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6 Nov 08

Dino takes 19s.

Maule to assist as Xavs gear for '09.

Dino DiPierdomenico will coach the U19s in 2009. The former Sandringham and Box Hill premiership player and assistant coach will hold the reins for the young ones. Tom Maule moves into the offsider's chair, providing our stars of tomorrow an excellent chance to learn under a duo that has experience and youth, with one of them having a famous brother.

Senior coach Simon Lethlean announced tonight that assistant senior coach Pat Hawkins had been assigned to other duties because of work and family commitments and that training for the summer would commence as per the details on the right.

7 Oct 08

TERRY MERRY.

THE RETURN OF VERSACE CHACHI.

MALE MODEL TO MOULD MAGOOS.

David Landrigan, six-time A Section premiership player, 262 game veteran and Old Xaverians life member has returned to the club he loves to take charge of the Reserves.

Landrigan, after a year at the Ho Hums and another at Old Caulfield, has taken on the role vacated by Theo Vlahos.

"I'm truly delighted to be coming back, hopefully to pass on some of the things I learned from my coaches and teammates. Xavs is the Landrigan family's club. It's home. I know Dad will be delighted that he won't have to hoon around on that motor bike trying to get between grounds."

OXFC President Simon Hunt made the announcement from Perth today. In a live video link-up with oldxavs.com, he said that the choice had been easy. "Once Dave made up his mind that he wanted the job, it was his. Chachi has been a fine contributor over many years, he's been away earning his coaching stripes and he's a good guy. He's also my brother-in-law, so that helps too," said the Prez. "I know that everyone at the Xavs will welcome him back with open arms and that the playing group, seniors and juniors alike will benefit from his expererience, his knowledge and his will to win."

3 Oct 08

THEO OUT! WHO'S NEXT?

Theo Vlahos has stepped down from the role of Reserves coach after securing a promotion at Burke Hall. His new role will tie him up until mid-afternoon on Saturdays and thus he will be unavailable to coach.

"It is with great regret and some great memories that I must resign. It's been a great ride," said the popular Mediterranean Man in his formal letter of resignation to President Simon Hunt.

Hunt said that "Theo has played a big part in our success at U19 and Reserves level. He is well liked and will be a great loss."

Pardon the pun, but the hunt is on for his replacement.

28 Sep 08

TERRIFIC TURTLE TIPPY-TOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the glittering presentation of awards at the Kingston Hotel on Friday night, Tim Clarke took away the BJ O'Shaughnessy Perpetual Trophy for the club's Best and Fairest.

Clarke polled 100 votes to win from James Scanlan, who was runner up for the second year running (88 votes) and Nick Serafini with 85 votes.

The elusive forward, who kicked 62 goals in 18 games, played his best season for the Red 'n' Blacks and his win was popular with the large crowd. Interestingly, Turtle didn't get a vote all year from the men in white.

The Bill Denton Trophy was awarded to Simon McCarthy for his efforts over the years as a great clubman, while Stu Skidmore was recognised by the life members for his endurance, tenacity and perseverance and received the Mick Rush trophy.

A full list of trophy winners is below.

Photos would have been nice but the webmaster's SLR camera somehow disappeared prior to the commencement of official proceedings.

Seniors

Best and Fairest:

Tim Clarke

2nd in Best and Fairest:

James Scanlan

3rd in Best and Fairest:

Nick Serafini

Best in Finals:

Adam Chatfield

Coach's Trophy:

Andrew Ryan

Reserves

Best and Fairest:

Dan Higgins

2nd in Best and Fairest:

Chris Larkins

3rd in Best and Fairest:

Lucas Harry

Best in Finals:

Hugo Murphy

Coach's Trophy:

Andrew Ryan

Thirds

Best and Fairest:

Pete Ockleshaw

2nd in Best and Fairest:

Jake Richards

Coach's Trophy:

Michael Dyer

 

U19

Best and Fairest:

Patrick Armstrong

2nd in Best and Fairest:

Matthew Skidmore

Coach's Trophy:

Josh Hanger

Scalpers

Best and Fairest:

Chris McMahon

Dom Prowse

2nd in Best and Fairest:

Alex McLeod

Best in Finals:

Dom Prowse

Crocs

Best and Fairest:

Andrew Jones

Best in Finals:

Tim Silk

Coach's Trophy:

Nick Silk

 

President's Awards

Dr Geoff Gidley

Rodney Calhaem

Mick Rush Trophy

Stuart Skidmore

William Denton Snr Perpetual Trophy for Outstanding Service

Simon McCarthy

21 Sep 08

A SECTION RESERVES GRAND FINAL

RED 'n' BLACKS FALL SHORT.

On a windswept Elsternwick Park, the Xavs were out-run and outplayed by a very talented Uni Blues line-up and came up empty. Xavs did not use the breeze to full advantage, particularly in the third stanza when they attacked around the flanks and played far too indirectly.

It was a disappointing end to a fine season, though many saplings will undoubtedly emerge from the defeat, and the seeds sown this year will bear good fruit in time.

Rory Harbeck was outstanding and there were some magic moments provided by Juggler Smith and Dangerous Dan Rush up forward. Lucas Harry, Hugo Murphy and Simon DiStefano were solid performers on the afternoon and their best football is still ahead of them, while Stuey Skidmore, inch for inch the most courageous player to pull on a boot went hard to the last.

The Blues were worthy winners, having taken three of the four clashes over the year. Congrats to them.

UNI BLUES	0.3	3.10	4.13	9.18-72
OLD XAVERIANS	3.5	3.7	5.10	7.11-53

Goals: D. Rush 2, C. Smith 2, H. Murphy, J. McDonnell, T. Dynon
Best: R. Harbeck, L. Harry, C. Smith, H. Murphy, S. DiStefano, S. Skidmore

 

21 Sep 08

A FAREWELL TO ARMS

David "Nordberg" Walsh and Andrew "Little Wow" Jones, two of the finest clubmen in the Xavs' illustrious history, have hung them up. Their teammates were desperate to send them out with another premiership, but it wasn't to be. Wow and Nordy can now enjoy their retirements, but we sincerely hope they will be around the place for years to come. They know the answers to many mysteries that will confront younger players, including: how to tie a pony-tail, how to wear a long-sleeve jumper in 40 degree heat, how to play one week after doing a hammy. Good luck to two true legends of the finest football club in the world.

21 Sep 08

A SECTION GRAND FINAL

BUSTLING BEDES BAG FLAG.

St Bede's completed a remarkable A,B,C treble when they pumped the Purples at Elsternwick today. Given first use of the breeze after losing the toss, Collegians made a meal of the first half and went back to the sheds goalless. Their second half showed improvement but the Bullies of Brindisi Street were more than equal to the task.

The three-in-three years is undoubtedly one of the finest achievements in modern amateur football. Congrats to Matt Beasley, Luke Beveridge and the whole club.

Now they wear the crown. Forget the underdog tag. Now they are the hunted.

