Sport: Football

It was a momentous day for the school on Wednesday 24th April, as our Year 7 Boys got their 1st chance to wear the W.H.S School Football jumper. 

As was expected might be the case, they proved themselves the best Year 7 Boys Football team we have seen in a number of years, finishing 3rd in the Upper Hume carnival, the best result since we came 3rd in 2018. 

They made history and heralded a potential New Era in their 1st match, comfortably defeating crosstown rivals and winners of the last 3 years, Galen College (30-21). Due to Galen having more than twice our enrolments, it’s been at least 7 years since our boys have achieved this feat. 

They also took the scalp of Wodonga Middle Years College  (37-7) on their way to a 2-2 record across the day, losing to both Catholic College Wodonga and eventual winners Cathedral. 

Ruckman Mason Skermer was awarded the Best Player by coach Mr Johnson. Tall, strong, athletic and determined, the Vice Captain was said to be a dominant and inspirational figure all day. He won his ruck duels but also won the ball at ground level, winning multiple clearances, as well as taking strong marks around the ground, always kicking long into attack. A father-son enrolment whose father Jack also attended W.H.S, the confident and charismatic natural leader appears to be the type we can build not only a football team around, but an Interschool Sport culture. 

Lane Sloan was also outstanding. The smooth moving and strong running midfielder not only picked up large amounts of possessions, but he was neat with his hands and skills. Such was his ability to use his running power to get forward and do damage on the scoreboard, he ended up the side’s leading goalkicker for the day with 3. Another father-son, he follows in the footsteps of dad Corey who was a member of our State Title winning Intermediate Football team in 1998. 

Rover Angus Fraser was another skilful, hard running midfielder with the ability to win and handle the ball cleanly whenever it was in his area, and deliver it with considerable skill. In and under and popping up everywhere around the ground, Angus was one of the team’s Co-Captains underlining his leadership potential and high-standing with staff. 

Dodge Lawrey was another to standout, showing a great ability to get to contests, get his hands on the ball, and break out of congestion. He was also said to be a great selfless team player, laying shepherds and using his voice. 

Luke Pensak, another of our Vice Captains, was excellent in the two most important key positions on the ground. At Centre Half Back, he proved a solid defender providing heaps of rebound kicking out of the defensive 50, and when at Centre Half Forward was a strong target. Like older brothers Lachie (Year 10) and Kallam (Year 11), he appears set to be a cornerstone of our Sporting teams for years to come. 

Austin Whitehead drew praise as well, patrolling his wing all day, continually getting to the right spots, winning lots of the ball and displaying neat skills. He is another of our Year 7s to have an excellent mix of size, strength, skill and athleticism, and also a good attitude and leadership qualities. 

Nicholas Jones, our other Co-Captain, was a regular ball winner at both ends of the grounds. Athletic and tall with a long wingspan, the cool customer was very strong in the air when at Half Back, reading the ball’s flight and taking multiple marks, then when up forward, was dangerous enough to kick two goals to be equal our second highest goal-kicker for the day.  

Jayden Butterworth was also a pivotal player. For someone who hasn’t played much football, he was remarkable in the way he was able to be a dominant presence. When in the Ruck, he won every single ruck tap, and had a knack of positioning his body in a way to own his space and win one-on-one contests. With his significant height, frame, strength and physicality, he is another who could be a dominant force in a number of sports in the coming years.

Thanks to our boys for playing and representing W.H.S in such a strong manner. Thank you also to Mr Johnson for coaching, and our helpers especially again Year 8s Clarence Lampa and Will Sayers for running the boundary. 

GOAL KICKERS: Lane Sloan 3, Jack Ambrose 2, Nicholas Jones 2, Angus Fraser 1, Huntah Voss 1, Austin Whitehead 1, Zak Winn 1. 

BEST PLAYERS: Mason Skermer, Lane Sloan, Angus Fraser, Dodge Lawrey, Luke Pensak, Austin Whitehead, Nicholas Jones, Jayden Butterworth.

HOW THEY LINED UP - 

B: Crosbie Govers-Styles, Jayden Butterworth, Noah Anderson

HB: Nicholas Jones (C), Luke Pensak (VC), River Mackinnon-Burman,

C: Austin Whitehead, Lane Sloan, Dodge Lawrey

HF: Bailey Bridgfoot, Logan Wilson (VC), Jack Ambrose

F: Huntah Voss, Jaxson Davern, Zak Winn

FOLL: Mason Skermer (VC), Will Boulton, Angus Fraser (C)

INTER: Tyler Martin, Xavier Bassett

Jud Mullins

Sports Coordinator