Hutchins and Guilford will play off to be crowned the best school in Tasmania
The two best teams will lock horns in the school footy master showpiece when The Hutchins School and Guilford Young College battle it out in the State School Grand Final. Find out who are the players to watch this Saturday.
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It is the biggest showpiece for the state school football teams and it comes as the two grand finalists will be playing for more than just the premiership.
The Hutchins School and Guilford Young College will battle it out in the boys grand final on Saturday afternoon at Hutchins War Memorial Oval to be crowned the best school footy team in Tasmania.
Take a look at the deep dive as to what the coaches have said, how they win and who are the players who can change the game.
Hutchins
What the coach said – Nick Probert
“It is great to be playing in a grand final, the boys, like any sporting team aspire to make it to the big dance, so they are really excited,” Probert said.
“We have had an excellent year, our football program at Hutchins is a little different to Guildford because it is a full secondary school.
“We have boys down from as low as year eight who come and train with a large squad and then they get picked in the first and second 18 squad.
“We have a nice spread of year nines, year 10s, year 11s and year 12s and that has proven to be a really nice mix.
“So we have had a really great season so far, we have won every game we have played and really excited to be playing in the granny.”
Players to watch
Charlie Bovill – year 11
The big power forward was named in the All-Australian under 16s and is also part of the Devils Pathway. Standing at 194cm already, Bovill is a player to watch and a player who can take the game away from his opposition.
Nick Steele – year 12 (captain)
The onballer continues to lead by example both on and off the field. The in and under gun has the brain smarts to outdo his opponent and the ability to set the game up his way. Steele was rewarded for his skill and growth by debuting for Clarence earlier this season.
Jarvis Breen – year 12
A crafty and silky left footer who will run all day and good luck catching him, with the pace and agility, Dreen is a player with some serious concern for opposing sides and has been an attacking rebounder off the half back.
How Hutchins wins:
“We are not trying to stop it (their run and swing off half back),” Probert said.
“You get the ball first and then they have to stop us.
“You don’t go into games trying to stop the opposition, you’re going into games trying to make the play.
“That’s what our boys will be doing, we’ve got a really good midfield and winning it first is the way you stop any team.”
Guildford Young College
What the coach said – Mark Beck
“The boys certainly are pumped, they are excited,” Beck said.
“It has been a bit of a slow burn though, we’ve been up and down in terms of availability, so our last week was our highlight beating St Pat’s up there.
“To be about to do that and create the excitement and that has just been able to flow into this week.
“We’ve got eight players from the Devils who will be playing for us on Saturday which is definitely a great result and we do have three or four missing due to workloads.”
Players to watch
Anthony Volta – year 12
The Devils Pathway gun is one of the best young forwards coming through the ranks in Tasmania. The small forward-midfielder has plenty of pace and strength about him to cause some issues both in the centre and up forward.
Hugh McCallum – year 11
The brother of Port Adelaide draftee Tom McCallum and son of AFL Tasmania Hall of Famer Scott McCallum is eyeing to make a name for himself as the onballer looks to use his knowledge and skill to help his side claim the ultimate prize on Saturday.
Tom Prokopiec -year 12 (captain)
Has stood up when needed and has been a continued driving force to get the players up and about and engaged off and on the field by using his leadership qualities and setting his side up well off the half back.
How Guildford win:
“They are a really good side, they beat us last time, they beat us around the contests and their ability to sort of exit out back half really well,” Beck said.
“We’ve got to try and keep the ball away from them as much as we can and use our skills and pace to our advantage.
“If we can do that, hopefully we can give ourselves a good show.”
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