St Pats claim both SATIS crowns with grand final wins

The kings and queens of school football in the state hail from St Patrick’s College after the Launceston school won the boys and girls SATIS finals on Saturday.

St Pats' girls celebrate their grand final win. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

St Patrick’s College boasts the state’s kings and queens of school football after winning the boys and girls Sports Association of Tasmanian Independent Schools’ (SATIS) finals in Launceston on Saturday.

With Western Bulldogs youngster and school alumni Ryley Sanders watching on as on-ball coach, the hosts set up their third straight boys title with a dominant six-goals-to-one first half in the 9.5 (59) to 6.8 (44) win.

After only defeating Guilford by a goal during an unbeaten roster campaign, St Pats brought their best football when it mattered with five straight goals before the main break to establish a 32-point lead.

Zac Reissig capped a strong display with two goals for the winners, Toby Callow was also strong while Khalen Matthews was influential in the ruck.

Lachie Davey booted two of his four goals in the last term for Guilford, who rallied late after keeping St Pats goalless in the final quarter.

“We had a focus today on doing the small one per center things, and doing them really well,” St Pats coach Nick Roney said.

“Our tackle and pressure around the ball was exceptional (in the first half) and it set us up for a really good victory in the end.

“From the physical side of the game there was a lot of guys who were tired out there.”

St Pats' boys celebrate their win in the SATIS final on Saturday. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Meanwhile St Pats’ girls sealed their first title in six years and ended Guilford’s three year stranglehold with a 6.10 (46) to 5.3 (33) win.

Aya Cottam was superb all day and capped her afternoon with four fine goals, while Rahni Milne also booted two in a battle between two unbeaten teams this season.

Guilford had won the previous three titles, but St Pats set up their breakthrough win after 2008 by booting four goals to one in the first half.

St Pats got off to the best possible start when Cottam slotted a find running goal from 40 metres out in the opening minute.

After dominating territory and possession in the opening term, the hosts got scoreboard reward for effort when Milne found space behind Guilford’s defence late in the term to slot their second.

Guilford finally got a foothold in the contest when a strong tackle in the goal square by Rianna Scott allowed them to post the visitor’s first goal of the game.

Milne kicked her second midway through the second term off a set shot after receiving a free kick for holding to extend St Pats’ advantage to 13 points.

And when Cottam followed suit with her second with a nice finish breaking through a pack, St Pats had established a 19-point halftime lead.

Guilford surged back into the contest with two final quarter goals to get themselves with a straight kick.

Former St Pats student and Western Bulldogs star chats to school coaching staff members. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

But Cottam fittingly had the final say, nailing two more goals off a long range set shot and roving a pack to seal victory for St Pats.

Cottam, who also hit the post twice, said she could feel the responsibility to raise her game when Guilford rallied late.

Still just 15, the Devils squad member and South Launceston product was clearly best on field.

“I was getting a bit worried at the end. I could feel them coming, so I had to lift and help my team out,” she said.

“We were so motivated, especially the year 12s in their last season in their school, so I’m really proud.

“It was probably one of my better games. I always play better when the pressure is on me and that was one of the tougher games.”

GIRLS

ST PATS 2.3 4.3 4.8 6.10 (46) def GUILFORD 0.1 1.2 2.3 5.3 (33)

Goals: St Pats - Aya Cottam 4, Rahni Milne, Eugenie Howard; Guilford - Rianna Scott 2, Isabelle Opray, Millie Richardson, Breeana Wright

BOYS

ST PATS 3.0 6.2 9.3 9.5 (59) def GUILFORD 1.0 1.0 4.4 6.8 (44)

Goals: St Pats - Nicholas Masiya 2, Samuel Husband 2, Zac Reissig 2, Jensen Smith, Khalen Matthews, Xavier Davie; Guilford - Lachie Davey 4, Oliver Hill 2