AIC AFL footy’s best players following a dramatic shared premiership

Who were the AIC First XVIII footy Players of the Season following a stunning three-way shared premiership race? All revealed here.

AIC Firsts Aussie Football action from the season. Pictures courtesy of Highflyer Images.

Padua College, Marist College Ashgrove and St Laurence’s were three way shared premiers after a dramatic climax to the season.

Laurie’s drew alongside Padua by beating them by just eight points, 37-29, in a tense thriller, while Ashgrove beat St Edmund’s.

AIC FIRST XI CRICKET PREMIERS DECIDED

The joint premiership was St Laurence’s fifth, either outright or shared, in six seasons, a run broken only by Villa’s 2022 win. Laurie’s won eight premierships overall this season, across all year levels.

AIC Firsts Aussie Football action from the season. Pictures courtesy of Highflyer Images.

Although disappointed to share the title, the season was a triumph for Padua’s footy program. It was the first time they have won the Australian football premiership.

It was the second season in a row that Marist have snared the joint premiership.

AIC Firsts Aussie Football action from the season. Pictures courtesy of Highflyer Images.

Marist put themselves in premiership position by defeating St Laurence’s during the season, a monumental achievement.

Jordan Chambers reaches for a mark.

It was another gala season, a celebration of the code which saw Ambrose Treacy College continue to mix it with the other AIC schools right to the death - including winning its last match, 58-14, over Villanova.

Ambrose Treacy coach Mick Keys watched his side finish its season on a winning note.

AIC Firsts Aussie Football action from the season. Pictures courtesy of Highflyer Images.

While ATC had some outstanding players, who were mentioned below, he stressed: “Every player contributed to a high level which lead to a stunning final game by the Warriors.’’

And Iona College had a nice finish to the year with a 105-7 victory.

AIC Firsts Aussie Football action from the season. Pictures courtesy of Highflyer Images.

The AIC First XVIII competition has been going since 2019 and is moving from strength to strength each season.

BEST PLAYERS

Padua College

Jordie Chambers

AIC Firsts Aussie Football action from the season. Pictures courtesy of Highflyer Images.

A half back ace and captain, Chambers was a fearless leader who played a roaming role in the back half and was able to cut-off and generate offence for his side.

Padua ace Tom Waters delivers down field.

Tom Waters

Waters, Padua’s vice-captain, offered inside mid magic, someone who led from the front with his contested ball. Waters offered clean hands below his knees and displayed a great ability to connect by either hand or foot.

Nate Rowcliffe

The Year 11 winger emerged as a leader with a high workrate. He generated great tackle pressure and had a raking right foot kick.

AIC Firsts Aussie Football action from the season. Pictures courtesy of Highflyer Images.

Marist College Ashgrove

Jack Thompson

A midfield whiz, Thompson was someone whose leadership reached new heights across the season.

Isaac Roach

A partner in crime in the midfield alongside Thompson, the lion-hearted Roach led by example as captain. He thrived on leading his side.

The Marist College Ashgrove captain Isaac Roach with old boy Charlie Cameron.

Liam Rice

Rice was another excellent midfield exponent who also offered plenty up forward, particularly against St. Laurences where his performance set Marist up for its biggest win of the season.

Rory O’Keeffe

O’Keeffe’s presence both on and off the field ensured the team’s cohesion, as well as showing the way to Marist’s next generation of talent.

AIC Firsts Aussie Football action from the season. Pictures courtesy of Highflyer Images.

St Laurence’s College

Laurie’s had remarkable depth across its midfield which was largely responsible for the team’s success. At times Cooper Mataia, Tyan Prindable, Ashlon Prinable, Cooper Hodge and Ben Morison would prowl the mid field looking to make an impact on both sides of the ball.

Ashlon Prindable and Yeronga Devils junior Morison would swing from the midfield toward a half forward role, while rookie Hodge would drift back toward half back.

Tyan Prindable was a genuine midfield weapon while Mataia, a Mt Gravatt club player, also had several strings to his footy bow.

Both Hodge and Morison were Brisbane Lions Academy Level Two program inductees

AIC Firsts Aussie Football action from the season. Pictures courtesy of Highflyer Images.

Ambrose Treacy College

Joseph Drane

A key back, Drane was outstanding in his final match, thwarting every Villanova forward entry with strong one-on-one contested marking last Friday. He was outstanding all season.

