Here’s the unsung heroes of the 2024 season

Who were the AIC First XVIII footy’s best goal sneaks of season 2024? Revealed here as St Laurence’s mount a challenge to share the premiership with Padua College.

Jordie Chambers of Padua College was one of his team’s best players.

Padua College have one hand on the footy premiership entering Friday’s final round blockbuster against St Laurence’s College.

Marist College Ashgrove’s win over Laurie’s last week means Padua enter the match as outright leaders - but St Laurence’s can share the title with them by winning.

Marist College Ashgrove were also an outside chance of a shared title, depending on how results fall.

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Ahead of the huge Padua v St Laurence’s match, were reveal those pesky types who bob up to pinch a goal when it is needed most.

BEST GOAL SNEAKS

Liam Rice (Marist College Ashgrove)

While playing more the midfield this year, Rice has always been dangerous when around goals and has proved hard for defenders to tackle.

Aiden Brennan (Ambrose Treact College)

Brennan is a beast of a talent across half back or half forward, but he has a capacity to sneak forward like he did against Padua last Friday and kick a goal after originally starting in the backline.

The style of Villanova College First XVIII player Campbell Shaw.

Flynn Strauss (Iona College)

A crumbing style small forward, Strauss is the type of player who can also mark the football. He seems to be able to find the goals when presented with the opportunity.

Ollie Brightwell (Padua)

A medium-sized skilful finisher, he has developed into a great forward 50 tackle pressure player this season.

Jasper Rumney (Padua)

A Year 10 student and a Level 2 Lions Academy player, Rumney can go through the midfield as well. He is a stylish player around goal and can finish from set shot or snap equally well.

Damon Humphrpys on the surge for Padua.

THE MATCHES

In the Match of the Round, Villanova defeated Iona by just 11 points.

It was a fabulous contest which could have gone either way, with both team’s defences doing their job to restrict their opponents in the wind.

Iona College’s Nic Bragger.

Ben Lillico continued to be dynamic in the midfield for Iona, with a capacity to dictate plays off his own boot.

Zion Chingwile was also pivotal down back for Iona. He was a stifling defender and disrupted Villanova’s forwards all game.

Padua College enjoyed a 8-9-57 to 1-3-9 win over Ambrose Treacy 1-3-9

Ryan McPherson, Lachie Chambers and Nate Clark spearheaded Padua to its win.

Both teams were missing some quality players due to Lions Academy commitments, and it was Padua’s defence in the first quarter against a strong breeze which helped set the victory up.

From then on Padua controlled the contest, especially around stoppages.

“This team has taken on all challenges before them and played great team-oriented football all season,’’ praised coach Matt Waters.

Harri Armstrong - eyes up as Armstrong moves in.

ATC’s Aiden Brennan continued to impress in the match, along with Joseph Drane, Brady Hipkins and Sam Nuss.

Brennan played across half back and read the play well, displaying rebounding with clean skills.

With the ball coming down to the backline with regular consistency, Drane continually out muscled his opponent, won the ball and repeatedly launched the ball back in ATC direction. He was outstanding game.

Some members of the Villanova College First XVIII side.

Hipkins played the majority of the game in the midfield and never stopped trying.

With his pace and skill, he continually put the opposition under pressure with his attack on the man and the ball.

Nuss did a great job playing in the unfamiliar role down back, standing up solidly in defence.

Padua College on the move against Villanova.

Marist College Ashgrove defeated St Laurence’s, fuelled by Liam Rice’s electrifying first half performance.

“Tank” Tumman and Van Sanders also had their best games for the year for Ashgrove, playing their roles to perfection down forward.

Rory O’keeffe again played an outstanding role at half back, demonstrating why he is one of our most improved players in the Ashgrove.

The collective effort of all 22 players played a crucial role, securing a position of equal second spot and a chance at the premiership pending results.

“The coaching staff are understandably proud of the team’s performance,’’ said coach Michael Abbott.