With 3 of our 6 teams having a bye this round it was the perfect time for the Clubbies to take centre stage in the Grand Final against Old Xaverians
The Old Xaverians success in ‘A’ section is exceeded only by their dominance of the Club XVIII competition. Too many flags in recent years to list so this was always going to be a tough ask. Searching for our first clubbies flag for 20 years we were quite rightly considered the underdog but on the back of some very good recent form the boys were quietly confident of a good showing.
De La Salle tend to lift when they play the Old Xavs no matter what the grade and while we have a healthy respect for their success we seem to really enjoy playing them. Our recent dominance at under 19 level has often been at the expense of the red and blacks and despite the OX having won the last two Premier flags and sitting at the pointy end in 2011 our seniors have enjoyed victories against them in each of the last three seasons, the most recent being just a few weeks back.
The game was played in front of a big crowd on a perfect spring day. We had plenty of the ball in the first quarter but lacked composure around the goals and finished with a wasteful 1.5 and a 2 point ¼ time deficit. The second quarter was a real battle. We fumbled and turned it over far too often but some good defensive efforts limited the damage. Xavs were by far the better team at this stage but the lead was still a manageable 20 points at the main break. The second half started perfectly with a goal on the board within a minute but Xavs replied immediatly. We fought hard but each time we pulled one back the opposition responded. With the quarter nearing an end we looked gone when the lead got out to 26 points. In the space of seven minutes the game was turned on its head as we piled on five quick goals and unbelievably had out nose in front by 5 points at ¾ time. The last quarter was an absolute ripper. Twice we fell behind and twice we regained the lead. With the margin at five points the ball was locked in the Xavs forward arc late in the quarter for what seemed like an eternity but somehow we held them out. Some smart play as we controlled possession and worked the ball deep into our forward line when the siren went for a fantastic come from behind victory.
Old Xavs have all seven of their senior teams in finals – a remarkable achievement and you would expect that in the coming weeks they will at some point raise some silverware. On that basis when you are able to knock off the Old Xavs it is a good day. When that day happens to be in a Grand Final it is great day
Well done to Tom on the boys on a great season and we look forward to seeing you all back again as defending champs in 2012.
De La Salle 10.11.71
Old Xaverians 10.6.66
Goals: W. Dwyer 3, S. Wall 2, Hughes, Hancock, A. Kovarik, J.Comerford, S. Moloney
Best: B. Hughes, S. Wall, W. Dwyer, A. McLeish, E. Perryman, S. Moloney
Last Modified on 26/10/2011 18:16