Xavs keep back-to-back-to-back Premiership dream alive

The penultimate round of the Holmesglen Under 19 Premier Men’s home and away competition was season-defining.

Kicking off proceedings, all eyes were glued to Friday night’s cutthroat contest between Old Xaverians and St Bedes/Mentone Tigers.

Cutthroat: In football, the word is defined as a contest that is fierce and intense, with intense ramifications for the loser. That was precisely the type of contest that would unfold under the bright lights of Mentone Reserve.

The winner of this game would be offered a lifeline, another week alive in the competition, another opportunity to stake their claim on finals football in 2024.

The loser? Simple. They would be eliminated from contention altogether.

In fifth and sixth position respectively, it was all up for grabs in this contest, both sides playing with an unrivalled passion that would befit the occasion.

Under lights with the yellow Sherrin, the Tigers had the opportunity to send the reigning Premiers packing on an early September holiday.

The situation laid out bare, everyone who braved the cold on Friday evening realised what was on offer for the victor.

Ball held aloft; it was time to play. This time, for your season.

Knowing exactly what was at stake, the Old Xaverians boys seemed to dismiss the pressure early, playing with the same freedom that had shot them up the ladder earlier in the year.

Familiar names for Old Xavs set the tone. It was Harry Bird and Ed Dalton who seemed to control the contest, whilst teammate Alby Hewitt was also influential.

They led by 20-points at the first break.

Such dominance would continue, so much so, that at three-quarter time Xavs had doubled the Tigers on the scoreboard, to lead by 37-points. They looked destined to record victory and apply the defibrillator to the chest of their season.

Having not yet registered a yelp for the contest, it was a last stitch effort from SBMT, that would send a late-game scare into the opposition camp.

The Tigers midfield initially began to win the clearance-game, giving their forwards first-use in front of the big sticks.

Knowing their season dwindled dangerously close to the jaws of elimination, goal-kicking duo Jack Meredith and Sam Buck began to get busy. They finished their night with five goals between them.

It was a gallant, yet desperate last-ditch effort to salvage the game, but ultimately, it would go begging, as the Old Xaverians escaped with a 16-point victory; 10.10 (70) to 13.8 (86). The four-points acquired would move them up into fifth, leapfrogging their opponents in the process.

The Tigers had lost the game, but more importantly, their season.

Whilst it was an astounding win, fourth position on the ladder remains up for grabs heading into the final round this week. Xavs are currently knocking on the finals door in fifth, and face fourth-placed Old Scotch in the upcoming final round of football. The equation is simple for Xavs; win and play finals. Lose, and don’t.

The contest will act as an early elimination final, the loser to be banished henceforth to observe from the grandstand.

You can catch that game at Camberwell sportsground this Saturday at 9:20am.

In other games, Old Brighton etched their name into the minor Premiership trophy, snatching the four points in their contest against Old Scotch.

Despite the result, it was Old Scotch who shot out to an early lead. Ned Maginness and Will Darcy shone early, powering their team to an opening lead.

A relatively close contest until three-quarter time, Old Brighton simply did what they’ve been doing all year; showcasing clearcut skill, combined with a level-headedness. It would steer them to a fourth-straight win.

Zachary Bowen and Ryan Mackenzie finished their morning with three goals each, whilst Luke Travers and Mason Szonyi continued their impressive run of form.  The win meant that they will now conclude the season on top of the ladder.

It’s been an incredible year, and a great achievement for Old Brighton’s players and coaching staff. It goes without saying, but they should be there when the whips are cracking in September.

The loss means that Old Scotch will enter a crunch game with Old Xaverians this Saturday. As aforementioned, the upcoming game acts as an early elimination final, with the winner guaranteed finals.

Later in the schedule, a dead-rubber game would be played between Caulfield Grammarians and Williamstown CYMS. Both sides unable to feature in finals, the two teams fought to salvage a win from the few remaining games in 2024.

Ultimately it would be Caulfield who would triumph, running away as 40-point victors at Fearon Reserve. Essentially leading from the outset, it was names like Max Kaufman and Chris Pietsch who would push the team to its sixth win of 2024.

The Grammarians trio of Callum Hankin, Hugh Mackenzie and Jack Atkinson proved to be a headache for Williamstown defenders, all finishing the game with three majors.

In other games, University Blues outlasted De La Salle to record an 81-point victory.

A strong latter half of the year for the Blues sees them lock in a finals position, and raring to go in upcoming finals action.

After what was a relatively close first quarter, the Blues powered home, William Richter, Oliver Williams and Henry Woolcock putting in impressive performances.

The win has placed the navy Blue in third position. Whilst they are guaranteed finals, the prospect of a double chance is still easily achievable heading into the final round of the home and away season.

In most-appropriate fashion, they will play second positioned St Kevin’s this Saturday. Both teams sitting on an even 48 points on the ladder, the winner will most certainly acquire the double chance, a tool that is pivotal to reaching a Grand Final.

Speak of the devil, St Kevin’s produced a convincing win over Beaumaris. They are currently in red-hot form, shellacking the Sharks over the weekend to win by 136-points. In that contest, Lucas May kicked five, whilst Xavier Duke and Oscar White ran rampant.

So just to reiterate; buckle up for a wild weekend of football in Round 18.

As mentioned earlier, Old Xaverians and Old Scotch will play off for a position in the finals.

De La Salle will face St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, whilst Williamstown CYMS will go against Beaumaris.

Caulfield Grammarians will have a tough task against the ladder-leading Old Brighton and finally, in what will be a battle for top 2 and the double chance in finals, University Blues will battle it out with St Kevin’s.

What a finish to the season it will be…