2023 | ISSUE 10 | SJC Newsletter

St Joseph's Clinches Back-to-Back Grand Final Victory in Year 9 Showdown

In a thrilling clash that kept spectators on the edge of their seats, St Joseph's emerged victorious, claiming the Year 9 Division 2 Grand Final title against St Bernard's. The final score stood at St Joseph's 6.13 (49) to St Bernard's 5.6 (36) in an enthralling battle held on Murphy Oval at St Bernard's College in Essendon.

The reigning premier St Joseph's aimed to secure consecutive premierships after introducing a team to the competition just last year, against the undefeated boys from St Bernard's. Ironically, the team typically known as the yellow team, had to don red jumpers due to a clash, adding a unique twist to the showdown.

With a staggering 73 players representing the team this season (and a total of 91 players representing either Year 9 team), St Joseph's demonstrated their depth and commitment to nurturing young talent.

The match began with both teams making an immediate impact, each kicking a goal within the first three minutes. The early exchanges hinted at a high-scoring affair, but St Bernard's surged ahead, building a three-goal lead and overpowering their opponents with their physicality and intensity. However, St Joseph's managed to rally, kicking a few late goals as they started to display their skills.

The second quarter saw St Joseph's dominate the field, unleashing an onslaught of attacks that left St Bernard's struggling to gain any ground. The team's defensive intensity was relentless, as St Bernard's failed to breach their half for the first 15 minutes of the quarter. St Joseph's capitalized on their advantage, establishing a comfortable 16-point lead heading into halftime.

The third and fourth quarters evolved into an intense arm wrestle, with both teams squandering numerous straightforward scoring opportunities. These missed chances added an element of unpredictability to the match, leaving spectators unsure of what would transpire next. With a mere five minutes remaining on the clock, St Bernard's delivered a crucial goal, narrowing the gap to a mere seven points, setting the stage for a thrilling and highly anticipated conclusion.

In the end, St Joseph's emerged triumphant, sealing their victory and securing the coveted back-to-back premiership. Their commendable performance was buoyed by outstanding contributions from players such as Lenny Honner, who kicked two goals, William Eskrigge, Samuel Cations, Jacob Hanlon, and Will Skabla, each adding one goal to the tally. Additionally, players including Jack Trewin, Jack Kelly, George O'Dwyer, Lenny Honner, Patrick Sullivan, Rupert Flanders, Reuben Long, and Anthony Nao stood out as the team's best performers, making pivotal contributions to their side's success.

The coaching duo of Mr David McNeel and Mr Michael McMahon guided St Joseph's with expertise and provided the necessary guidance to help the team secure the coveted title. Their strategic insight and leadership played a crucial role in shaping the team's victory.

As the final siren echoed through the grounds of St Bernard's, St Joseph's celebrated their triumph, basking in the glory of another triumph. The young athletes demonstrated remarkable skill, resilience and determination, ensuring their place in St Joseph's sporting history.