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Prince Alfred too strong for Rostrevor in round one college footy clash

Reigning Messenger Shield winners PAC prove too good with potential AFL draft prospects starring, while St Peter’s also records big win. Find out which players starred and which teams won in our round one first XVIII college footy match wraps.

Prince Alfred’s Ben Larsson is tackled by Rostrevor’s Darcy McKenny during their round one college footy clash. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
Prince Alfred’s Ben Larsson is tackled by Rostrevor’s Darcy McKenny during their round one college footy clash. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

College footy has finally returned following many months of wondering if games would ever get underway this year with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Round one did not disappoint with potential draft players performing well and the reigning Messenger Shield winners looking strong again.

Here is The Messenger’s round one college football match reports.

PRINCE ALFRED 18.18 (126) ROSTREVOR 5.3 (33)

The reigning Messenger Shield champion sent an early warning to the rest of the competition that it was not ready to relinquish the title.

Prince Alfred was a class above Rostrevor in their clash away on Saturday, winning by 93 points.

Rostrevor had three of its starting XVIII due to injuries, including AFL draft prospect Ned Carey (back stress fractures) midfielder Xavier Tranfa and skipper Matthew Dnistriansky (shoulder).

The lack of experience hurt the hosts as the visitors proved too quick and too skilful, prevailing 18.18 (126) to 5.3 (33).

James Borlase, son of a Port Adelaide premiership captain Darryl Borlase and Crows Next Generation Academy member, has been played as a full back with Sturt.

Prince Alfred rising star James Borlase in action in the round one college football match against Rostrevor. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
Prince Alfred rising star James Borlase in action in the round one college football match against Rostrevor. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

But new PAC coach Matt Slade decided to test Borlase’s versatility and had him play in the forward line for half of the match.

It paid off with Borlase booting three goals and another rising star Harry McInnes booting six.

Skipper Luke Pedlar (two goals) also led from the front for PAC.

“It’s been a ridiculously long build up but it was worth it in the end,” Slade said.

“There were some good signs but still a lot to work on,” Slade said.

“But the boys are happy (with the win) and they should be proud.

“We are looking to play fast.

“I know they have enough class, their kicking skills and talent in the group runs pretty deep so it enables us to do that.”

Hugh Jackson and Max Michalanney booted two goal each for the hosts.

Prince Alfred skipper Luke Pedlar. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
Prince Alfred skipper Luke Pedlar. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Rostrevor coach James Allan was disappointed with the loss but said his side could learn plenty from a top team in PAC.

“They are a really impressive side and it was always going to be a challenge for us,” Allan said.

“We had eight Year 12s, three Year 10s and the rest Year 11s so we are a really young side.

“We’ve got a few injuries to our leaders and it doesn’t help.

“But it was a really good lesson for us to play against the best side going around.

“I thought our effort in patches was excellent.

“Third quarter I was really pleased with, we were able to score by putting pressure on the opposition.

“The challenge for us now is to do that more consistently and make those patches longer.”

ST PETER’S 22.18 (150) IMMANUEL 4.7 (31)

St Peter’s took control after a tight first quarter to beat Immanuel by 119 points at home on Saturday.

Scores were locked at 16 apiece at quarter-time before the hosts’ talent shone through, helping the team to a 22.18 (150) to 4.7 (31) victory.

Captain James Higgins, midfielder Matthew Roberts and Cormac Dwyer (three goals) were best for Saints.

St Peter’s captain James Higgins. Picture: Matt Loxton
St Peter’s captain James Higgins. Picture: Matt Loxton

Saints Sam Elliott said the match was a “real arm wrestle” but was pleased his players were able to take the game on in the second quarter and win convincingly.

“They were solid, our boys,” Elliott said.

“It was an interesting game.

“We were pretty nervous, fumbly and didn’t look after the football very well (early).

“In the second quarter we just started to settle and use the ground a bit better and made it harder to defend and started hitting targets.

“The third quarter they just broke it wide open and I think we kicked 16 goals in the second half.”

