St Kevin's, Sacred Heart progress on opening day of Herald Sun Shield
The 2024 Herald Sun Shield interschool football competition kicked off on Tuesday, with St Kevin's College, Toorak (Intermediate Boys Division 1) and Sacred Heart College, Geelong (Senior Girls Division 1) winning their Play-In Games to progress to Semi-Finals next week.
The double-header played in cool but otherwise excellent conditions at Skinner Reserve in Braybrook started with St Kevin's, representing the Associated Public Schools (APS), running out 31-point winners over Assumption College, from Associated Grammar Schools (AGS), 8.7 (55) to 4.0 (24).
Both sides found it difficult to score in a tense opening term with Assumption kicking the only goal to take a four-point lead into the first break. St Kevin's broke the game open with four goals in the second quarter to lead by 16 points at half time and maintained their ascendancy throughout the second half. St Kevin's progress to take on Intermediate Boys (Year 10) Division 1 reigning premiers Parade College on Wednesday 7 August at Sandringham.
St Kevin's were well served by key forward Ashwin Currie, who presented as a target all game and booted three crucial goals, while Louis Defoe chipped in with two majors and Benjamin Baker, Alex Dreaver and Eamon Tesoriero were prominent. For Assumption, Tex Longmire looked dangerous with the footy and booted two goals, while Harvie Cooke and Robert Marchant played very well.
The Senior Girls Division 1 Play In Game followed and was a thrilling clash with free-flowing footy and great skills on show throughout, with Sacred Heart, who won the Division 2 title last year, edging out Ballarat Grammar by five points, 9.8 (62) to 9.3 (57).
It was Ballarat Grammar, representing Ballarat Associated Schools (BAS), who started stronger and took a 12-point lead into quarter time before Sacred Heart edged ahead by half time. Ballarat went ahead again in the third term before Sacred Heart, representing Geelong Independent School Sports Association (GISSA), came home strongly with four goals in the final term to claim the win.
Neave Dickson starred with four goals for Sacred Heart, and was well supported by Mekah Morrissy (two goals), while Sarah Conroy, Tara Trethowan and Elara Dillon were named best. Claire Mahony and Greta Arnel were named best for Ballarat Grammar and Emma Betts kicked three goals.
Sacred Heart will take on reigning champs Melbourne Girls Grammar in a Senior Girls Division 1 Semi Final on Tuesday 6 August at Williamstown. Sacred Heart and Ballarat Grammar also both feature in the Intermediate Girls Semi Finals next week, which shows how strong the football programs are at those schools.
Play-In games feature the 4th v 5th seeds, with winners progressing to take on the top seed. Seedings are established based on finishing positions of teams representing their school associations the year prior.
Full Semi Final fixture below. Fixtures and results can also be viewed on PlayHQ: Click here
Watch match replays on KommunityTV (Herald Sun subscriber content): Click here
RESULTS FROM TUESDAY 30 JULY - SKINNER RESERVE, BRAYBROOK
Intermediate Boys Division 1 Play In game
St Kevin's College (5th seed) 8.7 (55) def. Assumption College (4th seed) 4.0 (24)
St Kevin's College
Best: Benjamin Baker, Alex Dreaver, Eamon Tesoriero, Louis Lefoe, Jack Massey, Ashwin Currie
Goals: Ashwin Currie 3, Louis Lefoe 2, Benjamin Baker 1, Joe Curtain 1, Eamon Tesoriero 1
Assumption College
Best: Harvie Cooke, Robert Marchant, Cruz Young, Dallas Ornsby, Rory Kennedy, Jack Wunderlich
Goals: Tex Longmire 2, Logan Collins, 1, Jack Gibson 1
Senior Girls Division 1 Play In game
Sacred Heart College, Geelong (5th seed) 9.8 (62) def. Ballarat Grammar (4th seed) 9.3 (57)
Sacred Heart College
Best: Sarah Conroy, Tara Trethowan, Elara Dillon, Meg Lappin, Mekah Morrissy, Neave Dickson
Goals: Neave Dickson 4, Mekah Morrissy 2, Charlotte Elder 1, Ally Lappin 1, Tara Trethowan 1
Ballarat Grammar
Best: Claire Mahony, Greta Arnel, Maggie Johnstone, Milly Shortal, Macey Squire
Goals: Emma Betts 3, Jessie Hanmer 2, Claire Mahony 2, Olivia Ashby 1
2024 HERALD SUN SHIELD DIVISION 1 - REMAINING FIXTURE
Tuesday 6 August – DSV Stadium, Williamstown
Senior Girls Div 1 Semi Final 1 (1st seed v Play-In winner) – 9:30am
Melbourne Girls Grammar v Sacred Heart College, Geelong
Inter Girls Div 1 Semi Final 2 (2nd v 3rd seed) – 11:30am
Carey Grammar v Ballarat Grammar
Inter Girls Div 1 Semi Final 1 (1st v 4th seed) – 1:30pm
Sacred Heart College, Geelong v Rowville Secondary College
Tuesday 6 August – Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham
Senior Girls Div 1 Semi Final 2 (2nd v 3rd seed) – 9:30am
Caulfield Grammar v SEDA College
Wednesday 7 August – Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham
Inter Boys Div 1 Semi Final 1 (1st seed v Play-In winner) – 9:30am
Parade College v St Kevin’s College
Senior Boys Div 1 Semi Final 1 (1st v 4th seed) – 11:30am
Parade College v Padua College
Wednesday 7 August – DSV Stadium, Williamstown
Inter Boys Div 1 Semi Final 2 (2nd v 3rd seed) – 11:00am
Western Heights College v St Patrick’s College, Ballarat
Senior Boys Div 1 Semi Final 2 (2nd v 3rd seed) – 1:00pm
Emmanuel College, Warrnambool v Ballarat Grammar
Tuesday 13 August – ETU Stadium, Port Melbourne
Intermediate Girls Div 1 Grand Final – 10:00am
Senior Girls Div 1 Grand Final – 12:30pm
Wednesday 14 August – ETU Stadium, Port Melbourne
Intermediate Boys Div 1 Grand Final – 10:00am
Senior Boys Div 1 Grand Final – 12:30pm
