Best in the state: The St Joseph’s senior boys football team claimed a commanding victory in the grand final of the SSV state championship. Photos: St Joseph’s College.
The St Joseph’s College senior football team can now proudly state it is the best school side in Victoria.
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The school side beat out more than 400 schools to be crowned School Sport Victoria state champion.
St Joes progressed to Tuesday’s final after a strong showing last week, defeating Western Heights College 8.4 (52) to 6.5 (41) in the quarter-finals, before booking its spot in the decider with a decisive 13.8 (86) to 4.2 (26) win over Montmorency Secondary College.
The Year 11 and 12 boys made the trek to La Trobe University in Bundoora to take on reigning champion Vermont Secondary College in the final on Tuesday, with a large contingent of parents and family members joining them.
Wet and blustery conditions greeted both sides; however, St Joseph’s made good use of the vast expanses of Tony Sheehan Oval to enter the half-time break leading 5.4 (34) to 1.4 (10).
Bolstered by the likes of AFL state combine invitees Oliver Poole and Hugh Byrne, as well as Jobe Shanahan, Lachie Hogan and Mitch Bell, who have all been in great form for the Bendigo Pioneers this season, St Joe’s pushed on in the second half to record a commanding 13.7 (85) to 3.6 (24) win.
The team was led by Justin Cantwell and Kristian McNichol, with the two coaches also at the helm of the St Joseph’s Year 8 boys state championship win in 2019, which featured many of the current senior squad.
Magnificent effort: The St Joseph’s Year 7 football squad made the grand final, and despite going down on the day, still beat nearly 400 schools to the number two place in the state. Photos: St Joseph's College.
The win was made even more special by the fact that the Year 7 football team was in attendance to cheer the senior boys to the title, with the youngsters having also made the final in their age group.
Comprehensive wins over Western Heights in the quarter-final and Diamond Valley in the semi-final paved the way for the Year 7 squad to play off against Rowville Secondary College in the big dance.
Emerging as a school football force in recent years, Rowville adapted to the slippery conditions well to lead at half time, and while St Joseph’s did well to remain within striking distance, the boys were unable to close the gap.
Despite going down 3.3 (21) to 7.7 (49), the Year 7s still walked away with silver and the mantle of the second best football side in the state after a remarkable campaign under the tutelage of coaches Les Butler and David Armfield.
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