2027 Ireland/UK Football Tour: Expressions of Interest Open

St Patrick’s College is excited to invite Expressions of Interest from current Year 9, 10 and 11 students who wish to be considered for the 2027 Ireland and United Kingdom Football Tour.

The 2027 tour marks a significant milestone, with 20 years since the College’s inaugural Ireland and London football tour in 2007.

Since then, St Patrick’s has proudly continued the tradition every three years (COVID-19 notwithstanding), providing students with an unforgettable opportunity to represent the College on the international stage while experiencing the rich sporting, cultural and historical heritage of Ireland and the UK.

The tour will depart Melbourne on Wednesday, 24 March 2027, and return on Friday, 9 April 2027. A squad of 45 students from Years 10, 11 and 12 will be selected, in line with the College Football Strategic Plan, first established in 2003 and reviewed in 2015.

Students interested in being considered for the tour are required to complete the online Expression of Interest form using their St Patrick’s College email address. Applications close on Friday, 24 July 2026, with all applicants to be advised of the outcome by Friday, 14 August 2026.

The current estimated cost of the tour, including flights, accommodation, meals and all scheduled activities, is $10,500. Students and families are encouraged to review the tour information and submit an Expression of Interest before the closing date.

Junior Football

SPC Gold 12 – 4 - 76 Defeated SPC Blue 9 – 7 - 61

SPC Blue Goal Kickers: Hugo Gould 2, Logan Sargeant 2, Finn Pohlner, Will Stott, Jhett Bower, Mason Griffiths, Harry Atterton.

SPC Blue Best Players: Frank Reus, Hugo Gould, Logan Sargeant, Harry Atterton, Will Stott, Finn Pohlner.

SPC Gold Goal Kickers: Mason Lyle 3, Tom Joyce 2, Ed Foley 2, Oscar Preston 2, Hudson Spratling 2, Zach van Berkel.

SPC Gold Best Players: Mason Lyle, Tom Joyce, Ed Foley, Oscar Preston, Hudson Spratling.

The weather was every bit as challenging as the opposition in Round 6, with temperatures sitting at just 9.7 degrees but with a “feels like: temperature closer to 3 degrees with a fresh north-westerly wind gusting to 55 km/h.

Both teams were undermanned due to illness, injury and other commitments, but to ensure an even contest, SPC Gold lent two players a quarter to SPC Blue so both teams had 13 players.

A heavy downpour had only just eased as SPC Gold and SPC Blue took to the Hill Oval, creating tricky conditions for clean football. SPC Blue, led by captain Logan Sargeant, won the toss and elected to kick to the northern end of Hill Oval.

SPC Gold started strongly, kicking four goals in the opening quarter through Ed Foley, Tom Joyce and Oscar Preston to establish an early advantage. SPC Blue battled hard in the difficult conditions and were rewarded with a goal to Finn Pohlner but trailed by 16 points at the first break.

The second quarter belonged to SPC Blue. Led by some excellent midfield pressure and strong contested football, SPC Blue turned the momentum of the game. Hugo Gould was particularly influential, booting two important goals, while Logan Sargeant also found the scoreboard. Restricting SPC Gold to just one behind for the quarter, SPC Blue reduced the margin and carried plenty of confidence into the main break.

SPC Gold regained control after half-time in what proved to be a pivotal third quarter. Mason Lyle was outstanding, kicking two goals for the term, while Tom Joyce, Hudson Spratling and Zach van Berkel also added majors. Despite spirited resistance from SPC Blue through goals to Will Stott, Jhett Bower and Harry Atterton, SPC Gold's five-goal quarter restored a healthy lead.

One of the highlights of the match was the inspirational work of Frank Reus in defence for SPC Blue. Time and again he repelled SPC Gold attacks with courageous marking, determined contests and relentless effort, helping keep his side within striking distance.

The final quarter was an even affair, with both teams refusing to give an inch despite the cold and windy conditions. Mason Griffiths and Logan Sargeant kicked goals for SPC Blue, while Mason Lyle and Ed Foley responded for SPC Gold. SPC Blue continued to fight right until the final siren, but SPC Gold's strong opening and third quarters ultimately proved decisive.

Joshua Morris, SPC Blue Coach

Dean Hackwill & Brendan Monaghan, SPC Gold Coaches

Ballarat Grammar White 11 – 12 – 78 Defeated SPC Blue 2 – 5 - 17

Goal Kicker: Will Stott 2

Best Players: Dyson Griffiths, Will Stott, Frank Reus, Maximus Powell, Jai Britt, Jhett Bower.

After a week of gloomy weather, the sun finally broke through the clouds as SPC Blue took on Ballarat Grammar White on Hill Oval. Our captain for the match, Dyson Griffiths, lost the toss, with SPC Blue kicking to the northern end of Hill Oval. It would prove to be a challenging afternoon against a physically imposing Grammar outfit.