ST BEDES/MENTONE	1.1	6.7	6.9	10.17-77
COLLEGIANS	0.3	0.3	2.15	5.17-47

ST BEDES/MENTONE
Goals: J. Tyquin 2, B. Phibbs 2, J. Maddocks, L. Wintle, M. Wintle, M. Hazell, C. Richards, P. Nicholls
Best: L. Wintle, S. Anstey, P. Groves, M. Hazell, D. Poynton, P. Wintle
COLLEGIANS
Goals: C. Blumfield 2, J. Fry, F. Watts, N. Ries
Best: B. Robbins, A. Baxter, C. Holst, C. Blumfield, D. Adkins, N. Ries

20 Sep 08

B SECTION GRAND FINAL

ESSEN-DONE! MAROON LEGS TOO MUCH FOR PEGS.

Marcellin won the VAFA Section Grand Final with an emphatic win at Elsternwick today. The Eagles applied fierce pressure on the minor premier for most of the afternoon and their third quarter sealed the deal. Three weeks ago, Murray Browne's boys were thought to be just making up the numbers. Now they are premiers. Congratulations on a fine effort.

OLD ESSENDON	3.4	4.7	5.7	8.8-56
MARCELLIN	4.3	5.6	11.8	11.8-74

OLD ESSENDON
Goals: H. Wilson 2, L. Teal 2, T. Biggs, D. Forrest, J. Leask, C. Goullet
Best: C. Goullet, J. Saville, T. Wilson, S. Towner, D. Ryan, J. Williams
MARCELLIN
Goals: D. Cullinan 2, C. MacLaren 2, D. Marson, T. Montagna, G. Romanin, T. Stafford, J. Winstanley, J. Carlson, P. Spence
Best: J. Crapper, L. Considine, J. Symes, P. Augustin, P. Spence, D. Marson

16 Sep 08

CHIPS - NOT SO GRAND BUT APPARENTLY FINAL.

My duty all ended!

This is it.

Surely now I will be afforded retirement and some good time to weed the cellar.

The Xavs can say "there's always next year", but for me, at my advanced stage of the journey, who can say? I've made it through another season and sadly that season, my last I swear, has ended prematurely and with some sadness.

The good news, as Terry Rogers explained to me yesterday, is that the Claret and Stout are still on the pace of an A Section flag every other year. Nice thinking young fellow, but they'll have to win it without me. Journalism has changed. Reporters are not held to the same ethical standards these days, it seems. Even the Sheik and J. Horn are more popular than I am. The justification for staying in the game has to be greater than merely being more respected than Patrick Smith.

Anyway, goodbye.

Oh, the Grand Final. Tigers v Lions.

Mrs Chips can't decide who to support. She is not enamoured of either, so she's playing golf. Surprisingly, she's asked me to carry her clubs - "no, not a caddie, dear. Caddies know the game and can lend advice. More like a slave".

I have declined that offer. It's a good one coming up, even if the Xavs aren't there. The Purples were simply brilliant last Sunday. The Xavs were outplayed over the final three quarters and it took a verey good team to do it. Collegians might have been edgy in the second semi, but they showed none of this last Sunday. Simply too good. Too many winners all over the park. In the end, it was a bridge too far for the Barkers' Boys, but they went down with grace and a lot of class. I'm proud of them.

Can the crusty Colls do it again this week and send the Bede's home? Or will the curious blend of youth, experience and uniform colours win out? I must admit that I still believe that the Brindisi Street Bruisers are better suited in ugly conditions and by the ground. Then I look through the Colls' lineup and see all those big names - Country Adkins, Family Stone, Giga Watts, Dunga Ries, Dixon, Blumfield and the big Viking Jorgensen (taught his father, did I). This is as star-studded a team as we've seen in the VAFA for quite a while. They couldn't fall to the Marauding Mentonians again, could they?

The biggest lesson we have all learned in football is that games are not won on paper but on the scoreboard. The Bede's are putting a pretty good lineup on the field too and their coach Luke Beveridge has been a perfect mentor for them. Can they win C, B and A in consecutive years? It could be a first, but let's remember that their C Section flag came hot on the heels of a shock drop from B Grade, after they had finished in the finals in 2004. Mind you, half of the Saint Tigers were not even born in 2004, so that won't mean much to them. They've already won the U19 premiership with half their eligible players in the seniors. If they stay together, they could be playing in these big games for years.

The Elstenwick plain, as we know, is a hard taskmaster. This year, it is rock hard. After last week, James Scanlan's face was redder than his hair from kissing the centre square once too often. Please pray for a little rain before the weekend. Then pray for cool and still weather on Sunday so both of these teams can go at it hard.

To the winner, all the spoils from a remarkable season. I'm tossing the coin - and it's come down Lions.

Of course, for the majority of the crowd, the major interest will be the Reserves GF between Old Xavs and Varsity Bleu. The Azzurri were impressive two weeks ago against a rather listless Xaverian team, who managed to turn on their worst effort of the year. But that can happen in a second semi-final.

This will be a closer contest, with each team featuring many stars with senior experience and a gaggle of youngsters who are destined for later starts in coming years. I cannot speak for the Blues, but I know that the Blood and Tars have some very tough decisions to make at the selection table.

I expect the Red 'n' Blacks to bounce back. It is they who are carrying the colours for the great club. Not for a long time has there been a season without a Xaverian pennant and I don't expect this drought to continue.

My readers are like United States Marines - the few, the brave - and I thank all seven of you, who have over the years whispered words of encouragement. Amazingly, one of those is a Xavs' supporter. I hope to be assigned other duties by the webmaster, perhaps in the training of some of the club's young men as football writers.

On a more personal note, I'd like to thank Mrs Chips for her support, but as she has provided none . . .

To the Xavs, who as a team have delighted me for so many years, my thanks. So long. Take it easy, but take it.

16 Sep 08

THREE XAVS IN TEAM OF THE YEAR.

Three Xavs - Andy Bowen, Nick Serafini and Tim Clarke - have been named in the Amateur Footballer 2008 Team of the Year.

Bowen, who slayed many a spearhead was named at full-back in his first seaon in defence. Serafini was named on the back flank, while Clarke, the competition's premier small forward, was picked on the forward flank.

Congratulations men.

• In R2, Josh Agius dobbed seven goals against De La: No votes
• In R5, Chopper Handley, seven goals against Blacks: No votes
• In R7, Juzzy Arnold, six goals against the Beders: No votes
• In R8, Tim Clarke, ten goals in the loss to Brighton: No votes. Didn't poll a vote all season!

14Sep 08

A SECTION PRELIMINARY FINAL

COLLS' CLASS CRUSHES CLARET AND STOUT.

Collegians rebounded from their second semi-final defeat and buried the Xaverian threat at Elsternwick Park today.

While competitive in the first stanza, the Red 'n' Blacks went into the long break four goals adrift and never recovered. Playing their fourth knockout contest on end, the Xavs were outrun and outplayed by the men in Purple, who will go into next week's Grand Final with their confidence fully restored.

