Xavier O'Neill explained

Xavier O'Neill
Birth Date:3 August 2000
Birth Place:Blackburn, Victoria
Originalteam:Oakleigh Chargers (NAB League)
Draftpick:No. 28, 2018 AFL draft,
Debutdate:23 August 2020
Debutstadium:Perth Stadium
Height:186 cm
Weight:84 kg
Position:Midfielder
Guernsey:24
Statsend:2023
Years1:2019–2023
Games Goals1:39 (8)

Xavier O'Neill (born 3 August 2000) is an Australian rules footballer who played for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited by the West Coast Eagles with the 28th draft pick in the 2018 AFL draft.[1] [2]

Early football

O'Neill played junior football for the Blackburn Football Club in the Eastern Football League.[3] [4] O'Neill also played football for his school, Whitefriars College.[5] He played for the Oakleigh Chargers in the NAB League.[6] Over the two seasons O'Neill played for the Chargers in 2017 and 2018, he played 35 games, kicked 11 goals, and averaged 18.5 disposals a game.[7] He was also named in the NAB AFL All Stars team, playing for team 'Harvey' in the Under 17s.[8]

Family

Xavier's younger brother Seamus is also a football player. Both winning under 15 Blackburn best and fairest, and best on ground for his team in the 2022 Under 19.5s division 3/4 grand final. Seamus is also a prolific rock climber, being well respected throughout the climbing community, he has established new crags and many new climbing routes.

AFL career

O'Neill debuted in 's 2 point win over in the 13th round of the 2020 AFL season.[9] [10] [11] On debut, O'Neill kicked 1 goal, while also collecting 10 disposals, 1 mark and 4 tackles.[12]

At the conclusion of the 2023 AFL season, O’Neill was delisted by West Coast.[13]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to round 2, 2021[14]

|- style="background-color: #eaeaea"! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2019| || 24 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —|-| scope="row" text-align:center | 2020| | 24 || 5 || 1 || 1 || 25 || 24 || 49 || 9 || 9 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 5.0 || 4.8 || 9.8 || 1.8 || 1.8|- style="background-color: #eaeaea"! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2021| || 24 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 17 || 13 || 30 || 4 || 3 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 8.5 || 6.5 || 15.0 || 2.0 || 1.5|- style="background:#EAEAEA; font-weight:bold; width:2em"| scope="row" text-align:center class="sortbottom" colspan=3 | Career| 7| 1| 1| 42| 37| 79| 13| 12| 0.1| 0.1| 6.0| 5.3| 11.3| 1.9| 1.7|}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AFL draft 2018: Who West Coast Eagles picked up in draft. McArdle. Jordan. The West Australian. 23 November 2018. 21 September 2020.
  2. Web site: 2018 AFL Draft: Who your club picked in this year's national draft. De Silva. Chris. Nine News. 21 September 2020.
  3. Web site: BFC 2020 Futures (U19) Coaches. https://web.archive.org/web/20200920232705/https://blackburnfc.com.au/futures-u19-coaches/. 21 September 2020. 20 September 2020.
  4. Web site: Xavier O'Neill - Bio. 21 September 2020.
  5. Web site: ACC has the Numbers in the AFL Draft. McKenna. Paddy. Associated Catholic Colleges. 27 November 2018. 21 September 2020.
  6. Web site: The Draft File: Pick 28 - Xavier O'Neill. 23 November 2018. West Coast Eagles Media. 21 September 2020.
  7. Web site: Xavier O'Neill. Aussie Rules Draft Central. 21 September 2020.
  8. Web site: Elite young guns to light up Grand Final curtain-raiser. Twomey. Callum. 30 September 2017. 21 September 2020. AFL Media.
  9. Web site: X-factor: Xavier O'Neill earns West Coast Eagles debut for clash with GWS. O'Donoghue. Craig. Robinson. Chris. The West Australian. 22 August 2020. 21 September 2020.
  10. Web site: O'Neill ready to seize his moment. 21 September 2020. West Coast Eagles Media. Dickinson. Rhys. 22 August 2020.
  11. Web site: GWS dump five for AFL clash with Eagles. Chadwick. Justin. The Standard. 22 August 2020. 21 September 2020.
  12. Web site: Round 13 • West Coast Eagles v GWS Giants - Player Stats. 23 August 2020 . 21 September 2020.
  13. Web site: Gary . Stocks . Five Eagles Depart the Nest . September 14, 2023 . October 6, 2023.
  14. Web site: Xavier O'Neill. AFL Tables. 12 November 2020.