Port Adelaide’s Hamish Hartlett and St Kilda’s Callum Wilkie reminisce ahead of Rostrevor v Sacred Heart intercol clash
Hamish Hartlett and Callum Wilkie lined up on opposite sides of the Sacred Heart-Rostrevor rivalry. But the AFL stars have similarly fond memories, approaching The Advertiser’s live stream of the 97th intercol.
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Ask these two AFL stars what they remember most about their college football days and their responses are similar.
St Kilda defender Callum Wilkie recalled the mateship he enjoyed as a key member of Rostrevor’s First XVIII.
Hamish Hartlett, now Port Adelaide vice-captain, also looked back fondly on the close bonds he formed with school friends, albeit at traditional rival Sacred Heart.
“I have fantastic memories of my school footballing days,” Hartlett, now 30, said.
“We were really successful, so I guess a lot of enjoyment came out of that.
“But also just the relationships that I built with my friends and teammates and the memories I created along the way will always stick with me.”
Hartlett and Wilkie spoke to The Messenger ahead of the 97th intercol clash between Rostrevor and Sacred Heart this Saturday.
Readers can watch the Messenger Shield action from the comfort of their homes, with the encounter live streamed on the advertiser.com.au website from 2.15pm.
Hearts beat their cross-town foes by 50 points last year, after Rostrevor earned a one-point victory 12 months earlier.
Wilkie, who the Saints took at pick No. 3 in the 2018 rookie draft, compared the intensity of the fixture to a grand final.
“We obviously had the intercols, which were pencilled in at the beginning of the year in terms of the biggest match of the season,” the 2013 Rostrevor graduate said.
“It was something everyone looked forward to.
“I had a great time playing football at that school and I had some of my fondest memories playing football there.
“You’re hanging out with your best mates, playing footy together.”
Rostrevor (2-4) enters the game fifth on the ladder, four wins adrift of the second-placed Hearts.
Wilkie had some valuable advice for his former school ahead of the weekend.
“It’s important for the guys not to get overwhelmed by the occasion, just try to stay calm and composed and focus on the basic things,” Wilkie, 24, said.
“The intercol I played in during Year 11 was probably the biggest crowd I had played in front of back then, it was pretty packed.
“We had a pretty strong team and were able to get over the line by four goals, I think.
“We had all the other students storm onto the field after the game – it was a great experience.“
Hartlett, who thrived under renowned Hearts coach Anthony Goodrich, held the intercol in similarly high regard.
“It was always quite a tough battle against Rostrevor,” the midfielder said.
“I think throughout the most part of my time at Sacred Heart we had the wood over them.
“We won most encounters that I had and that was a good period of time to be playing in.
“I have friends in both camps these days from Sacred Heart and Rostrevor, but I know my Double Blues boys will get the job done.
“Good luck to everyone out there and go Sacred Heart.”