:: All Stars Report - By Bainsy.

Fresh from taking top spot against a hapless Mazenod, the Stars ventured out to Bulleen to take on reigning premiers and perennial Clubbies powerhouse the Old Xavs (Crocs).

Although a young team, the Stars were determined not to be intimidated by the Crocs, winners of 12 of the last 14 premierships. A couple of outs from the previous week didn’t help the cause but pre-match feelings were very positive.

Unfortunately, the start belied the positive preparation as the Crocs flew out of the blocks, posting the first 4 majors of the game. The Stars looked shell shocked and the crowd rightly seemed unsure about how they would respond. When Tandy goaled late in the first quarter, some nerves were settled. This proved temporary with the Xavs responding with a flukey soccer goal before the break to ensure a 4 goal buffer.

Coach Landrigan kept calm at the break but urged the Stars for a more intense and focused performance. The Stars responded in kind arguably having their best quarter of footy for the year. Lawler dominated the ruck giving an arm chair ride to the likes of Wettenhall and Bains. The constant supply of footy to the forward line placed enormous pressure on the Xavs backmen. Tandy, Cooper and Ironmonger proved dangerous as the scoreboard began to finally tick over. Whereas the Stars struggled in one on one contests in the opening stanza, the second was the complete reverse with winners across the ground. The net result was 6.5 to no score and the Stars marched to half time with a 2 goal buffer.

The last quarter proved to be the cliched arm wrestle. When Cooper goaled after a head high hit and 25 metre penalty the Stars were back in front. A classic contest was unfolding, as the Stars got a sneak peek of what finals football was likely to be all about. An inordinate amount of boundary thrown ins and ball ups ensued before the ball broke and the Xavs forward marked at the edge of his range. As he kicked for goal, Hugh Tommo on the mark leapt brilliantly to smother the ball. Sadly, the umpire as often can be the case, got it horribly wrong, arguing Tommo had gone over the mark. the ensuing 25 metre penalty gifted the Crocs a goal and the lead.

The final 10 minutes saw experience win out, as the Crocs locked it down and killed time to run out narrow 4 point victors.

A heartening result for the Stars but not good enough overall. The 2nd quarter was brilliant, but once removed the Stars were outscored 10.1 to 2.4 for the remainder of the game. The loss sees the Stars drop to 3rd with the Old Xavs (2) to face. A chance for immediate redemption against Xavier in some form and a welcome return to Albert Park.

Tags: Bains, Cooper, H. Tomlinson, Lawler, Old Xavs Crocs, S. Wettenhall, Staley