1st XVIII AFL – Round 1 Report
🏉 First XVIII Division One – Round 1 Match Reports\
Written by Gordon Armstrong
🟨 St Michael’s College 21.18 (144) – 6.11 (47) Immanuel College
St Michael’s delivered a commanding 97-point win over Immanuel at home, dominating from the outset with a powerful four-quarter performance.
St Micks led 5.7 to 1.1 at quarter time and built on their advantage steadily, recording 19 scoring shots to six in the second half. The result was never in doubt after a strong first half showing.
“We were really happy with the way our team approached the game, especially with five debutants,” said coach Brett Ebert.
“We started well and set the game up in the first quarter. After half-time, we controlled the ball effectively, and it was pleasing to see our younger players step up and show their versatility.”
Best for St Michael’s: Trent Dini, Zane Peucker (3 goals), Noa Ah Chee (4 goals), Khye Maddern, Ethan Ashley, Jaylen Sochacki
“We were outclassed by St Michael’s,” said Immanuel coach Mark Bickley. “Oscar Fraser was our standout, with support from Lennox Hunt and Jacob McNicol. Hudson Earl fought hard up forward and kicked two goals.”
🟥 Rostrevor College 17.9 (111) – 8.11 (59) St Peter’s College
Rostrevor opened their season in style with a strong second-half surge to overcome St Peter’s by 46 points away from home.
After leading 5.2 to 1.3 early, Rostrevor held a narrow 7.3 to 6.4 advantage at halftime. The second half, however, was all Rossies, who kicked 10.6 to Saints’ 2.7 to seal a convincing win.
“Our players responded well to feedback at halftime,” said coach Scott Uppington. “Our ball movement in the third quarter was impressive, and we ran out the game really well.”
Best for Rostrevor: Noah Daw, Hugo Jaeschke, debutant Harry Krieg, Ayman Ismail, Kristian Gould (5 goals), Harry Maxwell, Ned McCarthy (3 goals), Ollie Easton (2), Charlie Brodie (2), Eddy Elton (2)
“The first half was a great contest,” said Saints manager Brendan Hardman. “We applied excellent pressure and trailed by a goal at halftime, but couldn’t maintain the intensity. Credit to Rostrevor, who kicked away in the second half.”
Best for St Peter’s: Lachlan Estcourt-Hughes, Hunter Strong, Jeff Rozenbilds, Tom Waugh, Jimmy Hele, Ben Francou
🟥 Prince Alfred College 15.10 (100) – 11.7 (73) Sacred Heart College
Prince Alfred overcame Sacred Heart with a strong final-quarter display, running out 27-point winners in a high-quality contest.
The first half was a tight arm-wrestle, with Sacred Heart leading narrowly at each break. Princes trailed 9.6 to 8.7 at three-quarter time but surged home with 7.3 to 2.1 in the last quarter to take the points.
“After leading by a point at quarter time, we showed great resilience,” said Sacred Heart coach Jon Symonds. “PAC took the lead in the final term, and though we responded, they finished strongly. We competed well for most of the game and took a lot of positives away.”
Best for Prince Alfred: Harvey Chapman, Sam Cumming (3 goals), Noah Mennillo (3), Bryce Sanders (2), Seb Lennon, Mitch Harris, Jack Slattery (3), Tom Lindsay (2)
Best for Sacred Heart: Will Rooney (3 goals), Harper Ryan, Gus Downs, Koby Moir (2), Connor Schultz, Mason Hall, Tom Amber, Ben Dittmar (2 goals)