Victoria out to win at home but face stern competition from other states
Victoria will field four teams, in girls and boys, at the upcoming national 15 and under school sport titles to be held in Ballarat next week. We profile all students set to compete for national glory.
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There is only one goal for Victoria’s 15 years and under football teams as they prepare to host the School Sport nationals at home.
Be the best again.
Ballarat will play host to the tournament, which starts on Sunday and ends next Saturday.
Victoria enters the tournament, in both boys and girls, for the first time in a while without being the defending champions.
The girls team finished fourth in Albury last year, failing to make the final and losing to South Australia in the battle for third and fourth.
Queensland claimed the title.
In the boys, Victoria lost for the first time in the final in six years, falling to rivals South Australia by 15 points.
This year both boys and girls have been split into two teams, Blue and White, with both evenly matched teams looking to take out the crown.
Victoria Blue, in the boys, will play against South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania in their pool with Victoria White to play Queensland, Western Australia and ACT.
For Blue, their coach Sean Kavanagh said the team was intent on playing well at home.
“We’re not feeling the pressure as we don’t hold the championship,” he said.
“We get to be the hunter for the change.
“We won six championships in a row and then South Australia won it last year, and to their credit they were fantastic.
“We know we had to go back and work harder and plan harder and hopefully there is zero pressure on our guys because we are coming after what we want to get, some silverware at the end of the week.”
Kavanagh said the team motto is to ‘how do we make each other better.’
The team starts its campaign against South Australia and admits the first game will be decisive in how the team goes.
“Round 1 being against SA could determine who finishes one and two in our pool before the crossover games,” Kavanagh said.
“It’s really exciting and for both states it will set up their week, regardless of the results.”
Kavanagh said the team have been able to prepare well through the help of Caulfield Grammar and Yarra Valley Grammar and their facilities.
The White team, which features more country players, with a mix of metro players, will be looking to impress in conditions which suit them.
The team features Ballarat and St Patrick’s College players Oliver Cape and Tethloach Liem.
“An ideal scenario would be a Victoria White and Victoria Blue grand final,” Victoria White coach Aron Lombardi said.
“We definitely want to make the top four, and play off in the semi-final.
“We just want to make sure we play strong as a team and make Victoria proud.”
Lombardi said Queensland would be pretty strong in their group with tradition powerhouse Western Australia expected to challenge.
In the girls, both will be represented by a White and Blue team.
The Blue team will play Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania while the White team faces South Australia, New South Wales and ACT.
Blue coach Andrew Fisher said the team is capable of a good tournament but did face a tough test early on.
“Our first hurdle is going to be playing the championship winner from last year Queensland,” he said.
“It’s a pretty talented squad.
“We’ve got a pretty good balance.”
For the White team, their coach Jason Patten said the team will not only be playing to win but using the tournament as one for their development for the future.
With most of the squad excelling in the midfield, some will be put into roles they are not used to.
“We can’t play 20 midfielders in midfield roles, it doesn’t work,” he said.
“So from a development opportunity it is going to be a good opportunity for the girls to play different roles they are not used to.
“There will be coaching from the sideline and they will get feedback.”
But Patten said the team is eager to win, especially at home, but the girls would need to play well to progress against what could be strong opposition this week.
The tournament starts on Sunday with an opening ceremony to be held on Saturday.
We’ve profiled all the players selected for all four teams in the tournament below.
15 Years & Under Girls Blue Team
Adele Coppola, Montmorency Secondary College
A tall half forward who is pretty good in a marking contest. Can also play as a tall midfielder and is pretty versatile in multiple positions.
Alice Cunnington, Mount Eliza Secondary College
Plays as a midfielder but will be used at half back and half forward in this tournament. She’ll be moving between the two lines. Cunnington has great drive and a good finish inside 50.
Amber Mcdermott, Waverley Christian College
Amazing ruckman who has unbelievable athleticism. She could win every single ruck tap at the carnival. Her coach also has full confidence in her moving around the ground.
Bridie Neale, Luther College
An elite runner who plays in the backline. She plays for Eastern Ranges in the Coates League and is the vice-captain of the team.
Brylee Anderson, Mount Lilydale Mercy College
A cross-coder, she plays basketball as well as football and has represented Australia at the national level. Anderson plays half forward and is a fantastic goalkicker. She is also a vice-captain in the team.
Bailee Martin, Caulfield Grammar School
Has a booming kick and will be playing the intercept role at half back during the tournament.
