REPLAY: Prince Alfred retains state title after beating Henley High in All Schools Cup grand final
The son of a Port Adelaide premiership captain has led Prince Alfred College to a hard-fought victory over Henley High in the All Schools Cup grand final. Relive all the drama in our full match replay. WATCH HERE
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Prince Alfred College has retained its status as state football champion after beating Henley High in the All Schools Cup grand final by 15 points.
James Borlase, son of Port Adelaide premiership captain Darryl Borlase, was the catalyst for the Reds’ 10.9 (69) to 8.6 (54) victory at Thebarton Oval on Tuesday.
The Crows Next Generation Academy member, who won the Colin Steiner Medal for best on ground, stood tall in defence for the Reds, chopping off Henley’s forward entries and setting up plenty of attack from the backline.
The 18-year-old’s ability to out-body, out-mark and spoil Henley’s forwards proved the difference, as PAC added the state title to this season’s Messenger Shield success.
Reds coach Matt Slade said the victory was a great result following the disappointing loss to St Peter’s in their intercol earlier this month.
Slade was proud of the players who were called up to play with injuries to co-captains Jamison Murphy and Luke Pedlar as well as first-choice small forward Isaiah Dudley.
“It means a lot,” Slade said.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries and had one set back after another.
“We went in with what we could call a depleted side but it was filled in with tremendous character, hard working, heart and soul players.
“I am really proud that we overcame everything as the team was really flat after the intercol loss.”
Slade also admitted to being tempted to put Borlase up-forward, a position he’s played most of his college footy, in the final quarter but resisted the urge as the rising star was shining in defence.
Princes trailed in the first half, but enjoyed a strong third term to take a three-point lead into the final quarter.
They got out to a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter, before Henley fought back to get within nine points.
The Boaters took the game on and had plenty of opportunities to score, but failed to maintain clean possession and could not capitalise on their chances inside 50.
Borlase was well supported by midfielder Harry Tunkin, whose class around the stoppages and ability to hit targets going forward was key in the win.
PAC’s big forward Harry McInnes, meanwhile, capitalised on his sides’ work moving up the ground, booting a game-high three goals.
Taj Schofield, son of Power AFL premiership player Jarrad Schofield, was best for Henley and helped get his side back into the contest in the final quarter.
His poise around the contest was on show and his second major for the match gave the Boaters a sniff in the final quarter.
Crows NGA player Bucky Newchucrh then provided the spark the Boaters needed, showing a flash of brilliance late in the match.
Newchurch made a great run-down tackle inside 50 before handballing to teammate Cooper Horsfall who snapped a goal to put his side 11 points behind.
The Boaters had a few more chances late but were inaccurate in front of goal.
The Reds then steadied with two minutes remaining, as ruckman Declan Hordle sealed the triumph with a long-range major.
Henley coach Ben Kane said his side showed character and would be better for the experience.
“Respect to PAC, they are a really strong side,” Kane said.
“We just lacked another tall forward against their tall backs which showed up a little bit more as the game went on.
“We were up against a really strong side so credit to our guys, I thought they were fantastic all year.
“They kept battling all game today.”
It was the fourth straight year Princes and Henley had played off in the decider.
The Reds claimed the title last year and in 2017, while the Boaters prevailed in 2018.
The match was commentated by five-time Port Adelaide SANFL premiership player David Hutton and former Glenelg SANFL player, current Sacred Heart coach Jon Symonds as well as School Sport SA’s Chris Brown.
The All Schools Cup is a School Sport SA event, funded by the Department for Education.
Originally published as REPLAY: Prince Alfred retains state title after beating Henley High in All Schools Cup grand final