Sport News

What an amazing weekend of sport. Thankfully fears of extreme weather conditions did not fully eventuate, and while it was hot, all matches across the weekend were able to go ahead, except for some cricket matches thanks to the rain in the afternoon.

Marist took on Villanova with Villa just winning the AFL and Marist just winning the cricket overall. The difference was in the volleyball where Marist won 14 matches to 7 in an excellent day against quality opposition. Congratulations to Mr Knight, Mr Minogue, coaches and boys.

The first teams all produced three absolutely enthralling matches across the two days. It started on Friday night with the 1st XVIIIAFL coming back from a five-goal deficit at quarter time to lead at the final siren, which unfortunately was not the last kick of the day, with a Villa player taking a mark just before the siren. He calmly slotted from 45 metres under pressure to win the game for Villa. Well done to our boys who performed so well against a very good opponent. Next was the 1st VI volleyball where a Villa first-set win from the defending premiers put Marist under pressure only for the boys to respond by taking the next two and having match points in the fourth which they didn’t take. This forced a fifth and deciding set. All five sets were decided by a few points and the fifth was no different with Marist coming out on top in front of a raucous crowd in the Champagnat Centre 15 points to 13. In the cricket, after having Villa in trouble at 5/55, a rain delay gave them a chance to regroup and post 9/195. The Duckworth-Lewis calculation was not in our favour after another rain delay, with 161 needed from 34 overs. There were a few periods where the run chance fell behind the asking rate and a mid-order collapse put us under pressure. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, as Frank Piper, who had to retire hurt with cramp earlier, going back out to bat. With eight needed from the last over it went to the last ball and three runs required. Frank played a cover drive that broke the field and as he came back for the winning runs the team celebrated an amazing victory in memorable circumstances.

Uniforms

Thank you to everyone who has responded so positively, either in comment, or action, to the new expectations around uniforms. It was great to see boys in Marist gear on Saturday and at training. Just a reminder that the requirement for the blue MCA shirt for training is preferred only for 2023 and compulsory for 2024 onwards. This is both to allow parents time to get organised at home and Noone time to work with us to have a range available.

Spectators are reminded to change into their school uniform if staying to watch other matches.

AFL - Mr Derek Lennon

A great start to the season with Marist taking on a strong program in Villanova. Across the board the Marist teams worked hard and gave their all. Fortunately, the weather was not quite as hot as we were expecting but challenging conditions still asked a lot of the boys, who can all be proud of their efforts. Never was this more evident than the 1st XVIII on Friday night who set the tone for the whole College across the weekend with an inspired performance against powerhouse Villa leading at the siren only to lose to a goal from a set shot as the mark was taken just before the game ended. The boys can be very proud of their efforts and it sets them up for a great season if they can maintain that level of performance.

The 1st XVIII game scheduled for Friday 10 February has been moved to Wednesday 22 February at 4:45pm at Yeronga. 

Team of the Week

While it is hard to go past the 1st XVIII performance and the excitement of Mr Gillett’s 7B win by 2 points, team of the week goes to the 9/10B team, coached by Andrae McKay, who had a 83 to 15 win over Villanova. Well done boys!

AFL Umpiring

We will be running an AFL Umpires Course soon after school here at Marist over 4 weeks. Details will be released through the College App but boys who are interested in finding out more can send an email to earnshawa@marash.qld.edu.au to go on to the database so we can send you full details once finalised with AFLQ.

This is a great opportunity to earn some pocket money, develop some new skills and get to experience the game from a different perspective. Who knows, maybe you could umpire a grand final one day. 

1st XVIII v Villanova College - George Wood: Captain 1st XVIII

The 1st XVIII kicked off the second game of the season with a tough contest against Villanova College. The first quarter was a tough battle for Marist as Villa started with a point to prove, kicking 6 unanswered goals. Going into the second quarter Marist fought back with some excellent performances from our midfielders Jack Thompson, and Ned Rosenbrock as well as a disciplined backline to tie the game at halftime. The third quarter was a contested battle between teams with only 3 goals being kicked between them. Leaving Villa, a goal in front heading into the last quarter. The final quarter didn’t go to plan for Marist with Villa kicking the first goal. However, Marist grit their teeth and kicked some crafty goals, and a clutch running goal from Austin Gillett in the remaining minutes to hit the front. The last 2 minutes were back and forth as pressure and fatigue started to kick in. Unfortunately, Villa got a quick kick inside 50 in the dying stages which lead to a mark about 40m out from their goal. The siren went and Villa kicked the goal to win the game. Although the outcome wasn’t reached for the boys, Marist played a tough and resilient game of footy against an experienced opposition. Which we will learn from and apply in our next match.  

Don’t Forget

Let your coach know if you are going to miss training or a game. Make sure you have your mouthguard and boots for training. Boys are to be in Marist apparel for all training sessions and the correct playing uniform for matches.

Good luck to all teams wearing the blue and gold this weekend.

AFL Results

Cricket – Mr Mitch Reid Cricket Coordinator

It was great to finally get the AIC cricket season underway over the weekend. Firstly, I want to thank all our coaches for their great effort coaching the teams. This is starting back in Term 4 with the preseason and trial process, over the summer holidays and now into Term 1. For season 2023, the College is again very well represented across all year levels, with 33 teams taking the field over the weekend.

