2023 | ISSUE 4 | The Respect Cup Match Report

The Respect Cup Match Report

The 2023 Respect Cup was held on International Women's Day on the hallowed turf of GMHBA Stadium at Kardinia Park, Geelong. The highly anticipated day – comprising of the boys game between St Joseph's and St Patrick's College Ballarat as the curtain raiser to the marquee girls game between Sacred Heart and Loreto College Ballarat – was made all the more important with the boys match doubling as the ACC Round 1 for 2023.

St Joseph's kicked out to an early 13-point quarter time lead with an early goal to vice-captain Thomas Burke the highlight. The next few quarters were closely fought, with St Joseph's squandering opportunities in the third quarter kicking two goals and six behinds, but still holding an 18-point lead at three quarter time.

St Patrick's came back strongly in the last quarter kicking three goals and in amazing scenes on the final siren, St Joseph's thought they had won with the scoreboard showing SJC 46 SPC 45, however once the goal umpires conferred the scores were corrected to be a draw at 45-apiece.

Thomas Burke was named best on ground whilst being supported by Angus Hanley who kicked two goals. Backline players Thomas Bartlett, Finn Hoey, Lachie Jaques and Nicholas Dowling were outstanding whilst Flynn Chirgwin and Joel Cooper were also impressive.

All in all, it was a successful first match in the ACC season and set up a brilliant spectacle in the girl's marquee match afterwards.

Sacred Heart controlled their match from start to finish to run out 21-point victors and for the first time the Geelong schools were crowned Respect Cup winners.

The six captains of the football teams spoke about the importance of the day in a post-match celebration held at the St Mary's social rooms. Anybody privileged enough to hear the speeches will speak of the amazement they had in listening to the young adults speak so strongly about the celebration of International Women's Day 2023.

We look forward to what 2023 will bring for the four schools involved as well as the 2024 Respect Cup in Ballarat.

Respect Cup Boys Match Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZwQFG7rclc&t=181s&ab_channel=AssociatedCatholicColleges

2023 Respect Cup

Girls Match

Sacred Heart Geelong 5.9 (39) def Loreto Ballarat 2.6 (18)

Boys Match

SJC Geelong 6.9 (45) drew with St Patrick's Ballarat 7.3 (45)

Overall Result

Geelong 11.18 (84) def Ballarat 9.9 (63)

Round 1 - Respect Cup - Wednesday 8 March

SJC Geelong 6.9 (45) drew with St Patrick's Ballarat 7.3 (45)

SJC Geelong 3.2 4.3 6.9 6.9 (45)