Second-half onslaught ends with Guilford Young College being crowned kings of Tasmanian school football
It was billed as a battle of the future stars and the players did not disappoint as Guilford Young College and St Patrick’s College faced off in the SATIS grand final. WATCH THE REPLAY | GALLERY >>
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BIG bustling Noah Holmes has kicked Guilford Young College to its first SATIS premiership since 2002.
In a ripping advertisement for school football, the hulking Clarence full forward booted five goals – all in the second half – to propel GYC to a sterling comeback victory over St Patrick’s College at Kingston’s Twin Ovals, 9.9 (63) to 6.5 (41).
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At 195cm and 100kg, Holmes was not only too big but too good for the St Patrick’s defenders, taking numerous contested marks deep in the forward line and kicking truly.
But at half time it appeared GYC’s title drought would continue as the visitors led by 14 points.
Despite St Patrick’s missing its own star forward Jackson Callow with an ankle injury, the visitors’ efficiency helped it take the lead through its effectiveness in the forward 50.
However the second half was a complete change of game with St Patrick’s held goalless and left as mere spectators to the Holmes show.
Fed by the likes of midfielders Darcy Gardner and Lincoln Arnold, Holmes dined out on the delivery to kick his college to the SATIS premiership.
The 17-year-old Year 11 student booted all three of the third term’s goals as he personally turned the half-time deficit into a six-point lead, and then added the first two of the last to seal the game for GYC.
St Patrick’s pressure and tenacity was outstanding, led by midfielder Angus Jefferies, but they were simply overwhelmed in the end.
While some of GYC’s big stars were slightly diminished on the day, Gardner and Arnold were inside bulls, with the latter chipping in with the opening and closing goals of the game.
Victorious coach Blair Brownless said there was a big difference between this year’s team and past GYC sides that were equally as talented but unsuccessful.
“For the first time in a long time for GYC all the boys have committed,” Brownless said.
“We’ve always had talented players but they haven’t necessarily committed to the college as they’ve gone off and played club footy.
“We think we’ve got the balance right this year with four games and this was the only club game they missed and they were fantastic this year.”
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Brownless said as GYC was only a Years 11 and 12 school, sport played a huge role in uniting the students.
“We’ve only got them for two years so to build character and spirit is really tough so things like footy and cricket are so important for us to build school spirit,” he said.
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