SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA - STATE LODDON MALLEE REGIONAL FINALS

Football

On Monday 27 July, the Junior Girls and Year 8 Boys Football teams travelled to Swan Hill to compete at the Loddon Mallee Regional Finals. Following late changes to the draw, the Junior Girls were required to play two matches, while the Year 8 Boys were scheduled a bye after their opening game, allowing the team a valuable opportunity to recharge before the remainder of the competition. With ideal conditions for football and plenty at stake, both students and staff were eager to continue their football campaigns against the best teams from across the region.

JUNIOR GIRLS

CMCB 4.5 (29) def SJC Mildura 0.1 (1)

Our students arrived to find a cold and slippery surface at Swan Hill, but this did not dampen their excitement to make a solid start against St Joseph’s College Mildura. Our midfield group started well and gave our forwards plenty of options early, however, their St Joseph’s backline was intercepting the ball well and we knew that it was going to be a tough game. Our backline, led by Cammie Fitzgerald and Emily Harris, held up well early and kept St Joe’s goalless while our forwards managed to hit the scoreboard through Elsie Gretgrix late in the first half.

In the second half our girls got going up forward and managed to make the most of the midfield dominance of Layla Hand, Zara Greive, Macaila Bannan and Perry Westley. Stella Rooke and Lola McGrath then finished off their good work up forward as the girls recorded a fantastic win against a strong Mildura team.

Goals: Stella Rooke 2, Elise Gretgrix, Lola McGrath

Best Players: Zara Grieve, Perry Westley, Macaila Bannan, Layla Hand

CMCB 4.7 (31) def SJC Echuca 0.0 (0)

The second game against St Joseph’s College, Echuca followed immediately after Game 1, so the girls were warmed up and ready to go. They got on top in the midfield early, and Macaila Bannan and Zara Grieve did an excellent job through the centre of the ground, giving our forwards plenty of opportunities. Stella Rooke and Indi Saunders made the most of the repeat entries, kicking early goals, and Eden Rooke was linking up well with the midfielders. Perry Westley continued her solid form from the first game with strong tackling and pressure to hit the scoreboard with a nice goal, while Lola McGrath continued to create chances across the half forward line. The girls finished this game strongly, with the game being played entirely in their forward half. Well done to all the girls who were involved in the day.

Goals: Stella Rooke 2, Perry Westley, Indi Saunders

Best Players: Macaila Bannan, Eden Rooke, Zara Grieve, Stella Rooke

Winning both matches ensured the Junior Girls were crowned Loddon Mallee Regional Champions. The team will now progress to the School Sport Victoria Quarter Final in Ballarat on Tuesday 11 August.

A special thank you to our Year 9 helpers for their support and assistance throughout the day. Both staff and players greatly appreciated their contribution.

Mr Lee Coghlan (Coach)

JUNIOR GIRLS: Mr Lee Coghlan (Coach), Remmi Comer, Isabel Baker, Layla Hand, Macaila Bannan, Zali Barry, Thea Hulls, Millie Balic, Lucy Pollock, Scarlett Woodmore, Emily Harris, Cammie Fitzgerald, Phoebe Pedersen, Colbie O’Bree, Stella Rooke, Darcy Rodda, Eden Rooke, Florence Lapthorne, Indi Saunders, Zara Grieve, Perry Westley, Elsie Gretgrix, Lola McGrath, Annaleise Bergman

YEAR 8 BOYS

Game 1: CMCB 7.3 (45) def St Mary's School Robinvale 0.1 (1)

The theme of the day was ‘Business Trip’ – a phrase used by Ross Lyon when he travelled from Perth to Geelong. The Dockers have lots of success at GMHBA with this mindset. The boys’ mindsets were equal to this from the first bounce and the boys piled on four straight goals to one behind to open our account for the day. Will Shadbolt’s athletic frame proved too difficult a match-up forward of centre, whilst the midfield brigade of Mansfield, Todd, Campbell and Baker ran rampant. Some highlights included a courageous back-with-the-flight mark by Jye MacDonald and another high-flying mark from Nash Campbell.

