X marks the spot for Xavier

It was a fascinating looking ladder leading into Round 10 of the William Buck Premier season, it looks even more fascinating now. 

St Kevin’s maintain top spot on the table, Old Brighton move into second place. Old Xaverians put a gap of 25% on University Blues. Collegians have done enough to avoid relegation discussion for the time being, while Old Trinity are clicking at the heels of Caulfield in 8th spot. 

In the top of the table clash at Elsternwick Park, the experts had all gone with Old Melburnians who were the form side going into the bye. The home of the VAFA finals, with the wide expanses of the ground were predicted to be too big of an ask for the St Kevin’s press. 

An even-scoring first half was blown open by St Kevin’s with 7-goals to 3 in the second half to come away winners by 27 points. Phil Edgar (4) was busy around the forward 50 arc for the victors while Paddy Kerr (2) continued his strong form in front of goal. SKOB are 2 from 2 against OM’s this season. While their two losses have come against Old Xaverians (4th) and Old Brighton (2nd). They have a formula that works against the Navy Blue, and they’ll be hoping to implement it again at the College this weekend when they face Old Xav’s in the return bout.

OM’s in the month before the bye were averaging 28.5 scoring shots per game. Held to 20 on Saturday. They were strangled by the SKOB defence again. They will no doubt be looking to quickly get back on the winners list this weekend against Old Scotch at Scotch College this weekend. 

The other match of significant importance to the top four was out at University Oval where Old Brighton have come back from the bye keen to make amends from Round 9’s loss to OM’s.

A 23-point half time lead was whittled down to 8 points as Uni Blues threatened to come-from-behind yet again at 3-quarter time. Much like Round 9 for the Blues, it was a bridge too far as the Tonners put the foot down with 5-goals to one in the final term to run away winners by 37 points and head back up to second spot on the ladder. 

Michael Karayannis is reminding the competition of his sense around goal. The small forward added another four to his tally, moving up to 19 goals for the season. He’s putting his hand up every week for a spot in the team of the year. Hamish Dick (2) is a handy inclusion for Old Brighton anytime he’s available from North Melbourne, while again Harry Hill was named the best player on the ground.

Two goals in the first half from Uni is not a scoreboard result Guy Martyn will be at all pleased with. Slow starts have been an issue for the Blues all year. And, overall scoring for the 2019 Premiers. The last time they kicked over 100 points, go back to Round 7, 2021 vs. Old Trinity. The only time since the 2019 Grand Final. 

If they’re to have any chance of staying in touch with Old Xav’s in fourth, they need to get more from their forward line beyond Sam Grimley.

Speaking of Old Xaverians, their dominance over Old Scotch continues. It’s an incredible streak they currently have over the Cardinals. The 30 point victory wasn’t quite regulation for the red and black mafia but it’s enough to create a 1-game buffer, and 25% gap on Uni Blues. 

Xavier Richards has played 4 games this season and kicked 4, 4, 5 and 3 goals. 16 goals from 4 games, he can’t be stopped in the forward line. They are a noticeably different side when he is and isn’t in the side. Charlie MacIsaac has stepped up alongside him and is averaging 2 goals a game this year.

Marcus Stavrou continues to rack up disposals, alongside Will Hams. While for Old Scotch they stayed with Xav’s for two and a half quarters before the dam wall burst in the final term. 

Collegians used the second and third quarters to pile on 10-goals against Caulfield and take the points for the second time this year against the Fields. Kobi George (4) and Dave Mirra (4) were damaging in front of goal. 

While Sam Sofrinidis, Matt Warren and Corey Cassidy were all named amongst the best. All three have spent large amounts of time down in defence for the Lions and proved to be a brick wall over the weekend. 

Tom Bugg and Matt Buntine were significant inclusions for the Fields, however it wasn’t enough to walk away with the points. Julian Dobosz was held goalless but in a positive Oliver Lowe (3) followed on from his 5 majors last week. 

The Fields have Old Trinity breathing down their necks. A healthier percentage is what is separating the two sides. That could become irrelevant this weekend with a classic 8-point game up for grabs when they meet at Glen Huntly Oval. 

It’s full steam ahead for the Green and Gold. Taking the momentum of the national Socceroos side in the same colours who advanced to the World Cup during the week. Old Trinity followed suit by owning the game against St Bernard’s all afternoon at the Daley Oval. 

Harry Thompson, Tom Paidoussis, Harris Mastras were able to run rampant through the midfield while this time around, Ed Weatherson had his kicking boots on. Myles Scott used his frequent flyer points as he took to the skies with aerial acrobats, and his brother Oliver was kicking them from all angles. 

St Bernard’s battled manfully but couldn’t get the game on their terms for long enough to gain ascendancy. When they did get the chance to hit the scoreboard they were inaccurate with 2.9 in the second half the story of their day. 

St Bernard’s have now lost their last six and sitting in the unwanted 10th spot on the table. Their next assignment is a side desperate for a win themselves, for different reasons. University Blues.

Photo: Old Xaverians FC