SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA - LODDON MALLEE REGION

Intermediate Football

Our Intermediate Boys & Girls Football Teams travelled to Swan Hill on Wednesday 29 July, to compete in the Loddon Mallee Regional Finals. The winners in each competition would progress through to the State Quarter Finals, so there was plenty on the line for both sides.

Intermediate Girls

The first game was against Irymple Secondary College. The girls got off to a terrific start, controlling the game through the midfield and giving our forwards plenty of opportunities. Four goals were kicked in the first half while restricting Irymple to just a single point.

The second half continued in much the same way. Pressure around the ball was outstanding, and the girls continued to move the ball well, resulting in another four goals and a convincing win.

Final Score: CMCB 8.1 (49) defeated Irymple 0.1 (1)

Best Players: Lexi Jones, Marlie Skinner, Popper Carter and Etta Place

Goal Kickers: Lexi Jones 2, Ava Hope, Ruby Kelly, Etta Place, Frankie Stevens, Elle Gilchrist and Layla Burn 1

The second game was against St Joseph's College, Echuca, who had also comfortably defeated Irymple. With the winner advancing, it was effectively the decider for the day.

St Joseph's had the advantage of the breeze in the first half and controlled much of the territory. To the girls' credit, they remained composed and were able to transition the ball from defence into attack on several occasions. Etta Place made the most of one of those opportunities and kicked CMCB’s first goal. The backline was outstanding under pressure, led by Macey Pinner and Amelia Brown, while St Joseph's could only manage four behinds despite having most of the play.

With the breeze in CMCB’s favour after halftime, the momentum shifted. The girls were excellent around the contest and began to take control of the game. Marlie Skinner, Etta Place and Imogen Brown were influential through the middle, helping CMCB win territory and create scoring opportunities. While the girls weren't quite as accurate as they would have liked in front of goal, Etta Place and Elle Gilchrist were able to convert when it mattered.

The final siren saw the girls finish with a well-deserved victory and claim the Loddon Mallee Regional title.

Final Score: CMCB 3.7 (25) defeated St Joseph's College Echuca 0.4 (4)

Best Players: Etta Place, Macey Pinner, Marlie Skinner and Amelia Brown

Goal Kickers: Etta Place 2, Elle Gilchrist 1

It was a fantastic team effort across both games. The girls showed great determination, teamwork and resilience throughout the day and thoroughly deserved their success.

The team will now travel to Ballarat on Monday 10 August to compete in the School Sport Victoria State Quarter Final. A win in that match will see them progress through to the State Semi-Final later that day.

Mr Leigh Millard (Coach)

TEAM: Milly Kelleher (Helper), Forest Jackson-Leahy (Helper), Macey Pinner, Frankie Stevens, Imogen Brown, Etta Place, Ellie Macumber, Molly Doherty, Lexi Jones, Ava Hope, Sienna Raco, Amelia Brown, Layla Burn, Sophie McDermott (Helper), Mr Leigh Millard (Coach), Milla Dalton, Ruby Kelly, Sophie Healy, Poppy Carter, Zara Mould, Georgia Bray, Marlie Skinner, Ella Saunders, April Wainwright, Elle Gilchrist

Intermediate Boys

The opening match was against St Joseph's College Mildura, and the team got off to a flying start with Oisín Dunne providing plenty of drive early in the contest. The boys controlled the game from the outset and were dominant across all areas of the ground. Jaxon Kelly was dangerous up forward with two goals, while Ollie Long, Miller Polglase, Charlie Dickins and Charlie Macumber all added majors to what turned out to be a comprehensive victory.

Final Score: CMCB 47 defeated St Joseph's College Mildura 1

The second game was against Maryborough Education Centre. Once again, the boys produced a dominant display, controlling the game through both halves. The team moved the ball exceptionally well and shared the scoring around, finishing with an impressive eleven different goal kickers. Strong pressure and teamwork across the ground ensured Maryborough had very few opportunities as CMCB recorded another convincing win.

Final Score: CMCB 81 defeated Maryborough Education Centre 1

The third match of the day was against old rivals St Joseph's College Echuca. Knowing this would be one of the toughest challenges of the tournament, the boys produced one of their most disciplined performances of the day. Captain Jake Rosa set the tone early with a goal and inspired his teammates with his leadership around the contest. Miller Polglase was influential up forward, kicking two crucial goals to provide a handy buffer heading into halftime.

With the wind favouring one end in the second half, the boys played smart football, using the conditions to their advantage and maintaining control when it mattered most. Their composure and teamwork ensured they held off a strong challenge from St Joe’s to secure an important victory.

Final Score: CMCB 39 defeated St Joseph's College Echuca 16

The final game of the day was against the local school, Swan Hill College. Swan Hill started strongly and put the boys under pressure early, forcing them to chase the game for much of the contest. Despite several opportunities in front of goal, inaccurate kicking proved costly. Miller Polglase and Jimi Read both hit the scoreboard, but Swan Hill managed to hold on in a thrilling finish, with CMCB falling short of another victory by just one point.

Final Score: Swan Hill 14 defeated CMCB 13

Fortunately, results from earlier in the day meant that CMCB had already secured top position overall, with Swan Hill having previously recorded both a loss and a draw. As a result, the boys claimed the Loddon Mallee Regional Championship and earned progression to the next stage of the competition.

Best Players: Miller Polglase, Jamison Westley, Jaxon Kelly, Jake Rosa and Ollie Long

It was an outstanding team performance across the entire day. The boys displayed excellent skill and teamwork, finishing as regional champions and earning the opportunity to represent the region at the next level.

The team will now compete in the School Sport Victoria State Quarter and Semi-Finals in Ballarat on 13 August, where they will look to continue their impressive run of form. Congratulations to all players on a fantastic achievement.

TEAM: Mr Tanner Nally (Coach), Ted Cowan (Helper), Carter Andrews, Miller Polglase, Harry Morrish, Adam Holland, Charlie Dickins, Bentley Geary, Jaxon Kelly, Charlie Macumber, Mac Conway, Beau Butler, Nicholas Hietbrink, Zander Walker, Kahl McInerney (Helper), Mr Mitch Winter-Irving (Coach), Patrick McNamara (Helper), Darcy Tyler, Oisín Dunne, Oliver Long, Lon Schelfhout, Jake Rosa, Jamison Westley, Louis Travaglia, Quinlan Cody, Jimi Read, Alistair Hughes, Knox Westley, Tadhg O’Keefe (Helper)