The 30 players who performed on the Herald Sun Shield’s biggest stage
Three schools were crowned Herald Sun Shield premiers off the back of some incredible individual performances. See our best performers from each division on grand final day.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Herald Sun Shield has been run and won with Melbourne Girls Grammar, Sacred Heart and Parade College taking out the four grand finals.
Sophie McKay, Neave Dickson, Sebastian Murphy and Nate Caddy took their opportunities, winning best afield honours, while a plethora of others also stood up.
Each grand final was decided by a number of key players. Here are the players that stood up on Herald Sun Shield grand final day...
INTERMEDIATE GIRLS
Sophia Davey, Carey Grammar
Kicked a pair of goals in short time to breathe live back into Carey’s chances of a comeback. Her injection of life into the middle of the ground was a big turning point in a lacking area for Carey.
Neave Dickson, Sacred Heart
Kicked six of Sacred Heart’s nine goals in a dominant display from the medium forward. Showed plenty of intelligence through her ability to lose her direct match-up.
Ruby Kaye, Carey Grammar
Kaye swung momentum for Carey and was having a large say in her school’s rampaging comeback.
Meg Lappin, Sacred Heart
Broke lines with her powerful kick and showed versatility by playing a number of roles around the ground.
Kaitlyn McIntyre, Carey Grammar
Comfortably Carey’s best player for the day, going head-to-head with Sacred Heart’s talented and dynamic midfield.
Tara Trethowan, Sacred Heart
Trethowan’s use by foot was noticeably the best on the ground. She didn’t have as many touches as others but did a lot of damage when she kicked forward of centre.
Emily Soppit, Sacred Heart
An obvious second choice for best afield after Dickson, Soppit was relentless at the contest all day. The inside midfielder gave her team the best opportunity by winning it at the source.
INTERMEDIATE BOYS
Tyson Gresham, Parade
The younger brother of St Kilda forward Jade, Tyson plays quite similar to his brother. He worked up the ground before burning his opponent on the way back. Showed a level of cheek that is no doubt going to get under the skin of defenders in years to come.
Archie Le Clerc, Rowville
Presented really well as a lead-up target and took a couple of really nice marks. Was starved of supply for a large period but when given the chance showed plenty of signs. Also had a pinch hit in the ruck.
Harrison Lees, Rowville
Was an important player in Rowville’s strong second half with two majors. Had moments where he looked like he could change the outcome of the game.
Kayleb Lovett, Rowville
The left-footer would’ve finished with the most touches on the ground as he was first to the footy on most occasions. Lacked a bit of composure with the ball in the second quarter when Parade brought the heat but showed why he has been around the Vic system in the third and fourth.
Sebastian Murphy, Parade
Came into the game with a bang in the second term and took command for the remainder of the match. Murphy really shifted the ascendancy of the match with his cleanliness with ball in hand. Finished with two majors.
Zak Smith, Rowville
Launched the first goal of the game from well beyond the paint of 50 before positioning himself well behind the ball for the rest of the match.
Tyrone Uwanda, Parade
Uwanda would’ve come incredibly close to winning the best-on-ground medal for his presence around Trevor Barker Oval. His leap as well as his positioning suggested he is a seasoned ruck, however he is yet to play Coates Talent League football due to basketball commitments. If Wednesday is a hint of his capability, he is certainly a player to watch.
Cameron Pascoe, Parade
Showed plenty of composure with ball in hand and was crucial in Parade holding on in the dying stages.
SENIOR GIRLS
Mikayla Berto Melbourne Grammar
Berto presented well all game but kicked a pair of goals in the third quarter that really changed the flow of the match.
Lulu Burney, Melbourne Grammar
The athletic ruck was as good in the air as she was on the ground. Burney didn’t outsize her opponent but competed hard before finding the footy at ground level. Her penetrating kick got the ball out the back a number of times.
Annabelle Embelton, Caulfield Grammar
Embelton kicked the Fields’ first goal from a neat roving crumb before moving behind the ball to steady up the back six.
Siena Farrell, Caulfield Grammar
Farrell stood with McKay as one of the best players on the ground for her work around stoppages, winning a stack of clearances and breaking lines. She fits the mould of the modern midfielder with her height and power.
Sophie McKay Melbourne Grammar
Quite clearly the best player on the ground, McKay was simply everywhere her side needed her to be. She kicked goals, won clearances and applied tackles. An obvious choice for best afield.
Isabella Milne, Caulfield Grammar
A smooth-moving outside player who had a 10-minute patch during the second quarter of pure dominance.
Amy Trindade, Melbourne Grammar
Showed her forward craft with a clever mark in the second quarter before moving up to the wing. On the wing she displayed her clean ball use and ability to get involved in chains of play.
SENIOR BOYS
Superlatives are running dry for Caddy at this point, his performance was – while expected – simply brilliant. At times, it felt like there were multiples of him out there.
Liam Farrar, Parade
His contested marking created an outlet for Parade down the line. He got his hands to everything in the first half without clunking many, but his hands were like a vice in the second half.
Lucca Grego, Maribyrnong
Was Maribyrnong’s best stoppage player, often falling out the front with the ball in space. Showed traits like those of Gold Coast gun Matt Rowell with the way he pierced his way through traffic.
Lucas Impey, Maribyrnong
Played a strong hand in the ruck and capatilised in front of goal when given his opportunity from a 50-metre penalty.
Zak Johnson, Parade
Johnson played a huge role in Parade getting into the Herald Sun Shield and was enormous again in the grand final. The bottom-age player kicked two goals and found open space on regular occasion. Has gigantic upside as a damaging player moving forward.
Christian Mardini, Parade
Had shades of Collingwood captain Darcy Moore patrolling half-back the first half. Took a collection of intercept marks and used the ball well coming out of the defensive 50.
Jayden Nguyen, Maribyrnong
Didn’t have his best game for the series but was still one of Maribyrnong’s better players. Nguyen, a Year 11-student, attended the most centre bounces for his side and didn’t stop running all day.
Angus Smith, Parade
Took the most of his opportunities by kicking three of Parade’s 12 majors.
Delisted Essendon speedster finds new footy home
Former Essendon utility Nick Hind has signed for a new footy club and will play as soon as this weekend. Here’s what we know.
Australia’s biggest junior football club audited
A forensic accountant investigating claims of fraud within the financials of Mt Eliza Junior Football Club has revealed its findings. Here’s what we know.