On Tuesday the 17th of May, it was a brisk day when Beaufort Secondary College competed in the Eureka Senior Football competition at Ballarat High School, where fortunately the rain stayed away. BSC started the day already in 4th place, fortunate to be able to field a side, unlike 3 other schools. This was thanks to some year 9 and 10 boys stepping up to the senior level. All players were a credit to themselves and the school, displaying fantastic behaviour throughout the day. BSC managed 1 win for the day bringing us across the line in 3rd place!

Ballarat High School 8. 4 (52) v Beaufort Secondary College 2.0 (12)

Goals: Zac Daly, Eric WIlkinson

Votes: 1 Ethan Keenan, 2 Zac Daly, 3 Louis Debast

The first game was a tough assignment against Ballarat High School. While BSC lost, the team was very competitive early, only down by a goal at half time. Louis Debast was rock solid at full back, making numerous spoils and clearing his defensive lines. Also, in defence Riley Burrill expertly read the play, taking intercept marks and broke up opposition attacks. Zac Daly was excellent as a target up the ground, taking some good marks and even kicking a goal. As captain, Ethan Keenan led from the front with outstanding tackling pressure in the middle.

Beaufort Secondary College 3.3 (21) v Phoenix Community College 7.5 (47)

Goals: 2 Eastyn Carr, Louis Debast

Votes: 1 Cooper Cahill, 2 Eastyn Carr, 3 Tyler Richards

The 2nd match for the day was against Phoenix Community College. This was a match where the Beaufort defence was under siege. The score would have been worse if not for the defensive performances of Cooper Cahill who took many intercept marks and laid some excellent tackles; also, the tackling pressure of Peter Popovski was impressive, being rewarded by a goal saving call of "holding the ball". Tyler Richards was everywhere in this match, winning 50/50s all over the ground and displaying his Rolls Royce foot skills. Tom Lyons stepped up in the 2nd half, admirably taking on the challenge of ruck, providing a great contest and used his athleticism to get around the ground well.

Up forward Louis Debast won a ground ball and slotted a goal from 50m, out into the wind. While Eastyn Carr kicked 2 and could have had a 3rd, after a set shot that appeared to sneak inside the post was signalled a goal by the Goal Umpire, only to be overturned to a point by the Central Umpire. One of Eastyn’s goals was the result of great teamwork, with a chain of handballs ending with Eric Wilkinson choosing to selflessly handball over the top to Eastyn for the easy goal. This great display of teamwork was emblematic of the "team first" mentality of the side.

Mount Clear College 5.1 (31) v Beaufort Secondary College 6.5 (41)

Goals: 2 Brady Edwards, 2 Louis Debast, Eric Wilkinson, Mitch Kercherval

Votes: 1 Louis Debast, 2 Tim Parker, 3 Brady Edwards

BSC came out of the blocks firing early against Mt. Clear with Brady Edwards dominating centre clearances and kicking 2 beautiful on the run goals. Other goals came from Eric Wilkinson who kicked an excellent check-side from the right forward pocket and Louis Debast who added another 2 to his tally.

Riley Lewis also nearly snagged himself a goal, only narrowing missing to get a minor score. Down back Ethan Page was glove like, taking on the challenge of the biggest opposition forward. While Logan Sandlant provided excellent gut running on the wing getting to plenty of contests and racking up possessions.

In the 2nd half Mt. Clear had the wind and came in hard getting within 4 points. Tim Parker stood up down back, stopping the dam from breaking. With spoils and intercept marks, he certainly took the title for the most players caught "holding the ball" for the day. Year 9 Caleb Scanlon was excellent down back, taking crucial marks in defence and hitting targets up the field while Jesse Kennedy was our other vital defender, with some goal saving pressure efforts late in the match. With the game in the balance, Bowen Corbett stood tall taking a mark in the forward line, before selflessly passing off to Mitch Kercheval who kicked the clincher with a minute to go. BSC were lucky enough to hold on for a famous victory.

It was a great team performance by the boys, and they should all be very proud of themselves. A big thank you to school Chaplin Hayden Croton, for umpiring in the goals all day and assisting handing out votes; Year 11 student Grace Kupsch for being assistant coach, board holder and chief photographer; and last but certainly not least star Boundary Umpire Year 11 student Tom Bilston!

Evan Green

1st XVIII Coach

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