Sport

It's been another successful term for sport at St Patrick's College. We have had boys represent the school in both the BAS and ACC competitions. Some of the highlights include:

• Winning our way through to our first ACC Football Grand Final
• Winning our way through to our first ACC Soccer Grand Final
• Defeating St Joseph’s Geelong in the Respect Cup
• Junior Football Premiers SPC Gold who went through the season undefeated
• The launch of the Liam Duggan Football Academy at both Junior and Intermediate levels
• A Grade Mixed Badminton (with Loreto College) Premiers
• BAS Athletics Boys' Aggregate Premiers

Thank you to all boys who represented the school in Term 2. I have been extremely proud of the sportsmanship displayed by our boys. Whether our teams win, lose or draw, we always play the right way.

Thanks also to all staff who have coached and managed teams. Your knowledge, skill and organisation has been amazing for our boys and for our sport program.

Basketball

Semester 1 Wrap Up

Throughout the semester we’ve had 75 boys involved in our Elite Basketball Program. The boys have been training weekly and this culminated in our boys competing in the Victorian College Championships (VCC) at Eagle Stadium, Werribee. 

Looking ahead, we have a busy Term 3 with 150 boys (15 teams) competing weekly in the BAS competition, our Elite boys competing at the Champions Cup in August and our Senior Elite boys competing in the ACC competition from 17 July. That’s more than 225 boys competing for SPC not to mention refereeing, scoring, assisting, and most of all cheering! 

BAS games will be played at 4pm and 4.50pm on Tuesdays (Years 7 & 8), Wednesdays (Years 9 & 10) and Thursdays (Seniors). The boys love it when we come to watch them play so feel free to pop in and support our athletes!

ACC Soccer final

The St Patrick’s College First XI soccer team played its first grand final in the Associated Catholic Colleges Victoria (ACC) competition this week, travelling to the Veneto Club in Bulleen to face Emmanuel College, who had beaten us earlier in the season.

Once again Emmanuel proved to be too strong a side for our boys and won the game in resounding fashion.

In a game that was full of chances at both ends, the more clinical finishing of the Emmanuel strikers, coupled with some impressive heroics from their goalkeeper, proved to be the difference.

A stunning goal from distance by Isaac Vanderkley was merely a consolation for us, while Emmanuel took full advantage of our boys opening up at the back as we chased the game and ended with a final tally of six goals.

While not the final result we wanted, the boys should be applauded for what was otherwise a remarkable season for the First XI team.

Once again, the hallowed ground at Shed Oval became a fortress for our boys throughout the year, and in difference to last season, we won three out of three away games as well.

The boys proved to be a force to be reckoned with in the competition and are eager to go all the way next year. 

- Pietro Angeli, First XI Coach

Intermediate Soccer

The SPC Intermediate team travelled to Morshead Park to take on the team from Phoenix College. A fast, aggressive attacking formation from SPC led to early goals from Jack Boyd (3), Oliver Behrans (1) and Jayden-Ern Dzanya (2). Phoenix made some defensive adjustments stifling the attack from SPC, with the teams entering the half-time break with a scoreline of 5-0. 

In the second half, the pace and fitness of SPC shone through with goals to Liam Riding (1) and Zavier Thomas (4) pushing the final score out to 11-0 for SPC. Fantastic performances from Thomas Bingham, Aiden Atherton and Harry Waight in defence ensured that the SPC team finished with a clean sheet to finish the season. 

Well done to all the boys who played for the SPC Intermediate team in Term 2, the team overall finished with a record of 5-1, an outstanding result. Thank you to all the support from staff, students and parents who have assisted throughout this season. The team’s success is indicative of this support received throughout the term. 

Junior Football

SPC Nunan                  18 – 12 – 120                   Defeated          Ballarat College 0 – 0 – 0

Goal Kickers : Jed Gurnett 3, Harrison Lis 3, Greg Bush 2, Ben Buckland 2, Jordan Korosec 2, Jinip Lual 1, Archie Wilkie 1, Jake Cheeseman 1, Brodie Watkins 1, Frankie Hill 1, Hudson Murnane 1

Best Players : Team Effort

On Wednesday night, the boys played their final game of the Year 7/8 Football Program. It was SPC Gold matched up against Ballarat and Clarendon College. After an indifferent first quarter, the boys were able to turn it around and produce another solid team performance against a very competitive College outfit. 

We were able to gradually draw away from the College side throughout each quarter due to some excellent passages of play. It was a very consistent team effort, which was a great showcase of their willingness to work for each other. We were able to keep up the pressure throughout, thanks to the great ball movement initiated by many players especially Jed Gurnett, Vincent Foley, Will Richardson, Jordan Korosec, Harry Lis, Ben Buckland, Jake Cheeseman and Billy Molloy. 

Congratulations to all the boys who played the game in a great spirit and were very respectful to the opposition and the umpires – well done boys! It has been a great season and a privilege to work with such caring, talented and hard-working young men from our Year 7 and 8 levels. The future of St Pat's football is in great hands. 

A special thanks to Oscar Romeril, Jake Cheeseman, Brodie Watkins, Max Brodie and Sasha Volz who played for College as they were short of players. A great gesture by all of those boys. 

Mark Stahl, SPC Gold Junior Coach

Congratulations to SPC Gold (Nunan) who went through the season undefeated. It was a wonderful achievement and reflects not only the playing ability within the group, but the commitment that was shown from each boy throughout the season. Thanks especially to Mark Stahl who coached Nunan throughout the year. He continues to be a wonderful role model and mentor to each student/player who is entrusted to his care. 

Howard Clark, Coordinator of Football

BAS Senior Football

Ballarat  Grammar 15-6-96 Defeated          St Patrick's College 7 – 5 – 47

Goal Kickers: Nic Salter 3, Jack O'Donohoe, Dylan Hiscock, Max Bunworth, Zac Evans

Best players: Max Bunworth, Baxter Horsburgh, Nic Salter, Dylan Hiscock, Jack Donohoe, Seb O'Sullivan

On a clear, still, and brisk Wednesday evening, SPC was defeated by a stronger Ballarat Grammar School team. Grammar was able to hold the SPC boys off over the four quarters outscoring SPC at every change and running out 49-point victors.

The SPC side showed glimpses of brilliance with players like Tessie Liem and Dylan Hiscock using their skill with the ball to the advantage of players such as Nick Salter who was good up forward. Max Bunworth had a stellar second half after being moved from half back to the wing. Jack Donohoe was solid over four quarters alongside Seb O'Sullivan who was like the Rock of Gibraltar at fullback.

John Richards

BAS 1st XVIII Coach

ACC 1st XVIII Football grand final

Fighting loss to powerful parade

Parade College 13 – 10- 88                  Defeated          St Patrick’s College 9 – 4 - 58 

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

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 was 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.

– Jason Lappin, 1st XVIII Coach

Term 3 Sport

Term 3 is shaping up to be another busy term at SPC. The boys still have an opportunity to sign up for various sports, including hockey, table tennis and racquetball. Look for the sign-up email sent by Mr Dwyer and follow the links.