Clearly no favours given to us by VAFA HQ when the seasons opening round was being decided. All four senior sides taking Old Xavs teams that featured in 2012 grand finals. To add to the degree of difficulty our three Premier teams were playing away at Toorak Park. Those at Toorak Park for the senior game treated to an match and a special victory.
Seniors
Quite simply one of the best wins for many years. Reduced to 20 men after only a few minutes, at the toughest of all venues to win, against last years grand finalist and trailing by two goals deep in the last quarter the boys dug deep to record a momentous victory in a superb match at Toorak Park.
A horrendous start with Dan Close doing a hamstring in the boom recruit Trent Croad going down with very serious injury in the opening minutes. Five minutes in, reduced to 20 twenty players and already 2 goals down. While things might have appeared bleak the players had other ideas and worked there way back into the game. Up forward Pickett was on fire and Roberts was a real handful as we finished the quarter in good style. Had it not been for couple of shots touched right on the line we might have led by more than 4 points at quarter time.
The second started in similar fashion with Xavs having the better of early going. A couple of goals to the home side saw them open up a small break. It was a brilliant spectacle with fast flowing end to end footy. Seb Gotch and Jake Williams providing the spark as we wrestled back the momentum. Haslem was providing plenty of drive and Ben Humphrey was having a good period on ball and up forward. Again we finished the quarter the better team and led by 15 points at the half. In a very tight contest this was the biggest margin either way.
To continue the theme of the game Xavs were again quickest out of the blocks with a couple of early goals. The match really tightened but we clawed a couple back with Tom McMahon putting in a Herculean effort in the ruck with Kovess and Lowe typically ferocious at the contest. Yet another momentum change as Xavs looked like breaking it open with 3 unanswered goals to lead narrowly at the last change.
The last quarter was an absolute classic. Seb Gotch with a brilliant set shot from the boundary gave us back the lead but this was followed by 3 Xavs goals as they built a handy buffer. Some free kicks in front of goal really hurting us. A long set shot from beyond the arc by David Lowe breathed life back into the contest but when Xavs replied soon after it looked like being a long way back. Luck not on our side as we then hit the post twice in quick time.
The clock was ticking and time was beginning to be a factor and as they do so well Xavs locked it up with stoppage after stoppage. To demonstrate how this side has developed we won the clearances and found some space with Jack Vickers and Luke Semmel particularly good around the packs. A brilliant running goal from debutant Mick Stizza and then a strong mark and goal to Pickett and we had pinched back the lead. An incredibly tense period followed but the defence was resolute. The backline with Tom McMahon, Tom Humphrey and Sam Brooks on top managed to hold them out. Another foray forward saw Pickett dish it off to Seb Gotch who ran into an open goal to give us some breathing space. We showed great composure in the remaining few minutes to record a memorable victory.
With so many players making a contribution it is hard to single out anyone in particular but Jake Williams four quarter effort was pretty special while Sam Pickett was outstanding up forward.
We should not under estimate the magnitude of this win. No one gave us chance today and on a warmish day a lack of rotations saw a number of these boys out on their feet well out from the final siren. Additionally for a number of reasons quite a few players were short of match practice so to battle on as they did was a huge effort. Having been on the end of a few of these results against the red and blacks this was a very sweet victory
We look ahead to Uni Blues next week at home. No time to wallow in victory and in season that is expected to be incredibly tight we need to re-focus as we take on another quality team who have some of the highest quality players in the competition.
De La Salle 16.15.111
Old Xavs 16.5.101
Goal Kickers: S. Pickett 4, N. Roberts 4, S. Gotch 4, D. Lowe , M. Stizza , J. Vickers , T. McMahon
Best Players: J. Williams, S. Pickett, T. Moloney, J. Vickers, T. Kovess, T. McMahon
Reserves
A promising effort against the perennially strong Xavs Reserves. We threatened in the last but could not bridge the gap. With some players retuning in the next few weeks our depth and results will improve. Simon Lowe, Charlie A, Nick Hyland and new player Mark French the best players.
De La Salle 8.5.53
Old Xavs 9.13.67
Goal Kickers: N. Fyfield 2, J. Jarvis 2, B. Nethersole, K. Grant , M. Duggan , M. French
Best Players: S. Lowe, C. Athanassiou, N. Hyland, M. French, G. McDonough, M. Duggan
Thirds
A promising start with an honourable 4 goal loss against a team that slaughtered us both times in 2012. We had all the momentum early in the last and some better conversion may have seen us in with a chance but it was not to be. Adam Kovarik with all 3 goals and Matt Briglia the best player. We get another chance to gauge our improvement against the other 2012 grand finalist and last years Premiers Uni Blues.
De La Salle 3.7.25
Old Xavs 7.6.48
Goal Kickers: A. Kovarik 3
Best Players: M. Briglia, L. Godhino, R. McArdle, W. Maas, A. Kovarik, R. McDonough
19 Blues
A bright start but by half time St Bernards had wrestled back momentum with a big second quarter. We broke it open in the second half to record a 30 point win. A good result against a team that is expected to be one of the top fancies for 2013. Jordy Bull B.O.G with James Howard booting 5 goals.
De La Salle 13.17.95
St Bernards 9.11.65
Goal Kickers: J. Howard 5, A. Indovino 3, M. Hogan 3, C. Haley 2
Best Players: J. Bull, S. McGraw, K. Wallis, L. Gogis, O. Purton-Smith, C. Haley
19 Golds
There was some real doubts about the Golds viability heading into Round 1 so well done to all invoved in pulling it together so late in the week. Need not have worried as the boys cruised to a hood win. Only poor conversion prevented a blow out. Matt Hamilton had it on a string with Pat O’Connell and Hamish Curtis also prominent.
De La Salle 10.23.83
Monash Blues 4.6.30
Goal Kickers: H. Curtis 3, M. Hamilton 2, J. Hanley , L. Feather, P. O’Connell, C. Lucas, D. Tyrer
Best Players: M. Hamilton, P. O’Connell, H. Curtis, N. Halliday, M. Mullaly, J. Hanley
Club XVIII
Not much to say other than we lost comprehensively to last years undefeated Premier. Hoping for a better showing next week against Fitzroy.
De La Salle 4.1.25
Old Xavs 18.19.127
Goal Kickers: S. Marshall, T. Kovarik, J. Comerford, A. Coffey
Best Players: H. Browning, S. Marshall, T. Nicholas, J. Adams, K. Ellis, A. Coffey
Superules
The De La Dinosaurs made the long tek to Hillside and came away with the points. A tight game for 3 quarters in greasy conditions but we managed to kick straight in the last quarter and come home with a solid win
De La Salle 8.11.59
Hillside 5.1.31
Best Players: Ellis, Bamert, Prezens, Shannon, Chapple
Last Modified on 13/10/2013 11:38