More Football Success

Pictured above: 2023 Medallist Reiley Banks. Pictured below: The Robert Beakley Medal.

Congratulations to former student Reiley Banks (SVC 2016-22) on winning the Robert Beakley Medal as the Southern Tasmanian Junior Football League (STJFL) U18s Best and Fairest player. Reilly plays for Lauderdale. Others in the top ten voting for this award were Darcy Noonan (Clarence) and Anthony Volta (North Hobart) equal 4th, and Joe McGann (Clarence) 8th.

On the subject of football, the ‘gun was jumped’ in the September edition of OVAtion when it announced Sam Siggins had won the Alistair Lynch Medal. In fact, the edition was in circulation on the Friday before the actual count took place on the following Monday.  Bad journalism or prophecy?

For clarification, Sam won the two major awards for the Tasmanian Statewide Football League – the Cripps Player of the Year adjudged by the Media and the Lynch Medal determined by Umpire votes. He won the Cripps award in both 2022 and 2023, and the Lynch in 2020, 2022 and 2023.

A further clarification – in the September edition I acknowledged Jed Morgan (SVC 2011-2014) as President of the St Virgil’s Old Scholars Football Club. This is correct but it needs to be recorded that he shares that position with Michelle Cronly – a female co-president so very appropriate with the advent of the Lady Saints. 

The Association has written to the club expressing its congratulations and admiration of the club’s achievements during 2023.

The Club has a very informative Facebook page – well worth the look. (Facebook SVOSFC)

Tasmanian Statewide Football League

The Kingborough Tigers won its first Statewide Premiership when it defeated North Launceston at the North Hobart Oval. The final scores: 

Kingborough 8.8.56 defeated North Launceston  5.11.41. 

Four alumni were part of the victorious team: Lachlan Gadomski (SVC 2013-16), Ben Donnelly (SVC 2013-16), James Webb (SVC 2010-13) and Marcus Gardner (SVC 2009-12).

Photo: Kingborough FC Facebook page

QAFL Premiers

Aspley Hornets 16.12.108 defeated Redlands 9.12.66 in the grand final in the 12 team QAFL competition.

Pictured are seven members of the winning team five of whom are Old Virgilians.

Back: Will Peppin (SVC 2014-17), Jordan Arnold (SVC 2009-12) and Daniel Joseph (SVC 2006-09).

Front: Nick Dodge (SVC 2010-13) and Jordan Hayden (SVC 2010-13).

Another Hawks Cup to the Trophy Cabinet

The Tassie Hawks Cup competition seeks to determine the premier Year 9 and 10 football school, bringing together the best teams from the North, North West and South for a triangular round robin series. 

The 2023 finals were conducted at the UTas Stadium in Launceston.

Game 1

sVc 7.8.56 def Prospect High 2.2.14

Game 2

sVc 5.3.33 def St Brendan-Shaw 3.4.22

Grand Final

sVc 12.4.76 def Prospect High 3.1.19

Team sVc MVP awarded to Anthony Volta.

Such a fantastic achievement from a great all round team effort and the whole squad contributed where required. Special mention to Ben Barwick who kicked 14 goals across the three games.

The Tassie Hawks Cup commenced in 2008. St Virgil's has now won the Cup on seven out of the 13 occasions the competition has been conducted. The wins came in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021 and 2023 (no event in 2020 due to COVID constraints).

Full Circle

On the left is Lachie Davey responding as captain of the 2023 Hawks Cup. Pictured alongside is his father, who was a member of the 1991 SVC State SATIS Football Premiership Team - pictured below. Nick arrived at the College in 1986 and missed selection in the initial Under 13 squad. A bit of haggling resulted him in being included.  A big mistake avoided! After he had distinguished himself in school football, Nick went on to  play 15 years of senior football at Clarence FC and achieved:

• 9 premierships in that period.
• He was coach of a Clarence premiership team.
• He was best on Ground 2002 Grand Final.
• Was Assistant Coach of Tas U/16 team – winners of National Div. 2 carnival 2010.

When he retired from Clarence FC he played out his career with the St Virgil’s Old Scholars team.  He is currently Principal Wealth Adviser at Collins SBA in Hobart.