And imposing they certainly were. Ballarat Grammar White fielded a much larger side, both in numbers and stature. With SPC Blue taking the field with just 12 players and Grammar having 16, an agreement was reached for SPC Blue to receive two Ballarat Grammar players each quarter to help even out the numbers on the field.

Despite the evened-up numbers, SPC Blue faced a relentless Ballarat Grammar side that moved the ball well and capitalised on its opportunities. Grammar kicked the opening three goals of the game to establish a 19-point lead at quarter time.

The second quarter was a hard-fought affair. SPC Blue’s defence battled bravely against repeated forward entries, with Dyson Griffiths leading from the front. Griffiths was outstanding throughout the match, setting the standard with his attack on the football and willingness to put his body on the line. Grammar added 3 goals to extend its lead to 41 points by half-time.

The third quarter saw SPC Blue continue to work tirelessly despite the scoreboard pressure. The boys refused to lower their colours, with Frank Reus, Maximus Powell, Jai Britt and Jhett Bower all making important contributions around the ground. SPC Blue finally broke through for a behind while continuing to pressure and contest every ball.

The final quarter was easily SPC Blue’s best. Following several well-considered positional changes initiated by captain Dyson Griffiths during breaks in play, the team found renewed energy and purpose. The adjustments paid dividends as Will Stott kicked both of SPC Blue’s goals for the afternoon. The two-goal final term was a fitting reward for the team’s persistence and determination against a strong and physically dominant opponent.

While Ballarat Grammar White ran out convincing winners, there was plenty to admire about SPC Blue’s effort. The boys never stopped competing, showing resilience and character despite the challenging circumstances.

Special thanks to Senior School students Archie Price and Noah James, who umpired the match.

SPC Blue has a bye in the final round of the BAS season. As the season draws to a close, it would be remiss of me not to reflect on how much I have enjoyed coaching this group of young men.

I am incredibly proud of their commitment, sportsmanship and the genuine enjoyment of the game the Junior SPC Blue boys brought to every match. Win, lose or draw (or through rain of biblical proportions), they have always represented themselves, the College, and their families with distinction.

It has been a privilege to coach the BAS Junior SPC Blue team this season.

Josh Morris, SPC Blue Junior Coach

Senior Football

SPC White 8 – 12 – 60 Defeated Damascus College 0 – 0 – 0

Goal Kickers: Riley Anstess 2, Jules Stephen 1, Logan Vawdrey 1, Jack Stringer 1, Jed Oxley 1, Griffin Edwards 1 and Campbell Bromley 1.

Best Players: Jed Gurnett, Jed Oxley, Max White, Oscar Spratling, Griffin Edwards and Riley Anstess

St Patrick’s College delivered a commanding performance on a chilly winter afternoon, defeating Damascus 8.12 (60) to 0.0 (0) in a comprehensive display built on pressure, defensive discipline, and sustained territory dominance.

Despite temperatures sitting at 12C with a “feels like” temperature of just 8C and following approximately 12mm of rain in the previous 24 hours, the playing surface remained in excellent condition, albeit slippery underfoot. A north-westerly breeze added another challenge, but SPC adapted superbly throughout the contest.

The opening quarter was a tale of territorial dominance without scoreboard reward. SPC controlled possession and field position, keeping the ball largely in their forward half, but inaccurate finishing prevented them from capitalising early. After four consecutive behinds, Jules Stephen finally broke through for the opening goal of the match 12 minutes into the first term.

While the scoreboard did not fully reflect SPC’s dominance, the defensive work behind the ball was outstanding. Max White was influential across the middle of the ground, repeatedly intercepting Damascus attacks and launching SPC forward. Jed Gurnett’s defensive running was equally important, helping restrict Damascus’ inside-50 opportunities for the quarter.

At the first break, SPC held a 10-point advantage despite Damascus remaining scoreless. The focus at quarter time was simple: straighten up going inside 50 and create scoring opportunities from more dangerous positions. The response was immediate. Within the opening minute of the second quarter, Nic Ward delivered a precise pass to Logan Vawdrey, who converted from directly in front to extend SPC’s lead.

Tyson Green then showed excellent composure to find Archie Wilkie in space, although the resulting opportunity went begging. Soon after, relentless forward pressure created another breakthrough, with Riley Anstess finishing cleverly across his body. Anstess added a second major later in the term following a remarkable effort from Jules Stephen, who refused to concede possession near the boundary line, keeping the ball alive before it could cross. Meanwhile, Jed Oxley was enjoying an outstanding quarter across half-forward. His work rate and aerial presence provided a crucial link between defence and attack, helping SPC maintain momentum throughout the term.

