Blockbuster Round, First XVIII Round 10 Writeup
Blockbuster Round, First XVIII Round 10
Sacred Heart College 12.11 (83) d St Peter’s College 7.6 (48)
Sacred Heart has won its way into next Wednesday’s (August 14) grand final against Prince Alfred at Adelaide Oval.
Hearts booked their place in the final with a strong 35-point win against St Peter’s in the final Blockbuster Round match at Thebarton Oval on Tuesday.
The opening quarter was tight with Hearts leading 3.1 to 1.0 and then increased that margin to 6.5 to 2.1 at the main break.
Saints were outgunned in the third term to trail 10.10 to 3.2 at the final change before Saints had their most productive quarter to finish with 4.4 to 2.1 but too far back to mount a serious challenge.
Sacred Heart coach Jon Symonds said his side rose to the occasion in a big game under lights.
“Though we had narrowly beaten St Peter’s earlier in the season we expected this game to be a tight contest,’’ Symonds said.
“Fortunately we appeared to adapt better to the conditions and the occasion and slowly got on top in key aspects of the game the longer each quarter went.
“Our clearance work and run and carry of the footy were standout parts of our game and critical aspect in securing this victory alongside a forward line that looked dangerous and hardworking throughout the contest.
“Complementing this was a strong defensive effort across the ground that saw us restrict our opposition to a goal in each of the opening three quarters while registering 10 goals ourselves to three quarter time.’’
Hearts again saw strong games from a long list of key players including Lucas Camporeale, Ned Atkinson, Year 10 Harry Franz (three goals), Ben Camporeale, Luke Candy, Harper Ryan, Jack Leys and Eddie Pedler (three goals).
Saints coach Brendan Hardman said his side battled but was not at the same level as Hearts.
“The play off for who would play PAC in the grand final unfortunately did not go as well as we had hoped,’’ Hardman said.
“Credit to the well-oiled and drilled machine of Sacred Heart who took the game to the boys from the first bounce. We competed well for a half but dropped away in a few key areas in the third quarter.
“Unfortunately against a quality outfit like Sacred Heart if you aren’t switched on completely they make you pay.’’
Best for the Saints were Tyson Roberts, Jett Hasting, Oliver Francou, James Stockman, Jim Kelly and Ned Bowman.
Prince Alfred College 14.13 (97) d St Michael’s College 9.4 (58)
Prince Alfred’s third quarter proved the key to its victory against a persistent St Michael’s in the second game of the Blockbuster Round at Thebarton Oval.
The unbeaten Princes won 14.13 to 9.4, already qualified to play in the grand final against Sacred Heart next Wednesday at 6pm at Adelaide Oval. The previous clash between the sides in the minor round saw Princes win by 54 points.
On Tuesday Princes and St Michael’s produced an excellent opening half with both sides swapping goals and key moments, the scores locked on 3.2 at quarter time and Princes up 5.7 to 5.3 at half time. Princes lost their way a little when it became undisciplined, conceding three 25m penalties just before half time.
A strong defensive effort from Princes saw them control the third to lead 11.10 to 6.3 before an even last quarter. Jay Polkinghorne was outstanding for PAC with 6.5 and a hand in several other goals.
PAC coach David Oatey said the side enjoyed the hit out and to play a night game at Thebarton Oval.
“It was wonderful to have an evening game at Thebarton Oval which was in perfect condition,’’ Oatey said.
“We were a bit sore from only having a three-day break but we started really well and had numerous inside 50s. Wil Thomas and Ray-Ray Sumner hit the scoreboard early and Will Prescott started very well and also kicked a first-quarter goal. “During the second quarter our wingers continued their super form and they repelled many St Michael’s forward entries and then drove the ball deep inside forward 50 where Jay Polkinghorne was getting back to his best marking form. “Unfortunately Jay was a little offline with his goal kicking. During the last 10 minutes of the second quarter we lost some composure and gave away too many free kicks and went in at half time even (four points up).
“The third quarter was super by the whole group, they played aggressive controlled football and we hit the scoreboard consistently and took away St Michael’s pressure by moving the ball quickly and accurately.
“We finished the game well and ended up having a confidence-boosting second half and a satisfying victory against a very combative opposition. Rome Burgoyne was outstanding with his run and carry and kicking.
“It was a tough first half followed by a cleaner and more combative second half and it was a very good win and one that will help build our self-belief.’’
Best for Princes were Rome Burgoyne, Jay Polkinghorne, Noah Mennillo (two goals), Will Prescott, Harry Piggott and Brodie Harris. Wil Thomas kicked two goals.
St Michael’s coach Brett Ebert said his side put in all night in a much improved effort.
“After a disappointing result against St Peter’s on Saturday we wanted to rebound and put in a strong performance against Prince Alfred,’’ Ebert said.
“We knew we were going to have to bring our best to challenge them. As a coaching group we couldn’t have happier with the way the team began.
“We showed the confidence to play an attacking style of football and were able to link up around the game with speed and purpose.
“By half time we found ourselves right in the game. Unfortunately we were down two key players for the second half, with injuries ruling them out for the remainder of the game.
“We found ourselves right in the game up until about 10 minutes to go in the last quarter when the boys, down on rotations, lost some of their run and ability to slow down the opposition, PAC kicking the last three goals of the match.’’ Best for St Michael’s were Zane Peucker, Lachlan Sands (three goals), Will Rayner, Noah Brazzale and Archie Walsh. Khye Madden kicked two goals.
Rostrevor College 16.9 (105) d Westminster School 7.8 (50)
A strong opening quarter and blazing finish proved the key to Rostrevor’s 55-point win against Westminster School in the opening match of the Blockbuster Round at Thebarton Oval on Tuesday (August 6).
Rossies jumped to a flier to lead 5.2 to 1.0 at quarter time and held sway in the second term with both sides’ defences on top, Rostrevor up 7.5 to 2.2 at half time.
Westminster enjoyed its best passage of the match in the third quarter with seven scoring shots to two to trail 9.7 to 6.5 at three quarter time.
But that was the end of the contest as Rostrevor found another gear to hit the scoreboard with 7.2 to 1.3 in the run home for an easy victory.
Rossies’ Ned McCarthy (three goals) was everywhere, especially in the first half to be among his side’s best, while Jack Michalanney (two goals), Jules Piro, Kristian Gould (two goals), Tom Griffiths and Dom Zappa was prominent. Majoor Ackland kicked three goals, while Jonty Thompson and Matthew Hockley kicked two goals each.
Rostrevor coach Scott Uppington said his side deserved the win.
“I was really pleased for our players to get some reward for effort and finish the minor round with a win,’’ Uppington said. “I feel like even though we haven’t been winning we have been playing some good footy since the resumption of the competition.
“Our players have a clear understanding now of what it looks like when we’re at our best and hard to play against and I thought we executed that plan really well except for a 15-minute period in the third quarter where some credit needs to go to Westminster for the way they worked their way back into the contest.
“I really challenged the players at three quarter time and they responded magnificently and put the game out of reach with five goals in 10 minutes to start the last quarter.
“Jack Michalanney continues to impress since being moved into the midfield and Ned McCarthy was his typical hard working self but the other thing that was most pleasing was all 22 players contributing.’’
Westminster saw good games from the marking power of Ethan Stoeckel, captain Max Robertson, Will Young and Tim Alver.