It was a special occasion at McMahon Oval with our 1st XI hosting Villanova College. The team had four students make their debut for the 1st XI. MCA Old Boy and 2019 1st XI captain Nick McPhee presented the students with their baggy blue caps. Nick spoke with great passion and pride about what it means to represent the College in 1st XI cricket and the special bond the students will hopefully create during the season. On the field the team had a fantastic performance, with Frank Piper hitting 3 runs of the last ball to win a very tight game. Congratulations to the following students on their debut:

1st XI Match Report: Ben Ferguson – Captain 

The firsts took on premiership favourites Villanova at home in the first game of the AIC season. Ben Ferguson won the toss and elected to bowl to take advantage of the humid conditions and his bowlers didn’t let him down generating some great swing early. Villanova crashed to 5/66 when the game was interrupted for rain. Upon commencement again Marist lost some focus and put down two regulation catches which allowed a partnership to flourish until Louis Morris was brought back into the attack to snare a key wicket – his fourth for the innings. The tail continued to wag for Villanova who went on to set a target of 9/197 off their 50-over allocation.

Over an hour of play was lost after the lunch break with rain setting in. The Duckworth Lewis calculation set Marist a score of 161 to chase in just 34 overs. Wex and Piper were steady at the top of the innings losing our first wicket a 36. However, the second wicket was lost soon after and Frank Piper was also forced to retire hurt with severe cramps being driven off the ground. Ferguson then steadied the innings with James Brandon and Harry Marshall before being run out in a mix-up with just 17 runs required of 18 balls.  Davies and Lewis swung hard before losing their wickets and a cramp-riddled Frank Piper was sent back into bat requiring 8 runs from 6 balls. The match came down to the last ball with Frank Piper on strike and 3 runs required. The ball was slapped through the covers, pierced the field, and raced towards the grandstand but pulled up inside the boundary line. Piper was able to hobble his way to 3 runs and secure the victory.

Bowling

Louis Morris 4/12 (10)

Tom Davies 3/47 (10)

Wilcox 1/16 (3)

Batting

Ferguson 40 (47)

Piper 37 (51)

Student Availability 

With 33 cricket teams, selecting teams is a large task on a weekly basis. All students who are unavailable for training and games need to email their age group coordinators with has much notice as possible so teams can be selected before the weekend. Age coordinators' contact details are on the team list posted on the College app. 

Parent Support 

Thank you to all parents who supported teams over the weekend with umpiring and scoring. Parents are encouraged to talk with coaches about how to support the team during games. Parents helping with umpiring and scoring is vital during games so that coaches can spend more time with the students coaching them throughout the game.

Cricket Results

Volleyball

Results 

Tennis - Mr Andrew Ward Director of Tennis

What’s on this week at the courts?

Week 3 sees us well and truly into our coaching term and after the rush of last week everyone has settled in nicely. As mentioned last week I would like to mention stand out students who have caught the eye of the coaches.

I am going to focus this week on our Year 5 students, and I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome them all to MCA Tennis program.

My coaching team and I are excited to work with a lot of talented juniors, who we see becoming great players and hopefully years down the track, future first team players.

Players in our spotlight and deserve recognition for the effort they put in each week are: Hardy Jones, Connor Henderson, Cormac Gannon, Keegan Mason, Tom Feebrey, Harry Fowler, Henri Tewson, Roman Krutil, Joaquin Santana.

Congratulations boys and we are looking forward to producing our next generation of awesome players.

There are many more boys from this year level as well so keep up the great work seen early on this term and I am sure those boys will also be mentioned at another time.

We are super bust this term with all coaches and a high workload, so please if you can’t make your private time, let us know in advance so that we can fill that time slot for the day.

Wet weather reminder for all squads. Tennis this term will never be cancelled, and players are reminded to meet on the mezzanine level in the Champagnat Centre. Group class from a Monday will also meet in the same place for their lesson.

Private lesson, make ups for Term 1. These will be held in Week 10 of this term and first week of holidays if needed by arrangement. All squads will finish at the end of Week 9, Term 1.

Fixtures Program. Begins this week with Wednesday Division 1 kicking off tomorrow afternoon 4:30pm-6:30pm.

Friday will see the start of Division 2 and 3 begin and we are putting on a sausage sizzle for the boys towards the second half of play free for all players on that day. We will also try to have cold ice for the boys to cool down.

Invoicing for all coaching will be sent out before the end of the week and all new members will be able to receive their pin code for the gate once the invoice has been paid.

Primary singles and doubles tournaments will also be introduced this year with 

Monday 11 September, Primary singles Tournament

Tuesday 12 September, Primary Doubles Tournament

Marist open championships will be held on these dates

Friday 9 and 16 June “ Open Doubles Championship.”

Monday 14 and 15 August “ Open Singles Championship.”

Once again welcome to all our new members and there are a lot of you, and hope you enjoy the use of the courts during your memberships.

For any enquiries or bookings please contact MCA Tennis by Ph: 0437 449 523, Email: MCATennis@marash.qld.edu.au