9-10 Boys School Footy

22 of our Year 9 and 10 boys got the honour of pulling on the historic Wangaratta High School Footy jumper on Tuesday May 2nd, in the Upper Hume Intermediate Boys AFL Carnival at the Barr Reserve.

The boys handled the slippery 9:30am starting time conditions cleanly to lead crosstown rivals Cathedral College by a goal at half time in the opening match having kept them goalless. However the 2nd half was a different story, as Cathedral’s guns seemed to regularly get their hands on the ball forward of 50, enabling them to pile on 6 goals to none for a 6.1.37 to 1.1.7 victory. 

Tragedy struck in the last ruck contest of the match, as our co-Captain and inspirational ruckman Tom Ford, fell heavily on his wrist which a trip to the Emergency Room confirmed as broken. Added to the overnight loss of classy Centre Half Back and likely Co-Captain Ned O’Kane to illness, we were suddenly without the first two magnets you put on the whiteboard when you build your team.

Wodonga’s Victory Lutheran College proved an easier 2nd opponent, and despite having to shuffle key positions, the boys dominated that match with clean skills and ball movement and a spread of five separate goal kickers, taking out a 30 point win, 5.2.32 to 0.2.2.

It was an even bigger win in the 3rd and final match of the day, in a physical contest with Wodonga Middle Years College. It was both a strong defensive effort, keeping them completely scoreless, and a slick display of accurate goalkicking, culminating in a score line of 7.1.43 to 0.0.0 and leaving us Runner-Up in the standings for Pool A to Cathedral the eventual premier.

Jonah Massey-Chase was probably our most important player across the day, at three different key positions (Centre Half Back, Centre Half Forward and Full Forward). Big, strong, courageous, smart and skillful, he was able to read the ball in flight better than his opponents, displayed sticky fingers to take marks virtually every time the ball came to him, caught the eye with dash and penetrating kicking, and even kicked a long goal when up forward. The kind of footballer you build a team around.

Co-Captain Noah Scholte was smooth, classy and brilliant all day on the ball. He continually gathered the ball with clean hands at stoppages, evaded opponents even when in the tightest of corners, hit targets even when under pressure, and inspired teammates with pressure acts like a Captain should. One of the neatest and most skilful footballers the High School has seen, he was our Rolls Royce.

Gus Jayet, captain of our Year 8 side last year, was the standout Year 9 this year. Strong bodied, athletic and brave, he matched it physically with his older opponents and did it with a coolness beyond his years, winning the ball whenever it came near him, whether on the ground or in the air, and at multiple positions from half back to half forward and in the engine room. Another strong player of the future with standout leadership qualities.

Kallum Pensak had the ball on a string especially in the latter two matches, and at one stage pulled off the play of the day when taking a one handed mark running back to goal with the flight of the ball, then slotting the goal from long range off just a few steps. A smooth mover with silky ball handling who makes things look easy, he oozes class and is another footballer for Football Enthusiasts.

Jack Ford was the other standout Year 9 alongside Gus. Displaying athleticism and skill at half forward and then up on a wing and on the ball, he got better as the day wore on and became a key playmaker and finisher, ending up our leading goalkicker for the carnival with 3.

Hayden Currie was terrific beginning on a Back Flank, then cameoing in the midfield and up forward. His calm leadership especially in the absence of Ned in the backline was noticeable and he was able to win contests and hit targets reliably all day.

Dylan Savage was our best big forward, playing most of the day at Full Forward. His size and strength provided a focal point in the goal square, but it was his canny knack for a well-timed lead that enabled to him to take multiple marks which he clunked cleanly every time a teammate hit him up. The natural leader finished with 2 important goals.

Lachlan Suffield was another who was prevalent and pivotal on his wing which he patrolled all day. His run, length and strong hands made him an often-used link in the chain for our forward forays, and he hit the scoreboard as well. One of our many Year 10 footballers with strong leadership qualities, he proved a worthy co-Vice Captain.

Overall the boys represented the school in a sterling manner, and co-coach John Paola and I thank them for their efforts and for the way they conducted themselves across the event.

BEST PLAYERS: Jonah Massey-Chase, Noah Scholte, Gus Jayet, Kallam Pensak, Jack Ford, Hayden Currie, Dylan Savage, Lachlan Suffield

GOAL KICKERS: Jack Ford 3, Ryley Downing 2, Dylan Savage 2, Oscar Benson, Gus Jayet, Jonah Massey-Chase, Kallam Pensak, Jack Preston, Lachlan Suffield.

STARTING LINE UP:

Jud Mullins