Year 10 ACC Football ___________________________Page

In early March, the 43 eager boys of the Year 10 football squad rolled up unaware that they were about to build the foundations of a rollercoaster year. A year filled with triumphant victories, an ACC Premiership and a heart breaking loss – 2017 was certainly an unforgettable year. Late in Term 1 marked the beginning of our season, with a matchup against Parade College. The Joey’s outfit was impressive all day, proving too good as we ran out 55-point winners. Round 2 saw the boys bus up to Mentone to take on St Bede’s in what was expected to be a challenging game. In warm conditions we were able to keep our cool and run out as 26-point winners. Rounds 3, 4 and 5 saw the continuation of a proficient run of forms. The boys were able win comfortably against Whitefriars, Mazenod and the newcomers St Joseph’s Ferntree Gully by a combined total of 295 points. Our final two games for the home and away season included matchups with De La Salle and St Bernard’s. Playing at home against De La Salle, we were able to fly out of the gates early to get a fast start as we knew a finals berth was on the line. We ran out as 49-point winners, with Darcy Chirgwin slotting 8-goals which beat the record of most goals in a game by a Year 10 footballer. Coming up against St Bernard’s the boys were able to show class in tough conditions by capping off a great season with a six goal victory leading us into the Grand Final undefeated. The ACC Grand Final saw us take on St Bede’s who were keen to seek redemption after our previous encounter at the start of the year. The boys started well kicking out to a 22-point half time lead, however the boys from Mentone were not going to lay down and the game was still on the line at three quarter time. An incredible final quarter surge from the boys produced six unanswered goals and we were able to pelt out the famous “Ad Alta Virtute” song.

INTERMEDIATE HERALD SUN SHIELD

2017 saw AFL Victoria introduce the inaugural Intermediate Herald Sun Shield which combined Year 9 and 10 students. As ACC Premiers, we went into the five team Division 1 competition somewhat optimistic about our chances. The semi-finals were played at RAMS Arena in Craigieburn against Parkdale Secondary, St Patrick’s Ballarat, Marcellin and Xavier with the top two placed teams at the end of the day qualifying for the Grand Final. We got underway against Parkdale and a 15-point lead at half time was unexpected considering we were kicking into a brutal wind. We piled on the goals in the second half and ran away with a 51-point win. Game two was against St Pat’s and after a nervy start, strong contested work and composed play enabled us to swing the momentum back our way as we ran out 25-point victors. Our third match against Marcellin shaped up to be the biggest yet with a victory taking us through to the grand final. A tight finish was lead by a solid performance in the backline and we defeated Marcellin by 11 points. Our final match was played against Xavier who were too good for us, but we knew we would be ready for them in the replay a few weeks later. The Intermediate Herald Sun Shield Grand Final was played at Victoria Park against APS powerhouse Xavier College. After a rev up from Mr Holt and Mr Lynch the boys ran out rearing to go. Solid work from our backline allowed us to lead by seven points at quarter time, which was narrowed to three points at half time. The seesawing first half was blown open by Xavier in the third as they kicked five unanswered goals in the first 10 minutes. Though we fought out the game the lead was too much and we fell 14 points short 10.8.68 to 12.10.82. The season included many outstanding individual performances. Congratulations to Josh Sorgiovanni who took home the Best Player Medal in the Herald Shield as well as the Best and Fairest by two points ahead of Jack Mullen. Notable mentions to Charlie Harris and Darcy Chirgwin (who slotted 34 majors throughout the season) who received the Coaches Awards. Whilst St Joseph’s isn’t the first name to be carved into the Intermediate Herald Sun Shield and the year didn’t end with a fairy-tale finish, the memories and friendships created is something that will always stick with the boys as they aim for greater success in the coming years of SJC Football.

- Jesse Clark & Brad Edwards, Year 10 Football Captain and Vice-Captain

Year 10 Football

Back Row: Noah Gribble, Keam Chan, Hugh Nelson, Brayden Maurer, Ben Miller, Darcy Chirgwin, Connof Fopiani, Mitchell Hovey, Kyle Skene Third Row: Mason Andrews, Charlie Travers, Nicholas Sanders, Tanner Bruhn, Jacob Lobodarz, Jack Benstead, Jackson Paatsch, Riley Berg, Charlie Walter, Thomas Courtney, Will McLeish, Tyler Black Second Row: Will Batson, Ako Warakea, Noah Gadsby, Darcy Crucitti, Charlie Lever, Jack Mullen, Ryan Birthisel, Joshua Sorgiovanni, Lachlan Taylor Front Row: Matthew Keast, Max Lindrea, Bradley Jepson, William Farrow, Jesse Clark, Brad Edwards, Charlie Harris, Charlie Lazzaro, Jay Dahlhaus, Ty Williams Absent: Samuel Bourke, Samuel Hazelman, Rory Monteith, Clay Page, Connor Pickett, Henry Walsh Coaches: Jonathan Holt, Chris Lynch Trainers: Shane Dawson, Len Alford

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