Sport
Football - Year 7 and 8 Boys GD
The culmination of the GD Football season involved students in Years 7 and 8 from Monivae, Portland Secondary College, Bayview College, a combined Good Shepherd College and Heywood Secondary College team, and our team from The Hamilton and Alexandra College.
The boys trained with energy, competitiveness, and cohesion over two weeks, which easily carried over to game day. With reduced game time and brief breaks between halves, and a strong wind favouring one end of the ground, the boys had to bring their energy and competitiveness from the outset. Despite an early interruption in the first game against Good Shepherd due to an opposing player's injury and a subsequent shift to another oval, the boys managed to regroup and kick accurately to win by three goals.
A short five-minute break between the first and second games saw the team refocus and work together to develop a game plan to match a Monivae team that was highly skilled and well-connected. Despite losing that match by six goals, the boys stood proudly, backed each other, and mixed up their play to try to overcome the opposition's strong defence.
After a well-earned break and time to rehydrate and replenish their energy, the team took on Bayview College. Turning their disappointment from the previous game into renewed vigour, they embraced the challenge of both the game and the wind and came out victors by six goals, leaving their opponents scoreless.
Using the momentum from their big win over Bayview College, the team faced the second Monivae team. Following coaching instructions, the players kept the ball moving and applied pressure across the field, holding their opponents to one goal. Despite this, the team was outscored and lost by a small margin.
The winner of the final game against Portland Secondary College would finish third overall in the competition. With tired legs and no bench players, the team found much-needed motivation to find a little extra energy. The game was nail-biting, with the teams trading goals and behinds, before a game-saving tackle by Seamus in the dying seconds secured a one-point victory — a fitting result for a very competitive game.
With eighteen players on the team, there was no opportunity for players to rotate on and off the bench, and each player contributed to the day's success. Notable performances included Isaac Credlin, who spent most of the day in the ruck and provided valuable support in the midfield. Seamus McDonald’s speed and agility allowed him to break tackles with ease and provide options for the forwards. He was ably supported by Henry Wear, Charlie Green and Digby Heazlewood across the midfield and forward line. Liam Spooner kicked accurately in front of the goal all day. Well done also to Arlan McDonald, who umpired all day, and to George Heazlewood, who switched between goal umpiring, acting as the team's runner, and providing guidance to some of our less experienced players. My gratitude also extends to Mr Golding, who not only coached the team but also delivered motivational speeches that boosted team morale when the boys needed it most.
Miss Andrews
Head of AFL (Football)
Basketball
With the season now in its eighth week, all teams have really settled into the game and are playing cohesively. With Monday being the King's birthday, the junior teams enjoyed a long week rest off the court.
Our Div 2 Snowy Owls team went up against Monivae and secured a well-deserved 53–32 win. It was a rocky start by both teams, but College rebounding was on display. Player of the game was Saskia Gould, putting up another 30 points for her team, as well as Tara Gould, putting up 6 points; this mother-daughter duo fight for every ball and show exceptional team work.
Div 3 Majestic Owls had an 11-point win against Athletics, 26 – 15. Each player brought the intensity and pressure and had to fight hard for the win. Everyone got a score on the board and Bridget Sherlock scored 12 points for her team.
Friday night saw a 4-point win (23 – 19) for our College U12B Sooty Owls, who played against Saint Mary’s Black. Each player stepped up to get their team over the line. Hazel Johns was a standout, shooting 10 points, fighting for the ball and helping her teammates.
Well done on another week of great basketball.
Izzy Malseed
Basketball Captain
Hockey
The College Women’s Div 1 team had a close game against Dunkeld Red on Friday, winning by a goal in a 3-2 game. The first quarter proved the best, with Jess Hein and Claudia Cochran scoring a goal each to put us in front, while our defence remained strong, holding Dunkeld to 0. Despite their comeback to catch us at a draw during the third quarter, a final goal from Grace Potter helped to keep us in front and secure the win. Ball movement from Jessica Templeton and Rosie Christie helped transition the ball from defence to the forward line, and Hannah Young made some stunning saves in the goals. We look forward to going up against Coleraine this Friday for a competitive game.
The College Men’s Div 1 team defeated Devils last Friday, 5-2. College maintained solid performance throughout the game, with good ball movement and team play that helped secure the win. Goal scorers for the night were Charlie Hawthorne (2), Taylor Hayley, Jack Wallis, and Rupert Merrin each scoring a goal. The men get ready to take on the Rams this Sunday, and to further improve their frequency of early passes and off-the-ball running.
Georgia Adams
Hockey Captain