The Xavs surprised by bringing back Matt Handley, who had not played since Round 9. Tim Fleming, Justin Arnold and Michael Darvell returned after shorter absences, but Mike Beardsley, Nick Serafini and Luke Howard were not available for duty. Nor was Ted Woodruff, courtesy of a two week suspension.

Andy Ryan and Handley goaled in the first quarter and the reigning premier looked as if it had come to play. Indeed it had, but so too had Collegians. Despite great showings by Adam Chatfield and Sam Johnston, the Xavs fell behind in the second term and never recovered.

Tim Clarke nailed three goals to top the 60 mark for the season, but there was little joy among the faithful as the Wesleyans went about their business in fines style.

It was not a pretty end to a pretty challenging season. Fans of the Red 'n' Blacks have been treated to some special performances this campaign, most notably in the past fortnight with backs-to-the-wall wins over Brighton and Scotch. Losing a final by such a margin is never easy to take, but the men who wore the colours today gave all they had left and then some more.

There's always next year.

COLLEGIANS	2.3	8.5	14.10	16.15-111
OLD XAVERIANS	2.4	4.7	6.11	7.12-54

Goals: T. Clarke 3, J. Arnold, M. Handley, A. Ryan, D. Lloyd
Best: A. Chatfield, T. Clarke, S. Johnston, J. Douglas, J. Scanlan, A. Ryan

14Sep 08

A SECTION RESERVES PRELIMINARY FINAL

THEOLOGIANS THUMP TONNERS

Old Xaverians won their way into the Grand Final with a convincing win over Old Brighton at Elsternwick today. While the Beach Boys drew level at four goals apiece early in the second quarter, the Red 'n' Blacks quickly piled pon the pressure and the goals to wrest back the ascendancy. The second half was one way traffic.

A date with the Varsity is scheduled for next Sunday.

OLD XAVERIANS	4.2	8.4	11.6	15.12-102
OLD BRIGHTON	2.0	4.1	4.2	6.2-38

Goals: C. Smith 4, N. Corcoran 3, D. Rush 3, J. Glen 2, J. McDonnell 2, C. Larkins
Best: S. Distefano, C. Larkins, H. Murphy, L. Harry, R. Harbeck, C. Santalucia

11 Sep 08

CHIPS

The warmer weather that has invaded these parts this week has Mrs Chips salivating at the thought of a return to the fairways. For me, it conjures up memories of so many September Sundays spent at Elsternwick, sometimes in the sunshine, sometimes in the rain, and almost always in a wind that chills or burns, depending on the mercury.

The A Section season has reached its penultimate weekend and by Sunday night, another premiership contender will have fallen by the wayside. It won’t be St Bede’s, who were very convincing in their victory last week, and sit out this Sunday’s death match and wait to see who is worthy to challenge them for the title.

The Tigers, young and old, were exceptional in their second semi-final against Collegians. I expected that poor conditions would suit the Purples, and at Sunday’s worst, after it rained, the Wesleyans looked quite comfortable. But the Bullies of Brindisi Street provided more excitement, more teamwork and more goals when it counted. Having viewed both clubs now on a number of occasions, I believe that the Beders are capable of winning the lot in their first season. They will certainly go in favourites, perhaps at unbackable odds, should their opponent be again the Trotters.

But will it be? Collegians have been the pick all year to hoist the Adamson Cup, named after one of their own. However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here, as there are no prizes on offer, just a ticket to the main event.

Preliminary finals have a flavour all their own. In a four week finals’ series, there are big advantages for the winner of the first semi-final, namely momentum, confidence and a week’s rest. In many years, particularly in a three week series, those serve simply to narrow the gap between the teams. Only twice in the last eight seasons has the first-semi winner won the preliminary. In 2001, St Kevin’s beat St Bernard’s after their infamous win over Xavs in the first-semi with the 44 minute final quarter. In 2005, Xavs got up in a squeaker (Lynch! Lynch! Lynch!) in the prelim against Haileybury after smashing Scotch in the first semi.

Of course, A Section this year has been a very even affair. There are those at Brighton who still feel that they might have gone close this September, and they might be justified in holding such belief. Yet they finished fifth. Scotch must be scratching their skulls at success of the Beders, whom they beat twice this year. Yet they too are now done and dusted.

Collegians and Xavs split the honours this campaign, each winning on the road. The Purples spluttered their way into the finals, dropping their last two. Then they had a week off, then lost again last week. I haven’t coached a team in a long time, and my ability to empathise with Generation Y (what comes after Z?) is questionable, but this seems hardly an ideal preparation.

The Claret and Stout had to beat Scotch in R17 and did so easily. They had to win at the Beach, and did. Then they had to beat the Cards again and hauled them in with ten minutes to go. If the home and home season is playing cards for matchsticks, knockout finals are for the high-rollers. Xavs have already effectively played three finals in a row. Too many blockbusters? Others who require an endless litany of excuses might complain of such things, but not the Red ‘n’ Blacks, who love the challenge. They haven’t lost a preliminary final since 1994, ironically, to Collegians. But that was before the man in black, Bones Richardson, blew into town and changed the Xavs forever.

This year’s Wesleyan outfit contains many fine players. The big fellow at the goalfront has proven too good for many a team. Stone, Blumfield, Taft, Dixon, Jorgensen, Ries, Adkins are all names known and admired around VAFA circles. All of them, and more of their teammates, can inflict pain. Their defence is sound and their methodical game-plan hard to pierce.

It is hard to know which way to approach this. The Tigers beat them last week by backing themselves, something the X Men like to do. So often though, if the Red ‘n’ Blacks attack, they leave themselves open to hurt. I suspect that Coach Lethlean will adopt pretty much the same approach as I did when wooing Mrs Chips. Confidence - with some caution thrown in - did the trick for me all those years ago.

Playing at Elsternwick Park is a bonus for the reigning premier. Leaving aside their successes on the expanse in years previous, they are 4-0 at headquarters this season. They have won fourteen of sixteen quarters there, their only lapses coming a fortnight ago.

While I suspect that they will get no help from the Blessed Mary McKillop this week, they're more than capable of getting the job done themselves. Collegians, however, will most certainly, finally, be at their best.

Sadly, Ted Woodruff won’t have the opportunity to take the field in red and black this weekend. After more than 200 games without a blemish, he was shown no mercy at the tribunal last week, rubbed out for a pair despite the supportive evidence of the player with whom he made contact. His has been a fine career. Though his many seasons have often been wracked with injury and bad luck, he has persevered to regain his status as a perennially reliable contributor. While he won’t be out there on Sunday, his spirit surely will, and his plight will further galvanise the Claret and Stout.

The Twos, loaded with veterans and budding stars, take on Old Brighton. They've beaten them twice, but there are no guarantees on a third. With a GF place at stake, I'm on the Xavs.

7 Sep 08

A RESERVE 2nd SEMI-FINAL

2s: NOT AT THEIR BEST.

Dangerous Dan Rush led, took the mark and goaled at the five minute mark of the first, but there was little joy to follow as the Red 'n' Blacks displayed ineptitude and at times some disinterest in their clash with Uni Blues.

