SEP AFL Tournament

Mordialloc College AFL Tournament Review – October 30, 2024

Our Mordialloc College SEP AFL team recently competed in a round-robin tournament against Patterson River Secondary College (PRSC) and Albert Park College. Held on Thursday, October 30, the tournament allowed players to display both skill and sportsmanship in perfect AFL conditions. Across two highly competitive games, the team demonstrated grit, adaptability, and teamwork, showcasing the talent within our Sports Excellence Program. Here’s a detailed look at each game, as well as highlights from our standout players.

Game 1: Mordialloc College vs. Patterson River Secondary College (PRSC)

The first game was a challenging matchup for Mordialloc College, as PRSC proved to be tough opponents from the start. The opening quarters saw Mordialloc working hard to find their rhythm. PRSC’s early lead and skilful ball control in the forward 50 led to a halftime score of PRSC 5.5.35 to Mordialloc’s 1.3.9.

Despite the slow start, our players rallied in the second half. The midfield worked tirelessly to regain possession, with Cooper Coats leading by example. Aidan Taylor, Cooper Tregellis, Dylan Palmer, and Cooper Bennett were instrumental in turning the tide, pushing the ball forward and creating opportunities to score. Although PRSC held onto their lead, Mordialloc’s efforts in the second half brought a more competitive spirit to the game, closing with a final score of PRSC 5.8.38 to Mordialloc 2.4.16.

Best Players

• Cooper Coats: Led the midfield, working hard to intercept PRSC's play and create scoring opportunities.
• Aidan Taylor: Showed strong defensive play, helping to regain possession and set up offensive drives.
• Cooper Tregellis, Dylan Palmer, and Cooper Bennett: Played key roles in contesting the ball, ensuring a solid defence and aiding in critical turnovers.

Game 2: Mordialloc College vs. Albert Park College

In their second game of the day, Mordialloc faced Albert Park College in a high-scoring contest that was notable for precise goal-kicking from both teams. Mordialloc’s Patrick Davidson was the star of the first half, kicking five goals and giving a masterclass in forward play. His on field connection with Alex Fraser was evident, with the two creating fluid transitions into scoring territory.

The midfield’s relentless efforts, particularly from Cooper Coats, kept Mordialloc in the game, countering Albert Park’s attacks and keeping pressure on their defence. Despite this persistence, Albert Park eventually extended their lead, finishing with an impressive score of 11.1.67 against Mordialloc’s 9.2.56. Other standout players included Finnley McLaughlin, and Lucas Merheb, all contributing to the team’s competitive spirit and skilful play.

Best Players

• Patrick Davidson: Dominated the forward line, delivering five goals and setting up multiple scoring opportunities.
• Cooper Coats: Consistent throughout both games, his efforts were crucial in midfield, supporting both defensive plays and attacking drives.
• Finnley McLaughlin, Alex Fraser, and Lucas Merheb: Displayed skill in both offense and defence, making significant contributions across the ground. 

Reflection on the Tournament

The AFL tournament was a valuable experience for our players, providing a platform to test their skills under competition conditions. Competing against skilled teams like PRSC and Albert Park pushed Mordialloc to bring out their best. The games were an ideal setting to highlight the dedication of our Sports Excellence Program students, who trained extensively to perform at this level. These matches tested their endurance, focus, and ability to handle pressure, qualities that will serve them well both on and off the field.

Throughout both games, the players maintained high spirits, learned from their performance, and displayed impressive sportsmanship. The team showed resilience in the face of challenges, adapting their strategy as the games progressed. The second match underscored the importance of precise goal-kicking and defensive organisation—skills that the team can continue to refine in future training sessions.

Looking Forward

We’re immensely proud of the team’s efforts and growth during this tournament, which provided valuable insights into areas for further development. As they continue their training, the players are committed to building on this experience, focusing on improving their connection in the forward line, maintaining pressure on turnovers, and sharpening their goal accuracy.

We look forward to supporting our AFL team in their next competitions and watching them apply the lessons learned from this tournament. Their hard work and determination were clear on the field, and we’re excited to see what they will achieve in future games.

Game 1: 

Best Players: Cooper Coats, Aidan Taylor, , Cooper Tregellis, Dylan Palmer & Cooper Bennett 

Game 2: 

Best Players: Patrick Davidson, Cooper Coats, Finnley McLaughlin, Alex Fraser, Lucas Merheb

Andrew Fisher

Sports Excellence Program - AFL