Charlotte Embelton, Caulfield Grammar School
A ruckman and forward who will help McDermott as a second ruck when required. She will also play as a tall forward and is expected to provide a strong contest throughout when marking and going after the ball.
Elizabeth Wotherspoon, Fintona Girls’ School
A midfielder/forward player who is representing Victoria’s under-15 team for the second year in a row. A fantastic reader of the football and knows how to find a target inside 50. Wotherspoon can also kick a goal and is skilled at kicking them on an angle.
Ella Matthews, Star Of The Sea College
A quite tall player who will be played forward and back. Can read the ball quite well and is able to run and carry the ball well, while also passing the ball well. Has had an ankle injury in the lead up to the tournament.
Emily Rankin, Luther College
Rankin played last year in the under-15 team and makes her second appearance this season. Last year she played on the wing but will be moved into the midfield more after improving her ground ball over the past 12 months. She will be a great in and under player according to her coach.
Georgia Goss, Padua College
Will either play in the forward line or in the back line as a key forward or key defender. Goss has the ability to take a great mark and turn and go on her right foot.
Grace Dillow, Catholic College Sale
A smart midfielder who knows how to read the play and get the taps from the ruckman. Dillow, in her trials, has been also known for her leadership in and around the contest in the midfield with her communication.
Grace Patten, Mentone Girls Secondary College
A winger who can read the play well and hold her width in the wing position. Someone to watch driving her legs out of the contest.
Grace Farah, St Monica’s College
A small and fast contested ball winner. Can play across all lines and the coach has high praise for her ball use.
Isabelle Godfrey, Ivanhoe Grammar School
She plays high level basketball as a point guard as well as playing football. Her understanding of game play and positioning, according to her coach, is well above her age bracket. Can also provide opportunity to those in the forward line with her skill.
Taya Delaney, Western Heights Secondary College
A small midfielder who is fast. Her time trial time made her an emergency but she got a position in the side with a late withdrawal.
Leni Lockyer, Ivanhoe Grammar School
The daughter of former Collingwood player Tarkyn Lockyer. A midfielder who can devastate the opposition with her first five steps after winning the football. A speedy player.
Maya Duane, Loreto Mandeville Hall
A tall forward who has fantastic game awareness. She can kick a few goals and knows how to win the football inside the forward 50.
Mietta Datson, Assumption College
Datson is the captain for the Victoria under-15 team. An inside midfielder who will play in multiple roles in the carnival. She is known to inspire teams through her communication and leadership.
Piper Dixon, Maribyrnong Secondary College
A Western Jets player who is a goal sneak. Can kick a number of goals and knows how to find the football deep in the pocket to score.
Ruby Geurts, Padua College
A Dandenong Stingrays player who is a centre half forward there but will be used as a winger switching from half back to the half forward line. Known for her strength in the contest.
Scarlett Marsh, Padua College
A second-year player who plays for the Dandenong Stingrays. A small forward who will also be used in the midfield during the tournament.
Scout Semple, Wantirna College
Has impressed the coaches to go from an emergency last year to being part of the squad. A midfielder who knows how to win the ball and find a pathway out of the congestion with the ball.
Sophia Green, Box Hill Senior Secondary School
An out and out athlete. Will be playing at half back or at the back pocket. She’s been impressing in the Essendon District Football League interchange with a few best on grounds.
Tilly Boadle, Woodleigh School
A small forward who will be looked at to be a goal sneak during the tournament. Is known from her coaches to be crafty and capable of kicking a goal or two.
15 Years & Under Boys Blue Team
Archie Spencer, Mount Lilydale Mercy College
An Eastern Ranges player who will play at half back in a rebounding role. Plays above his years.
Arki Butler, Brighton Grammar School
A smart midfielder who will also play in the forward line at times.
Ben Carroll, Mount Eliza Secondary College
A strong bodied half back player who will also play in the midfield from time to time. Will be a swing player for the team.
Charlie Harper, Xavier College
Could have played for New South Wales but is boarding in Victoria. Will be a key backman for the team during the tournament.
Cody Walker, St Joseph’s College
Son of former Carlton player Andrew Walker. A midfielder who is skilful and courageous.
Ned Badrock, St Joseph’s College Geelong
Badrock will play predominantly at centre half back and play in the ruck from time to time. A clever and smart footballer.