The message at the main break remained unchanged: continue putting the Damascus defence under pressure by delivering the ball into dangerous areas. Jack Stringer provided the perfect start, snapping truly from congestion after narrowly falling short moments earlier. The goal was reward for his persistence and pressure around the contest. Jed Oxley's tireless efforts were eventually recognised on the scoreboard when he kicked a well-deserved goal, capping off an impressive performance.

The third quarter also showcased the class of Oscar Spratling. The talented left-footer continually found the football and used it with precision, carving through the middle of the ground and delivering quality entries inside 50. His ball use proved instrumental in SPC’s continued control of the match.

The final quarter began at a slower pace, with Damascus managing one of its few opportunities for the afternoon, only to see a long-range effort fall short. Logan Vawdrey threatened to add to his tally but narrowly missed on two snapping attempts. As the term progressed, SPC’s pressure intensified once more, locking the ball inside its attacking half for extended periods. The final goal of the match came through Campbell Bromley, who was expertly set up by Jack Stringer after some composed work by foot.

The siren confirmed a dominant performance, with SPC holding Damascus scoreless for the entire match while producing a well-rounded team display. The victory was built on SPC’s ability to control territory, apply consistent pressure, and maintain defensive accountability across all four quarters, resulting in a rare and impressive shutout performance.

Sam Cue, Carly Twaits & Rhys Grace

SPC White 2nd XVIII Coaches

St Patrick’s College 2nd XVIII 6-7-43 Defeated Phoenix College 5-3-33

Goal Kickers: Jacob Young 2, Kaelan Stewart 1, Marc Tedcastle 1, Jordan Atkinson 1, Hugh Weiderman 1.

Best Players: Angus McNamara, Lachlan Rea, Jacob Young, Hugh Weiderman, Leo Card, Louis Ralston.

On Tuesday afternoon, we travelled to Phoenix College for our fixture. To provide as many boys as possible with the opportunity to participate in our football program, we made several changes to the team. Unfortunately, several late unavailability’s presented challenges on the day, but after reaching out to several boarding students, we were able to field a side.

With many players coming together for the first time, it took some time for the group to develop cohesion, and as a result we started the match slowly. To Phoenix College’s credit, they worked hard, applied consistent pressure, and made excellent use of a strong breeze to establish a two-goal lead by quarter time.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with our boys struggling to use the ball cleanly and capitalise on opportunities. Angus McNamara was outstanding in defence, controlling the back half of the ground and repeatedly repelling Phoenix attacks. Without his efforts, the margin could easily have been greater. Phoenix again won the quarter, extending their lead to three goals at half time.

The third quarter saw a noticeable improvement as our boys began to find their rhythm. Jacob Young provided a strong contest in the air, bringing the ball to ground and allowing our small forwards to apply pressure and create scoring opportunities. A number of positional changes also had a positive impact, improving both our structure and ball movement. While we were able to gain greater control of the game, we could only reduce the margin by two points heading into the final break.

After being challenged to take the game on, the boys responded superbly in the final quarter and looked like a completely different side. We played with greater confidence and intensity, kicking four unanswered goals while keeping Phoenix scoreless. It was a valuable lesson in resilience and determination, demonstrating what can be achieved when a team continues to compete until the final siren.

With one game remaining in the regular season, we are looking forward to finishing strongly. The group has been outstanding throughout the season, and we are excited about what lies ahead for these boys.

Dean Romeril, SPC 2nd XVIII Coach

St Patrick’s White 8-8-56 Defeated St Patrick’s Blue 6-6-42

Goal Kickers Blue: Jed Fenwick 2, Kaelan Stewart 1, Angus McNamara 1, Liam McCormack 1, Ryder Jaensch 1.

Goal Kickers White: Tyson Green 2, Riley Antess 1, Logan Vawdrey 1, Jedd Oxley 1, Harry Lis 1, Isaac Thomas 1, Jack Stringer 1, Max White 1.

Best Players Blue: Lachlan Rea, Angus McNamara, Juraiya C-L, Marc Tedcastle, Kaelan Stewart, Lenny Ireland.

Best Players White: Tyson Green, Oscar Spratling, Max White, Riley Antess, Jed Gurnett, Alby Woollard

On Tuesday afternoon, our two Second XVIII sides met on the main oval in an intra-club fixture. The lead-up to the match presented several challenges, with a number of late withdrawals impacting team selection. However, following the cancellation of our First XVIII fixture on Wednesday, we were able to once again call upon our boarding students and successfully field two competitive sides.

Prior to the opening bounce, both teams gathered in the centre of the ground to pay tribute to a friend and fellow student whom we sadly lost over the weekend. It was a poignant moment that reflected the strong sense of community within our football program.

