2024 Round 11 Senior Men’s Match report

Round 11, Saturday 29 June 2024.

Match Summary

Old Melburnians FC vs Old Xaverians FC at Elsternwick Park 

1st quarter:                OMFC            3.3.21              OXFC             6.4.40

2nd quarter:               OMFC           3.4.22              OXFC             9.6.60

3rd quarter:               OMFC           3.9.27              OXFC             12.12.84

4th quarter:                OMFC           5.13.43            OXFC             17.13.115

Goals: Henry Nicholls (2), Jeremy a’Beckett (1), Ben Haysman (1), Ben Jackson (1).

Best players: Will Richards, Jackson Paine, Ben Harding, Spencer Anderson.

Team: Jeremy a’Beckett (26), Spencer Anderson (36), Andrew Chirnside (49), Harry Cooper (23), Nicky Christian (29), Harry Cudmore (19), Will Dethridge (54), Ben Harding (8), Ben Haysman (10), Ben Jackson (88), Sam Laube (20), Charlie McKay (42), Robbie Morrison (15), Charlie Nairn (47), Henry Nicholls (31), Will Nichols (1), Jackson Paine (Captain, 39), Will Richards (14), Ollie Tyrer (32), Hugo Watkin (11), Stuart Watson (21), Sam Wundke (7).

Match Report

The OMs welcomed back Ben Harding, Ben Haysman, Captain Jackson Paine and Hugo Watkin, who replaced Ned Nichols, Adam Richardson, Tom Spargo and Lachie Templeton

Almost 8mm of rain fell before the game, which began under light drizzle. It was 9 to 10 degrees throughout the game, which a light northerly to NNW breeze made it ‘feel like’ seven degrees.

The OMs opened the game in a lively fashion, with Jeremy a’Beckett noticeable not only for the one-handed mark he snagged in the SW pocket, but also for being generally busy and creative. The OMs dominated the opening minutes, with the Xavs not seeing their end of the ground during that time, although the OMs squandered several opportunities in front of goal. Several players then chased the footy into the goal square, but it was Ben Haysman who was quick enough to toe-poke it through for the first goal, at the three-minute mark. When the red and black sleeping giant awoke, it kicked two goals two minutes apart before turning it over in the SW pocket, giving Henry Nicholls a mark near the top of the goal square, and a goal at the 11-minute mark. Ten minutes followed without a major by either side, with the Xavs then goaling at the 21 and 22-minute marks.

In what was a genuine intercept mark – of which Brian Taylor would approve – a’Beckett ran and jumped to grab a Xaverian kick out from the SE pocket. He wasted no time in playing on and scoring truly at the 24-minute mark. It was 21-27. After having much of the play, the Xavs goaled at the 30 and 34-minute marks, with many of their goals scored too easily, in play, from close range. After a very promising start, things were beginning to look ominous.

Although the OMs were first out of the middle in the second quarter, the Xavs were first to score, albeit a behind. Play went both ways, but Xavier goaled at the nine-minute mark, and when it added another in play six minutes later, it was 21-53 and the game was over. The only opportunity the OMs had to score in the quarter was a huge bomb from Harry Cooper in the last minute, which was a behind.

Once again, the OMs were first into the fray as the third quarter got underway. Sam Laube was tackled high and received a free kick but did not go through his characteristic careful pre-set shot kicking preparation and missed his kick from the SE to the left. The Xavs ran up the ground to goal at the three-minute mark. Ben Haysman took a free kick from about the arc in the SE, but in the wet conditions he made the distance only to miss to the left. It was 24-68 at the 12-minute mark, with the Xavvers goaling three minutes later, and several more times thereafter. Nicky Christian had a ping in play but hit the goal post. It was not the OMs’ day.

The final quarter saw the Xavs doing as they pleased until the 20-minute mark when Henry Nicholls marked and goaled – the first OM goal since the first quarter. Ben Jackson took a magnificent trademark vertical leap to mark at the top of the goal square, played on, and goaled. It was the last goal by either side.

Will Richards was the OMs’ best player as his really good form continued. His work rate has been a feature of his game, and he looked at home during the time he spent in the midfield.

Jackson Paine shut down former Sandover medallist Sam Fisher and played a very team-oriented game.

Ben Harding won plenty of the footy on a day when most couldn’t, and he used it effectively.

Spencer Anderson shut down one of the Xavs’ key forwards. He has been consistent in his new role.

At the conclusion of the game, Stuart Watson (OM 2011) was chaired off, having decided to end his 164-game career at the OMs uninjured and looking and being his best for his forthcoming wedding. In a career that followed on from playing footy at Grammar and the OMs alongside classmates Captain Jackson Paine, Nic Daish and Chris Barry among others, he managed to score 77 goals despite lengthy stints in defence and was named among the best players 51 times. Nicknamed ‘The White Ghost’ by Lurch for his blinding white complexion and his ability to terrify opponents with hard and fast combative footy in his prime, he was one of few OMs (such as Jeremy Beaumont) to earn their own leitmotif on the ground, with spectators and (off-field) players emitting a ghostly ‘whooooo’ at the mention of his name, or a notable on-field deed.

Although St Bernards and University Blacks both lost their games, which ought to have kept the OMs out of the relegation zone of ninth and 10th places, the percentage-battering result of this game instead moved the OMs down to ninth. Although playing against a lot of very tall Xav timber that dwarfed the undermanned and undersized OMs, they also never really got going in this game. With frequent injuries to key players and constant line-up changes as a result, coupled with having a very young, mostly inexperienced team, it has been a perfect storm – much like 2023.

The competition now has a two-week bye, with the OMs next taking on ladder-leading Old Brighton (one loss) at Brighton on Saturday 20 July 2024. The OMs will return with a stronger line-up as players come back from injury, but it will be an enormous challenge. Any and all support for the boys in Dark Blue will be appreciated.

See you there.

Lurch.