St Peter’s digs deep to beat Immanuel without state junior representatives and captain
State junior footy commitments and a cricket trip ensured St Peter’s was understrength for its Messenger Shield match Immanuel. But Saints dug deep in the final term to prevail.
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St Peter’s overcame the absences of several key players and a one-point three-quarter time deficit to defeat Immanuel, Sacred Heart continues its dominance by thrashing Westminster and Scotch outclasses St Michael’s.
Here is our wrap of round seven:
ST PETER’S 16.6 (102) IMMANUEL 11.17 (83)
St Peter’s was missing 13 players against Immanuel away on Saturday but still managed to prevail by 19 points.
State under-16 representatives Matt Roberts, Morgan Ferres, Brad Jefferies, and cricketers Will Warrick and Will Montgomery were absent for the 16.6 (102) to 11.17 (83) victory.
The hosts led by a few points at three-quarter time and kicked the first goal of the last term, only to fall away as Saints kicked the next five.
“It was a good effort,” St Peter’s coach Sam Elliott said.
Henry Nelligan continued his brilliant form with a 40-plus possession showing, while Saints soccer vice-captain Jasper Hoffmann (four goals) and James Higgins also shone.
“Nelligan’s an absolute freak,” Elliott said of the Norwood midfielder.
“This kid can really play.”
Saints face Rostrevor in their next game on July 27.
Immanuel coach Troy Clements believed his side did not get rewarded for its efforts.
“When my boys have been challenged, they have the strength within the side to fight back,” Clements said.
“I’ve been super proud.”
Captain Sam Wormald, Year 10 debutant James Reuther and Callum Saunders were Immanuel’s best.
Immanuel now has a 3-4 record this season.
Its next match is against Westminster on July 27.
SACRED HEART 16.5 (111) WESTMINSTER 2.1 (13)
Unbeaten college football powerhouse Sacred Heart kept Westminster scoreless during the first half on its way to a 98-point hammering at home.
Hearts dominated the opening two terms to lead 10.8 to 0 at the long break then secured their sixth victory of the campaign, prevailing 16.5 (111) to 2.1 (13).
“I expected a pretty tight contest but we jumped them really early,” Symonds said.
“It was a really, really dominant first half and I was pleased with our boys – they were exceptional.
“It was a very powerful performance.”
Louis Bonutto (three goals) was best afield for Sacred Heart, while Riley Holder, Max Harry and Beau McRae also impressed.
Full-forward Lachie Stoddard continued his prolific season, booting 5.4.
Symonds said he “could not have asked for anymore” from his squad so far this campaign but having a five-week break until its next game against Trinity at home on July 27 would test it.
“That’s the challenge – how we come back and how fluent we are when we get started next term,” he said.
SCOTCH BEATS ST MICHAEL’S
Scotch coach Nathan Eagleton reckons thumping division two college Mercedes gave his side plenty of confidence ahead of its victory over St Michael’s.
Eagleton’s squad was 1-4 in the Messenger Shield this season going into Saturday’s game and without a win in that competition since beating Westminster on May 11.
But the former Power and Western Bulldogs player said the success against Mercedes helped steel the players to beat St Michael’s.
“It was an impressive win and I was pretty happy with how we went about it,” Eagleton said.
“We got a lot of confidence out of beating Mercedes and we played that same kind of football.”
Tom Powell, captain Angus Kitto, Max Johnson and Blake Higgins were Scotch’s best.
Eagleton planned to take the squad to Queensland for four days during the five-week break to visit to Brisbane and Gold Coast’s training centres, and go to the Lions-North Melbourne game.
St Michael’s coach Mark Mickan said his side did not play anywhere near its best.
“Credit to Scotch, they put us under a lot of pressure and didn’t handle it that well,” Mickan said.
“We played in fits and starts, some reasonable footy at times and then we’d drop right off.
“We couldn’t hit a target and they were quite good with their skills.”
Sam Liambis, Bailey Beaton, Isaac Richards and Indiana Dorian were best for St Michael’s.
Mickan said the players would stew on the loss during the month-long break before playing Prince Alfred on July 27.
** Prince Alfred, Rostrevor, Pembroke and Trinity did not play Shield games this round.
ROUND EIGHT
Saturday, July 27
■ Immanuel v Westminster
■ Scotch v Pembroke
■ Prince Alfred v St Michael’s
■ Rostrevor v St Peter’s
■ Sacred Heart v Trinity
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