Herald Sun Shield: St Patrick’s College, Ballarat aiming for record dozen straight finals

The school which has dominated the Herald Sun Shield, and produced a fair share of AFL stars, has more success in its sights. Catch them LIVE on Wednesday. See the full livestream draw.

Ballarat footballing powerhouse St Patrick’s College is hoping success in the Herald Sun Shield comes by the dozen this week.

Grand finalists the past 11 times the prestigious schoolboys footy tournament has run, the boys in the green, white and blue will start as favourites in their semifinal to beat Warrnambool’s Emmanuel College on Wednesday.

This big last four showdown will be played at Craigieburn and is being streamed live on KommunityTV from 2pm.

St Patrick's College are right in the hunt to reach another decider. Picture:Rob Leeson.

Should they do so, it will be a perfect dozen for the boys from Ballarat.

In six of those years, from 2010 to 2015, the school won the tournament, with their 2014 triumph being led by West Coast premiership defender Liam Duggan. A year later GWS Giants star Jacob Hopper captained them to another title.

The school’s success has led to many of its alumni becoming AFL stars.

The Crouch brothers, Matt and Brad, graduated from the school as did the McDonald brothers, Oscar and Tom, and Dan Rioli, Drew Petrie and Shaun Grigg.

Richmond’s top 10 draft pick from last year, Josh Gibcus, hails from St Patrick’s as does last year’s draftees Kai Lohmann (Brisbane) and Sam Butler (Hawthorn).

Looking to join them, and also help St Patrick’s to win this year, is James Van Es.

Van Es is looking to be selected at this year’s AFL draft after performing well for the Victoria Country under-18 team and the Greater Western Victoria Rebels NAB League side.

But Van Es said he hadn’t been entirely happy with his year to date.

“I started off pretty well, was happy with it, but then I found some inconsistencies through the season,” Van Es said.

Liam Duggan played in the 2014 win.

Jacob Hopper was the 2015 skipper.

“I’ve hit my straps through the under-18 championships and have been really happy with how I’ve competed and played.”

Van Es said his form this year has had AFL clubs meet with him in the lead up to the draft.

The 17-year-old said it was surreal he’s in a position to have his dreams come true.

“It’s definitely a big eye opener, they (AFL clubs) are travelling down to come to my house and meet my family,” he said.

“It’s pretty exciting, it’s been a dream and this is what you dedicate your whole life to.

“It’s pretty surreal that in a few months time it could true.

“It’s a lot of pressure, (being linked to the AFL) but you just try to block it out, just keep good people around you and they are supportive.”

The AFL will not be on his mind on Wednesday as he looks to lead his school to another final.

He’ll likely play in the ruck and potentially up forward, which is different to his usual role in defence.

Can St Patrick's College go all the way again? Picture:Rob Leeson.

“It’s exciting to play with your mates, you’ve come a long way with them since year seven and even primary school with some,” he said.

“To play footy with them, which we really don’t get to do, is going to be exciting.”

He’ll also play with his mates from the Rebels, who will form part of the opposition at Emmanuel College.

“We’re not going to hurt them,” Van Es said.

“But we want to win and get the job done to get into the final.”

St Patrick’s will be captained by James Clark whose father, Howard, led the team, as coach, from 2002 to 2018.

Howard is now overseeing the football department with Gavin Webb as coach.

James said the team understood the pressure of success and was keen to continue the winning history.

“All the boys here know the proud heritage of St Patrick’s College and the past boys that are in the AFL,” he said.

“Some of the AFL boys say continually to this day that some of their best experiences was playing footy at St Patrick’s.

“We just love it and we want to continue this proud tradition. We hope that people can look up to us and boys in the younger cohorts can look up and aspire to be us one day, playing in the Herald Sun Shield finals and hopefully winning it.”