‘No leaks in the canoe’: The mentality which helped Guilford Young College claim success
Guilford Young College coach Mark Beck has given an insight into the “mentality” his side adopted from one of sport’s most dominant teams in its SATIS grand final success. See the story and the top players from the day.
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Guilford Young College coach Mark Beck has applauded the performance of skipper Tom Prokopiec in the SATIS grand final.
GYC, who were boosted by the influx of Devils players, took complete control over Hutchins School in Saturday’s grand final, claiming a 36-point victory to win a first premiership since 2021.
Beck said Prokopiec led from the front.
“Tommy had the job on Charlie Bovill and I thought really shut him down and that set the tone from the get go,” Beck said.
“We have had this sort of canoe mentality all year. Our assistant coach Charlie Hastie came up with this mentality: no leaks in the canoe or if there are leaks the canoe will sink.
“It has come out of the old All-Blacks legacy and we sort of used the canoe in the change rooms before the game and the team aspects we needed to employ if we were to be successful.
“And the other focus was the fact we are a small and quick side so we couldn’t get caught up in kicking high and long and trying to win contests, we had to keep it away from them as much as possible.”
It was a tough grand final for Hutchins who managed to kick its first goal in the third quarter.
Hutchins coach Nick Probert said it was credit to GYC’s pressure and ability to make the ground look smaller.
“They really did well at the things Guilford are known to be good at which is the run and carry and rebound and switch the play,” Probert said.
“Even though Hutchins is a small ground, they made it look big by how they moved the ball but when we had it they made it seem smaller by their pressure.
“But it is a learning for our players, we had a young side and we will lose the year 12s this year and players will come up next year a little bit older and mature and stronger.
“The future is bright at Hutchins and the boys should be proud of that.”
Guilford Young College – Top three players
1. Jade Clark
“The onballer was exceptional in his game from Saturday. I thought he used the ball very well, used his pace and just his footy smarts to help us through the midfield and around the ground.” Beck said.
2. Tom Geappen
“Tommy had a really strong game I thought. He was very skilful which included a couple nice high grabs in the forward line which resulted in goals.” Beck said
3. Tom Prokopiec
“The job he did on Charlie Bovill at the start of the game really did set the tone for the whole game. To be able to shut him down early was a strong effort from our leader.” Beck said.
The Hutchins School – Top three players
3. Jarvis Breen
“Had a very strong game off the half back flank. There were times he looked to be under pressure a bit but I thought he was able to withstand pressure at times to rebound for us.” Probert said.
2. Nick Steele
“Our captain had a great game, showed true leadership I thought throughout the whole game. We did ask a lot of him with little breaks and I think he was blowing at the end.” Probert said.
1. Charlie Bovill
“Credit to Tom Prokopiec who shut Charlie down early but when we rotated him through the midfield and other areas I thought he really stood up and played a strong game and the ability to bounce back himself after a slow start shows maturity in himself.” Probert said.
Revealed: Players to watch in the State School Cup grand final
It is the biggest showpiece for the state school football teams and it comes as the two grand finalists will be playing for more than just the premiership.
The Hutchins School and Guilford Young College will battle it out in the boys grand final on Saturday afternoon at Hutchins War Memorial Oval to be crowned the best school footy team in Tasmania.
Take a look at the deep dive as to what the coaches have said, how they win and who are the players who can change the game.
Hutchins
What the coach said – Nick Probert
“It is great to be playing in a grand final, the boys, like any sporting team aspire to make it to the big dance, so they are really excited,” Probert said.
“We have had an excellent year, our football program at Hutchins is a little different to Guildford because it is a full secondary school.
“We have boys down from as low as year eight who come and train with a large squad and then they get picked in the first and second 18 squad.
“We have a nice spread of year nines, year 10s, year 11s and year 12s and that has proven to be a really nice mix.
“So we have had a really great season so far, we have won every game we have played and really excited to be playing in the granny.”
Players to watch
Charlie Bovill – year 11
The big power forward was named in the All-Australian under 16s and is also part of the Devils Pathway. Standing at 194cm already, Bovill is a player to watch and a player who can take the game away from his opposition.
Nick Steele – year 12 (captain)
The onballer continues to lead by example both on and off the field. The in and under gun has the brain smarts to outdo his opponent and the ability to set the game up his way. Steele was rewarded for his skill and growth by debuting for Clarence earlier this season.
Jarvis Breen – year 12
A crafty and silky left footer who will run all day and good luck catching him, with the pace and agility, Dreen is a player with some serious concern for opposing sides and has been an attacking rebounder off the half back.
How Hutchins wins:
“We are not trying to stop it (their run and swing off half back),” Probert said.
“You get the ball first and then they have to stop us.
“You don’t go into games trying to stop the opposition, you’re going into games trying to make the play.
“That’s what our boys will be doing, we’ve got a really good midfield and winning it first is the way you stop any team.”
Guildford Young College
What the coach said – Mark Beck
“The boys certainly are pumped, they are excited,” Beck said.
“It has been a bit of a slow burn though, we’ve been up and down in terms of availability, so our last week was our highlight beating St Pat’s up there.
“To be about to do that and create the excitement and that has just been able to flow into this week.
“We’ve got eight players from the Devils who will be playing for us on Saturday which is definitely a great result and we do have three or four missing due to workloads.”
Players to watch
Anthony Volta – year 12
The Devils Pathway gun is one of the best young forwards coming through the ranks in Tasmania. The small forward-midfielder has plenty of pace and strength about him to cause some issues both in the centre and up forward.
Hugh McCallum – year 11
The brother of Port Adelaide draftee Tom McCallum and son of AFL Tasmania Hall of Famer Scott McCallum is eyeing to make a name for himself as the onballer looks to use his knowledge and skill to help his side claim the ultimate prize on Saturday.
Tom Prokopiec -year 12 (captain)
Has stood up when needed and has been a continued driving force to get the players up and about and engaged off and on the field by using his leadership qualities and setting his side up well off the half back.
How Guildford win:
“They are a really good side, they beat us last time, they beat us around the contests and their ability to sort of exit out back half really well,” Beck said.
“We’ve got to try and keep the ball away from them as much as we can and use our skills and pace to our advantage.
“If we can do that, hopefully we can give ourselves a good show.”
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Originally published as ‘No leaks in the canoe’: The mentality which helped Guilford Young College claim success
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