1st XVIII report (May 14): SPC juggernaut rolls on

St Patrick’s College 27.16 (178) d Ballarat High School 0.1 (1)-

Goal Kickers: Mitch Canny 4, Tom Williamson 3, Bailey Veale 2, Jarrod Korewha 2, Billy Hoye 2, Dan Rioli 2, Jordyn Cotter 2, Will Clark 2, Clay Bilney 2, Nick Stuhldrier 2, Jake McQueen, Jacob Wheelahan, Ben Russell, Clay Raine 1-

Best Players: Jacob Brown, Jacob Wheelahan, Tom Evans, Bailey Veale, Mitch Canny, Cameron Jackson, Jordyn Cotter-

The St Patrick’s College 1st XVIII has continued its winning form after another emphatic victory over Ballarat High School by 177 points.

Following a 197-point win over Ballarat Grammar in the previous match , the Paddy Boys came into this game very confident. However wild conditions made for inaccurate early kicking as SPC kicked three behinds before registering their first goal.-

They finished the first quarter with five goals and seven behinds after dominating the play.-

St Pat’s players, despite all the play, were struggling to find a target inside 50 with many of the behinds coming from deep entries into the forward 50.

However after the first quarter, St Patrick’s College was back to its usual style of play with Jacob Weelahan and Tom Evans finding plenty of the ball through the midfield.-

It was clear that High School simply lacked the skill level of their opposition with the boys in the green, white and blue playing a fast paced game making it easy for the forwards to isolate within the 50 metre arc.

In their last two games, the St Pat’s outfit has outscored its opponents by 374 points whilst not conceding a goal.-

In what was a solid team performance, there were some individuals who played their role extremely well and helped their team to the comprehensive win.-

Year 11 Jacob Brown, in the absence of Ben Hurley who was being rested due to his heavy program, acted as the general down back, gathering possessions at will. –

Jacob Wheelahan, who was acting captain for the day in the absence of Jacob Hopper, Leigh Spiteri, Joel Cowan and Ben Simpson, led with authority and his composure and use of the football was exceptional given the elements of the weather. Jacob is an extremely balanced clever footballer and considering this was his second game back following shoulder surgery, he should feel very satisfied with his fine performance.

A new face in Jarrod Korewha (AIS Scholarship recipient), playing his first game of football at any level for the season, was impressive in his debut match for St Patrick’s College.-

St Patrick’s College Coach Mr Howard Clark was glad to see Korewha playing for his side.-

-It was great to see Jarod playing his first game for the College after coming back from breaking a bone in his foot during the pre-season,- he said.-

-Jarrod played the first 40 minutes of the game and played exceptionally well for the time he was on, he was extremely strong and athletic and has a bright future in the game if tonight is any indication.–

-I felt that they worked together as a team really well.–

-When you consider that there’s another 17 players to potentially come into the side, it underlines the strength of the program.–

St Patrick’s College will continue to look towards the next time they face Ballarat Clarendon College in what will be another blockbuster match on Wednesday, May 27 on the Main Oval.-

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