While outclassed by a precise Varsity outfit, it was not as if the Xavs lacked opportunity. There was but a minute remaining in the debacle when the Blues finally passed the Claret and Stout in scoring shots - yet they led by 46 points. In perfect conditions, the return should have been much greater. Still, seventeen wins in a row is a massive effort. Now they have two more opportunities to prove that today was "just one of those days".

UNI BLUES	1.2	4.3	9.5	13.9-87
OLD XAVERIANS	1.4	2.7	3.12	4.16-40

Goals: L. Ginnivan, J. Pasceri, D. Rush, P. Myers
Best: L. Harry, S. Distefano, P. Myers, S. Langdon, N. Dimattina, R. Harbeck

AROUND A SECTION

A SECTION 2nd SEMI-FINAL

Tigers set for the Grand Final. Lions have a date next Sunday.

COLLEGIANS	2.3	7.4	10.6	12.10-82
ST BEDES/MENTONE	2.4	8.7	10.12	14.15-99

COLLEGIANS
Goals: F. Watts 4, J. Dixon 2, D. Adkins 2, C. Blumfield, N. Stone, R. Hosking, K. Cevik
Best: A. Baxter, D. Adkins, N. Ries, B. Robbins, N. Stone, J. Dixon
ST BEDES/MENTONE
Goals: M. Hazell 3, B. Collins 2, L. Terrell 2, M. Wintle 2, B. Phibbs 2, P. Groves, A. Scafidi, J. Tyquin
Best: M. Hazell, J. Tyquin, B. Phibbs, P. Groves, S. Anstey, B. Collins

4 Sep 08

CHIPS ON THE MIRACLE

Now it is September and even Mrs Chips is wondering some about football. Such mild fever rarely grips her, but she told me last Saturday night that she might have to keep track of things until season’s end.

That end, at least for the mighty Xaverians, appeared very close early in the last quarter on Sunday. I sat there in the jalopy, thinking about all the joy these young men in red and black have given me since 1923, and I felt quite sad that it should end like this.

I remembered my warning that all things must pass, that all fame is fleeting and that the 49 year hoodoo, the hex put on Scotch after their 1959 semi-final win over the Claret and Stout, must surely one day end.

“Sic transit Gloria mundi,” I muttered as Andrew Quail split the uprights to put the Red Men 32 points to the good and reached for my kerchief to wipe my teary eyes. I closed them to gather my thoughts and to dwell briefly on the consoling words I would offer to the president, the coach, the webmaster and the team. I prayed to St Jude, St Anthony, even St Elmo.

Suddenly, I felt very cold. I opened my eyes and sitting next to me in my old Austin was a strange woman. I say strange because I could see right through her to my pipe and tobacco that lay on the seat. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief and then she spoke.

“Chips, I need help. I need a second miracle and I need a solid witness.”

I looked at her up and down and it dawned on me that she was none other than the Blessed Mary McKillop.

Believing that I was in some strange dream – and why not, considering the scoreboard – I said I would assist in any way I could.

“A miracle, huh? Make Mrs Chips give up golf,” I offered.

“So selfish of you, kind sir,” she responded softly.

“Indeed it is,” I said sheepishly, “but with the Xavs finished here, I must think of myself.”

“Oh ye of little faith,” she said softly. “Just watch.”

At that very moment, Damian Lynch marked and goaled.

“That’s just the beginning,” she added. “You’ll be a happy man tonight Chips. Please remember me when the postulator from Rome knocks on your door.” With that, she vanished.

For the next seven or so minutes, there was little to encourage me, save for a lack of scoring at the scoreboard end. Strange dream, very strange, I thought to myself.

Then the big full-forward goaled again. A minute later, the Presbyters’ full-back erred on the kickout and little Ronny Howard snapped. Then more and more. I rubbed my eyes again and looked at the scoreboard. The Xavs were level. Then ahead. Then young Jon Mercuri sealed it with a smashing shot from an angle.

“Mary, you dear old hot-cross bun,” I cried out crassly in my ecstasy, “you’ve pulled your second miracle. Sainthood is assured.” But there was no further vision and no voice from above. I jumped from the car but another Scotch goal sent me back behind the wheel. But the Xavs’ defence held strong and the siren blew.

Most of my kind readers probably think me batty, as my bride did when I explained the story that night. Yet, I have rung Rome and received a sympathetic ear. “How else could this have happened?” asked a voice down the line in a rich, cultured and sympathetic Italian voice?

Indeed, how else can one explain the dramatic proceedings on the park late Sunday other than to write them off to some divine intervention?

How it happened, we cannot say with any precision. It was all too quick, too sudden. There was no storm warning, no air raid siren. But it happened. Somehow, the Xavs found a new way to torture a whole new class of Scotsmen. It was, at the same time, a brutal act of unparalleled cruelty and a beautiful and courageous comeback.

I scrutinised the faces of the many I passed en route to the bar. Understandably, there was bitter disappointment on the dials of the Scotsmen. The Xavs faithful wore expressions that ranged between delirium and bemusement. There were also faces sporting looks of severe trepidation – I supposed these were the faces of the Collegians and St Bede’s, the remaining contenders in A Section.

So Scotch is gone for another year. Personally, I’m very relieved. They were better this year, well coached, well resourced and a good blend of youth and experience. They will be better again next year, though predictions about next year in VAFA football must be made with extreme caution.

Given the whirlwind finish from the Xavs, there is hope of more to come. Next time, however, it might be wise to perform such feats a little earlier in the day. Who knows whether Mary McKillop will show up to help them next time? Judging from the note she mailed me on Tuesday, she thinks headquarters a cold and dreary place and might be content to listen to the remaining finals on the wireless.

She might be missing a pair of good games on Sunday. The main game is the A Section second semi final between minor premier Collegians and runners-up St Bede’s. During the year, each club took a game, with the Beders winning in the wet at Elsternwick.

I have seen the Toners play on small grounds, so I will be keen to see them on the expanse. The Violets are a star-studded lineup who also play well in the confines. How will they travel in the spaces?

St Bede’s play attacking, attractive football and boast the competition’s leading offense, while Collegians build from their defence. They conceded nearly three goals less per game than the other finalists. We will see contrasting styles and approaches to this clash. The reward is a week off, but these clubs had last week off. The punishment for the loser is a clash with the Red ‘n’ Blacks on Sunday week, a prospect not to be relished.

As usual, the weather will play a large role in the result. While the Purples went down in the mud last time, I suspect that the wind will be the major variable this week. Blowy conditions will suit them better than they will St Bede’s.

However, these finals really are a different ball-game. Bede’s have never played in the top tier in September and it’s been eleven long years since the Colls saddled up in a big game at the ‘Wick.

I fancy that the Lions will shade the Tigers this weekend and go on to their first A Section Grand Final since 1996, when Xavs beat them by nine points. But who knows? It would be nice to see the breeze take a week off and let these two teams go really hard at it for four quarters.

