Round 1: Saturday, 9 April 2011.
Old Xaverians v Old Melburnians at Toorak Park.
1st quarter: OX 1.2.8 OM 4.2.26
2nd quarter: OX 6.7.43 OM 4.3.27
3rd quarter: OX 9.12.75 OM 5.5.35
Full time: OX 15.16.106 OM 8.9.57
Goals: Tom Paule (2), Al Armstrong (2), Simon Taylor (1), Adam Marangon (1), Nathan Henley (1), Cam Beck (1).
Best: James Beaumont, Nathan Henley, Simon Taylor, Michael Davis, Charles Gardiner, Al Armstrong.
Seniors. By Lurch.
Round 1 arrived with the OMs fielding a new-look team, bolstered by new recruits and by an elevation from the under-19s. The team took the field wearing black armbands in honour of its great supporter, Peter Beaumont, who died during the off-season. The clash was much-anticipated, with many expecting great things of the revamped OMs as they took on the might of the VAFA’s most successful club, Old Xaverians.
This game was a real test for a team comprising many new players, under the guidance of a new coach David Landrigan. Could it be that the Old Xavs would have a customary slow start to their season? Or would they instead set out to punish a former favourite son, a six premiership player who had left the black and red home which had nurtured and loved him, to coach the enemy? Or would the new OMs defy recent results and a black and red desire for vengeance, and play their own winning game?
The day was windy but warm. Tom Paule kicked the first goal of the game, followed by huge new ruckman Simon Taylor. The Old Xavs had a point on the board. It was a promising start. Although the Xavs goaled, the Dark Blues were disciplined and tightened their hold on the contest. Despite the contest going both ways for some time, it was mostly the OMs in attack, favoured by the wind. Eventually new boy Nathan Henley goaled from a set shot. When a big pack flew and missed a kick out by the Xavs, Simon Taylor plucked the flying crumb from the air, handballed to Al Armstrong, and he threaded heavy traffic, threw it on the boot about 30m out, and goaled. Desperate defence by the OMs prevented the Xavs from scoring anything more before quarter time. Andrew Prowse (who touched at least one earlier shot shot) and new boy Jonno Nash led the way.
The aim of the second quarter was to contain the Xavs while they had the benefit of the wind. They goaled within a few minutes, and followed that up with a booming set shot a while later. The Dark Blues then contained the Xavs, and made a few forward forays, but the Xavs prevented any OM score. Eventually the Xavs received a free kick and a goal. De Steiger won the hit out against his bigger opponent, and the OMs carried the ball forward beautifully, but Beck found himself outnumbered 3-1. By now the Xavs had taken the lead, 4.2.26 to 4.6.30. Both sides were going in hard, and there were some very audible hits. The OMs repelled several Xav onslaughts, but it was only a matter of time before they broke through for a goal. Late in the quarter the Dark Blues added their first score for the quarter – a point – in a rush at goal. The Old Xavs responded with a goal which was signalled as the siren sounded. The Xavs had scored considerably better against the wind than had the OMs, and it would take a huge third quarter to set up the possibility of a victory
Against the wind in the third quarter, the Xavs scored a point and then a goal to show how it was done. Billy Irving’s great kick from outside 40m found Al Armstrong near the SE pocket, and an infringement against him put him directly in front of goal, where he did not disappoint. This only enraged the Xavs, who responded with two goals. It was 5.5.35 to 9.12.66, and although it was theoretically a surmountable deficit, the Xavs’ 21 scoring shots to 10 showed that they were getting a lot more of the footy where it mattered. The OMs were not manning up as well as in the first quarter, resulting at times in Xavs taking on OMs in ratios of up to 5-1. Against the wind the Xavs ran the ball up the ground to within a reasonable range of goal, making them more effective than the OMs.
Early in the final quarter, Tom Paule grabbed the loose ball in the NW pocket, ran towards goal and an oncoming Old Xav opponent, and kicked across his body to goal before he could be tackled. Inspired, the OMs attacked again, but the Xavs went the length of the ground and goaled. The wind died down, giving neither side an advantage. It became very dark. Another Xav goal took the scores to 6.6.42 to 11.14.80. After a Dark Blue kick out failure and a ball-up in front of goal, the Xavs goaled again, and added another for good measure. It was beginning to look ugly. Marangon then benefitted from a rare Xav mistake in defence, quickly got onto the loose ball in the NE pocket, and rapidly evaded fast-closing opponents to score a goal. Soon afterwards Armstrong found himself in a similar situation to Marangon, but his shot at goal was a near miss. The Xavs punished the miss with a goal, then the wind sprang up to its greatest level, with the smell of rain in the air, inspiring the Xavs to goal again. A great tussle in front of goal involving all but four players from the two sides inside 40m returned some interest to the game. Eventually, with the ball on the volley and at an angle to goal, Cam Beck skillfully snapped a major. This goal is incorrectly attributed to Nathan Henley in the VAFA results. The siren sounded and rain began to pour.
The OMs learned that it takes a four quarter effort to stay with a team like the Old Xaverians. Their mistakes were punished with Old Xaverian goals, and they did not capitalise as well or as often on the Xavs’ mistakes. After the first quarter, but particularly in the second half, the OMs did not get the ball as often, as the Xavs stepped up their efforts, which the OMs failed to match. The Dark Blues were generally smaller compared to the battle-hardened Xavs, making one-on-one contests a tougher task. As a young and developing team of many new players, it will take a number of rounds for it to gel. The real test of the OMs’ ability and progress will be the return match.
One who stood up to the Xavs was OMs’ captain James Beaumont, who admirably led attacks out of defence. Nathan Henley was seen everywhere, getting into contests and running through the centre and on the wings. Simon Taylor’s height and strength made him a valuable new asset both in the ruck and when dropped back to the forward line. Michael Davis performed his usual productive role up forward, with Charlie Gardiner making a welcome return. Al Armstrong’s strength was invaluable, particularly through the centre in the first half, and he was very handy when he went forward.
Many debuted in the Seniors in this game. Luke Casey-Leigh (OM 2006) (No. 16), standing 196cm (6’5”) and weighing 88kg played for the MGS 1st XVIII in 2006. He played for the Sandringham Dragons and spent a year on Collingwood’s rookie list as a defender. Tom Hywood (OM 2009) (No. 18) was a member of the MGS 1st XVIII in 2009 and played in the under-19s. Simon Taylor (No. 1), a 6’7” (202cm) player with a weight similar to that of Lurch was an 85 game player for the Hawks, making him a great addition to the side. Nathan Henley (No. 8) is a Tassie boy who won the Eastern Football League’s best and fairest in 2007, also being best on ground in Vermont’s 2007 premiership side. Phil Young (No. 44) is a Wonthaggi boy: a pocket rocket who played a creative role out of defence. Karl Lombardozzi (No. 31) is a former Frankston player noted for his high and courageous marking. Jonno Nash (No. 4) is a 188cm (6’2”) 20 year old former Sandringham Dragons player who was a member of Caulfield Grammar’s 2007 premiership team and CGS 1st XVIII captain in 2008. He won Sandringham’s best and fairest in 2009, in which year he was named in the back pocket of the TAC’s team of the season. Kane Penn (No. 29) played for Vic Metro and more recently for East Burwood in the Eastern Football League.
Next week the OMs take on St. Bede’s-Mentone at home at Todd Road. Be there to cheer on the OMs in their first home game of 2011, and buy a snag or two to further support your club.