North v South, talent v talent as AFL eyeballs switch to Tasmanian school football

This weekend’s independent schools grand final will be an episode of Tasmania’s got talent for AFL recruiting scouts looking for the next batch of big league stars. MATCH PREVIEW + HOW TO WATCH >>

Guilford Young College football players LR Sam Collins, 18, captain, Oliver Davis, 18 and Sam Banks, 17 are ready for their state final on Saturday against St Patrick's College. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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THE eyes of AFL recruiting scouts will be glued this afternoon to the stream of a Tasmanian school football game.

The clash, between Hobart’s Guilford Young College and Launceston’s St Patricks College for the Sports Association of Tasmanian independent Schools grand final at Kingston’s Twin Ovals, will showcase a wealth of potential AFL talent.

The match will include 27 Devils squad players, including three of the state’s top four AFL draft picks – Guilford’s Sam Collins and Oliver Davis and St Patricks Jackson Callow — and the state’s best hopeful for the 2021 draft, Sam Banks (GYC).

It would have included all four of this year’s crop, but Guilford’s Patrick Walker will miss with a calf strain.

WATCH THE GAME HERE FROM 11.30am >>

But for the players themselves, this match is not just about shining for AFL eyeballs.

Guilford has not won the SATIS flag since 2002, while St Pats have been a powerhouse, winning seven of the last nine but none of the past two.

“It means a lot to us,” Collins said.

“This is a good opportunity to make the most of it and it is always the best fun with your school mates.

“It doesn’t get much better than that and there is something different about playing school footy.

“There is not as much pressure, you can have some fun. It is pretty exciting.”

Banks, at just 17, is too young for this year’s draft but already has the attention of scouts.

The Oatlands product will miss a TSL game for Clarence today to play in the grand final.

“There is your club footy and Devils footy but there is nothing like playing school footy with some of your best mates that you have grown up with,” Banks said.

“Everyone takes a lot of care and pride in the performance you put in.”

Collins, an 18-year-old athletic rebounding tall defender, has been in the spotlight for some years, but can play school football with the freedom that attracted him to the code in the first place.

“Getting the opportunity to play school footy, there is something really different about it and it does take your mind off it (the AFL draft), because you are playing with your best mates and none of them really care about what is happening outside with club footy and with the Devils,” Collins said.

“It is a chance to showcase our skills and have a bit of fun with it.

“That’s important because I feel like a lot of boys get trapped into losing the fun.

“It is a good opportunity to continue to play and I feel like it is a good way to just let it all out.

“There is the pressure with the draft but doing things like this is a great way to take your mind off it.”

The two teams met previously in Launceston, where Guilford overcame a 30-point deficit and a snowstorm to win by seven points and go through to today’s decider undefeated.

The loss was St Pats only defeat for 2020 and the visitors are out for revenge.

St Pats co-captain Bailey Gillow says now is the school’s chance to reclaim the trophy.

“It will be a pretty hot match,” he said.

“It will be really good to see if we can get a win.”

Gillow said his last match for the school will be one to remember.

After the match, the team will be straight back on the bus to Launceston to get ready for the school ball.

The night will be a little bit sweeter with a trophy in hand and medals around their necks.

St Patrick's College football players, from left, vice-captain Alex Blackaby, 17, co-captain Bailey Gillow, 17, and Oliver Sanders, 18. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Guilford principal Craig Deayton, previously a St Pats staff member, said having the school make the grand final created a huge swell in school spirit.

“It has a tremendous boost for these not only in the team, but all the other kids as well,” Mr Deayton said.

“You’ve got to remember for some kids school is a real struggle and sport is their one thing.

“It is their greatest connection to school and to life and the opportunity to play in this game and come along and support is just amazing.

“It is such a part of life of a school that we should be doing all that we can to promote it.”

Due to COVID restrictions, today’s match is limited to 500 people (players, officials and spectators) but fans can watch a live stream on the Mercury’s website themercury.com.au with the game starting at 11.30am.

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