The Xavs are represented by their Reserves, who play Uni Blues. These teams beat each other during the year, with the Red ‘n’ Blacks winning a month ago in a huge performance. The lineups will be interesting, with a number of players on both teams with good senior experience eligible to play. I expect the Xavs to win. They haven’t lost since Opening Day, which is a remarkable performance. They have a potent forward line with Dangerous Dan Rush, Sparky Larkins and John Pasceri all ready to dominate. Their midfield is superb, their backline solid. Then there’s the 270+ game veteran David Walsh, who just loves winning, especially in September. A tough affair awaits, but a successful outing is on the cards. Or so Mary's letter said.

31 Aug 08

1st SEMI-FINAL

THEY DID NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT, BUT RAGED, RAGED AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT.

It is thirteen minutes into the final quarter and the Xavs five-plus goals adrift. The battle has been fought, hard and fair, but is as good as lost now. A 49 year jinx, a season and perhaps some playing careers all at an end. Scotch, strong, methodical, skilful and worthy winners. The Cardinals skipper Lewis has possession. He is clear. He runs. A loud voice from behind me shouts "Go on Will, kick a captain's goal." He bounces, he steadies to deliver the final nail . . . and James Scanlan, one of the two hardest runners ever to play on the Plain, rips him to the ground with the perfect tackle. Perhaps it's not over yet, perhaps . . . nah.

A minute later, Damian Lynch kicked his fourth and the red and black time bomb that so often blown up in Scotch faces was detonated. Howard snapped truly at the fifteen minute mark and the crowd sensed a comeback. Josh Douglas goaled on the run at eighteen minutes. Then Dustin Lloyd levelled the scores with his first and put the Xavs ahead with his second. Mercuri lead, marked and drilled a beauty. Eight minutes, six goals, and the Claret and Stout was now twelve points to the good.

The Cards replied, but it took them five minutes and fingers were already hovering over the button. The Xavs defence, threatened again, held firm. And then it was over. Larceny on the grandest scale, in broad daylight, undetected and never to be solved.

Old Firm clashes are always hard-fought affairs. There is little love lost between these clubs, but plenty of respect. Theirs is undoubtedly the greatest rivalry in VAFA football today, with Scotch the dean of A Section and Xaverians their consistent tormentor of many years. Two weeks ago at headquarters, Xavs had smashed the Red Men by seventy-five points. Not even the greatest of optimists expected a repeat of that today. The Cards returned with a stronger lineup and there were a few butterflies in the Xavs' camp - and not just the usual finals' time jitters.

Those butterflies departed early, replaced by more severe cramps, as Scotch peppered the goals at the Glenhuntly Road end. The Red 'n' Blacks looked slick enough into the wind, but couldn't find the ball with enough regularity. Andy Ryan got the X Men on the borad with a beauty at seven minutes, Mercuri struck gold a few minutes later, but the Presbyters took over and kicked the next four. Lynch split the uprights from long range as the quarter wound down and the rain arrived.

As he had been at quarter time in the round nine clash at Scotch College, coach Lethlean was in an unusually testy mood. It was the first in thirteen quarters that the Xavs had dropped at Elsternwick this year. The Red Men's four goal lead would have been greater had they not squandered some opportunities, yet with Richard Eva and Adam Houlihan looking ominous and proving productive, they would have felt comfortable if just a little short of satisfied.

The Xavs' turn with the breeze brought immediate return. Scanlan snapped a corker with his left, Lloyd got his first, Lynch delivered again, and the Claret and Stout looked better. The Haggis-eaters, not to be outdone, hit back with two of their own mid-quarter and then shut down the Xavs road to goal with strong bodywork and close checking. At the half, with just ten points separating the teams, few doubted it would be the imminent third quarter that would decide the contest.

Tim Clarke found the target at three minutes to settle the mob's post-pastie nerves. An early red card saw the X Men a man down, and Scotch added another two majors. Mags Mercuri replied at nineteen minutes with a special. After a wild scramble in the goalsquare, the little dynamo attempted le kick bicyclette from flat on his back and the ball sailed home over the desperate arms of the Cards' defence. The Xavs might have been well pleased with their efforts into the wind, but disaster struck for them late in the stanza, with the Presbyters adding another couple to blow the lead out to twenty-six points at the lemons.

It is at times like these when the fans resort to one of the game's most over-used aphorisms, to wit, "we must get the first goal." While any goal is handy, the first might set the tone. When a team needs five waves of the twin calicos to get up, certainly the first is preferable, perhaps even highly desirable. In any case, Scotch raced away and helped themselves to the first of the final quarter. As we now know, it meant little. Lynch marked and goaled at the five minute mark and then ensued a goalless back-and-forth tussle for some eight minutes and some great fight by the Xavs' back six. Then the fireworks began in earnest.

The final push for victory came not from any one individual effort but from the combined determination of a team that plays well together. Nick Bye and Tim Clarke had sparkling final terms, but the on-ball work of Adam Chatfield, Andy Ryan, Luke Howard, Josh Agius and James Scanlan was consistent all day. Damian Lynch (four goals) and Andy Bowen (held Doherty to zip) were great bookends.

The post-match in the Xavs' rooms was a raucous but shortlived affair. There are harder days ahead for tired limbs and the week off to observe remaining rivals is welcome.

Many veteran observers of the X Men were tonight still coming to terms with the dramatic events they had witnessed on the Plain, and couldn't classify this win in the pantheon of Xaverian achievements. Some were capable only of responding with a wry grin. Others wondered how the Scotsmen might be feeling. I think they knew.

OLD XAVERIANS	3.2	7.5	9.5	16.7-103
OLD SCOTCH	6.8	8.9	12.13	14.13-97

Goals: D. Lynch 4, J. Mercuri 4, D. Lloyd 3, T. Clarke, L. Howard, J. Scanlan, A. Ryan, J. Douglas
Best: A. Chatfield, D. Lynch, A. Ryan, J. Scanlan, L. Howard, T. Clarke

30 Aug 08

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The Scalpers looked winners until mid-way through the final term in their preliminary final against Ivanhoe Amateurs, but could not sustain the run and momentum of their stronger opponents. The Xavs defence had been magnificent all day but in the end could not cope with a marauding midfield that came at them time and again as the clock wound down.

It was a terrible way to end a great year, with the big ground proving too much for the tired Xaverian legs. After a great start, the midfield and forward line ran out of gas and the game, which had appeared over as early as the half-time break, slipped from the Red 'n' Blacks' grasp.

IVANHOE AFC	0.1	2.2	2.5	8.11-59
OLD XAVERIANS	1.3	5.5	5.7	6.11-47

Goals: T. Schembri 3, M. Dimattina, S. Elliott, A. Macleod
Best: D. Prowse, N. Gorman, A. Macleod, M. Dimattina, N. Mudge, B. Pirrie

28 Aug 08

DAR SCORES CAR.

Peter Darvell was the lucky winner of the OXFC Harris Freer Toyota Yaris raffle drawn last night at Toorak Park.

It was a popular win with everyone except those who held the other 299 tickets.