Aiden Brennan

An elite running back, Brennan used the ball off half back cleanly and with precision. He was a revelation down back and would have been the No. 1 player mentioned when opposing teams addressed their players about ATC.

Jacob Edwards

Edwards played ruck all game with little break. He had a big motor and was an effort on effort player in every game. He stood out in the ruck last Friday against Villa as well.

AIC Firsts Aussie Football action from the season. Pictures courtesy of Highflyer Images.

Villanova College

Ned Godwin

In his first season playing Australian football, Godwin played the ruck role for Villa’s First XVIII.

He was a great mentor to a young side which each match had a minimum of seven year 10 students in the side. Godwin, who also played First XI cricket of a Saturday, was athletic for his size, building his game on defence.

Jackson Dalrymple

He played the season at centre half forward, displaying remarkable endurance and fitness to cover the ground. Dalrymple provided a reliable target down forward and was effective with his contested marks. He was another to help guide the younger players around him.

Joey Watson

In his second season playing footy, Watson took on the centre half back role where his communication skills made him effective organising the defence. He was able to read the play well and set the defence ready. Watson was known for his tackling among his classmates.

AIC Aussie Football round 2 action between St Patrick's College and Villanova College.

St Patrick’s College

Patrick Dalton

The wingman was clean in the contest, someone who covered the ground well and who possessed a great kick.

AIC Aussie Football round 2 action between St Patrick's College and Villanova College.

Noah Polinski

Polinski was a midfield marvel who was strong in the contest, while having great decision making ability.

Nick Watson

Another midfield leader, it was his elite speed which made him stand out from the pack. That speed, plus his ultra competitive nature, were his best assets this season.

AIC Aussie Football round 2 action between St Patrick's College and Villanova College.

Iona College

Isaac Terpstra

Terpstra’s run and dash through the midfield was the catalyst in Iona’s strong start to the season. He also kicked two goals and was pivotal in breaking the game apart. His carry and run was a highlight this season.

Jonah Geiger

The in and under midfielder had his best game of the season last weekend, racking up plenty of contested possessions along the way.

Christian Wilson

A year 12 student, he garnished his season with four goals early into the second quarter last Friday. The Rugby convert was able to find his feet and gather plenty of possessions on his way to a best of ground performance

Ben Lillico

The well balanced Lillico could be dynamic in the midfield, dictating off his boot. Bryn

Ryan Lillico

The fullback was a massive cog for Iona all season long. His steely resolve and ability to intercept forward entries played a big part in keeping Iona in games throughout the season.

Special Mentions:

AIC Aussie Football round 2 action between St Patrick's College and Villanova College.

Oscar Tanks (Villanova)

The Villanova captain who, as a year 10 student, was voted Best on Ground in the final game of the 2022 season when Villa defeated Padua to win the premiership.

Unfortunately spent most of the 2024 season as the team runner where he assisted with coaching as he recovered from a significant knee injury. Tanks was restricted to one full game, and in that match the team looked far better with him leading his teammates around the field with his on ball role.

Nick Estella (St Laurence’s College)

Laurie’s most improved player, he was bedded down a specialist wing role, sticking to his role perfectly and impacting every game with offensive and defensive actions.

His selfless role around stoppage was a huge reason St Laurence’s were able to exploit many teams around stoppages.

Nate Clark (Padua)

The tall, athletic rugby league player from Year 11 was able to play in a variety of positions.

Cooper Searle (Padua)

He was a leaping basketball player and used his spring heels in the footy ruck or up forward. Searle had strong hands and game awareness around goal.

Oscar Pittman and Austin Gillett (both Marist College Ashgrove)

Pittman and Gillett have been integral members of Marist’s AFL program since the inception of AIC AFL in grade 5. “They embodied the spirit of dedication and commitment at MCA,’’ said director of sport Derek Lennon.

Jacob Grant (Padua)

Another Year 11 rugby League player, Grant displayed was a genuine contested ball midfielder who looms as a great proposition for next season.

Jack Cosgrove (St Laurence’s College)

A tall, mobile defender who reads the play well, Cosgrove knew when to drop off and could snare an intercept mark. He had a long penetrating right foot but could also hit the inside 45m with touch.

Ryan McPherson (Padua)

Recruited from the rugby union program, the year 12 student developed into a great inside midfielder with a long left foot kick.

Zion Chingwile (Iona)

Chingwile was pivotal down backs a stifling defender who could disrupt the opposition.