Darcy Harrington, St Joseph’s College Geelong
A small forward who plays similar to Nick Watson who looks to be drafted highly this season in the AFL draft. He’ll play in the forward pocket.
Hunter Ryan, Lilydale High School
A hard running wingman who is playing for Eastern Ranges in the Coates league.
Jack Surkitt, St Bede’s College
A clever player who will play as a defender and at times push into the midfield.
Jake Ring, Haileybury College
A strong bodied contested ball midfielder. A tough nut over the football who is coming back from a broken thumb.
Jasper Shone, Bass Coast College
He’ll play ruck and in the forward. A standout for the team in overhead marking and his leaping.
Jordan Knapp, Yarra Valley Grammar
Knapp will captain the 15 Years & Under Boys Blue Team in the tournament. He’ll play as a half forward onballer and looks to have time on his side every time he has the ball.
Joshua Djatschenko, Maribyrnong College
A state sprinting champion who will play as a small forward. Expect him to burn rivals with his speed.
Lachlan Galletly, Montmorency Secondary College
A look a like to Noah Cumberland and plays like him too. A forward who also plays on ball as well.
Lachlan Hicks, Wesley College Melbourne
A tough winger and on baller. Never gets beaten in a contest one-on-one.
Levi West, Buckley Park College
The son of former Western Bulldogs legend Scott West. According to the coach he plays like and is very similar to his father. A midfielder who can win the ball and distribute it perfectly.
Lewis Houndsome, Parade College
A 196cm ruckman who will take on the duties of the role for the 15 Years & Under Boys Blue Team. The team are hoping to get first use in the stoppages through him,
Matthew D’Amico, Marcellin College
A prolific ball winner who will play in the midfield.
Max Downes, Hazel Glen College
A clever, hard running player who will play on the wing and in the midfield.
Max Matthews, St Bede’s College
A left footer who will be a general across half back for the 15 Years & Under Boys Blue Team.
Mitch Toner, Caulfield Grammar School
A strong bodied midfielder who can explode from stoppages.
Sam Harris, St Bernard’s College
The son of Dan Harris who played for North Melbourne. A great runner who dominated at interleague level recently. Can play as a winger and in the midfield.
Sam Devers, Whitefriars College Inc
A tall forward who can also play in the midfield. Has a beautiful kick and is an exceptional talent, according to his coach.
Thomas Macmillan, Bass Coast College
Set to light up at half back with his run.
Zac Antonellos, Whitefriars College Inc
A look a like and plays just like Christian Petracca. Exceptionally clever on baller and can play in the forward line. His coach, who also coached Christian Petracca at this level, says Antonellos is on track to do similar things to Petracca at national level.
15 Years & Under Boys White Team
Angus Tippett, Kardinia International College
One of the co-captains in the 15 Years & Under Boys Victoria White team. A strong bodied midfielder who the team hopes will lead from the front during the tournament with his skill.
Archer Chamberlain, St Joseph’s College Geelong
Coach is expecting big things from Chamberlain. Is super strong for his size.
Bart Leeton, Scotch College
A running machine who rated highly on the yoyo test before the tournament. Expected to play multiple rules.
Ben Wilson, Ivanhoe Grammar School
One of the vice captains of the team. A tall midfielder/wingman who is expected to play quite well for the team.
Billy Wigmore, St Mary’s College Melbourne
Can play anywhere on the ground and will be an X-factor for the team.
Blake Newton, Cathedral College Wangaratta
A powerful midfielder who can also play in the forward line during a match.
Blake Sofra, Notre Dame College
Can play forward or back and will be a weapon for the team, capable of being used in multiple positions, according to the coach.
Charlie Robbins, Northcote High School
A winger who is a talented player according to his coach.
Diesel Beck, Rowville Secondary College
Will probably start in the ruck in the first game and is an athletic player who could also play in the midfield.
Douglas Ashby, Nagle College
A lively small forward who will provide a lot of energy to the team.
Harvie Cooke, Assumption College
The other co-captain for the 15 Years & Under Boys Victoria White team. Will rotate between the midfield and back line and will provide valuable leadership to the team.
Henry Thomas, Brighton Grammar School
Like to play as a centre half forward. A good marker who is very tall.
Jack Condello, Emmaus College
A bottom ager who is a half forward. He leads up well and can land a mark or two.
Jack Pickett, St Joseph’s College Geelong
A versatile tall who could play at both ends of the ground. The coach said he’ll be used in both roles throughout.
