in fine fettle to tackle the Blues, who cemented in the four with a 12-3 record. The Students have looked the goods since they tackled the Xavs in a pre-season game at Moorabbin, and have stayed the pace with top ranking Bernies all year. The U19s need a form reversal to ensure a spot in the four and will be looking to lift against Blues. The 3s wait until Sunday to tackle the Reds in the Preliminary Final. It has been a great year for the Menages, both in terms of winning games and providing support for the Ressies. It is to be hoped that they can take the next step and play off in the Granny next week. The Scoobys might be playing for pride after their plan went wrong, horribly wrong, tragically horribly wrong last week against the Yobbers, but no doubt Freddie Chamberlain, no appeaser he, will be keen to beat the Reds and maintain a slim mathematical chance of extending the season. See y'all at the footy.
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6 Aug '03
DILLS PASSED FOR ANOTHER SHOT AT FLAG GLORY. OR DID HE?
Unconfirmed reports had it that the big delay in naming Wayne Jackson's successor was due to the AFL Commission's reluctance to take the straight up "no, I'm not interested" from our own Andrew Dillon, who is the League's Legal Services Manager. Dills of course, denies this whole scenario. "They never asked. I never applied. It's been a big year, with another addition to the family. I'm happy where I am," the six time Premiership star told OLDXAVS.com this week. "Also, with Nick McInerney getting a haircut, I am again the guy with the longest free-flowing locks going around in the long sleeves, and any thoughts of retiring from VAFA competition to increase my employment responsibilities will have to wait," he continued. So the gutsy veteran of over 260 games is staying where he is, playing where he's picked. And if his superb checkside goal from the pavilion pocket last week is any indication, the little master hasn't forgotten how to do it. So next year's a possibility? "We'll have to wait and see. McInerney might not get his hair cut for a while and I'm getting too old to be competing on the tonsorial* level," * level," concluded the ever-humble, ever smiling Dills, who sent us scurrying for the dictionary. *: ton·sor·i·al : adjective: of or relating to a barber or the work of a barber |
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4 Aug '03 1998: A VERY GOOD YEAR Anyone who has been associated with the Old Xaverians' golden era will have their own favourite memories. As Grand Final Days go, doing the double is hard to beat, particularly when both wins are against our traditional and respected rival Old Scotch, which is the longest surviving club in A Section. Yesterday, team members from that splendid day gathered for lunch to live in the past, to tell it like it was, to once again bask in the glory of that day gone by. They were giants in those days, at least if you believed the tenor of the tales they told. Whatever the truth of that, it must be said that any premiership reunion is a good reunion.
Click on the thumbnails below for full-sized versions and hit the back button to return here.
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3 Aug '03
R15: KILLER BEES STING KEVINS With memories of an upset home loss to the sprawling Kevins last season, the Red 'n' Blacks took to the track with purpose. The wind was worth two or three and the turf was not the sodden bog that some had predicted it might be. From the beginning, the Xavs looked clearly the better team, as the visitors struggled with the conditions and their in-form opponents. By half-time, many believed that the game was over, and so it proved. The Killer Bees - Beetham, Biddlecombe, Bowen, Baker and Bingham - strutted their stuff and battle-weary SKOBs had no answers. As a spectacle, the game was poor, particularly in the second half. Xavs are not in the habit of overkill, except on very special days. But the four points were ample reward for Sholly's boys, enough to retain their coveted position on the ladder. Fifteen down and three to go. Things are about to get hotter.
Chris Vernuccio maintained his interest Old
Xaverians kept their home-record intact with a controlling win over the
vastly inferior St. Kevin’s. The
53-point win ensures that the Xavs continue to tighten their grasp on a
top two finish with three rounds remaining. From
the opening bounce, Old Xaverians were never threatened. After
resuming from a weekend bye for the entire A-grade section the week
prior, both sides suffered from simple skill errors and it wasn’t made
any easy by the difficult conditions of the ground but the Xavs looked
sharp by winning the hardball and moving quickly once in possession. “The
ground (was) very heavy under foot so legs were tired, (The players
found it) hard to use their skills and hard to run,” commented Old
Xaverians coach Michael Sholly. “(And)
we’ve got a running game, so to win by nine goals, I’m happy.” “Their
(the players) intensity is always good, that’s what I’m pleased
about. They don’t give the opposition any chance, they strangle
them straight away.” Old
Xaverians smashed their opponents from the stoppages, particularly the
centre bounces with Nick Baker relishing the extra responsibility with
extended game time in the centre. Baker
was the impetus in setting the tone of the game by winning the ball from
the stoppages and has added a new dimension to Old Xaverians midfield. “Our
two main onballers were out which was Chatfield and Ockleshaw so
therefore we used a number of player through there (midfield) and it
gave us an opportunity to see more people.” Couple
that with Caydn Beetham improving with every game, Nick McInerney’s
return, and with Adam Chatfield and Tim Ockleshaw still to return in the
coming weeks and the Xavs have a midfield mix capable of causing some
trouble for the opposition come finals time. And
don’t forget John Pasceri. Some of his best work was done in the
midfield and he provides that spark towards the end of each quarter, and
he also managed to kick two goals in the forward pocket. Known
for his creativeness as a half-back, Damien Orlando provided
goal-scoring cameo where he booted three second quarter goals, which
effectively ended the contest with the Xavs leading St. Kevin’s by 53
points at the main break.
