St Peter’s Old Collegians set for Adelaide Footy League division two grand final
THEY are the giants of division two and St Peter’s Old Collegians four-pronged attack has stood head and shoulders over the rest of the competition on the way to an unbeaten record.
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THEY are the giants of division two and St Peter’s Old Collegians four-pronged attack has stood head and shoulders over the rest of the competition on the way to an unbeaten record.
Now the dominant Saints – including tall timber James and Jock McLeay, Luke Mitchell and Luke Trenorden – will take on Brighton in an Adelaide Footy League grand final this Saturday.
SPOC has been almost untouchable on its way to a stellar 19-0 record.
Its quartet of forwards, who all stand at more than 190cm, has been a key factor in Saints’ perfect run.
Jock McLeay leads the division two goalkicking tally with 52 majors this season, an excellent return from the former Birdwood big man who originally planned to man a key defensive post.
“I was actually meant to be playing in the backline when I came over, but Luke (Trenorden) got injured in a trial game so I ended up being swung forward,” Jock says.
“The four of us benefit from the great work of the midfield. If we get enough good ball in there, teams usually can’t match out height.”
The McLeay brothers are genuine old scholars and made the decision to join SPOC this season when James returned from a three-year stint in London. Jock then jumped at the chance to play with his sibling for the first time.
“Coming back from overseas I was keen to get back into footy and there was no other club I wanted to play for,” James, who played 158 SANFL games with Sturt, says.
“It hasn’t been all smooth sailing with the forward line, but we seem to have worked it out. It probably helps that the four of us are all smart with the way we play.”
SPOC booked its place in the second-tier decider and secured promotion to the top flight with a 16.6 (102) to 6.9 (45) win over Brighton a fortnight ago. The quartet booted 12 of the Saints’ goals on the day, Trenorden leading the way with a bag of six.
Coach Chris Hall’s side has been clinical on its unbeaten run, coming closest to defeat in a 12-point win over Brighton in round six.
The second-year mentor says putting the four-pronged attack together happened “purely by chance” but was now a key part of the game plan.
“We’ve been slowly integrating the four of them into the line-up and rotating through at different times,” Hall says.
“Weather permitting as well.
“They’ve formed quite a unique bond, those four. Forwards generally are a bit of a different breed and those guys are no different.”
Hall says SPOC is not fazed by its undefeated tag.
“We have a system that we roll out and it doesn’t matter who the opponent is we just try to play our way,” he says.
“Everything else just takes care of itself.”
SPOC was relegated from division one last season but recruited hard in the off-season in a bid for immediate return and brought in ex-Carlton tall Mitchell and former Brisbane Lion Jesse O’Brien from Onkaparinga Valley, along with the McLeay brothers.
THE GIANTS OF SPOC
Jock McLeay – 196cm, 52 goals
James McLeay – 191cm, 35 goals
Luke Mitchell – 197cm, 35 goals
Luke Trenorden – 195cm, 16 goals