APS footy: Brighton Grammar overcame its six wins at Xavier College since 1958 to continue its unbeaten run

With six wins in 66 years at Xavier, Brighton Grammar already had its backs up against the wall. With the “narrative” seemingly already written, several “unheralded” players inspired victory.

Brighton Grammar is off to an unbeaten start.

The record read: 6-66.

It wasn’t the return figures of an Australian fast bowler off a long spell.

It was Brighton Grammar’s APS football record at Xavier College.

Heading into Saturday’s showdown with Xavier, Brighton had won just six matches at the school since 1958.

Brighton coach Simon McPhee said the record meant it was easy to spruce the side up for the eventual 15.14 (104) to 6.7 (43) triumph.

“It was a bit of a goal for us to try and win out there this year,” he said.

“We played out there two years ago in the year we shared the premiership with Caulfield, we had a pretty good side then and we got hammered.

“The narrative was: it doesn’t matter how well you’re going, or how well you think you’re going, it’s a tough place to win.

“We were lucky that we had seven blokes that played in that game and remembered what it felt like – it was pretty easy to get those boys up and about.

“If you want to be a good side, you have to beat good sides and beat them anywhere.”

Brighton Grammar is off to an unbeaten start.

According to McPhee, the big ground that offers tricky conditions and the everlasting strength of Xavier’s program is what makes the school such a difficult trip.

A win at Xavier is never brushed over but Brighton will move swiftly on from the win.

“We got a fair bit out of it, they were pretty good,” McPhee said.

“We did our review this morning and it was a lot more physical and we were tested.

“It’s pretty cutthroat school footy, you can’t get ahead of yourself or drop your bundle you just have to move forward.”

McPhee rated the performances of “unheralded” defenders Nick Robertson and Henry Robinson as well as “the usual suspects” Levi Ashcroft, Luke Trainor and Lennox Hofmann.