Elliott said the challenge now was for his players to stay grounded and continue the strong form moving into round two.

“It’s about staying balanced and not being overeager to get the ball,” Elliot said.

“If you start trying to predict what teams will do, you’re in deep trouble.

“You just have to worry about yourself and keep playing the best footy you can and let the result take care of itself.”

SACRED HEART 17.19 (121) ST MICHAEL’S 4.3 (27)

A five-goal haul from Jakob Ryan helped Sacred Heart beat St Michael’s by 94 points away on Saturday.

Ryan had plenty of support from teammate Luca Whitelum (three goals).

Ruckman Riley Holder and midfielder Xavier Robins also impressed.

Coach Jon Symonds said the triumph was a “terrific result.”

“It was very pleasing,” Symonds said.

“Given we haven’t played any external opposition I wasn’t exactly sure what we were going to get.

“But I was happy with how things came together.”

Sacred Heart’s Riley Holder in action during a match against St Peter’s last year. Picture: Dean Martin
Sacred Heart’s Riley Holder in action during a match against St Peter’s last year. Picture: Dean Martin

Symonds said his side got off to a “tardy” start but managed to get their structures right from quarter-time.

“We really started to get on top in the clearances and the way we were able to get more numbers to the contest helped us get greater possession control of the ball,” Symonds said.

“When out forwards presented up as mobile leading targets we were able to create a few more avenues towards goal.”

Adam D’Aloia played well for the hosts, finishing with two goals, while Charlie Blair and skipper Zack Buck also battled hard.


SCOTCH 11.12 (78) PEMBROKE 10.8 (68)

Scotch prevailed in a thriller against Pembroke away on Saturday, winning by 10 points.

Zac Becker led the way for the visitors up-forward with three goals, while Jordy Cock and Harry Lemmey booted two each.

Co-captains and brothers Ned and Hugh Walter led well for Scotch.

Scotch coach Nathan Eagleton said the victory was reward for the effort players had put in over the past few months, training hard despite no games.

Eagleton said he made a few tweaks to the line up at half-time which also helped his side claim the win.

“It was a really good battle all day with us getting the edge in the last quarter,” Eagleton said.

“We just made sure the boys had a bit more poise with the football in hand and a few player changes here and there — we pushed Zac Becker forward — and that really had an impact.

“They’ve (players) have put in a lot of hard work where we trained a lot but not having the reward of a match on the weekend.

“But they showed great enthusiasm over that time and we got to reap the rewards of that.

“I am proud of the effort the lads have put in during a hard year, especially for the Year 12s.”

For Pembroke, Will Hammond booted a game-high five goals, while Ethan Schwerdt and Darcy McTostie kicked two apiece and Oli Duff was the other sole goal kicker.

Archie Richardson, Archer Bawden, Hammond, Dylan Hopkins and Jake Willis were best for the hosts.

Action from the round one college footy clash between Scotch and Pembroke. Picture: Leo Panzarino
Action from the round one college footy clash between Scotch and Pembroke. Picture: Leo Panzarino


WESTMINSTER 19.15 (186) PRINCE ALFRED RESERVES 2.3 (15)

Westminster played in a match against Prince Alfred’s second team away on Saturday for no Messenger Shield points.

But the visitors showed they were no match for the Reds’ reserves, beating the hosts by 171 points.

Highly touted youngster Lukas Cooke led the way with six goals for Westminster, while Jake Francis chipped in with three majors.

Westminster captain Harvey Bock was solid, while Cooper Thomson also played well.

THIS WEEK

Saturday August 1, 2.15pm

■ Prince Alfred v Pembroke

■ Immanuel v St Michael’s

■ Sacred Heart v Rostrevor

■ Westminster v St Peter’s

■ Scotch v Blackfriars (division two team)

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/sport/prince-alfred-too-strong-for-rostrevor-in-round-one-college-footy-clash/news-story/c86163f7712e94dd7f3bf0eb21986719