That’s a wrap for football!

JUNIOR GIRLS

On August 8, the Year 7 and 8 girls football team made their way to Ballarat for the State Quarter Finals. The only game of the day saw Catherine McAuley College play a strong Melbourne Girls Grammar.

The girls took the field with great confidence and an eagerness to win. The first half was played in slippery conditions but the team was able to adapt and play their style of football.

At half time the scores demonstrated how hard the team has to persist in the game, with a score of CMC 1.1 (7) MGC – 1.3 (9). The sole goal kicker Lacey Nihill showed great consistency in her footy. The girls went into the third quarter with confidence and dominated the field, finishing the quarter with an amazing goal by Rose McSweeney. 

Scores at three quarter time were CMC – 2.5 (17) to MGC 1.5 (11). The team had to battle it out in the final term, MGC kicked a late goal and CMC were unable to hold their lead. The match finish was thrilling, however the girls lost by a solitary point. The final score was CMC – 2.5 (17) to MGC – 2.6 (18), which means the end of the juniors girls campaign.

Players of the day were Lacey Nihill, Hannah Cochrane, Lilly Hope, Isabelle Monotti, Alysha Boyd and Gemma Fox.

Back L-R: Neve Pinner, Hannah Cochrane, Gemma Fox, Maddie Dunn, Lacey Nihill, Emmy Newlan, Milla Sherriff, Zaidee Khong, Lilly Hope, Lexie Fennell, Dempsey McDonnell, Madi Morrison, Chella Fitzgerald and Mr Leigh Millard

Front L-R: Jaida Raco, Hannah Guo, Isabella Monotti, Jordi O’Bree, Alysha Boyd, Rania Jackson-Leahy, Rose McSweeny, Lily Mansfield, Zarah Reynolds, Maeve Caine and Layla O’Brien.

INTERMEDIATE GIRLS

Game 1 – Quarter Final vs Viewbank College

The Year 9 and 10 Girls made the journey to sunny Ballarat. The games were held at Marty Busch Reserve, nestled in the growing suburb of Sebastopol. The quarter final match took place on an oval that was covered in soft, wet mud. The game plan was simple; keep the ball in the middle of the ground.

At the half time break, Catherine McAuley College were up by 8 points despite being kept scoreless in the second quarter. The girls knew that they needed to step it up and apply some more scoreboard pressure. Sasha Pearce had a stellar performance, rucking most of the game and setting up a great wall to make it difficult for Viewbank to exit their defensive end. Ava Bibby moving onto the wing was instrumental in creating forward entries in the second half as well as the captain, Jorja Morrison, being a rebounding figure in the backline.

Catherine McAuley College were able to finish off the game as eventual 21-point winners.

Players of the game were Sasha Pearce, Ava Bibby, Jorja Morrison, Neve Pinner, Stahlia Kong and Lily Franklin.

Game 2 – Semi Final vs Strathmore Secondary College

After a quick 20-minute break and a quick warm up the girls made their way to the main oval. Of course, after just playing a game, the warm-up consisted of listening to loud music and getting ready for a big final. 

The conditions were much better on the main oval for the Semi Final match vs Strathmore Secondary College. The first game started strongly with Mayah Chilver curling in a wonderful set shot to give CMC an early lead. The girls battled hard in the first half, going into the first break with a 3-point lead. 

The synergy amongst the girls was unbelievable. They were obviously tired from playing back-to-back games, but their positive attitude and determination was something to admire. The second half had it all. Molly Manton performed a courageous smother and Olivia Lacey was unbelievable at stopping Strathmore’s forward entries. Strathmore’s forward pressure proved to be too strong in the end, out scoring CMC with 7 extra scoring shots. A brave effort from CMC with promising signs for the 2023 campaign. The final score being CMC – 1.2 (8) defeated by Strathmore – 2.8 (20).

Players of the game were Olivia Lacy, Sasha Pearce, Molly Manton, Jazz Rusbridge, Amelie Haigh and Ava Franklin.

Back L-R: Ella Wills, Mayah Chilver, Stahlia Khong, Mackenzie Allford, Ava Bibby, Ava Stewart, Jazz Rusbridge, Sasha Pearce, Jorja Morrison, Lily Franklin, Olivia Lacy, Ava Franklin, Mr Alex Code

Front L-R: Tessa Skipper, Caitlyn Kelly, Neve Pinner, Maddix Dixon, Amelie Haigh, Molly Manton, Luci Kornmann, Ruby Hilson, Eilish Grieve

INTERMEDIATE BOYS

Game 1 – State Quarter Final

The journey to Sebastopol was smooth but upon arrival we were met by typical Ballarat weather, the pouring rain and freezing cold wind. The boys then discovered that the conditions were less than ideal, playing on a wet and muddy oval, however, they did not let that faze them. From the start of the game, it was evident that the team had come ready to win and played well as a unit. 

