X-Men win second Division 4 flag

Connor Hoetzel

St Francis Xavier have avenged their preliminary final loss last year, rampaging home to win the VAFA Division 4 Premiership over Albert Park by 38 points.

The best team for the whole year, the X-Men had lost only two games all season, both by less than a goal, and they weren’t about to let any chance of an upset on the day. Firing out of the blocks, St Francis Xavier kicked seven first quarter goals, while keeping Albert Park scoreless, as they set up a historic victory. Not stopping there, the X-Men kicked the first two of the second quarter, making it a total of nine goals before the Falcons could even register one. At the half time break, St Francis Xavier led Albert Park by a whopping 52 points, leaving themselves all but assured a premiership only halfway through the game. Albert Park fought back in the second half, but to no avail, as St Francis Xavier would find a way to score a goal every time the Falcons put two goals together, and in the end, a comfortable 38 point win for the X-Men will live long in the memories of everyone at St Francis Xavier Old Collegians.

Two of the X-Men were able to cap off remarkable individual seasons with another fine display of footballing ability, as Division 4 leading goal scorer Harrison Coe (105 for the season) plugged in another five. Not to be outdone, OJ Meehan Medallist Daniel Chin put in a wonderful game, earning himself a place in St Francis Xaviers bests. Stephen Richards-Gill kicked one goal himself, but also had a season to remember, finishing equal fifth in the leagues goal scoring tally, with 47 goals himself. Marcus Coe, brother of Harrison, produced three goals himself, while Daniel Soeurream put in a performance that he won’t be forgetting anytime soon, being named best afield by the X-Men.

Albert Park were led by a resilient and trying Steven Hasselerharm and Matthew Corstorphin, while Hayden Turner produced two goals for the Falcons. Joshua Beets was a standout for Albert Park across the season, finishing fourth in the league goal kickers, with 59 off his own boot, while Thomas Wilson, who was in all-time form leading into the game, finished with 37 on the year, enough for eighth spot on the list. Thomas Wilson managed a spot among the bests for the Falcons, as he has done so regularly this season.

Although St Francis are set to bid farewell to the VAFA as they join another football league, Albert Park will be conversely preparing for promotion next season, with all eyes looking towards 2020 and how well they fare in a higher division. For season 2020 in Division 4, Elsternwick will be one of the early favourites of the section, looking to replicate the St Francis Xavier platform of following a preliminary final loss with a premiership the following year. Interestingly, the past two seasons has seen the side losing the preliminary final going on to win the premiership the following year, with North Brunswick completing that feat in 2017/18 and now the X-Men in 2018/19.

As St Francis have claimed their second Division 4 premiership, it is worth noting on both occasions they have had a player win the OJ Meehan Medal in the same year they have gone on to win the premiership, the first time occurring in 2011 with Dimitri Dimakopoulos taking the prize.

Unfortunately for Albert Park, they are still searching for their first VAFA senior premiership in their long history, and they will look to build next season, this time in Division 3.