29 April 2021
On Friday 9 April, 25 players travelled to Melbourne to take on Melbourne Grammar and Ivanhoe Grammar for their annual pre-season competition.
On a beautiful Friday autumn afternoon St Peter’s College took on Melbourne Grammar for the Dick Potter Cup and came away with a comprehensive 81 point win to etch the St Peter’s College name on the cup for the fourth time in the past 10 meetings. The team played excellent team football and executed the game plan beautifully. There were comments and accolades from the opposition and AFL talent scouts at the game that the team was well drilled and played an exciting, attacking brand of football. Some encouraging feedback indeed. Captain Matthew Roberts led from the front in the midfield and won the Best on Ground award.
Players were billeted out by Melbourne Grammar families and had a recovery session at Melbourne Grammar on the Saturday morning before having the rest of the day off with their billet families, which for many consisted of going to the local suburban football and then the MCG to watch GWS upset Collingwood on Saturday night.
On Sunday morning players met at Ivanhoe Community Oval on a typical Melbourne winter’s morning; nine degrees, wind, rain, and bursts of sunshine. The team managed a 63 point win in shortened 20min quarters. The win was impressive with Morgan Ferres and Felix Packer rested as the remainder of the team picked up the slack and again played some good football in wet and slippery conditions. The team boarded the plane on Sunday afternoon with the confidence they are right on track for a successful season back in South Australia. This was not the end of the commitment by the players – they then headed to Finnis on Monday morning with five other squad members for a three day team bonding pre-season camp.
For updates on the First XVIII and all other football sides at Saint Peter’s College throughout the year, look out for the Inside 50 football newsletter released each Thursday for scores, wraps and best players.
Scores:
St Peters College 5.5 10.6 15.8 19.11 (125)
Melbourne Grammar 1.0 1.4 2.4 6.8 (44)
Goal kickers: Ferres 5, Roberts 3, Packer 3, George 2, Francou 2, Jefferies, Carruthers Shepherd Blacker 1 each.
St Peters College 1.7 5.8 9.9 12.12 (84)
Ivanhoe Grammar 2.1 3.1 3.1 3.3 (21)
Goal kickers: T.Gibson 3, Seekamp 2, Roberts, Rata, Dwyer, Byun, Polglase, Jefferies, Hawker 1 each.
Players of note:
• Matthew Roberts led from the front in both games collecting Best on Ground in the Melbourne Grammar game and creating drive from the midfield in both games.
• Brad Jefferies racked up plenty of possessions in both games in the midfield.
• Henry Hawker was a rock in defence and his voice and organisation of the backline structure was excellent.
• Will Francou was damaging off the wing and provided plenty of pace and run through the middle.
• Morgan Ferres was outstanding in the Melbourne Grammar game, covering plenty of ground, taking contested marks and kicking four goals.
• Tom Gibson was very impressive in defence against Melbourne Grammar reading the ball well with strong intercept marks. He also kicked three goals in a cameo down forward in the last quarter against Invanhoe Grammar.
• Ted Newman (Year 10) and Henry Stewart-Rattray impressed with shared ruck duties – both were competitive at ground level and moved around the ground well for big men.
• Will Shepherd got plenty of the ball and was tough in and around the packs.
• Sam Warrick and Luke Harvey were excellent in defence, shutting down their players and providing plenty of run and rebounding drive forward.
We are looking forward to a great season ahead.
Mr Glen Malkin
Teacher in Charge of Football