Jack Thomson, Western Heights Secondary College
A super strong player who is capable of playing in multiple roles across the ground.
Jasper Williams, Brighton Grammar School
A key defender who will be one of the backline leaders for the team in the tournament.
Kristian Fitzsimmons, Goulburn Valley Grammar School
Already at 185cm tall and is a rebounding player in the half back line.
Lachie Collins, Yarra Valley Grammar
Can play anywhere on the ground and the coach is confident he’ll play well no matter where he goes.
Levi Prismall, Blackburn High School
A reliable player who will play as a shut down role defender in the tournament. Is super strong and a tough player.
Oliver Thomson, Rowville Secondary College
A midfielder who is in and under and everywhere where the ball is.
Oliver Cape, St Patrick’s College Ballarat
Super tall and will play a key position in the forward line and defence for the team.
Tethloach Liem, St Patrick’s College Ballarat
An X-factor player who is very athletic. The coach said he can so some amazing things.
Tevita Rodan, St Bernard’s College
Son of David Rodan, who played at Port Adelaide and Richmond. He is super quick, strong and will play in the back line as a rebounder with his ball skills.
Thomas Lincoln, Maribyrnong Secondary College
A great mark who is very strong.
Tom Roch, Brighton Grammar School
He’s one of the teams vice captains. Can play anywhere but will likely play as a winger in the tournament.
15 Years & Under Girls White Team
April Dye, Aquinas College
A key position defender who has a good vertical leap, agile and is a tall player.
Beth Morris, St Joseph’s College
A midfielder who will play in the centre during the tournament. Is very agile, has good speed and is strong at winning the ground ball.
Bonnie Brown, Western Heights College
A small defender who has great run and carry and is expected to link well with the middle.
Brooke Kelly, Catholic College Sale
Will play forward initially before playing higher up the ground later in the match. Her endurance is one of her strengths.
Chloe Potts, Camberwell High School
A defender who is very good with her fundamental skills.
Daisy Robinson, Glen Waverley Secondary College
A tall forward who is great by foot, according to her coach.
Ebony Stevenson, Rowville Secondary College
A small forward who has got good skills and knows how to kick a goal.
Elise Napier, St Joseph’s College
A versatile player who is expected to play on all three lines during the carnival.
Elle Price, Maribyrnong Secondary College
A midfielder who has got great ground ball skills and will be one of the players to look out for in the middle for the team.
Emily Webb, St Helena Secondary College
Webb is a tall midfield who has good skills with the ball through the middle.
Evie Scott, Melbourne Girls College
A tall, key position, defender who has really good endurance.
Jasmine Whitten, Mount Eliza Secondary College
A defender who won interleague player of the series recently. She is also part of the St Kilda AFL women’s academy.
Jaya Montfort, St Helena Secondary College
A tall forward who is not only a good mark but capable of winning the ball off the ground.
Lana Carroll, Seymour College
A midfielder who is a tough inside ball getting machine.
Leivi Lane, Maribyrnong Secondary College
A utility who can play at any end of the ground and any role the coaches want her to do.
Maddison Meagher, Eltham College
Will play as a midfielder in the tournament. She is really clean with her hands.
Marlee Black, Padua College
Black will be the captain of the 15 Years & Under Girls White Team. She is part of the Dandenong Stingrays in the Coates league. Black will play in the midfield and is known for her hard ball gets. The captain is the daughter of former Collingwood VFL coach Craig Black.
Marleigh Ingram, Heathmont College
A defender who is a great vertical marker. The coaches hope she can take great intercept marks during the tournament.
Meyah Fursland, Western Heights Secondary College
A defender who know how to run. The coaches hope Fursland runs all day and provides a major threat to the opposition.
Ruby Jones, Albert Park College
A tall forward who is a great kick for goal.
Sienna Landy, Donvale Christian College
A small forward who can get lots of ground ball gets. Coaches expect Landy to help keep the ball inside 50.
Sophie White, Frankston High School
Part of the St Kilda academy. A utility who can play at all ends of the ground.
Annabelle Roberts (Methodist Ladies’ College)
A defender who is very good by foot. She is expected to play off halfback.
Billie McCulloch (Rowville Secondary College)
Impressed in the trial games and was best on ground. She’s been moved from emergency to the main squad as a result.
Zara Lanigan (Melbourne Girls College)
A midfielder/winger who is a defensive player. She is athletic and quite tall for her position.
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