Prince Alfred College creates history winning a third college footy title in a row
Prince Alfred is cementing itself as a powerhouse football college, claiming a third title in a row.
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Prince Alfred has entered the college football history books and is fast cementing itself as Adelaide’s best after becoming the first to claim three Messenger Shield titles in a row.
PAC lost just one match this campaign – in round one when it suffered a two-point loss to Sacred Heart – before going on to win 10-straight games.
Since the competition’s establishment in 2010, PAC has taken home seven Messenger Shields (2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019).
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The Shield win followed the college’s victory against Henley in the Statewide Knockout Open Schools Football Cup grand final last month.
Coach Marty McKinnon was proud to be involved with such a powerhouse college.
“It was really pleasing to finish the season so well after a hard-fought, but ultimately small
loss at the start of the year,” McKinnon said.
“It’s always great to get recognition for the hard work a team puts in.
“We have a lot of talented players at the college.
“But I think over time, along with that talent, there is a desire to win that becomes part of the culture of the group.
“Every year, it’s a different team, but there is expectation I think that drives each team forward and that's quite important.
“This year we had a talented group although it was probably a little bit younger than in previous years but still determined to do well and measure up to the performances of previous teams.”
McKinnon said captain Karl Finlay and Kysaiah Pickett – the nephew of Port Adelaide premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist Byron Pickett – were PAC’s standouts.
He said every player felt an immense level of pride playing for the college and expected the successful era to continue.
“(Finlay) is just an amazing presence on-field and conducted himself really well in training and outside of games as well.
“We were behind in a lot of our games this year and I think his leadership was important in that respect.
“Kysaiah Pickett was very influential for us on-ball and gave us some momentum out of stoppages which was really important in a couple of big games.
“You always hear it from old footballers and I believe it as well that some of the most enjoyable football you play is with your mates at school.
“It’s a different feel to what you get playing other levels of football.
“I think that enjoyment factor of playing with your mates does count for a fair bit as well.”
