Dominating 56-point win takes CMCB senior boys footballers to the Premier League Grand Final

SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA: PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL SEMI FINAL vs ROWVILLE

Catherine McAuley College Bendigo vs Rowville Secondary College

On a cool winter’s day, the Senior Boys Premier League Football Team was excited to be playing the Semi Final on their home ground, Finn Oval at the Catherine McAuley College ICMCB) Coolock Campus. The ground itself was wet under foot due to the recent rain and was dusted with some of the local kangaroo’s best work, but the advantage the boys took into the game cannot be underestimated.

Under the masterful and caring commitment of coach Lee Coghlan, the pre-match speeches reached new heights, radiating school spirit and mateship. They also remembered the contribution and legacy of the school’s former football coach Tim Ledwidge. It was abundantly clear that this group was more than committed to the campaign and they would do all in their power to get the win.

The opening quarter set the tone for the match, as the CMCB team executed the coaches’ instructions brilliantly. Shannon Tardrew continued his excellent form, kicking the first goal on the back of some slick play from the mids, in particular Jack McMahon, who was once again relishing being back in the navy and gold. His work around the contest was bull-like as he crashed and smashed through anything Rowville threw at him and created a multitude of opportunities for his teammates. Gus Hay was everywhere, his impact rewarded with a goal midway through the term. When Daniel Noden kicked his first major of the day on the run, you could tell Rowville were going to have to produce something extra special if they had any chance of winning. It was a three goal to one quarter, with the CMCB team full of confidence from their eight scoring shots to just one for the quarter.

The second quarter was a ‘fireworks spectacular’ with ‘Dynamic Man’ Gus Hay snapping an impressive early goal and backing it up with another major from a set shot 45m out, into the breeze. Joe Artavilla got in on the act, kicking a goal from his set shot opportunity which brought the team around the small forward, but this was just the precursor to the play of the day. As Rowville sent the ball into their forward 50, Jack McMahon took a strong contested mark and broke clear. What followed was a brilliant sequence of handballs between Jack, Oliver Edmiston and Shannon Tardrew as they sliced their way through all of Rowville’s midfield group like a hot knife through butter. The kick that ended the handballing sequence landed with Oscar Cail, who took a great mark 30m out from goal directly in front. His kick may have drifted wide, but that passage of play had the enormous group of spectators in raptures at the play-making ability of this team. Rowville kicked a late goal, but the second quarter belonged to CMCB as they raced out to a 31-point lead at half time.

The third quarter saw Jaidi Jackson-Leahy show his class as he got plenty of the ball early, set up numerous attacking plays off the half back line, then continued to find the ball as he ran through the midfield. His ability to win the ball and hit a target when required was super impressive. Jack McMahon was once again in and amongst it and was rewarded for his hard work when he kicked the first goal of the term for CMCB. Rowville quickly replied, however there was no stopping the impact of Gus Hay. In front of an adoring Year 9 boys cohort, he kicked his fourth goal for the match, reaping the paise of the coaching staff and his young supporter base. This quarter also saw the defensive group of Ben Miller, Deakin Andrews, Henry Edwards, Harvey White, Hugh Behrens, Charlie Duke and Bailey Warfe negate virtually all that Rowville threw at them. Rowville’s intent and pressure had definitely lifted, but the effort and desire from Coach Coghlan’s boys matched their opposition; much like the first half they were able to increase their lead at every change. Inaccurate kicking was the only negative for the term and the team went into the three-quarter time break with a 38-point lead.

The final quarter saw the CMCB team become a juggernaut. They kicked three goals two and kept Rowville to just two points for the term as CMCB stayed the course with their effort and intensity. Goals to Daniel Noden and Xavier Grant early in the term were on the back of some terrific work through the middle from the likes of Patrick Blake, who once again took a contender for mark of the year. Add in the gut-running and silky play from Logan Kilcullen whose in and under work gave the outside players like Zane Connick, Kobi MacDonald and Declan Stevenson plenty of opportunities. Wil Pinniger was once again a massive presence in the forward 50 and was also providing plenty of run off the wing. The big men Isaac Meersbergen and Ben Miller were dominant in the ruck, giving the mids first use of the ball and also providing plenty of support at ground level. Jaidi Jackson-Leahy finished off the game in style as he kicked the final goal for the match. The CMCB team secured a dominating 56-point win, to earn their spot in the SSV Premier League Grand Final.

It was a fabulous and well-deserved win. It has been an impressive campaign to date for the team, who now look forward to a Grand Final appearance in Ballarat against Emmanuel College Warrnambool on Wednesday 26 June. We wish the boys the very best of luck.

Thanks again to all of the helpers on the day and also to the staff and students at Coolock who turned out in droves to show their support for the team – the boys really appreciated it.

Seamus Doherty, Drew Costigan, Jasper Irwin, Darby Whatley, Declan Stevenson, Xavier Grant, Bailey Warfe, Isaac Meersbergen, Charlie Duke, Ben Miller, Wil Pinniger, Zane Connick, Daniel Noden, Gus Hay, Oscar Cail, Hugh Behrens, Jack McMahon, Archer Day-Wicks, Llogan Mayman, Thomas Davie, Tobie Travaglia

Tait Rojewski, Daniel Artavilla, Charlie King, Lenny McNamara, Harvey White, Oliver Edmiston, Logan Kilcullen, Kobi MacDonald, Deakin Andrews, Henry Edwards, Shannon Tardrew, Joe Artavilla, Patrick Blake, Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, Oliver Morris.