Messenger Shield: Sacred Heart full of momentum after recording second straight college footy win

Sacred Heart proves too strong for St Michael’s, Rostrevor holds off Immanuel and Pembroke triumphs against Trinity. This is a wrap of round of two of college footy’s Messenger Shield.

Sacred Heart College footballer Xavier Robins starred in his side’s victory against St Michael’s on Saturday. Picture: Matt Turner.

• Draft prospects shine in PAC’s big win over Saints
• St Peter’s hoping to end six-year drought against Princes
• Sacred Heart opens its season with thrilling win
• College footy season preview: your guide to 2019

The first XVIII college footy game between Prince Alfred and St Peter’s College might have drawn the most attention but the three other round two matches also produced highlights.

Lachlan Stoddard was a standout in Sacred Heart’s victory over St Michael’s, while Rostrevor was forced to withstand a fightback from Immanuel.

Here is our wrap of round two:

SACRED HEART 17.7 (109) ST MICHAEL’S 9.4 (58)

Sacred Heart coach Jon Symonds believes momentum is on his team’s side but it needs to keep hold of it following a strong start to its Messenger Shield college footy campaign.

Hearts made it two wins from two to begin the season with a comfortable 17.7 (109) to 9.4 (58) victory away to St Michael’s last Saturday.

It followed a stirring two-point triumph over powerhouse Prince Alfred in the opening round.

Symonds said his side needed to continue playing its brand of footy when it took on Pembroke at home this Saturday before a big knockout clash against rival Rostrevor the following week.

“Momentum is a pretty good thing in footy,” Symonds said.

Sacred Heart coach Jon Symonds. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

“We were obviously very happy to get the win last week but it was really important for the boys to put that behind them and continue on, which they did.

“We’ve been playing the way we want to play these first two games and if we do that again we’ll be a good chance for both upcoming games.”

A strong second term set up the win for Sacred Heart in wet conditions before St Michael’s broke even in the second half thanks to some stout defence.

Last week’s hero Lachlan Stoddard, who kicked the winning goal against PAC, continued his form with six majors.

Xavier Robins was best for Hearts in the midfield and across half-back, while Ben Jungfer returned from NT Thunder commitments to give the visitors a hard edge around the ball.

Michael Laudato (three goals), Harry Hawkins and Zack Buck were best for St Michael’s.

St Michael’s coach Ben Mesisca said a poor second quarter let his side down but he was pleased with how the players fought back in the second half.

“In the first quarter we travelled really well and we were quite competitive,” Mesisca said.

“But in the second quarter there was probably a lapse in concentration with a few errors in windy conditions.

“They (Sacred Heart) took a bit of momentum and we struggled to go with them but in that second half we actually responded quite well to keep up with them.

“The boys recovered quite well and kept a quite respectable margin against a very good side.”

ROSTREVOR 12.15 (87) IMMANUEL 6.14 (50)

There is room for improvement at Rostrevor after overcoming a spirited Immanuel in a 37-point away victory last Saturday.

Rossies blew Immanuel out of the water in the opening term to lead by five goals at the first break but the hosts then responded.

Immanuel got back to within three majors during the final term but kicked 1.9 for the quarter as the visitors steadied late to win.

“They didn’t score in the first, we were up by five goals at quarter-time and it was looking ominous,” Rostrevor coach Ron Fuller said.

Rostrevor coach Ron Fuller. Picture: AAP/Russell Millard

“But to Immanuel’s credit they showed really good spirit – they just kept coming at us.

“We had one ruckman injured and another away with the state team and their ruckman got on top of us.

“Our on-ballers had to react to reading a losing ruck.”

Half-back flanker Daniel Carbone, full-back James Warton and skipper Stefan Lanzoni (four goals) led the way for Rostrevor.

Immanuel coach Troy Clements said his side showed plenty of spirit to match the visitors from quarter-time onwards.

Stefan Lanzoni, in action for Rostrevor last year, kicked four goals in his team’s match with Immanuel on Saturday. Picture: AAP/Morgan Sette

“We fought back in the last and were let down by kicking 1.9,” Clements said.

“But I was super proud of their effort.

“We put ourselves in the right frame of mind to play Rostrevor.

“It gives us some confidence going up against the big four schools.”

Ruckman Chris Bawden put in a strong performance for Immanuel, while defenders Jack Salisbury and Liam Atkins also impressed.

PEMBROKE 10.18 (78) TRINITY 8.7 (55)

Trinity coach Scott Charlton is impressed with his side’s willingness to take risks, despite a 23-point away loss to Pembroke on Saturday.

The visitors were outplayed but Charlton believed he saw signs the team was on the right track.

“Pembroke was just better around the contest, they hunted us better and we couldn’t find a way to get them,” Charlton said.

“The signs were encouraging though.

“They took some risks and were willing to go out and try to play good footy, not just be defensive.”

ROUND THREE

Saturday, May 18

■ Prince Alfred v Immanuel

■ Sacred Heart v Pembroke

■ Scotch v Rostrevor

■ St Peter’s v under-16 state squad

■ St Michael’s – bye