EXCEL Sport Program
AFL 9's Secondary School Tournament - Southern Regional Day - Student Recount
Year 7 Boys – By Baxter R
The Year 7 boys AFL 9's experience was great. We pulled up to Highett Reserve at quarter to ten, picked our set-up spot and assessed our surroundings. Our first game was against Mordialloc College 2s, from the start of the game we dominated, blowing them out the park winning by over 100 points. Our second game was against Bentleigh Secondary College. We started the game pretty tight going goal for goal and at half-time we were only up by 2 goals leading into the break. Ms Brand must've worked her coaching magic because after half-time you couldn't stop us, we ended up winning the game by 9 goals. After the Bentleigh Secondary College game we had a lunch break where we watched the other Patterson River Secondary College students play. After our lunch break we were playing Mornington Secondary College and we knew this was going to be our closest game yet. Going into halftime we were up by a couple of goals. Our halftime discussion was just saying we need to hold our lead and play as a team and it worked, we just held a buffer on them the whole game making sure they weren't going to come back. After all the regular games were finished, it was time for the Grand Final. Our Grand Final was against Mordialloc College 1s. We went to our ground we were playing on and the whole crowd was Mordialloc College students because all our teams were in the Grand Final! With all their chants it was hard to block out the noise, but we knew that if we played as a team and played the Patterson River Secondary College way we would win and take the trophy home. And we did that! From the bounce, we were on kicking out to a 3-goal lead at halftime, confidence was high we knew we just had to play the same, block out the noise and play as a team. Final siren sounds Patterson River Secondary College wins by 7 goals! We were stronger in the second half and played as a team. The crowd was silent and we were celebrating but being humble at the same time. When we got back to our camp, we found out three of our four teams won the Grand Final and the team that didn't came second but still moves on to state. It was all celebrations on the bus.
Hopefully we can all go well at the next round but still be proud of our efforts.
Baxter R
Year 7 Girls – By Ayla O
Last week on Friday the 8th August, the Patterson River Secondary College Year 7 girls competed in the AFL 9's competition and it was such an exciting experience. Our first game was against McKinnon Secondary College and we started strong coming away with a win. We kept that momentum going into our second game against Bentleigh Secondary College, where we worked really well as a team and won again! Our third match was against Mornington Secondary College and even though it was tough, we stayed focused and came out on top.
Finally, we faced John Paul College in the grand final. It was challenging but we never gave up and kept pushing until the end. We won the grand final! Throughout all the games our teamwork was amazing and everyone put in their best efforts. The competition was challenging but it was also so much fun and we were all really proud to represent Patterson River Secondary College. Congratulations to all the other teams for making it through to the next round. Good luck to everyone in the next competition. Can't wait to compete again.
Ayla O
Year 8 Boys – By Baxter Q
Year 8 Boys AFL 9's Secondary School Champions! Our Year 8 AFL 9's team had an outstanding day at the recent competition in Highett. The team started strong with a win over Bentleigh Secondary College, followed by an impressive come-from-behind victory against Mordialloc College in a high-quality contest. A solid win against John Paul College secured our place in the grand final, where we faced St Michael’s Grammar School. The boys showed great teamwork, resilience and skill to come away with the win and claim the title. A big thank you to Mr Mac for his excellent coaching and support throughout the day! It was great to see all of the other teams from Patterson River Secondary College also do so well and good luck to everyone in the next competition. I was proud to be a student of Patterson River Secondary College at this event.
Baxter Q
Year 8 Girls – By Marlee C
The AFL 9's Year 8 girls’ team had an amazing experience. We arrived at Highett Reserve in the early morning, picked our spot and started our day. Our first game was against Mordialloc College and from the very start we set our minds to win! The first half was tight but we came back and won the second half by 7 points. Our second game was against John Paul College, the team we definitely wanted to win against. The start of the game was point for point, but then we won 13-7 giving us a good chance to make finals. On the way we lost an amazing player Lily Z with an unfortunate corky in the thigh. After the John Paul College game we had a massive break which meant time for us to bond together as a team, support other teams, as well as kicking the footy and talking about our best positions. After lunch we played St. Michaels Grammar School and we knew this was the hardest game of them all. We started the first half slowly but we weren't finished yet. Ms. Allan must have had some tricks to get us pumped again and ready for a comeback. We tried our hardest and kicked more goals than them in the second half making the gap smaller. Sadly, we lost the game but the day was not over yet. It was now time for the Grand Final! Our Grand Final was against the same team St. Michaels Grammar School. We went as a team proud to play and ready to fight for the win. We cheered for each other on the field which started to put off St. Michaels Grammar School kicking. We knew from that moment that if we kept the spirit up, we might have more of a chance at 1st place. The second half began and we didn't know the scores, Frankie Collins kicking 2 goals in a row, making another close scoring game. With little time left to go St. Michaels Grammar School scored 3 more goals and the final siren went. We shook hands with the other team and were disappointed, but we were happy to have a great day and still move on to the state finals. When we walked back to our camp spot we found out that all the other Patterson River teams had won and made it to state as well. It was celebrations all around and photos had to be taken. Driving back to school everyone was cheerful and happy to be moving to the next chapter of AFL 9's. Hopefully all Patterson River teams can represent our school with pride. Good luck to all.
