Prince Alfred College defeats Henley High in Statewide Knockout Open Schools Football Cup
A young dynamo was best on ground and father-son draft prospects made their mark in an enthralling state school knockout football grand final on Tuesday night.
- Betts, Burgoyne’s nephew Isaiah Dudley making a name for himself
- Lukosius and Rankine lead Henley to drought-breaking title
- PAC fine tunes for huge week with big win
Prince Alfred College is the state school football champion for the sixth time after wrestling back the title from Henley High in the third meeting between the teams in as many years.
PAC was held scoreless in the first quarter of the Statewide Knockout Open Schools Football Cup grand final at Norwood Oval on Tuesday night.
But the Reds surged back into the contest on the back of a starring performance in defence from youngster Isaiah Dudley, who took out the Colin Steinart Medal for best on ground.
The 7.7 (49) to 5.11 (41) victory was Prince Alfred’s second since 2017 after losing last year’s decider to Henley.
Dudley was likely the smallest player on the field but stood taller all others in key moments in slippery conditions at The Parade.
The 16-year-old defined the contest with his dash out of defence, cool head and courage in the air.
A massive contest to put his body on the line and win a free kick in the second term inspired PAC to take a stranglehold on the game.
Lewis Cowham was Princes’ X-factor, booting three goals – two of them skilful soccers from the pocket – in an influential performance up forward.
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PAC coach Marty McKinnon said the winning mentality his young group showed was promising for the future, most importantly ahead of this Saturday’s intercol clash against arch rival St Peter’s.
“I was really proud of the way they stood up,” McKinnon said.
“It’s a young team – there’s only six or seven Year 12s in that group – for them to be so young and play so well under that pressure after some early jitters, they’ll take a lot out of that.
“Isaiah was fantastic and I think Lewis Cowham has kicked 17 goals in the last month since moving from a small defender to a small forward.
“To show that composure tonight was outstanding.”
Henley dominated the play in the first quarter as it repeatedly pumped the ball inside 50 while PAC could not find clean possession.
But the reigning champions could not make it show on the scoreboard, going into the first break at 1.2 to 0.0.
A clever snap from Kysiah Pickett got Princes off the mark, Dudley won a crucial 50-50 ball and Luke Pedlar then kicked truly from a set shot as PAC hit the lead six minutes into the second quarter to spring the match into life.
It was goal-for-goal after the main break and Henley’s leaders began to show their wares.
Lachlan McNeil worked tirelessly all night for the defending champions with burst from the contest and a key late goal.
Jackson Mead’s influence grew as the game went on and the midfielder – son of former Port Adelaide player Darren Mead – almost turned the game back in Henley’s favour.
But the reigning champions continued to miss chances while PAC took them.
James Borlase kicked what proved to be the sealer for Princes with seven minutes remaining.
It was the 50th anniversary for the trophy, which has been played under different names since 1969.
PAC equalled Henley’s tally of six titles but both schools are well behind Sacred Heart’s record of 18.
Henley defeated St Peter’s 11.6 (72) to 3.7 (25) in the preliminary last week to progress to the decider.
In 2018, Henley – led by stars Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine – won its first title in 38 years and ended PAC’s two-year unbeaten run in the process with a 25-point victory
That was the school’s sixth championship and first since 1980.
patrick.keam@news.com.au