The Blue side won the toss and elected to kick with the advantage of a strong breeze. Despite this, the White side worked tirelessly, applying consistent pressure and using the ball effectively to establish a one-goal lead by quarter time.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern. The Blue side struggled to capitalise on its opportunities, while the White side made full use of the favourable conditions. Their efficiency in front of goal was a standout feature, converting their chances and producing a three-goal-to-one quarter to extend their advantage at half-time.

The intensity lifted noticeably in the third term as the Blue side began to find its rhythm. The Blue teams forwards provided a strong aerial presence, consistently bringing the ball to ground and creating opportunities for the small forwards to apply pressure and generate scoring chances.

The Blue side was rewarded with a three-goal quarter; however, some costly inaccuracy prevented them from making greater inroads. Although they gained greater control of the contest, two late goals from the White side against the breeze ensured the margin was reduced by only eight points heading into the final break.

The final quarter was played at a high standard, with both teams continuing to create opportunities until the final siren. While the White side enjoyed the majority of forward entries with the assistance of the wind, inaccuracy prevented them from fully capitalising on their dominance. With each side registering one goal for the term, the White side was able to extend its lead through several minor scores.

The match was played in outstanding spirit and provided a fitting conclusion to a successful season for the Second XVIII. Both teams competed fiercely while demonstrating the camaraderie, resilience and sportsmanship that have been hallmarks of the group throughout the year.

Dean Romeril

SPC 2nd XVIII Coach

Sam Cue, Carly Twaits & Rhys Grace

SPC White 2nd XVIII Coaches

De La Salle 7 – 9 – 57 Defeated St Patrick's College 5 – 12 - 42

Goal Kickers: James Sheehan 1, Xavier Coutts 1, Cooper Besler 1, Finn McInnes 1, Archie Purtle 1

Best Players: Kai Watkins, Archie Purtle, Cooper Besler, Zavier Thomas, Ollie Potter,

Lachie Lloyd

In windy conditions and with a heavy centre square, the St Past travelled down to Melbourne to take on De La Salle. This game took on extra significance in that we were playing in Reconciliation Week and before the match a smoking ceremony was held to emphasise the importance of this occasion.

We had several boys who made their ACC debut including Archie Purtle, Requan Taylor, Ethan Matherson and Henry Liston who were all rewarded for good form in BAS 1st XVIII football.

The first quarter saw the St Pat's boys kicking with the wind. Despite dominating field position for most of the quarter, we were unable to capitalise. Zavier Thomas worked hard in the ruck and was giving the ball off to our runners in Noah James, Kai Watkins and Cooper Besler. Lachie Lloyd was proving a focal point in front of the footy, taking a number of strong marks in this quarter and throughout the day. Unfortunately, our midfield boys and wingers continually pushed too far forward on the small De La Salle ground and this did a couple of things.

Firstly, it congested our forward 50 and this made it hard for us to score. Secondly, this made it hard for us to defend as every time De La Salle won the ball they were able to move the ball to their wingers and half forwards who had maintained field position. To go into quarter time behind on the scoreboard was a very disappointing result.

The second quarter saw some much need improvements in effort and focus on team structures. Whilst we worked hard into the wind, we were unable to again get the scoreboard pressure that we so desperately needed. The game spent of lot of time between the arcs and was a real battle for field position. Ollie Potter was excellent off half back. Angus Morgan and Joe Wesley were also able to repel the ball often before it entered our defensive 50. However, it seemed that every time De La Salle went inside 50, they were able to score, whereas we worked extremely hard but could not put the score on the board. Whilst we wanted to run the football, our kick to handball ratio was a little off from where we would want it to be, but the players desire to try and get overlap run was commendable.

The half time break saw us regather or thoughts and there was a genuine belief in the rooms that we could put scoreboard pressure on in this quarter with the wind at our backs. Again, we went inside 50 on many occasions, but unlike the first quarter, we were able to keep the forward line open. Tyler Kelly did some excellent work on his wing Goals to James Sheehan, Xavier Coutts and Cooper Besler were just reward for our dominance.

Unfortunately, a goal from Noah James, was disallowed, which could have well put the game beyond De La Salles reach. The result for the quarter was that we kicked 3 goals 5 behinds, which meant we hadn’t fully capitalised on our dominance.

This left the door ajar for De La Salle and in ACC football you can’t afford to do this. In the last quarter we saw De La Salle get the first goal, but this was quickly answered by Archie Purtle who was having a very good debut game. A poor centre stoppage set up, and some ill-discipline saw us give away 2 goals and this proved the catalyst for De La Salle to come away with the win as we had to try and score late to win the game.

Our effort, whilst commendable, proved to be not enough on a day where the stats will show we dominated field position and all major facets of the game except the scoreboard.

Heath Pritchard

SPC ACC 1st XVIII Coach

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