OLD
XAVERIANS 3.5 9.11
11.15 16.16 (112) Goals:
Orlando 3, Baker 3, Mollard 2, McDonnell 2, Pasceri 2, Dillon, Johnston,
Lethlean, Ford. Best: Beetham, Biddlecombe, Orlando, Ford , J Bowen, Pasceri.
RESSIES ROMP OLD XAVERIANS 5.5 9.7 13.12 20.14 (134) ST KEVINS 0.1 1.1 2.1 3.1 ( 19) Goals: Maher 4, Green 3, Howard 3, A.Bowen 2, Rennex 2, Woodruff 2, Stoney, Santalucia, McCarthy, M.Walsh. Best: Sapuppo, Maher, Howard, Rennex, A.Bowen, Fox.
3s: 2nd SEMI SLIP-UP OLD ESSENDON 4.5 7.5 11.13 13.14 (92) OLD XAVERIANS 2.0 4.2 5.3 8.7 (55) Goals: Ireland 3, Erfurth, Gleeson, Harly, O'Kane, Jones. Best: Ireland, A.Curtain, O'Loughlin, Silk, Larkins, Quinn.
19s FADE OLD
XAVERIANS 4.3 6.3
7.5 11.6 (72) Best:
Gidley, Agius, Nadinic, McDonnell, Ginnivan, A Ryan. SCOOBYS TRIP UP YARRA VALLEY O B 3.2 6.4 12.6 14.6 (90) OLD XAVERIANS 3.1 8.4 8.5 10.14 (74) Goals:
Ciaran Nolan 4, Tom McInerney 2, Jason Melvin- Smith 2. OLD XAVERIANS 1.1 6.6 7.7 9.10 (64) DE LA SALLE 0.1 0.1 2.2 2.3 (15) Goals: Erskine 3, L.Hardwick 2, Rathgeber, R.George, Davies, Jones. Best: Erskine, Curnow, Fay, Jones, Perry, Poulis.
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3 Aug '03 CLUB LUNCH, OLD GUYS BUNCH, FREDDIE'S HUNCH, CROCS HAVE PUNCH WHILE SKOBBERS CRUNCHED Some good football, some boring football, lunch, reunions, an APS premiership, a second-semi victory, shattered dreams - all in one weekend - and there's still some surprises to come as the 1998 premiership teams gather at the Orrong today. The Ex-President's lunch featured a reunion of the 1983 Club XVIII premiership side, the original Crocodiles. The seniors climbed over SKOB, winning ugly in surprisingly reasonable conditions - so reasonable in fact that the 2s managed to kick 20-goals-plenty and win by 115 points. The seniors retain second spot ahead of the danger game against the Varsity next week, while the 2s push that little bit closer towards finals action. The Crocs won their second-semi and progress to yet another GF. The 3s fell again to Old Essendon and must fron the prelim next Sunday. The 19s couldn't sustain the pace against St Bernards, while dreams died hard in the grape country as the Scoobys went down to YVOB, shattering the mid-week prognostications and virtually sealing their fate for the year. However there was some more good news - down on the farm, the Xavier XVIII beat Melbourne Grammar to clinch the APS premiership and our Dan Rush kicked 4 to break Josh Young's record set last year. The club will salute those heroes at a lunch on 16 August. |
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3 Aug '03
AGE HAS NOT WEARIED THEM (NOT MUCH)
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The
Big Hawaiian is undefeated, untied in his first year as coach. All
the hard training pays big dividends. Mad Monday has begun and will
continue until the Crocs Plate. 
The
rumours were flying pretty quick and fast around football circles
a couple of weeks ago. 