Many thanks to Ross Freer, Geoff Harris and the HFT team.

 

28 Aug 2008

CHIPS

What a strange weekend it will seem without a full slate A Section football to enjoy. No Saturday night by the fire listening to the 96.5 Inner FM Sports Report on the wireless, no more wondering whether big Mega Watts has kicked his hundred for the Wesleyans, no more arming myself with the abacus to figure the percentages.

Happily, Sunday throws up another do it-or-die struggle in the top flight, but Saturday? Well there's always the garden I suppose, but then there's also U19 football for the Xavs - a preliminary at Alec Gillon - and an opportunity to have an early peek at two teams seeking to rejoin A Section, old friends Marcellin and Haileybury. I've certainly missed those horrid blue shorts on the Marists, but the magenta of the Bloods has never done much for me either. Then again, it seems to suit a lot of former St Kilda players.

Last week, A Section finally fell into place. It wasn't until around 4:30 on a beautiful afternoon at the beach that the seedings were finalised. Such eleventh hour dramas are of course de rigeur in the VAFA. When the chips fell where they did, there were but two games separating first and sixth, true testament to the strength of the competition.

After eighteen rounds, the bottom end showed more class distinction. De La hung in there against a shot happy Blacks, winning by nine points and finishing with a three game buffer. In hindsight, it is difficult to see how the Bellers were ever going to go down, but they did have some dark days. Varsity Noir had plenty of them, especially losing both derbies to the Blues. But their entire season's yield was poor. They saluted just twice, once against Xaverians and had a draw with Scotch. While they are headed south, the once greatest name in amateur football is ready to regroup for another tilt.

Old Trinity are their fellow travellers, banished to B Section. The second half of the year was meritorious and they were unlucky on several occasions. The Hedgeburners are an optimistic bunch and I don't believe it will be too long before they find themselves plundering some of the also-rans and working their way back up. They were out of it early last week, as Scotch, fielding six players who had missed the previous week's drubbing, were quick out of the blocks.

Old Ivanhoe shocked many by winning down at Brindisi Street, where the Beders were fairly safe in second spot. Not so safe, as it transpired, as they ended up just 3% points to the good of Xavs and probably would be heading out this weekend to play Scotch if Brighton had taken the points. A very good year from the Brownies, something from which to build. St Bede's go on, their real impact as freshmen yet to be measured.

Collegians also had some double chance security, but the Azzurri gave it to them at the Pavvy. We will see the real calibre of the Purples in weeks to come, but falling away toward the end of the home-and-home season can hurt aspirations. Uni Blues finished well, but eight wins for the season wasn't the return they sought. The Greying Mantis is a little greyer than he was twelve months ago, but he was keen to see his charges take the points in their home closer. I note that The Sheik has awarded his medal to Jack Watts, who was a fine performer all year. A strangely inspired choice from someone who is nearly always wrong. What next for the Kanisians?

Old Brighton finished a goal-and-a-half from second spot. Sadly for them, they finished half-a-game from fourth and the vibrant Tonners, who promised so much over the past month are left to wonder what might have been. They looked up to beating the Xaverians last week, but as their lead slowly disappeared after the half, their self-belief appeared to wane a fraction and the Red 'n' Blacks seized their opportunity, as they often do when they smell blood.

Thus, with Collegians and St Bede's savouring the rewards of a top-two finish, it is left to the Cardinals and the X Men to provide Sunday's bout. What can be said that hasn't been said here before? After the events of a fortnight ago, when the Blood and Tars spanked the Presbyters, the reigning premier goes in favourite. But that was then, this is now. Scotch have been strengthened with some experienced and talented inclusions, while the Xavs are still dealing with injuries to essential players. This is one that Scotch wants desperately. Knocking off the Red 'n' Blacks at headquarters is rarely easy, but it has happened on occasion, the last time being the 2006 Grand Final. The VAFA media are playing up the Red Men's drought, but unless you are Tim Flannery, you know it's going to rain sometime. For their part, the Xavs have been going about their business quietly all week, knowing that their efforts in winning last week will have been for little if they don't get there on Sunday. They will. Or so I hope.

23 Aug 2008

TRIUMPH OF THE WILL.

RED 'N' BLACKS ROLL REDLEGS IN A BLINDER.

Before a huge crowd, under blue skies and on firm turf, Old Xaverians defeated Old Brighton by nine points in a game that was a test of nerve as much as it was of ability. In doing so, they booked a place in next Sunday's first semi-final and sent plucky Old Brighton to the golf course for the summer.

The Red 'n' Blacks have not traditionally been great performers at the Tonner Triangle, but rarely has so much been riding on the seaside clash. Their lineup contained 17 A Section flagsters, and four others with reserves premiership medallions. Only Juggler Smith, in his first season, has yet to chalice. Yet as they took the field against the competition's form team sans Fleming, Arnold, Handley, Darvell, Douglas and Colbert, the Xavs were undoubted underdogs.

While the pre-game notices were rich with predictions of the Xavs missing the finals for only the second time in sixteen seasons, of dynasties ending, it wasn't the past that drove this twenty-two to victory, but a belief that there is still unfinished business to be done in this campaign, and that Brighton, standing in their way, would need to be taken out.

The Xavs had looked unlikely winners in the opening stanza, with the Carmine Hose confidently going about their work from the outset. Beardsley's goal for Xavs evened it at one apiece, but the table tilted thereafter very much in favour of the home team, fielding a close-to full-strength lineup. Only their shooting for goal lacked precision. Attacking the South Road end, they managed just two goals from many opportunities. While Brighton sprayed them, the Claret and Stout faithful scratched their heads and wondered when their team would get about its business.

After changing ends, Tim Clarke opened his account for the day, but the Xavs did not kick unother one until Jon Mercuri split the centre on the half-time siren. Their wasteful quarter that yielded exactly the same score as had Brighton's first. Meanwhile, Brighton had enjoyed a friendlier relationship with the uprights at the Dunes end and the Xavs hit the rooms three goals adrift. It looked a healthy margin at the long break, though many a Xavs-watcher observed that the tide was already turning everywhere but on the scoreboard. In any case, the key statistics apparently confirmed that which their eyes had seen, and the coaching staff plumped for fine tuning rather than wholesale change. The defensive unit was doing the job and all the pieces were on the table - it was just a matter of putting them together.

Amazingly, Brighton's second turn at the Kostka end yielded the same again - 2.5 - for the third quarter running. The Xaverians did better, lifting it up a gear, using the Sherrin with more economy and efficiency. Chris Smith marked and goaled at ten minutes, Mercuri goaled again and Damian Lynch, disparagingly dubbed the Glazed Ham by the Beach Boys, threaded a beauty. Clarke added the cherry near siren time and the margin was just eight points at the lemons.

The huddle broke and the confidence displayed by the fans dissolved into tension as the final stanza commenced. Sometimes, it is harder to watch.

