Fighting loss to powerful Parade

St Patrick’s College competed in our first Grand Final in just our second year in the strong ACC competition on Wednesday 19 June.

The game started well for the Paddy Boys at Windy Hill with a goal in the first couple of minutes via a clever snap from Year 11 young gun Cooper Glenwright. Parade were able to respond straight away, winning stoppages and peppering our defence, resulting in two goals in succession.

Will Stevens was resolute in defence, winning one on ones and getting the ball to ground. Cooper Battye was influential on the wing and Archie Caldow was doing Archie Caldow things.

Late in the quarter some poor covering off allowed Parade to take a mark straight in front 30m out from goal right on the siren. He was able to kick the goal and St Pat’s went to the quarter time break down 3.1.19 to 1.1.7

The second quarter started brilliantly for the Paddy Boys. Quick thinking by Harvey Lewis (who was the best pressure player on the ground) resulted in a chase down tackle to win the free kick. Harvey kicked the ball long to Strahan Robinson one-on-one with his direct opponent.

Strahan has been unstoppable when in these situations all season to be our leading goal kicker. He kicked truly and the margin was back into single figures.

The next couple of minutes was a struggle with both teams throwing numbers at the contest. As has been the case all season, you could never question the effort of our boys – everyone was committed to the contest.

Parade started to regain their ascendency around the contest and had our defence under pressure. Dean Harten (who was moved back to defence), Nedd Bennett, Taj Bowman and Will Stevens held up and were not giving their opponents an inch.

In the blink of an eye, the game opened up and Year 12 guns Archie Caldow and Strahan Robinson both kicked majors for St Pat’s and the margin was three points. Unfortunately, we couldn’t hang on until the siren with Parade kicking a ‘red time’ goal and behind within a minute of the half time siren. It was heartbreaking for the Paddy Boys. The half time margin was 10 points.

 

Like the first time we played Parade this year, the third quarter was a disaster for the Paddy Boys. Parade were dominating around the contest and getting the ball forward. Nothing was working for SPC – we just couldn’t get our hands on the ball.

Connor Weideman and Dean Harten were the only players over five disposals for the quarter. In a matter of minutes, we were down by 40 points however we were able to kick a couple of goals late from Year 11 stars Tashaun Wright and Fraser Molan to keep the margin to 35 points at three quarter time. The score was SPC 6.2.38 to Parade 11.6.73.

A big rev up from Captains Archie Caldow and Tom Conlan at the break inspired the Paddy Boys to throw one last punch at the powerful Parade team. Our first goal came at the five minute mark from a quick kick forward from Archie Caldow that would be marked and goaled by Strahan Robinson. Shortly after Cody Salmon would win a terrific fall of ball after a quick kick forward and all of a sudden there was hope. The margin had been reduced to 22 points.

Unfortunately for the Paddy Boys we would lose the next centre clearance that ended up in a goal to Parade. Within a minute, Parade would kick another goal to send the margin back to 34 points. Strahan kicked another goal late to get the margin back to 30 points, but the damage was done in the third quarter.

To their credit, the boys tried their hearts out to stay in the game. Captains Archie Caldow and Tom Conlan were inspirational for the entire game, both lads had tremendous seasons for SPC.  Strahan was the best forward on the ground. He has been unstoppable 1:1 all season.

Unfortunately, we did not win enough of the stoppages to give him more of a chance in this game. If we had of got him enough of the ball, he could have kicked 10!  To their credit, all of the boys fought the game out. We would have liked to have had our Vic Country boys playing (Jack Ough, Ollie Hannaford, Harry Charleson and Mitch Lloyd) as well as dual sport phenom Ned Renfree, but unfortunately, they were unavailable.

St Patrick’s College had a terrific season, but we unfortunately fell just short on the day. I would like to thank Head of Football Howard Clark, Assistant Coaches Steve Biggin and Jarrett Giampaolo, Trainer Andrew Chamings and Runner Jack O’Brien for their outstanding leadership and expertise support. I would also like to thank Jackson Chalmers and Daniel O’Brien for their superb umpiring. Last but not least, I would like to thank the 40 players who represented the College in the ACC competition this season. The boys love their school footy and their commitment to excellence in the football program was truly inspiring. Hopefully next season we will take another step forward and win the ACC title.

 

St Patrick’s College 9.4.58 lost to Parade College 13.10.88

Goal Kickers: Strahan Robinson 4, Archie Caldow 1, Codie Salmon 1, Cooper Glenwright 1, Tashaun Wright 1, Fraser Molan 1

Best Players: Strahan Robinson, Archie Caldow, Dean Harten, Harvey Lewis, Nedd Bennett, Will Stevens, Lachie Pritchard

– Jason Lappin, 1st XVIII Coach