Sacred Heart shows fight in the middle to oust rival Rostrevor in neck-and-neck Intercol affair
A fast start and midfield dominance saw Sacred Heart edge out traditional rivals Rostrevor in their annual Intercol clash. See all the reports from the college footy matches.
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Rivalry was the theme of the day for the final full round of college footy action as schools went head-to-head in First XVIII Intercol matches on Saturday.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from Saturday’s division one games:
SACRED HEART 11.11 (77)
ROSTREVOR 9.8 (62)
Dominating the contested footy and hitting the forwardline with urgency were the keys to Sacred Heart’s rivalry win against Rostrevor on Saturday, according to coach Jon Symonds.
Hearts showed grit and toughness in the middle from the first bounce, dominating possession and hitting the scoreboard early with four unanswered goals.
“I was really pleased with the way we started the game because we’ve been a bit slow out of the blocks in recent weeks,” Symonds said.
“We were tough in the contest and we needed to be because it was a really strong, pure game of footy – a great battle.”
Hearts were impressive for the full fourth quarters, but the win didn’t come easily.
Rostrevor, despite trailing all game, always maintained a high intensity and made sure to put the home side under the pump til the final siren.
Jacob Owens and Kobe Ryan were instrumental for Hearts in the middle of the park, with Owens also booting three goals.
Best on ground Will Patton, playing fullback, also had a significant impact, running hard, covering forwards and spoiling many forward-50 entries.
Symonds was delighted with the way his team played on such a big occasion.
“I was really pleased with our backline and the way we fought around the ground,” he said.
“There was a terrific atmosphere all day and both colleges gave it their all. It’s an enormous event and it’s just a great experience to play a game like that.”
SCOTCH 23.14 (152)
IMMANUEL 9.12 (66)
Scotch showed top-drawer work rate across the ground for the full four quarters to thrash Immanuel in its final game of the year.
Coach Ben Nelson was happy with the way his side pressured Immanuel into costly errors throughout the game.
“Our ability to score heavily was pleasing and it certainly came off the back of the boys’ work rate and ability to put pressure on the opposition,” Nelson said.
“Immanuel defended pretty well but when we forced turnovers and got our forwards in one-on-one situations they couldn’t stop us.”
Zac Becker kicked multiple majors for Scotch, while Jed Obst was a force on the ball.
Ruckman Hugo Kittle was also impressive, picking apart the Immanuel midfield with his tap work.
“It was a really strong performance from the whole team and we’ve lifted for the big games this year which has been so pleasing to see,” Nelson said.
“We’ve got a lot of guys coming through but we’ve also got a bunch of Year 12s leaving now so to be able to produce a performance like that and give them a good send-off was great.”
WESTMINSTER 20.14 (134)
PEMBROKE 9.6 (60)
Trailing by a kick at quarter-time, Westminster managed to pull itself together to record a dominant win over Pembroke at home.
Pembroke got the jump early, moving the ball out of the middle with pace to catch the home side’s defence off-guard.
The Dragons took over in the second and third quarters however, converting more efficiently in front of goal and dominating the contest.
“We definitely gained control in the midfield in the second and third quarters and started converting chances we were missing early on,” Westminster coach Tim Weatherald said.
“Getting our hands on the footy in those quarters and moving the ball up to big Lucas Cooke was a big part of the win.”
Cooke played brilliantly, kicking six goals and setting up a few more, but it was Taaj Nicholls who stole the show.
The link-up forward controlled play and ensured his side built an insurmountable lead, finding forwards with ease through the final three terms.
Halfback Antonio James was also a standout, while utility Anthony Munkara had another great game, dominating in the ruck and booting three goals.
“I’m really chuffed with the result,” Weatherald said.
“Obviously it’s a special day for the boys and we played some really good footy to send our Year 12s off.”
ST MICHAEL’S 10.11 (71)
TRINITY 12.12 (84)
Trinity produced a dramatic win against rival St Michael’s away from home, erasing a five-goal deficit in the final two terms.
The side trailed until midway through the third quarter and sealed the win in the fourth with efficient work forward of centre.
Coach Scott Charlton loved the way his team showed composure in the fightback.
“There were a few nervous moments there as coach but the boys knew if they lifted their intensity in the second half they could start to come back, and that’s what they did,” Charlton said.
“We felt like we were right in it for the whole day but we just couldn’t convert how we would’ve liked.
“We showed real composure though and always had the belief, which is what got us the win in the end.”
Jackson Penrose was best on ground across halfback for Trinity, making important smothers and tackles when the game was on the line.
Jordan Kotsano was also integral upfront, kicking five goals for the game, three of them in the final term.
“Jackson is such a loved player and to have him making those really important one-percenters really got the boys up and about,” Charlton said.
“In the end we showed a lot of guts and it was just a perfect way to end the season and thank our senior players.
“This group has been special in the way they’ve built the team culture up so it was great to get that win to end the season.”
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