No such nailbiting occurred in the middle. Clarke slammed through his third two minutes in. Game on. Then more chances and scores level. Mercuri goaled at nine minutes. The tide had turned. There was uncertainty if not panic in the Brighton ranks. James Scanlan and Adam Chatfield, prominent all day, were in devastating touch. A brilliant Lynch snap blew wide at the critical moment, Mercuri hit the post. Then came the Tonners. Minor scores to get back within a goal. Then the Virus struck. Hendra goaled for the Beach Boys to put the home team back in front.

Then, at twenty-four minutes, history repeated. It was the 2005 preliminary final all over again as Lynch!Lynch!Lynch! chest-marked 25 metres out on a 45 degree angle. No need for Nick Serafini to wipe the ball dry this time. The big fellow went back and moments later, as his towering drop punt soared and split the uprights, he raised the right index finger and sent the Xavs' crowd into apoplexy. Minutes later, Tim Clarke, one of the greatest seagulls ever to play the game, seized on a crumb and calmly snapped truly to make it safe. Some more fine work from the back six kept it that way as the clock ran down on the Beach Boys' season.

Again, with backs-to-the-wall, the men in red and black produced a memorable victory. Vital to their success were again the efforts of Luke Howard and Stu Skidmore, the pint-sized duo whose tackling and aggression helped create the pressure-cooker environment in which the Xaverians thrive. The defence held tight, led by Andy Bowen. The ruckmen did a good job in the middle and around the ground and when the midfield starting hitting targets, the forward structure looked impressive.

For Brighton, it was a cruel finish to their season. Their run for a finals' spot was the toughest of all, but to be sure, they lost earlier games that should have been won. The Xavs made tough work of the home and away season too, but finished it woith something extra-special. The tight locker room was jam-packed after the bell and the song was sung with such voice that the walls shook. As the action moves back to headquarters, there is yet hope of even louder choruses.

OLD BRIGHTON	2.5	6.8	8.13	9.19-73
OLD XAVERIANS	1.3	3.8	7.11	11.16-82

Goals: T. Clarke 4, J. Mercuri 3, D. Lynch 2, M. Beardsley, C. Smith
Best: J. Scanlan, T. Clarke, L. Howard, D. Sapuppo, A. Bowen, A. Chatfield

23 Aug 2008

U19 North 2 First Semi Final:

SCALPERS SUPERB IN SEMI SQUEAKER

The Scalpers pulled off a brilliant victory in their first semi-final at Old Trinity today. After a sluggish first quarter that gave them a 34 point deficit, the Red 'n' Blacks fought hard to reduce the leeway in the second. As half-time approached, it looked as if the Xavs might head to the lockers in front, yet Therry hit back late to restore a comfortable lead.

This talented group of youngsters, however, have built their reputations in second halves. They produced a withering third term, totally dominating all over the ground and grabbing a seven point lead at the lemons. Therry's straight shooting nearly won the game back in the last, but the defence held tight at the end and ensured that the Scalpers go on to the preliminary final next week.

OLD XAVERIANS	1.0	4.4	9.6	11.8-74
THERRY PENOLA	6.4	8.5	8.5	11.5-71

Goals: M "The Boss" Boscarato 3, S "Super" Elliott 2, T "Shemp" Schembri 2, M Dimattina, W Goss, J "The Real" McCoy , M Henderson

Best: L Baird, H O'Donnell, S "'Super" Elliott, M Dimattina, D Prowse, M "The Boss" Boscarato.

At left, Tommy Clancy feels the agony of an injured calf. Could it be season over for the Tim Tam man? Or will the amazing, verified in university testing healing powers of the famous Australian chocolate covered cookies allow him back for another crack next week.

Note to Mr and Mrs R.G. Clancy: please stock the pantry.

16 Aug 2008

AROUND THE GROUNDS

2s

Theologians take good care of finals' rival. Dirty and Dangerous Dan belt Beachies.

OLD XAVERIANS	4.2	6.2	11.3	14.6-90
OLD BRIGHTON	1.2	2.4	3.6	6.7-43

Goals: Dangerous Dan Rush 5, Floyd Paterson 4, Wow Jones 2, Monarch Glen, Diver Higgins, Rig Murphy

Best: Dirty Harry, D Higgins, Rat O'Meara, Floyd Paterson, Dangerous Rush, Rawesome Harbeck

U19s

A frightening fade-out to end a tough season.

OLD XAVERIANS	5.0	5.1	7.2	7.2-44
OLD SCOTCH	2.4	6.8	9.7	16.12-108

Goals: P Armstrong 2, E Prowse 2, L Dimattina, J Evans, Kilts McDougal

Best: J Sleeman, E Prowse, P Armstrong, Tooka Hanger, T Rowse, H Buckley

 

16 Aug 2008

AROUND A SECTION

Purples - almost full team in - drop another, this time to the scheming Blues.

UNI BLUES	6.4	10.6	14.8	17.12-114
COLLEGIANS	3.4	5.7	8.8	13.9-87

Bellers do enough. Blackbirds, bye-bye.

DE LA SALLE	4.3	5.3	9.5	13.7-85
UNI BLACKS	3.3	4.7	6.12	10.16-76

Scotch smooth again to jump back into the four. Rambo's 3 for the Greens his last roll?

OLD SCOTCH	2.8	9.11	13.19	17.23-125
OLD TRINITY	1.4	3.4	7.7	13.11-89

What gives with the Beders? Not the ideal final's prep. Luxon, Toovey in the goals again.

ST BEDES/MENTONE	3.3	9.7	12.10	13.12-90
OLD IVANHOE	3.2	6.2	10.7	17.10-112

21 Aug 2008

CHIPS ON THE LAST

So it has come to this. It’s Round 18 and even Mrs Chips is threatening to head Bayside on Saturday. Mind you, she’s not remotely interested in the football, but she’s been nagging me for years about moving down that way. “If only you’d taught at Kostka, we could have had a nice place down by the Bay,” she’s often lamented. “Yes,” I finally responded yesterday “You’d be living miles from where you spend all of your time – at the Bowens’, the Landrigans’, the Connellans’, and especially the airport.”

She’s been into me too about watching too much of the Olympic Games. “No golf,” she complains daily. I’ve told her that there is golf, but that the Seven Network merely delays the telecast 'til three a.m. , like it does with every other sport.

I’m not sure that I can handle her on Saturday. I’ll probably drop her off at one of the sandier golf courses while I go to the football. (Lord knows how she’ll get back – that’ll get rid of her desire to live down there.) The good folk at Old Brighton have kindly invited me for lunch and it will be a pleasure to get there early and get my dental work into a nice juicy porterhouse. However, the main course won’t be served until after the speeches stop, the raffle is drawn, the red wine stops flowing and the plates are cleared.

Let’s look at this week’s round, the final outing for six clubs for the season.

St Bede’s host Old Ivanhoe at Brindisi Street. It is a long trip down there for the Brownies, who quite predictably disposed of Blues last week at home. It will be a longer trip home. Bede’s will cane them, but the Hoers can be satisfied at their season of consolidation and improvement. They were very good at home after dropping the first two and have reappointed coach Dan Winkel for another crack at it next year. St Bede’s are looking forward to the finals and have their last appearance in front of their adoring home fans. Theirs has been a fine season and there is still plenty to come as they move their act to Elsternwick Park.