Marlee C
Year 7 AFL 9's Secondary School Tournament State Championship
On Wednesday, September 10th, the Year 7 Boys EXCEL Sport group participated in the final round of the State AFL 9’s competition. AFL 9’s is a non-contact version of Australian Rules Football, with key differences such as a field divided into thirds, nine players per team and a focus on possession, making it a game that suits the team’s strengths in precision and accuracy.
The boys, who have had significant success in previous competitions, were eager for the challenge. They faced teams from Ballarat High, Damascus College, Luther College, Carey Grammar and Mordialloc College, all of which were considered strong contenders. However, the team’s exceptional skills and game strategy quickly set them apart, winning all their round-robin matches by an average of 55 points, securing a spot in the Grand Final.
In the final, they faced Ballarat High again. The team stuck to their game plan, which had proven successful throughout the day. Ballarat High initially gave a strong performance, but the boys' patience, persistence and relentless teamwork wore them down. The Patterson River Secondary College Year 7 EXCEL Boys group emerged victorious with a 62–24 win, securing yet another State Title.
The team's success was attributed to their flawless teamwork, individual commitment to their roles and their ability to take on feedback and put it into practice. They demonstrated incredible resilience and maturity, both on and off the field, showing respect for the game, their coaches and each other. The unity and unbreakable bond within the team made them a force to be reckoned with.
Their coach, Ms Brand, expressed pride in being part of the boys’ journey, highlighting their determination and unrelenting effort throughout the competition.
In the girls' competition, the Year 7's group took part in the State AFL 9’s competition, where they too had been preparing rigorously with training. Their efforts paid off as they won 3 out of 4 matches, with one tie against John Paul College. In the Grand Final, they convincingly defeated John Paul College, becoming State Champions.
The girls thoroughly enjoyed the competition, with excellent teamwork and skill displayed throughout. Rose P, the team coach and captain, thanked the teachers who had supported the team with training and preparation. Special recognition was given to Mr. Hayes for his coaching on the day. The girls celebrated their well-earned victory, demonstrating the same spirit and dedication as their male counterparts.
Both the boys’ and girls’ teams showcased the importance of hard work, teamwork and determination, proving their talents in the State AFL 9’s competition.
Year 8 AFL 9's Secondary School Tournament State Championship
On Wednesday, 10th September, the Year 8 EXCEL Sport boys traveled to Footscray to compete in the AFL 9s State Finals. The team played five matches, with the top two teams advancing to the grand final. Conditions were challenging, especially with strong winds impacting the game. The boys started the day poorly, with missed kicks and poor decisions. They were fortunate to secure a 15-point win over Luther College in their first match.
In Round 2, they faced a tough Mount Clear College team and although their skills remained subpar, they managed an 8-point victory. Round 3 saw a close match against Mount Scopus Memorial College, with both teams playing strong defense. After a back-and-forth battle, the boys held on for a narrow 2-point win. Round 4 was their best performance of the day, with improved skills and a dominant 56-point win against Damascus College.
In the final group stage match, they lost to a strong St Michaels Grammar School team by 7 points. Despite this, the boys finished the group stage with a 4-1 record and topped the ladder, setting up a rematch against St Michaels Grammar School in the grand final.
In the final, St Michaels Grammar School took an early lead, but after some strategic positional changes and a halftime speech focusing on belief, the boys regained confidence. They came out strong in the second half, kicking 7 goals to 1 and eventually winning 52-28. Their perseverance, confidence and team spirit led them to become the State Champions, securing a memorable victory.
