Old Melburnians Football Club Inc
Round 2, Saturday 22 April 2023.
Old Xaverians FC vs Old Melburnians FC at Xavier College
1st quarter: OXFC 4.2.26 OMFC 3.5.23
2nd quarter: OXFC 4.6.30 OMFC 7.7.49
3rd quarter: OXFC 8.9.57 OMFC 9.8.62
4th quarter: OXFC 15.14.104 OMFC 9.14.68
Goals: Tom Baker (3), Jackson Paine (2), Charlie Dowling (2), Ned Nichols (1), Will Nichols (1)
Best players: Jackson Paine, Ben Harding, Lachie Haysman, Josh Freezer, Ned Nichols, Will Dethridge.
Seniors.
By Lurch.
Team: Spencer Anderson (36), Tom Baker (17), Daniel Coffield (7), Harry Cooper (45), Will Dethridge (26), Charlie Dowling (28), Josh Freezer (5), Ben Harding (8), Ben Haysman (10), Lachie Haysman (9), Ed Michelmore (20), Ned Nichols (3), Will Nichols (1), Jackson Paine (39, Captain), Will Richards (40), Adam Richardson (56), Ed Smart (42), Jack Spargo (24), Tom Spargo (24), Lachlan Templeton (44), Jacob Thompson (23), Brodie Tonkin (25).
With the Old Xaverians’ home at Toorak Park undergoing redevelopment, this game was held at their spiritual home, Xavier College, where they were defeated by Collegians the previous week. The OMs had also been defeated at home. Both teams were equally keen to get a first win on the board. Unlike last week, this game was played on a perfect dry spring day, with blue skies, white clouds, 18 degrees and a slight to no breeze.
From the outset the game was played hard at a cracking and free-flowing pace, with noticeably little congestion but tough contests. Early in the game, Jacob ‘JT’ Thompson passed beautifully to Adam Richardson, who took a contested mark in the NW pocket, but missed to the right from about 25m out in windless conditions. Tom Baker was out-marked by his opponent and the Xavs went coast to coast for a goal. A good mark by Will Nichols started a chain that sent the footy towards the OMs’ goal, but it was touched in the goal square, and the OMs next missed one in play. Ed Michelmore ran hard to take an uncontested mark in the NW and kicked sharply across his body across the goals to JT, who seemed set to take the shot before selflessly kicking to Baker, directly in front. He goaled from about 15m out. It was 6-8. The Xavs missed but followed up with a goal. Following another Xav miss, Spencer Anderson kicked perfectly to Captain Jackson Paine, and Jacko goaled from a set shot taken directly in front. Baker brought the ball to ground in a contest, Ned Nichols gathered, shook off a tackle, handballed to brother Will, and in the midst of an intense and thrilling contest fought out within about three square metres, he goaled from a snap taken about a metre out.
Now on a roll, the OMs won in the middle and Jack Spargo hit up Ben Haysman, but he missed to the left on the run. It was 14-22 but was – overall – a great and very even contest. Although the OMs spent some time in a tough forward contest, it was fruitless, and the Xavs broke free and goaled. Jack Spargo sent a rocket of a kick to Ned, but his shot for goal from the NW intersection of the arc and boundary lines proved too tight. Although a breeze now sprang up and favoured the OMs, it was the Xavs that goaled against it and finished the quarter three points ahead. The OMs had had two more opportunities but had not made the most of some of them.
At quarter time the OMs were down two men, with Dan Coffield and Will Nichols both injured.
The OMs were first into attack in the second quarter but turned it over to the Xavs, whose shot for goal missed. The Dark Blues ran the footy along the northern wing through players including Mich to hit up Baker, who took a strong mark. Kicking from outside the arc on the NE boundary line, he put the footy through the middle of the goals to give the OMs a 27-30 lead. A long kick went to ground in front of the OMs’ goal, but the Xavs cleared it with a kick that was marked by OM defender Josh Freezer. From well outside the arc in the NE pocket, Fridge kicked for goal, with his long kick dropping short into a massive pack on the goal line – where Baker grabbed it, and - from about a metre out - snapped high to clear the pack and score an unexpected goal.
