AFL State Champs!

Having the opportunity to play school footy is a pretty special occasion and this year was absolutely no exception for our senior boys team.

With a fresh 6am departure and wet weather preparing to greet us in Melbourne the boys could’ve been forgiven for some low spirits - but they were the opposite. The senior team had an incredible crowd in attendance, parents, friends and some very lucky staff members who were treated to an exceptional display of footy in the wet.

The game started out quite even, due to the sloppy conditions, but the likes of Olly Poole and Hugh Byrne made it look dry and kept us in the contest, converting important goals to keep us in it at halftime.

The halftime break was an opportunity for the boys to regroup and discuss how they might come out on top. The break in play also brought about a break in weather and as the heavens opened up in the third term, so did the scoreboard, with our boys ramming on goal after goal and leaving the Vermont team looking for answers. The shining lights of the third term were Jacko Gronow and Jobe Shanahan, who at times were double teamed but still made a contest and brought the ball to ground. Mitch Bell, Noah Langborne and Harry Milburn also played inspiring roles through the midfield to ramp the pressure up.

The game had been read its story and so now it needed to be put to bed, this was done expertly by Ryan Stobaus and Will Rohde, continually thwarting any momentum from the opponents. Nash Ramage had a day to remember, winning the majority of the taps and still getting around the group to support his teammates.

What's even more impressive about this story, is that many members of this senior team were also part of the Year 8 boys team, who we coached to victory at the State Championships back in 2019! What an achievement! Well done boys.

Mr Justin Cantwell and Mr Kristian McNicol

AFL State Runners Up

On Tuesday 22 August, the Year 7 boys team travelled to Melbourne to compete in the state final. The journey to this stage had already involved a number of early starts and many kilometers travelled around Victoria.

But the Year 7 team played impressive football at every stage and demonstrated why they were a state finalist.

They came up against Rowville Secondary in the state final under very wet and slippery conditions, which they had not experienced as a team previously.

The boys started strong in the first quarter and scored the first goal with Henry Bell crumbing a contest up forward and sneaking a major. As the game progressed Rowville began to get on top and were clearing the ball well from centre bounces. Our boys continued to fight hard and played competitive football but couldn’t close the 4-goal margin. Our boys didn’t quite play their best football in this game and all believed that if we had, we would be capable of beating Rowville.

Better for the experience and eager to go one step further next year, we are very proud of how our boys represented themselves and our College.

Well done to Charlie Sutton who was awarded best on ground for our team.

We would like to thank all the parents and guardians of all the boys who travelled to each stage to watch and support. Also, a big thank you to Shari Gotch for all her work organising each stage.

Look out for the Year 8 team next year!

Mr David Armfield and Mr Les Butler

Netball Victoria Championships

After an early start, the girls showed incredible endurance and determination on the court throughout the entire day.

Facing off against some of the best teams in the state, our talented netballers did not let this deter them, demonstrating exemplary skill, grace, teamwork and respect.

Resulting in some heart stopping games and a mixture of wins, losses and even a draw.

Neither team (Year 9 nor Year 12) may have made it to the finals, but they both walked away with their heads held high knowing they’d given it everything they could!

We are enormously proud of each and every one of you. Thank you to Mrs Belinda Lees and Ms Clare Orton for coaching.

Victorian Interschools Snowsports Championships

Well done to Melanie Francis (Year 9), Charlie Gotch (Year 7), Harry Gotch (Year 9) and Nixon Lyle (Year 7) on their participation in the Victorian Interschool Snowsports Championships at Mt Buller last week.

Nixon competed in five events; Alpine, Ski Cross, Moguls, Snowboard GS and Snowboard Cross - what a fantastic effort! While Melanie and Harry competed against a strong field in the Alpine and Ski Cross and Charlie in the Snowboard.

North East Zone Clay Target Championships

Best of luck to Izzy Keirl and Aiden Calleja at the State Clay Target Championships on 4 September. What an amazing achievement. We hope you have a successful day and enjoy the competition!

National Swimming Championships

Welcome back to Ayla McAsey from the National Championships in Sydney. Ayla swam her heart out in several events with the Victorian team. We are beyond proud of what you have achieved Ayla!

House Athletics

After being absent from our school calendar for three long years, we couldn’t have asked for a better day at our whole school House Athletics Carnival!

The sun was shining, the atmosphere was electric and there was nothing but a sea of smiles, colour, fun, participation and great sportsmanship as far as the eye could see.

Not only did the day showcase some of the amazing individual sporting talent we have here at St Joseph’s College, but also our House spirit, school pride and what it means to try your best and support your mates!

Thank you to all our helpers on the day, those who dressed up in House colours, those who participated and those who cheered loudly from the sidelines.

And congratulations to the sporting superstars from Moore House, who claimed winning honours for the day!

We had some fantastic individual results and record breakers at this year's event! Congratulations to the following students on their outstanding achievements:

Scarlett Southern - U16 400m and 800m
Ky Henson - U16 1500m
Lynkoln Richardson - U13 Shot Put
Nate Smith - U13 Long Jump
Moore House - U13 4x100m Relay

Congratulations to our Age Champions who will be presented with their medals at the whole school assembly on Friday 15 September.

U13 Female: Amalie Southern & Chelsea Swiggs
U13 Male: Lynkoln Richardson & Nate Smith
U14 Female: Chloe Moyle
U14 Male: Flynn Carr
U15 Female: Madeline Williams
U15 Male: Logan Milnes
U16 Female: Scarlett Southern
U16 Male: Oliver Williams
U21 Female: Andrea Archibald & Halle Gray
U21 Male: Will Poulton

Up Coming Sport:

Monday 4 September: Year 7 Boys Basketball (Rochester)
Tuesday 5 September: Year 7 Girls State Soccer Final (Thornbury)
Tuesday 5 September: Year 8 Girls Netball Victoria Championships (Parkville)
Monday 11 September: Campaspe Athletics (Shepparton). Please see Compass for further information regarding this day.

Shari Gotch

Co-Curriculum Coordinator

Year 11 Outdoor Ed Camp