SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA STATE QUARTER FINAL

Intermediate Boys Football

On Thursday 13 August the Catherine McAuley College Bendigo (CMCB) Intermediate Boys Football team made the trek to Ballarat and were treated with typical Ballarat winter conditions, a wet ground and a cold breeze.

With a few players away on cross country skiing duties, reinforcements were called in for the quarter final match against a strong team from Maribyrnong College.

After a positive warm up, the boys were uncharacteristically slow out of the blocks and Maribyrnong took full advantage, showcasing their slick skills and wreaking havoc all over the ground. They kicked the first four goals of the match, taking a 24-point advantage into quarter time 30-6.

The CMCB boys were not too despondent in the huddle at the break; they regrouped, upped their energy levels and responded with some tough and gritty footy. They slowly got into their groove and really took it up to Maribyrnong in the second and third quarters, proving that they weren’t going down without a fight.

Going into the last quarter the boys were down by forty-two points and, knowing it would take a mighty effort, they played their best quarter of the day, kicking four goals to two and eventually going down 8.3.51 to 13.1.79.

Jamison Westley gave the boys a real spark playing as a deep forward in the second half and kicking five goals, whilst Zander Walker’s defensive efforts were rewarded with six holding the ball calls in just one quarter. Jake Rosa and Oisín Dunne were excellent in the midfield, constantly driving the ball forward.

Despite the result, it was an excellent campaign. All players were willing to play various roles and do what was best for the team, without a single complaint, which displayed brilliant character. Traits like this will lead to some of these players moving into the senior team in 2027 and beyond.

A big thanks to our helpers throughout the carnival, and a huge shoutout to our amazing coordinators Mrs Holly Speed and Mrs Maree Pearce, who do all the heavy lifting in making these days go as smoothly as possible.

Back L-R: Mr Mitch Winter-Irving (Coach), Jake Rosa, William Elms, Nicholas Hietbrink, Isaiah Cass, Adam Holland, Kobi Read, Miller Polglase, Ryan Packer, Charlie Macumber, Carter Andrews, Patrick McNamara, Louis Travaglia, Mr Tanner Nally (Coach)

Front L-R: Tadhg O’Keefe, Hudson Svanosio, Harry Morrish, Oisín Dunne, Jimi Read, Lon Schelfhout, Alistair Hughes, Jaxon Kelly, Jamison Westley, Quinlan Cody, Zander Walker, Miller Nally (Helper)