Best players: Lenny G, Zayne S, Baxter Q, Angus L and Eamon P.
Mr McCormack
PE Teacher
SSV Team VIC U15 Girls AFL – By Lucy M
I was selected to represent Victoria as part of Team Vic for the U15 Girls AFL. We played at the School Sport Australia Games in Brisbane from July 27th to August 2nd. We won all 4 matches to make it through to the gold medal match where we played Queensland. We won by 1 point: 33 to 32 and were crowned National Champions. The team environment was relaxed yet very focused. The coaches and support staff were amazing and so positive and encouraging. The coaching I received was very beneficial for my performance and development and the friendships I made will be long-lasting. Some other highlights throughout the week included: swapping pins with teams from other states, participating in 'amazing race' activities with athletes from different states and sports, wearing GPS trackers each game, hot and cold plunge recovery sessions after every game and the team dinner, which was heaps of fun. Overall it was such a great experience and I can’t wait to play against my Victorian teammates in the near future. GO VICTORIA!
Lucy M
SSV Team VIC 12 Years & Under Girls AFL – By Mila M
The journey through the Victorian SSV AFL girls try outs was an amazing and unforgettable experience. It all started with 280 girls from all over the state and after each round the numbers got smaller, first down to 140, then to 90 and finally I was lucky enough to make the top 28 in Victoria! Along the way, I made so many new friends who love footy just as much as I do, which made it even more fun. One of the best moments was when I got my Victorian jumper (number 27) and it was presented to me by Nick "Wizard" Watson from Hawthorn FC — it didn’t feel real! We also heard the story of Corporal Cameron Baird, told by his dad. It was really emotional but also very inspiring and when I found out I would be wearing the same number he once wore for Victoria, I felt so proud and grateful for how far I had come. After making the team, we trained every Sunday in South Yarra, sometimes even before or after my local footy games. This whole experience taught me that if you don’t try, you’ll never know. So always go for it, because you never know what’s possible until you do.
Mila M
2025 Years 8 & 10 EXCEL Sport Boys Rugby 7s Leota Cup
On Thursday September 4th, our Year 8 and 10 EXCEL Sport boys travelled to Reservoir to take part in the inaugural Rugby 7s Leota Cup. The competition brought together male teams from both Independent and Government schools, providing an excellent opportunity to showcase talent and develop skills.
The day began with a clinic delivered by Rugby Victoria coaches, where participants were divided into age groups and rotated through a series of warm-up drills and skill-building activities. This set the stage for an exciting day of competition, which officially kicked off at 10am.
Our Patterson River Secondary College Year 10 team started strongly, defeating Thornbury High School in a tough opening match. The Year 8's followed with a hard-fought win over Shepparton Secondary College, setting the tone for the remainder of the tournament. Across the day, both teams continued to perform consistently, recording multiple wins and draws. Importantly, neither team suffered a loss, which saw Patterson River Secondary College crowned both the Year 9/10 and Year 7/8 Leota Cup Boys Rugby 7s Champions.
It was a fantastic day of rugby, filled with learning, teamwork and resilience. The boys not only enjoyed the competition but also gained valuable knowledge of the game. We are extremely proud of their efforts and grateful for the opportunity to take part in the first-ever Rugby 7s Leota Cup.
2025 Years 8 & 10 EXCEL Sport Girls Rugby 7s Cattermole Cup
On Friday September 5th the Year 8 and 10 EXCEL Sport girl students competed in the Rugby 7s Cattermole Cup competition run by Rugby Victoria. The games consisted of 2 x 7-minute halves with each school playing 4-5 games depending on their pool. The top 2 at the end of the day would then play off in the grand final.
The Year 10s had a good first up win, but with injuries coming from the remaining games they would unfortunately not have another for the day. They did battle it out with some fine individual performances, especially from Saraya L and Amber S who both got selected into the Under 16s merit representative team.
The Year 8 girls started really well, with three wins straight up. They were then met by a very strong Caulfield Grammar team. The girls had their first loss of the day and injuries coming from the game. They managed to recompose themselves and have a win in their last group stage. They finished with a 4-1-win result and second on the ladder, meaning they were through to the Grand Final. They again met Caulfield and put up a much greater effort, but unfortunately just fell short with a 25-15 loss.
All of the Year 8 and 10 EXCEL Sport students should hold their head high with how they performed and represented the College with great pride!
