St Pat’s v Ambrose Treacy among the round one highlights of AIC footy

AIC First XVIII Players of the Day after the schoolboy footy competition roared to life with round 1 action.

Bailey Russell of Ambrose Treacy College - it was a great contest between the teams. photo credit: Sue Middleton

The AIC First XVIII footy season was off to a flying start, with Iona College had a significant win over Marist College Ashgrove and a fabulous contest between St Patrick’s College and Ambrose Treacy College among the highlights.

ROUND 1: AIC FIRST XI CRICKET REPORT

AIC FIRST XVIII FOOTY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Paddies’ inched its way to victory 5-12-42 to 4-7-31 after a dramatic first term effort which saw them ping three goals and generate what became the winning margin.

And Iona College also impressed in its 8-8-56 to 3-3-21 win over a spirited Marist College Ashgrove after nothing separated the teams entering the second term.

In other matches, St Laurence’s College beat Villanova 55-17 and Padua College enjoyed a big win over St Edmund’s College.

St Patrick’s roaring start featured the squad’s leg speed across the ground which proved difficult for ATC to match up on.

However, Ambrose Treacy rallied, displaying plenty of spirit to graft their way back into the game to fight back.

Indeed a third quarter surge saw ATC get within touching distance of their rivals as the margin was narrowed to just a goal.

But St Pat’s were able to settle and kick the goal which put a bit of real estate between the sides - notwithstanding ATC spirit finish to the match.

The competition could not have wished for more in round one.

Spencer Smart gets up to mark for ATC. Photo credit: Sue Middleton

Iona generated 18 scoring shots to six after being able to execute impressively infront of the goals.

After a tight first quarter which saw Iona ahead by just three points, the Iona players were able to get their game going and the outfit never looked back.

“It was a game played in great spirits with Iona on home soil getting their season underway with a win,’’ said Leigh Harding, Iona College’s assistant Head of Sport High Performance.

Despite being beaten, the Ashgrove players stuck to their guns.

“Even though we were outclassed by Iona, the coaching staff were extremely proud of the entire team,’’ said Ashgrove coach Matt Beaittie.

Ashgrove’s coaching staff were impressed with the team’s willingness to compete and play their roles under pressure.

St Laurence’s claimed a local derby win against inner city rivals, Villa, winning 8-7-55 to 2-5-17.

A fabulous atmosphere generated by supporters swept across Yeronga and the final score did not reflect the closeness of the game.

It was a tight encounter, broken open in the vital third quarter when Ethan Duke found two goals.

The roaring Laurie’s fans then inspired the black and gold boys to maintain a slight advantage in the match.

Villa was around the mark, but St Laurence’s midfield players were the big difference.

“The game was ultra impressive, with both teams’ ability to pressure the opposition a key highlight,’’ said St Laurence’s co-coach Joshua Ferguson.

“The intensity of the contest was there for all to see, with the first half being played in a free flowing, end to end style, moving into a more controlled second half.

“The way in which the game was played is a credit to both teams and highlights the continual growth of AIC footy.’’

PLAYERS OF ROUND 1

St Patrick’s v Ambrose Treacy

Spencer Smart (ATC)

Smart had an outstanding game up forward, kicking three goals and looked like the match winner for his side. Unfortunately a niggling injury took him off in the third just when Ambrose Treacey had closed the gap. At that point one sensed Smart was capable of breaking the game open.

Noah Polinski (St Patrick’s)

Polinski was a midfield marvel, controlling the engine room and providing first use of the ball out of the contest. It was a masterful display.

Jarvis Czarkowski in the ruck for Ambrose Treacy College. Photo credit: Sue Middleton

Bailey Russell (ATC)

Russell was the link man, combining through the midfield as his side came out of defence. His clean hands and decision making helped us going forward.

Pat Dalton (St Patrick’s)

Dalton provided plenty of runs from the wing and his reward for effort was two crucial goals. How important those goals became apparent later in the game.

Stephen Larcom (ATC)

Larcom was a sensational centre half back. While undersized, he rarely lost an aerial contest. It was a special performance.

Brock O’Sullivan (St Patrick’s)

O’Sullivan worked tirelessly at centre half forward, covering lots of ground and providing a target for his teammates.

IONA COLLEGE v MARIST COLLEGE ASHGROVE

Ben Lillico (Iona College)

Lillico is a player with QAFL senior side experience with Morningside and it showed as the 2024 Panthers colts premiership winner went about his business. Hard at the ball in the midfield, Lillico’s performance was significant.

Van Sanders (Ashgrove)

The Marist captain, Sanders led Ashgrove well.Ash have a number of talented athletes from other sports who were still learning the game who would have benefitted from the match against a strong Iona outfit.

Archie Watts (Iona College)

Watts was always going to be a leading player this season and the midfield-forward wasted no time in impressing in a big match against Marist.

Ben Butko (Iona College)

Playing across half back, Butko was another leading player on the day and he has laid the platform for what could be a stellar season for him, and the side.

ST LAURENCE’S v VILLANOVA COLLEGE

Ethan Duke, Cooper Hodge and co. (St Laurence’s)

Both Lions academy boys were crucial in how possession was presented out of the middle.

Duke led the way for St Laurence’s with his impressive work rate and silky-smooth skills a feature all day, with the highlight being a right foot snap from the boundary in the dying moments of the third quarter.

Around Hodge, Ben Gomersall, Joel Stephens were impressive all day, combining a mix a silky skills and high pressure to get the game on our terms.”

Joel Stephens (St Laurence’s)

Stephens was magnificent down back. He held down the backline as the last line of defence superbly on multiple occasions.

Rhys Doman (Villanova)

After a stirring debut against Iona late last season, Doman has grown significantly in height and confidence. Playing across the half back line, Doman was able to make several intercept marks which were mainly contested. This was invaluable for launching the ball back into attack.

Will White

Playing ruck, he also lined up as the preferential target when Villa was working its way out of their defensive end. White made several contested marks, covered a lot of ground and showed great skill in the delivery of his kicks.

Ollie Logan

Logan played most of the game on ball and worked hard getting more than his fair share of the ball. Playing against some talented opponents in the midfield, Logan made the St Laurence’s players earn their possessions with his high intensity play and ability to read the play to often find the ball.

Meanwhile, in more exciting news for Iona, a new era dawns following an historic new partnership with the AFL delivering floodlights to St Eugene’s Park.

This major investment in the code at Iona is part of a Queensland-first partnership with the AFL to increase Aussie rules infrastructure in schools.

Iona College is the first school in the state to partner with AFL Queensland through the “Breaking New Ground” program which assists with the planning, design, and development of Australian football facilities at schools and other innovative locations.

This project will see the installation of lights over the MCG-sized oval for the use of the school and the local AFL community.

Pictured are Damien Mitchelmore (AFL Venue & Government Partnerships Manager, QLD), and Iona College Principal Trevor Goodwin.

“Community is at the heart of everything we do at Iona, and our wonderful relationship with AFL Queensland has now grown into a true partnership through the Breaking New Ground

Head of AFL Queensland Trisha Squires said Iona was a perfect choice for the first Breaking New Ground project.

“Iona is fortunate to have such incredible facilities and expansive fields for their sporting teams, and their commitment to Australian rules football can be seen by the fact their main footy oval – St Eugene’s Park – was designed deliberately to be the exact same dimensions as the MCG,” Mrs Squires said.

“Iona is also very committed to their community and has great existing relationships with the local community Australian rules football clubs, and has been the host venue for matches in the Queensland Wheelchair Football League, including QClash games between the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS.

Originally published as St Pat’s v Ambrose Treacy among the round one highlights of AIC footy