At the quarter time break they held a good lead. At the start of the second quarter, St Helena Secondary College came out firing, kicking the first two goals of the quarter, but Catherine McAuley College worked hard and produced the next three goals, to come into the half time break with a nice lead thanks to goals from Caleb, Madden and Judd. 

At the half-tim break the team didn’t let the cold weather deter them as the coach asked them to continue with their impressive intensity. In the third quarter the boys once again dominated the play and set up a big lead going into the last quarter. 

In the final quarter, St Helena rallied once again and pushed hard but a classy left foot snap from Billy Bassett sealed the win. The team came away with a hard-fought win and were pleased with their performance. The win saw them progress to the Semi Final match with only a 40-minute break in between.

Best players were Tobie Travaglia, Xavier Grant, Deakin Andrews, O’Malley Parker and Isaac Meersbergen.

Game 2 – State Semi Final

The second game saw the team take on a red-hot Western Heights Secondary College. We did however get off to a great start, having four shots on goal in the first five minutes, but unfortunately we were unable to capitalise on our chances. Western Heights proceeded to kick three majors as they made the most of their opportunities. Hamish McNamara did however manage to kick the teams only goal of the game with a classy finish. 

Sadly, the next three quarters were a tad disappointing as the Western Heights teams pulled away. They were a classy and slick group that were hard to stop. It was a gutsy effort by all players that should be proud of their efforts.

Best players were Tobie Travaglia, Billy Bassett, Xavier Grant, Logan Kilcullen and Gus Hay.

Thank you all of the helpers over the course of the campaign and a big thank you to the parents that came along to support.

Thank you to Mr Lee Coghlan and Mr Jack Timmins who gave up their time to coach the team. 

Back L-R: Mr Lee Coghlan, Jack McMahon , Archer Day-Wicks, Deakin Andrews, Judd Gilchrist, Declan Stevenson, Isaac Meersbergen, Nicholas Santas, Wil Pinniger, Madden Guthrie, Caleb Tobin, Hamish McNamara, Archer Billings, Daniel Noden, Tobie Travaglia, Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, Hugh Behrens

Front L-R: Zane Connick, Billy Bassett, Xavier Grant, Joseph Artavilla, Gus Hay, Henry Edwards, Oliver Edmiston, Logan Kilcullen, Ethan French, Ethan McMahon, O’Malley Parker, Jasper Irwin, Isaac Tzouroutis

YEAR 8 BOYS

State Semi and Quarter Final

The Catherine McAuley College Year 8 Boys Football team traveled to Ballarat on Wednesday 17 August for the State Quarter and Semi Finals against Montmorency Secondary College and Maribyrnong Secondary College. 

In slippery and windy conditions, CMC made an excellent start and were comfortably leading at half time 46-4. The boys discipline was crucial in gaining such a strong lead. Montmorency were very competitive in the second half, but were unable to overcome the deficit with CMC taking the win 48-28 and moving onto the Semi Final that afternoon.

CMC’s opponent in the Semi Final was Maribyrnong Secondary College. CMC kicked with a strong breeze in the first quarter and took full advantage, kicking five goals to none, including a brilliant goal from the boundary line from Dash Daniels. With conditions improving and a larger oval, the boys were able to showcase their skill to help maintain a steady lead throughout the game. The final score was 51-18, with CMC winning and moving onto the State Final.

State Final

The Year 8 boys traveled to Bundoora for the State Final against Rowville Secondary College. The boys were full of energy and got off to a brilliant start kicking the first three goals of the game, with Rowville unable to convert their opportunities. The second term proved to be decisive in the result with Rowville getting on top and having a dominant period of play, to take a comfortable lead into the main break.

CMC competed bravely in the second half but they were unable to match Rowville’s intensity, who eventually ran out winners 112-52.

Congratulations to Eamon Austin who was awarded best on ground for CMC. The team should be extremely proud of their State Runners Up achievement. 

Back L-R: Finnegan Millar, Charlie Mortimer, Dash Daniels, Jake Schubert, Oliver Stewart, Ben Milller, Miller Nihill, Ryan Brown, Chase Poyser

Middle L-R: Eamon Austin, Tom Smith, Sam Gibson Jack Oldham, Hudson Banfield, Charlie Bannan, Ted Harrop, William Bartlett, Callum Whyte, Charlie Bombardieri

Front L-R: Archie Eaton, Carter Reid, Mr Mitchell Winter-Irving, Mr Leigh Millard, Axel Drummond, Lenny McNamara