The Xavs were long in attack, but the OMs held them out until giving Baker a shot and a miss from outside the arc in the NE pocket. Ned received a rare in-the-back free kick and goaled from inside the NE arc. It was 28-43. Jacko rucked in a stoppage in front of the goals, beginning a great passage of play that involved Baker twice, and saw the footy bounce in the goal square in the midst of a cluster of players. One of them was Charlie Dowling, who – as he ran through the square – kicked the footy on the volley for a thrilling reflex goal. A Xav set shot went through for a goal – but it wasn’t paid. Instead, a 50m penalty was paid against it. The Xavs were attacking again as the hooter sounded, to end a magnificent and exciting quarter by the OMs.
Unsurprisingly, almost 20 points down at halftime at home, the Xavs came out hard in the third quarter, scoring three quick goals with the OMs only managing one behind in the midst of them. It was soon 49 all. The OMs briefly attacked without a goal, after which the Xavs were long in attack before inevitably scoring a goal. It was 57-49. The game remained hard, fast and tightly contested, but the OMs weren’t getting the opportunities of the first half. Ned eventually received a free kick and took his set shot from the SW pocket on about the arc but missed to the right. From a stoppage in the NE pocket, Dowling emerged with the footy, shook off a tackle, turned, snapped and goaled. His tough, creative, exciting and inspirational play was sorely missed last week. It was 57-56. Ed Smart received a facial injury and a free kick he was unable to take. After he was helped off the ground, Jacko took the free kick, but then found himself escorted to the goal square to take it after another Xaverian infringement. He goaled to give the OMs a five-point lead at the last change.
At the start of the final quarter, the Xavs had a three-man bench, and the OMs had a one-man bench. On a warm, sunny day, it was all or nothing for the OMs in the early stages of the last quarter, in a bid to get a winning lead and defend it before their limited and overtaxed legs wore out. An early long set shot was touched before the goal line. Jacko marked the kickout, but his set shot missed to the right, as did the next OM attempt. It was 57-66. Would behinds alone keep the OMs ahead? JT then missed to the right, after which the Xavs ran up the ground and goaled. They then missed two set shots before nailing a goal from a long kick on the run from the NW boundary. It was 72-67. Baker kicked long to space in the SE pocket. Two Xavs were the first two it, but Mich made an inspiring effort to chase, run down and tackle the ball carrier to win a free kick. Surely this effort was worthy of a goal? It went the way of the others. After his athletic feat, it was understandable, but still frustrating.
After two more Xav goals, the game was over. Another followed before the OMs rushed forward, Baker hit up Brodie Tonkin, and he went for goal, but a Xav ended the attack. In the final minutes, Adam Richardson gave his opponent a solid hip and shoulder as he kicked, spraying the kick, but earning Adam a two-week suspension. The game was stopped as the Xav was helped off the field and ended about a minute later. It was a sad end to a game that had been so good and had seemed so promising.
Captain Jackson Paine was the OMs’ best player with another solid game. In his new role as an inside midfielder, he was a contested ball animal, with 25 touches and two goals.
Ben Harding racked up another 30 plus possession game in his second game for the OMs. The midfield ball magnet was a real work horse and kept winning the contested ball despite being paid close attention after half time.
Lachie Haysman has embraced his revised role on the wing. As a spare at stoppages, he used his speed and skill to get the OMs into attack.
Former Co-Captain Josh Freezer began getting his mojo back after having had an interrupted pre-season, with numerous intercept marks throughout the game.
Ned Nichols played a lively game in his dual role as a high pressure forward and then in the midfield when Mich plugged the gap in defence after Coffield was injured.
Will Dethridge’s fourth Senior game showcased his qualities and ability to compete against some difficult opponents. As he continues to develop he will be one to watch.
Debuting in this game was Will Richards. He attended Melbourne Grammar School from 2009 to 2021 and was 2021 Captain of Witherby House. Will was a member of the 2021 1st XVIII and Vice-Captain of the 2021 Athletics team. He joined the OMs in 2021.
The injuries and suspension will necessitate more changes to the team that this week will take on the daunting task of St Kevin’s, albeit at Elsternwick Park.
See you there.
Lurch.