Prince Alfred College wins Messenger Shield
WHEN Prince Alfred’s squad set its goals at the start of the college football season, going through unbeaten was not among them. But they have done just that, taking home the Messenger Shield.
WHEN Prince Alfred’s squad set its goals at the start of the college football season, going through unbeaten was not among them.
But PAC managed to do just that this year on its way to reclaiming the Messenger Shield and winning the state knockout title.
Prince Alfred finished the campaign with a remarkable 13-0 record under first-year coach Marty McKinnon.
It has now won the Shield five times in the First XVIII competition’s eight seasons.
McKinnon, a former Crows, Geelong and Brisbane wingman, says his squad has been determined to improve on last year’s second-place Shield finish.
“We thought we had the squad to be competitive in all of those competitions but you never know quite how it’s going to turn out,” McKinnon says.
“There was a bit of a legacy of the last year of falling short and trying to fulfil the potential of the group.
“I think that drove them on to keep getting better and to win every game and then the state knockout (title) was the cherry on top.”
McKinnon focused on the players’ kicking, ball movement and defensive actions during pre-season after taking over as coach from Steve Geyer.
“We did change the structure, we did change the way we train and they were significant changes, so it takes a talented group to be able to execute that.
“As a coaching group, we’ve really enjoyed working with the lads and the success is theirs, we’re just happy to go along for the ride.”
McKinnon will remain in the role next season and expects his team to again challenge for silverware.
“We had a really good group of Year 12s but a strong group of Year 11 players so that augurs well for the future.”
Prince Alfred’s previous Shield triumphs were in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015.