SAAS First XVIII football round one: Sacred Heart College beats Scotch College by 189 points

Last season’s premier got off to a remarkable start in round one of the SAAS First XVIII college season with a 189-point win. Read the full division one match reports.

A massive win from Sacred Heart resulting in a jaw-dropping scoreline, a comeback win by Prince Alfred and a dominant display by St Peter’s, the SAAS First XVIII college season got off to an exciting start on Saturday.

Here are The Messenger’s reports from the division one matches:

SACRED HEART 29.22 (196) d SCOTCH 1.1 (7)

Sacred Heart College sent a message to the rest of the SAAS First XVIII college footy competition on Saturday, the school looking every bit as strong as it was last season, when it went undefeated.

While a largely inexperienced Scotch side may be in for a long season, Hearts clicked on all cylinders, not allowing their opponent an inch around the contest whether in the air or on the ground to win by a huge 189 points.

Scotch was held to a single behind for the first three quarters in the completely one-sided affair.

Sacred Heart coach Jon Symonds was thrilled with his side’s performance to kick-off season 2022.

“I couldn’t be unhappy with anything that transpired really,” Symonds said.

Sacred Heart Coach, Jon Symonds was happy with his team’s relentless performance against Scotch in round one. Picture: Matt Loxton

“Scotch had a crack at it, it was definitely closer than the scoreboard suggested but to the boys’ credit they stuck to the task really well all day and never gave in.”

Promising forward Ashton Moir was dominant for Hearts, leading well and taking multiple contested grabs to set himself up for seven majors for the day.

Will McCabe and Charlie Hildyard also chipped in with five goals each, while captain Tyson Coe was strong in the contest.

“The skipper was fantastic, just the way he led the side and made sure we stuck to task, as well as his great clearance work,” Symonds said.

Sacred Heart’s Ash Moir established himself as a top forward in the college competition on Saturday. Picture: Dean Martin

“Ash Moir and Will McCabe were great targets for us, and have some real promise for us, and Charlie Hildyard was really instinctive around the ball and able to convert from ground-balls.

“I think the ball movement was really key to it all. It was a selfless game by the side.”

Symonds and his team now look ahead to Rostrevor, who come off the round one bye.

“We know how we want to play this year. They’ll try to combat that and we need to front up for that,” Symonds said.

PRINCE ALFRED 13.12 (90) d IMMANUEL 12.8 (80)

Prince Alfred had a lot of improving to do despite its come from behind 10-point win over Immanuel on Saturday, according to coach Matt Slade.

Immanuel got the jump on the Reds at home early and went into half-time with a two-goal lead after strong play by captain Isaiah Wilksch and straight kicking in front of goal.

The visitors turned their fortunes around in the third quarter however, improving in the contest and with their forward pressure to take the win.

“We were a little bit disappointed but it’s still good to get the win in the end, even though we were possibly a bit lucky,” Slade said.

“They’re (Immanuel) remarkably better than last year and I think it caught us a bit off guard at the start and we were also incredibly undisciplined, so that’s something we need to fix before next week.”

PAC coach Matt Slade (left) with St Peter's coach Sam Elliott before last season’s Intercol matchup. Slade said his side had a lot to learn after their win against Immanuel over the weekend. Picture: Michael Marschall

Key utility Patrick Weckert made the move into ruck in the second half for Prince Alfred and was the catalyst to the team’s turnaround, giving his midfielders first use in the centre and at ball-ups around the ground.

Slade said he was happy with those who stepped up when needed.

“Weckert was definitely the spark, he played with aggression, won a few taps and roughed it up a bit for us. I think the others drew off that,” he said.

“Gabe Lagana played impressively in the back pocket and I think the rest of our backline held up really well too, they were under the pump all day.”

Slade added the game would prove to be a good learning curve for the side as it gears up for Westminster this Saturday.

“We need to pinpoint what we’re doing well and what we’re not and then learn from it. If we can take some time to assess lapses and get it right, we’ll start to turn in stronger displays.”

ST PETER’S 14.18 (102) d WESTMINSTER 6.8 (44)

Josh Francou’s first game in charge at St Peter’s was a success as his side used a dominant final term to top Westminster by 58 points.

The game was neck-and-neck in the first term, the visiting Westminster causing problems through the middle and up front with Anthony Munkara and newcomer Clay Shadforth making their presence felt.

It was again a hard-fought second quarter, with the midfields of both teams going head to head in each tight contest.

The hosts managed to quell the positive start from Westminster however and head into half-time up eight points.

Picture St peter's college

Saints then created more distance in the third term, with co-captains Fraser Bone and Billy Dowling having an influence on the play.

Bone was strong as a utility, providing a safe option ahead of and behind the ball while also spending time in the ruck.

Dowling was damaging around the contest and managed to find multiple teammates by foot efficiently.

Saints then capitalised on the momentum created at the end of the third term to overrun Westminster in the fourth, booting five goals and seven behinds to just a single point.

The round one win sets St Peter’s up nicely as it heads into the bye for round two.

DIVISION TWO RESULTS:

• St Michael’s 11.11 (77) d Sacred Heart Two 6.8 (44)
• Trinity 17.11 (113) d Mercedes 8.9 (57)
• CBC 9.8 (62) d Prince Alfred Two 5.10 (40)
• Pembroke 12.12 (84) d St Ignatius 12.8 (80)