St Peter’s narrowly triumphs over Rostrevor in indigenous round clash
A blockbuster college footy clash went down to the wire as St Peter’s “dodged a big bullet” against Rostrevor. SEE the full match wraps here plus the REPLAY of the live stream between Sacred Heart and Westminster.
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It was a special round for St Peter’s and Rostrevor — both sides were honouring the Aboriginal culture wearing indigenous-designed guernseys.
Rostrevor star and potential AFL draftee Ned Carey recovered a severe back injury and played his first game for the school this Messenger Shield season, almost helping cause an upset against an undefeated St Peter’s side.
Read our match wraps here.
ROSTREVOR 9.7 (61) ST PETER’S 9.8 (62)
St Peter’s coach Sam Elliott said his side “dodged a big bullet” in its clash with Rostrevor away on Saturday.
The visitors managed to triumph in a thrilling clash by just one point.
Saints remain undefeated but Elliott was disappointed his players failed to capitalise on a strong first half.
“(It was) a game of two halves,” Elliott said.
“We played well in the first half and they dominated the second half.
“We tried to save the game instead of win.
“(There are) lots of lessons from the game and we dodged a big bullet.”
Defender Malachy Carruthers was best on ground for the visitors, “by a mile”, according to Elliott.
Saints’ 9.8 (62) to 9.7 (61) victory against Rostrevor came a week after Elliott shook up his team, bringing in three debutants for the eventual win against St Michael’s.
Rostrevor was boosted by the inclusion of potential AFL draftee Ned Carey who was playing his first Messenger Shield game for this year after returning from injury.
Rising star Xavier Tranfa also starred for Rostrevor with four goals.
Max Michalanney, Mackenzie Best, Noah Hyde and Zak Lovegrove also worked hard for Rostrevor.
Rostrevor coach James Allan was proud of his players’ fight.
“It was a cracking game of footy,” Allan said.
“Our effort was outstanding for all but 10-15 minutes in the second quarter when we had the breeze and Saints made us pay.
“They are a quality side and we just ran out of time at the end.
“I spoke to the boys at half time about making a call on how the rest of the game would go – we could dig in, make it a contest and give ourselves a chance – or we could pack it in and things could get ugly.
“To their credit, they through the kitchen sink at them but couldn’t quite get there.”
PEMBROKE 13.6 (84) IMMANUEL 8.16 (64)
Pembroke returned to the winners’ list when it beat an inaccurate Immanuel side at home on Saturday.
The hosts proved too strong, prevailing 13.6 (84) to 8.16 (64), keeping Immanuel winless for the 2020 Messenger Shield campaign after six rounds.
Will Hammond led the way for Pembroke with four goals and he was given plenty support up-forward from Ethan Schwerdt (three majors).
Harry Peniment two), was Pembroke’s other multiple goal kicker, while Josh Angus, Eddie Elias, Ned Carruthers and Lachlan Skeate all booted one goal each.
Schwerdt was named best-on-ground for the hosts.
Ned Carruthers, Jack Willis, Archie Richardson, Will Hammond, Josh Angus and Nick Blackman were also strong for the winners.
Immanuel was led inside 50 by P Foster who booted four goals, while Hugh Stagg, Jaden Grosser.
Pembroke football director Michael Bawden said his side used the strong wind n the first quarter to its advantage and it helped set up the victory.
“We established a solid quarter-time lead and then Immanuel got themselves right back in the game to trail by nine points at half time,” Bawden said.
“Immanuel had the upper hand in the clearances throughout the first half.
“(But) Pembroke reset and kicked the last four goals of the (third) quarter to be 16 points in front at three quarter time.
“The game was far from over as Immanuel had the wind in the last quarter and drew back within ten points before Pembroke kicked away to win by 22 points.
Ethan Schwerdt was outstanding on ball, Ned Carruthers rebounded well off half back, Jack Willis defended hard all day at full back and Will Hammond was a dangerous presence in the forward line.”
Phoenix Foster starred for Immanuel with four goals.
Immanuel coach Troy Clements said his side matched Pembroke for most of the contest just lacked polish to win the game.
“It was a really even contest and both sides played some really hard football,” Clements said.
“It was a quick, open style of play and Pembroke took their chances.
“They probably kicked a few lucky ones and we missed some easy opportunities directly in front of goal and that probably hurt us in the end.”
PRINCE ALFRED 19.25 (139) ST MICHAEL’S 3.4 (22)
Prince Alfred is well on its way to winning a fourth-straight Messenger Shield title after thrashing St Michael’s by 117 points at home on Saturday.
The three-times reigning champions were led by Harry McInnes, who booted five goals in the 19.25 (139) TO 3.4 (22) victory.
Harry Tunkin was also strong up-forward for the hosts, kicking three goals, while Josh Garrels and Mitch Searle finished with two majors each.
Will Taylor, Kallis Fereer, Oscar Clark and Aston Woods led a long list of best players for PAC.
PAC coach Matt Slade was pleased with his players’ performance, especially because it was the last home game for this season.
“James Borlase earned his first (SANFL) game so he ended up playing for Sturt on Friday night,” Slade said.
“We were without him and it was great in a sense it was an excellent opportunity for him and it also gave another player in our seconds team an opportunity.
“We pumped the game up — it was the last game the Year 12s will play on that front oval.
“So it was about making a good memory for these guys and we put a lot of emphasis on that and how they wanted to remember it.”
SACRED HEART 7.11 (53) WESTMINSTER 7.7 (49)
Sacred Heart beat Westminster by four points in an absolute thriller at home on Saturday.
Hearts led by six goals midway through the final term before the Dragons stormed home to ensure the match went down to the wire.
The nailbiting match was the perfect start of The Advertiser’s new era for Adelaide’s premier schoolboy competition, giving readers a chance to watch the game from the comfort of their living room with a live stream.
READ THE FULL MATCH WRAP AND WATCH THE REPLAY HERE
SCOTCH 13.15 (93) MERCEDES 1.3 (9)
(Not for Messenger Shield points)
Scotch battled Mercedes away in a clash not for Messenger Shield points on Saturday.
The visitors proved too strong, beating Mercedes by 84 points.
Cormack O’Reilly was the star inside 50 for Scotch, booting four goals, while Max Johnson, Oscar Turnbull and Kyan Eagleton kicked two each.
O’Reilly, Seb Steel, Matt Dixon and Jordy Cock were best on ground for Scotch.
THIS WEEK
Saturday, September 5
■ Immanuel v Prince Alfred at Immanuel
■ Rostrevor v Pembroke at Rostrevor
■ Scotch v Sacred Heart’s second team (Not for Messenger Shield points)
■ St Peter’s v Sacred Heart at St Peter’s
■ Westminster v St Michael’s at Westminster