Uni Blues roll out the carpet for Collegians with the result immaterial in the grand scheme of things. Blues have the firepower on their day to toast any opponent, but the Greying Mantis has been forced each week to come up with new ideas to motivate his charges. No doubt, he’ll pull something out of his bag of tricks this week against the Purples, who had a few on sabbatical in last week’s loss to Old Brighton. Another loss for the top team would be a worry, no matter how strong their lineup. I have an inkling that Varsity Bleu may well get the chocolates here.

De La sealed their place in A Section last week when the Archbishop turned it on again. This week, they host Varsity Noir, who finally were demoted when they went down to St Bede’s. This game will probably be played before the smallest crowd ever to gather at the Dairy Dome. The Bellers, as usual, have U19 finals to look forward to, while the Blacks are already planning their 2009 campaign and a possible return to the top tier.

The Hedgeburners also succumbed to relegation last Saturday, but this week they’ll receive unprecedented expressions of support for their team as they tackle Old Scotch at Camberwell in their farewell to A Section. Is this the end for the Greens’ big number twenty-three, the man who has become perhaps the number one anti-hero at every club bar his own? Will the Horned Frogs pull out all stops in a last ditch effort and threaten the Cardinals on their own turf? Or will the Red Men regroup after two big losses and extend their season? One can only judge from what one sees, and on recent viewing, the Presbyters have little chance. However, they have been undermanned, players are returning, and surely the incentive of having another crack at Brighton or Xavs next week will get them over the line. Or not.

The Beach Boys have had the toughest run of all of late and they’ve won four on the trot to set up this fight to the death with Old Xaverians. Winners takes fourth, losers please themselves, an equation so simple that even Buster Mottram could handle it. I can see plenty of old schoolmasters at Geelong Grammar shrinking in embarrassment when they release their decorated alumnus still can’t read a clock.

What a clash it promises to be. The Red ‘n’ Blacks were superb last week in their demolition of Old Scotch, but the Tonners themselves claimed a significant victim. While Xavs have had a problem most weeks getting their best lineup on the field, the Carmine Hose have returned to full strength. There is no doubt that the home team is the bookies’ favourite, with their boards are showing 6/4 on. However when it comes to performing with their backs to the wall, no-one fights like the Claret and Stout. This game is deserving of a huge crowd and there is no doubt that parking will be difficult and the fans might have to spill over the fences. Brighton is loaded with tall talent up forward and class in the midfield, but Xavs have a ton of grit that has seen them through many an ordeal and work together very well. On a cold day at the Beach, I expect the Blood and Tars to emerge victorious from one of amateur football’s classic battles. You’d be mad to miss it.

I cannot sign off without wishing the Scalpers good luck in their first semi-final at Marles. They will find the pasture a touch larger and greener than Stradbroke Park and I am confident that they will overcome Therry Penola and give the flag a good crack.

Finally, I must congratulate the Crocodiles on a great effort in last Sunday’s Grand Final. Though they lost, they gave their all, forcing the game into extra time against a younger and fitter Uni Blues team. Well done, fellows.

17 Aug 2008

CROCS DOWN IN EXTRA TIME

University Blues took down the Crocodiles in a sensational Grand Final contest at Elsternwick Park today. The Blues led by fourteen points after a goal-less third quarter, but the Reptiles, kicking into the breeze, levelled the scores at the nine minute mark. Despite several offensives, the scorebaord was unchanged for the rest of the quarter, though the large crowd all saw what the nearby arbiter might have missed - an apparent blatant shepherd and drag down of a Xavs' player in the goalsquare. The Blues cleared and the chance went begging.

The tackling and smothering was fierce and desperate as players from both teams attempted to break clear on the heavy turf. Time finally ran out after two ball-ups in the Varsity goalsquare in the last thirty seconds of regulation, both of which were smothered by the Diles defence. The booming voice of the VAFA's John Bell instructed the teams to change ends for axtra time - two five minute halves.

Blues rushed a point close to the half-way mark, and they changed ends with just the point separating the teams. On Knowledge Hill, Scooter Denison turned to Michael Plant and observed "now is not the time to panic." Three minutes in, though, the Blues kicked a goal, then another and then another, and the dream died hard.

David King, who had attempted a comeback to help the Green Hose to another flag, left the field with a dislocated shoulder. At 38, he looks unlikely to get the chance to play in his 13th premiership. Thanks to the Uni Blues team doctor who was able to pop the pieces together on the third attempt.

It was a deflated Crocs team after the game, and understandably so. It will be another year before they get to have another crack. Mark it down, 52 weeks from today.

OLD XAVERIANS	2.3	3.3	3.4	5.6	5.7-37 (OT)
UNI BLUES	1.2	5.3	5.6	5.6	8.8-56 (OT)

Goals: J. Silk 2, L. Hardwick, M. Ward, Barry Barrett
Best: N. Silk, T. Silk, D. Tehan, N. Hulett, E. Nolan, Barry Barrett

16 Aug 2008

CLASSIC CLARET AND STOUT CRUSH CARDINALS

Old Xaverians kept their finals' hopes alive with an impressive 75 point victory over Old Scotch in the Old Firm clash in heavy conditions at Elsternwick today.

While the Red 'n' Blacks won the toss and had first use of stiff breexe that blew towards the Glenhuntly Road end, it was the Red Men who drew first blood with a goal at the nine minute mark. Ten minutes later, Tim Fleming put the Xavs on the board and openend the floodgates. They added four more in seven minutes, with some great forward play by Damian Lynch and Chris Smith and a good snap from Josh Douglas.

As they went to the break, the pundits wondered whether five goals was a satisfactory dividend from the wind assistance. As it transpired, the X-Men's first quarter return of 5.3 was just one point shy of Scotch's entire match score.

The Xavs played a strong second quarter, untroubled by the elements. The many Red 'n' Blacks who have built reputations playing in the bluster came into their own. After conceding an early goal, they took over. Late in the quarter, they finally got reward for their efforts with two late goals, one each to Lynch, and on the siren, Smith.

Realising that they faced another quarter into the breeze with a 28 point deficit, there was more shouting than joy in the Scotch rooms at the half. Their sum of all fears was realised when the Xavs slammed on seven goals to a paltry three behinds in the third. At the lemons, the Red Men were sixty-nine points adrift, needing a miracle more outrageous than any breeze to save their day. The Blood and Tars, however, did not let up, again outscoring their opponents and registering their biggest win at headquarters for the year.

The Xavs were well served by their entire lineup. There did not appear to be any down on form. Josh Agius stood out with his endeavour, Adam Chatfield was back to his best, and Ronny Howard was hard at it, as usual. Stu Skidmore played his first senior game in five seasons and took two one handed grabs in celebration. Smith and Lynch were very good up front, while the back six held firm when needed, and began many drives from deep in defence.

So