Goals: Will Shadbolt 2, Gus Ritchie, Max Carmichael, Hamish Baker, Alex Kelly, Jed Mannix

Best Players: Will Shadbolt, Eddie Mansfield, Gus Ritchie, Gus Pitcher, Max Carmichael, Flynn Todd

Game 2: CMCB 4.5 (29) def SJC Mildura 1.1 (7)

Game 2 proved to be our biggest challenge of the day. Kicking with the wind, there were some brilliant individual efforts from Henry Kleinert and Gus Davies with run-down tackles. This pressure set the tone for a physical contest, despite this, the boys were unable to apply any real scoreboard pressure and hence held a slim 1-point lead at half-time (8-7).

Kicking into the wind in the second half, the boys needed to show some character, poise and grit. Kleinert and Harrop did a brilliant job of mopping up St Joseph’s forward entries, and at the other end of the ground Carmichael, Polson and McDermott were able to finish off their good work, with two of these goals coming in the final two minutes. It was a real arm-wrestle of a match, and the ability of the team to steady and work together was a highlight.

Goals: Hamish Baker, Max Carmichael, Cale Polson, Brady McDermott

Best Players: Nash Campbell, Eddie Mansfield, Jed Mannix, Will Shadbolt, Flynn Todd

Game 3: CMCB 3.4 (22) def SJC Echuca 2.0 (12)

At the halfway mark, the boys came up against St Joseph’s Echuca who are typically our toughest rivals in most LMR sports, and the boys knew they needed to fire on all cylinders. Harrop and Mansfield proved to be the difference, with a dominant display in clearance and ball transition from the contest.

At the half, the boys held a 14-point lead courtesy of two McDermott snags. Tommy Harrop picked up where he left off in the second half, slamming home a beautiful goal on the run with five minutes remaining, opening up a 22-0 lead. Two late Echuca goals flattered the scoreboard, in what was a fairly comprehensive 10-point win.

Goals: Brady McDermott 2, Tommy Harrop

Best Players: Tommy Harrop, Eddie Mansfield, Brady McDermott, Henry Kleinert, Flynn Todd

Game 4: CMCB 8.4 (52) def SMMC Swan Hill 0.1 (1)

The boys were so close to cementing their position in the State Quarter Finals, with one last hurdle against the locals – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill. The first half had Mansfield picking up where he left off in the centre, courtesy of some silver service from Gus Pitcher. Pitcher also nailed a beautiful running goal from 40m. Josh Prowse’s elite fitness was on display, still running on top of the ground in Game 4 with many running bounces out of the defensive 50.

In the second half, the floodgates opened. Jensen Sawyer was enjoying a shift from defence to the forward line and Jed Mannix nailed a beautiful goal to cap off his return from injury. Captain Courageous Baker’s class and poise were obvious in a ‘Nick Daicos-esque’ display.

Goals: Brady McDermott, Jack Holland, Gus Ritchie, Gus Pitcher, Jensen Sawyer, Tommy Harrop, Cale Polson, Jed Mannix.

Best Players: Eddie Mansfield, Hamish Baker, Gus Pitcher, Jensen Sawyer, Jack Holland

The Year 8 Boys completed their ‘Business Trip’ in style, taking care of each challenge throughout the day and finishing the competition undefeated. Their consistent performances across all four matches saw them crowned Loddon Mallee Regional Champions and secure their place at the School Sport Victoria State Quarter Final in Ballarat on Wednesday 19 August. A special thank you to our Year 9 helpers for their support and assistance throughout the day. Their contribution was greatly appreciated by both players and staff.

Mr Josh Hann (Coach)

YEAR 8 BOYS: Tarkyn Ralphs (Helper), Ted Cowan (Helper), Brady McDermott, Isaac Manley, Jesse Cox, Jed Mannix, Will Shadbolt, Angus Pitcher, Cale Polson, Jensen Sawyer, Eddie Mansfield, Nash Campbell, Henry Kleinert, Marcus Thomas, Callen Harrington, Mr Joshua Hann (Coach), James Clark (Helper), Will Tuddenham, Alex Kelly, Gus Ritchie, Tommy Harrop, Hamish Baker, Flynn Todd, Jye MacDonald, Joshua Prowse, Angus Davies, Jack Holland, Max Carmichael, Matthew Jennings