APS Insider: Scouting notes, key takeaways from Xavier v St Kevin’s
It was wet and scrappy when traditional rivals Xavier and St Kevin’s clashed at Roche Oval on Saturday. And it took a true captain’s performance to separate two sides full of future AFL stars.
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A true captain’s performance led the way for Xavier College as the side defeated arch rival St Kevin’s by 11 points in a wet and scrappy contest in Round 4 of the APS footy.
Xavier skipper Sam Niklaus produced a best on ground performance as he distributed the ball beautifully from half-back, while a trio of bottom-age players impressed for St Kevin’s.
Archie Fogarty was at his intercepting best in defence, while Alex Dreaver and Gus Teixeira combined well in the midfield.
Xavier’s dominance across the first three quarters was enough and the team held on to win its third close match this season, and the bragging rights.
Xavier’s Jack Hayter was impressive all day, while St Kevin’s midfielder Archie Dollman, who is not on a Coates League list, also had a great game.
Here are the stand out players from one of APS football’s biggest rivalries:
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
Sam Niklaus (Xavier) 184cm – Defender
The Xavier College captain was very reliable for his side, winning the defensive battles time and time again. Niklaus, who stands at 184cm, plays off half-back and is a clean ball-user. He was calm under pressure and led his side well to a big victory. His smothers and one-percenters didn’t go under the radar. The 2025 prospect formerly played for Warrnambool in the Hampden League, before moving to Xavier as a boarder last year.
Jack Hayter (Xavier) 180cm – Midfielder
Hayter is making a name for himself in the engine room at Xavier College and put up another strong performance for the side. He was a consistent ball winner in the midfield, especially in the first half as he helped his side gain a healthy halftime lead. He was composed whenever he got the football. The top-ager has played two games for Sandringham Dragons this season collecting 15 disposals in each, after coming across from Norwood for the 2024 season.
Archie Fogarty (St Kevin’s) – 191cm – Defender
This 2026 prospect was impressive as his side went down against Xavier, showcasing his aerial ability from defence. He judges the ball well in the air and is a great intercepting defender, with the ability to play in any position. Fogarty plays in the forward line for Oakleigh Chargers but forms a key part of the St Kevin’s defence. He impressed many recruiters last year, where he dominated in the Herald Sun Shield to earn best on ground honours.
Gus Teixeira (St Kevin’s) – 179cm – Midfielder
Another exciting 2026 prospect is Gus Teixeira who walked to the centre square for the opening bounce of the game and had the first clearance. Had a number of shots and could’ve ended up with two or three goals. He has plenty of tricks and an impressive vertical leap for a player of his height. Teixeira is on Sandringham Dragons’ list and is one of their highly rated bottom-age midfielders but has only played APS footy so far this season.
Archie Dollman (St Kevin’s) – Midfielder
The St Kevin’s number three showed plenty of class in wet conditions as Dollman was clean with the ball and good in heavy traffic. The silky midfielder takes the game on and loves to run and jump at the footy when it’s in the air. He is a top-age player who has made a strong start to the 2025 season. Dollman was one of his side’s best players in the loss and was a key contributor as they surged in the final quarter. He’s not currently on a Coates Talent League list.
SPECIAL MENTIONS:
Dylan Wyer (Xavier) – Kicked the best goal of the day with a checkside snap which curled perfectly around the goalpost in the second quarter.
Elliot Carlin (Xavier) – Hard and tough around the contest and applied really good pressure for as a small forward/midfielder.
Jai Saxena (Xavier) – The Collingwood NGA prospect was worn like a glove by St Kevin’s defender Toby Round, but still had some moments of brilliance.
Thomas Walsh (St Kevin’s) – Courageous when going back with the flight and had no trouble finding plenty of the ball.
Alex Dreaver (St Kevin’s) – Despite some heavy strapping on his right quad, the bottom-age big man won the ruck battle. He stands at 200cm and had experience playing in the First XVII last season.
FIRST ROUND PROSPECT EYEING RETURN
Jack Dalton, who is one of Xavier College’s top prospects for this year’s draft, is recovering well from a gym accident which left him requiring surgery on both wrists.
Despite having not played any football in 2025, Dalton was recently selected into the Vic Metro side for the U18 Championships.
The hard-nosed Sandringham Dragons premiership midfielder was doing the running for Xavier last weekend and was eyeing a return in the near future.
“I’m travelling quite well … I am hoping to come back on June 6th for the Friday night game between Sandy and Oakleigh,” he said.
“I will play a mix of school footy, Coates League and Champs. I couldn’t be more keen to get back out there and do what I love.”
Dalton had surgery nine weeks ago and said the two weeks post-surgery were “mentally and physically” challenging.
“I was in a fair bit of pain and only being allowed to walk as a form of exercise for two weeks was tough,” he said.
“But I am a very process-driven person, I processed the situation, took it day by day and have been working hard (to recover).”
There is an added incentive for the young leader to get back, with the hope of running out alongside his younger brother Max in the red and black.
“Hopefully he and I can play a few games together once I’m back,” Dalton said.
The young gun models his game on Lachie Neale, Errol Gulden and Bailey Smith, and hopes to put his best foot forward when he returns in a few weeks.
KANGAROOS YOUNG GUN RETURNS TO ROCHE OVAL
Finn O’Sullivan was among the big names in attendance as the former Xavier College boarder and co-captain returned to Roche Oval to support the boys in red and black.
‘FOS’, as he is more commonly known down at Xavier, kept a low profile as he watched on with a group of mates on the far wing.
The classy midfielder was one of the star performers for the Xavs in the corresponding fixture last year.
The Koroit export was drafted to North Melbourne last year with pick No. 2 in the National Draft and has played all nine games so far in 2025.
O’Sullivan remains close to many of the Xavier players, including 2025 first-round prospect Jack Dalton, who is currently sidelined with injury.
BIG NAMES IN ATTENDANCE
A number of key figures braved the conditions to watch the fierce rivalry, headlined by Paul Connors (Connors Sports Management).
Connors Sports Management has signed some gun 2025 prospects, including some highly rated players from the northern academies.
In the APS, just a couple of Connors’ key signings include Riley Onley (Scotch College) and Archie Ludowyke (Brighton Grammar), with a host of other Coates League players.
Max Hayes (TGI Sport), also watched on with interest, despite Xavier’s Jack Dalton, who is one of his big names, being sidelined with injury.
Oliver Greeves (Caulfield Grammar), Josh Lindsay, Ben Rongdit (both Geelong Grammar) and Louis Emmett (Scotch College) are other players who have put pen to paper with TGI Sport.
AFL recruiters Tom Nixon (Greater Western Sydney) and Glenn Luff (Carlton) were also in attendance.
Former AFL Cat turned NFL punter Ben Graham has been a familiar face at the Xavier games this season, watching his son Jack, who is a key defender.
Tasmania Devils’ new CEO Brendon Gale was also spotted earlier in the day, watching his son Donovan play in the Second XVII match for St Kevin’s.
DRUM BEATS AND SWEET TREATS
The drum beats on the field were accompanied by sweet treats off it as Xavier put on an impressive halftime spread.
There were delicious homemade slices as far as the eye could see, with rocky road, hedgehog and Mars bar slice just some of the options.
There were also assorted sandwiches, savoury muffins, jam and cream scones, quiches and banana bread.
While hot food and beverages were the most popular, with the party pies and sausage rolls gone in a flash, with coffee and tea available.
Originally published as APS Insider: Scouting notes, key takeaways from Xavier v St Kevin’s
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