LIVESTREAM: AFLQ Schools Cup, SEQ Invitational finals (Oval B)
Twenty-nine teams featuring hundreds of players at the AFLQ Schools Cup and SEQ Invitational footy finals were being livestreamed on Friday and Saturday. WATCH ALL FRIDAY’S REPLAYS HERE.
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Two Algester State School teams, girls’ giant killers Oakleigh State School and St Laurence’s College have made historic entries into the semi-finals of the AFLQ Schools Cup grand finals to be played tomorrow in Maroochydore.
It followed today’s qualifying finals contested at the Maroocyhdore Multi Sports Complex on the Sunshine Coast.
SATURDAY FINALS LIVE: AFL action from Field 1
SATURDAY FINALS LIVE: AFL action from Field 2
Finals will be livestreamed atwww.couriermail.com.au and News affiliates on Saturday.
Oakleigh SS, smaller than most but big of heart, were the big surprise packets of the day with a succession of winning efforts.
St Laurence’s College coach Luka Mallon said “we are really stoked as a school to be going through’’.
“It is a big achievement. There are lots of good schools here, it is a good competition so we are very pleased.’’
Algester State School coach Paul McClintoch said it was a milestone moment to have both the boys and girls teams qualify for the Schools Cup together at the same AFLQ Schools Cup carnival.
“We have had the boys and girls go through before, but never at the same time,’’ he said.
“The kids have put in 100 per cent and even if they lose a game they have jumped back up and given 100 per cent, not dropped their bundle.
“We have been in and out of games, but they have really tried hard.
“And I have been impressed with their attitude and they have been respectful.’’
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THE MATCHES
Stella Maris v Eatons Hill SS
Stella Maris overcame an outstanding start by Eatons Hills State School to draw first blood in the opening match of the Schools Cup this morning.
Stella Maris won 3-4-22 to 1-2-8, with Harry Hulsman, Aiden Martin and Archie Wilson kicking goals.
“They were a bigger team and we took a while to settle, but then our boys were really good tackling, smothering, all the hard things,’’ said coach Grant Wilson.
“And then their confidence grew from there as the game went on.’’
Hillcrest Christian College v Oakleigh State School
The “Oakleigh Grit” came to the fore as Oakleigh State School pipped Hillcrest Christian College by one point in a qualifying thriller.
The school from Brisbane’s western suburbs actually thought they had lost, so strongly did Hillcrest finish in the second half.
But Oakleigh had established enough of a lead to fall in by a single point.
“Just like every game we play, we call it the Oakleigh grit,’’ said coach Zac Bayliss.
“They just keep on going, no matter how hard it gets.
“IT can be hot, they are tired, the other team is better, they are bigger but they just play a little bit harder.’’
Algester SS v Kawungan SS
Oakleigh SS v Glenvale SS
Oakleigh SS had its second win of the day over a Glenvale State School outfit whose players gained valuable learning experiences from the clash.
Glenvale coach Mark Dorge said the girls had not played Australian football until six weeks ago but the Schools Cup was a great experience.
“I was most pleased about the attitude of the girls and the way they did improve as the game progressed,’’ Dorge said.
“They got into the game in the second half after being a bit out of their depth in the first half.
“None of our girls six weeks ago had played Australian football so it is a whole new experience.
“I was really pleased the way the girls stepped up in the second half and they know what is on now.’’
Oakleigh coach Zac Bayliss said a highlight of his team’s 60 point winning performance was the tackling because “they (Glenvale) were pretty slippery.’’
St Laurence’s College v Eatons Hill SS
St Laurence’s College pulled off a thrilling win, 2-3 to 2-1, against Eatons Hill State School.
Laurie’s coach Luka Mallon was impressed with many aspects of the team effort.
“I liked the way we moved the ball and I liked our enjoyment of the game,’’ Mallon said.
“The boys love it. They love playing footy and we are a real team.’’
Mallon said sometimes the side performs what he has taught them too well.
“Sometimes they do stuff I want them to do, but not when I want them to do it,’’ he smiled.
St Laurence’s College v Currumbin State School
The St Laurence’s College war cry travelled across the vast expanse of the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex after an outstanding second half performance against Currumbin SS.
Laurie’s claimed a 4-8-32 to 2-4-16, with the victory fast building a “comeback king’’ reputation for the side.
“At halftime I said to them to have faith,’’ said coach Luka Mallon, an old boy of the college.
“I said I had faith in you that we can do this.
“It is the third time that we have just pulled through. Every time we have just found another gear to go to.
“That is what makes a great team, when you come up against a challenge but you are able to overcome it. So I am really proud of my boys.’’
Mooloolaba SS v Alesgter SS
Mooloolaba State School was through to Saturday’s finals after successive wins today.
Mooloolaba beat Algester by 31 points to ensure the side progressed.
Coach Paul Little was delighted with the performance.
“I was most pleased by the fact that we got challenge in that first half, they started to build pressure, but the girls worked hard to overcome that and ran away with it in the second half,’’ Little said.
“Our tackle pressure and skills have really improved since the start.’’
The side had morale support from the rest of the school which gathered during the lunch break to watch a livestream of the clash on www.couriermail.com.au
Principal Steve Taylor reported an “electric atmosphere’’ in the hall as the schools cheered home the side.
Kawungan SS v St Mary’s College
Currumbin SS v St Mary’s College
St Mary’s College coach Brian Steer said playing in the AFLQ Schools Cup had been a wonderful learning experience for his side.
Saints enjoyed a win during finals weekend of the junior boys competition and win, lose or draw, he was delighted with the manner in which the boys conducted themselves.
“The team work they have displayed has been terrific along with the general learning of the game has been great given 90 percent of the boys are rugby league people and have not played that much AFL,’’ Steer said.
“But they are learning the game as they are coming along.’’
Currumbin State School coach Shaun O’Brien said he was proud of the team’s sportsmanship.
“We had a couple of comments from a couple of other schools about our kids, win, lose or draw,’’ O’Brien said.
“That is nice to hear when you are coaching the kids and nice to take back to the parents as well.
“The kids also enjoyed coming together as a team,’’ he added.
Hillcrest Christian College v Kawungan
Stella Maris v Algester
LIVESTREAM: AFLQ Schools Cup, SEQ Invitational finals (Oval B)
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
SATURDAY
SEMI-FINALS (Field 2)
8.30am: Primary girls Oakleigh State School vs Algester SS
9.10am: Primary girls Mooloolaba SS vs Hillcrest Christian College
9:50am: Primary boys St Laurence’s College v Stella Maris
10.30am: Primary boys Algester SS v Eatons Hill SS
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