Best player across the day:
Saraya L, Amber S, Ari D and Evie B.
Mr. McCormack
Physical Education Teacher
2025 Years 7-10 EXCEL Sport Girls Netball Victorian School Championships
The Years 7-10 EXCEL Sport had the pleasure of competing at Jubilee Park on Thursday August 28th in the Girls Netball Victorian Schools Championships.
4 teams with up to 8 games of netball per team. Fast and furious. It was always going to be a big day.
The girls played against teams from all over the state both government and private schools. But they were here doing what they loved which is play sport in particularly, netball.
The junior blue team consisting predominately of Year 8 students with a couple of top ups from Year 7, had a great day.
With a mixed bag of results, the girls had a great day. Our netballers shone and our non-netballers did all that they could to help the team get wins on the board. We learnt. Every game the teams gelled better together and understood each other’s strengths, weaknesses and abilities. I loved seeing this.
As it was a round robin format and only the winners move on to the next round, our journey ended here.
This team was extremely coachable. They listened to feedback and played to the best of their ability always. I’m always so proud to walk alongside these young women as they exemplify what ‘loving sport’ looks like.
Thanks for all your hard work on such a big day.
Stay Sporty,
Ms Brand
Physical Education Teacher
2025 Year 7-10 EXCEL Sport Boys Netball Victoria School Championships
On Wednesday September 3rd, Patterson River Secondary College proudly entered four teams from our Year 7–10 EXCEL Sport Program into the Boys Netball Victoria School Championships. The event was held at the Knox Regional Netball Centre and brought together Government, Catholic and Independent schools from across Victoria.
It was an early start, with students arriving at school by 7:50am and a big day of competition that saw us return at 3:30pm. Across the tournament, our teams played a combined total of 20 games, each running for 14 minutes. The improvement in skill, teamwork and intensity throughout the day was fantastic to watch and every student gained valuable experience on the court.
A huge thank you goes to Mrs Bound and Mrs Ford for their support throughout the long day, as well as to Jacob H, William T and Aden R for stepping up to help in the Intermediate teams. Special thanks also to William R and Noah H who, despite being sidelined with injuries, played an important role in coaching and scoring.
Overall, it was a brilliant day of netball, teamwork and school spirit!
Ms Allan
EXCEL Sport Coordinator
Year 10 EXCEL Sport SSV Lacrosse State Finals
Off to Albert Park we ventured on Friday 29th August. The weather forecast not looking favourable with gale force winds and rain headed our way, we were prepared to go out there and give it our all. After all, this was the final competition day where the Year 10 EXCEL Sport class were going to complete all together as a playing group.
With 4 weeks of intensive training under their belt practicing rules, offensive and defence strategies, the class were prepared and ready to go.
With 4 teams of boys and girls, it was going to be an exhausting day but nothing that the class couldn’t handle.
The Girls 1 and Boys 1 teams had a clean sheet winning all their games leading into the finals. Their confidence was growing with each game and the communication between each other was excellent. A spot in the grand final was ours.
The girls came up against Melbourne Girls College (inclusive of 3 state lacrosse players). It was going to be a challenge but to be the best, you need to beat the best. Unfortunately today wasn’t our day and we lost the final 11-3 but I couldn’t be more proud of the young women that represented our College and the EXCEL Sport program. They gave everything they could all day and like always fought to the end.
The Girls 2 team also had an excellent day out. They took a little while to warm up to the competition side of the day but a mixed bag of results in the round robin format, saw them get themselves into the prelim finals.
Unfortunately, they lost this game against Gladstone Park and therefore were out for the rest of the day. I admire this team’s persistence to overcome mental challenges on this day. True signs of a good athlete.
The Boys 1 team played against Norwood College that comprised of 5 lacrosse players. It was a hard-fought battle right until the final seconds. Unfortunately, the deadlock score was broken by Norwood College and the Patterson River Secondary College team lost by 1 goal. A mighty effort and State runners up are something to be proud of.
The Boys 2 team finished with 2 wins and a draw to finish 4th in their pool, narrowly missing finals.
As this was the last competition day for this group as a whole, it was my absolute pleasure to be there with them. I’m so grateful that I got to spend some time coaching and mentoring these wonderful young women who find being physically active and being together enjoyable. You are all great role models for all young students in our College and the community.
Stay Sporty,
Ms Brand
Physical Education Teacher
