Wednesday 3rd August was “d-day” for Mountain Creek SHS as it looked to get retribution for its 2010 Northern States Cup narrow loss over its opponent in the 2011 showdown.
Under fantastic Queensland blue winter skies the Gabba was at the feet of six school AFL teams as opportunity on the hallowed turf was before them. At 10.30am the Carol Berry Cup Grand Final for year 6-7 girls teams was played– Pacific Paradise SS our regional winner were previously narrowly pipped at the post in semi final action.
So the GF was set with Yeronga State School up against Our Lady of Mt.Carmel at Coorparoo, who finished runners-up in 2010. Our Lady held sway for the games entirety against opposition who gave their all – eventual margin 5 goals.
Next up at 11.30am was the Northern States Cup GF between the 2010 premiers Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School (Gold Coast) and our own boys from Mountain Creek State High. This match was a replay of the corresponding 2010 decider, when, in memorable fashion, PBC had a shot after the siren when scores were deadlocked at full-time and kicked a point to win the title. So the Creekers were most keen to amend for this heart break.
But wow, how good were the opposition PBC, from the first bounce they went bang, bang, bang and one sensed that it might be game over already. However a late quarter goal kicked by Liam Appleyard gave the Creekers a bit of energy to go to the first break with. But as the high quality goal umpires waved off on the first quarter score line the Powerade scoreboard read PBC 5.1.31 to Creekers 1.0.6.
Things weren’t to improve in the second quarter as the might of PBC rolled on. Their strong and imposing CHF in Kurt Skuse was such a focal point as he marked strongly on all occasions from a rampant on ball group – and he made many conversions as due reward. Again just prior to the last break Creeker #40 Sam McKenzie, kicked truly giving something for the Sunny Coast crowd to cheer about. Half time score line read PBC 11.1.67 to Creekers 2.0.12.
The second half was all about pride as Coach Justin Pritchett pleaded with his young charges, that they keep fighting. Whether it was some PBC fatigue or the added Creeker pressure, their accuracy eluded them as the behinds mounted. A Creeker goal and point in the last quarter on the huge Gabba ground were testament that in the last quarter they continued to push hard. Goal scorer was #51 Andy Davis who put boot to ball in the goal square to honour some good team play further up field.
But the damage was well and truly done and at the final siren the scoreboard indicated a resounding win to PBC with a century next to their name – 15.10 to Creekers 3.1.19. So it was back to back premierships for the Gold Coast AFL school of excellence. For the Sunshine Coast team disappointment was the immediate feeling but ultimately pride to have made it to the big stage again and above all opportunity to run across the Gabba.
Better Creekers players were hard to find on a consistent basis, most doing good things in fits and starts. But for four quarters recognition must go to captain Brad Ilott, Che Weidman and Dylan Menti for giving their all against a bigger and more game-savvy opposition.
Post-game the presentations were carried out by AFLQ with help from Brisbane Lions players Matt McGuire and Daniel Rich, and again great opportunity for boys to meet the big stars. One thing we did learn from this is that students do listen to their teachers as captain Brad near repeated coach Justin’s positive, thankful and praiseworthy words to a tee.
The day on the Gabba was completed with a 1pm game that showcased two Gold Coast schools of excellence in a Division One Brisbane Lions Cup grand final. Helensvale State High were out to defend their title against Palm Beach-Currumbin in a battle for GC supremacy. Final results indicated that the Helensvale School well and truly has bragging rights with another emphatic win of 11.5.71 to a wayward PBC 0.6.6.
Next on the school footy calendar, was the AFL Queensland Gold Coast SUNS Cup for school boy teams of years 6 and 7, which was held on Thursday 4th August on the fantastic Metricon surface at Carrara, Gold Coast.
The St.Francis Xavier school team travelled all the way from Cairns and had to be up bright and early to fly to the Gold Coast to be part of the finals day. Would the early bird catch the worm?
St.Francis Xavier met Stella Maris School in one of two semi-finals first up, with the other qualifying game between Nudgee Junior (Indooroopilly) and Narangba Valley State School. The two winners were then to meet in the grand final at 12.30pm, looking to secure a title won last year by Yeronga State School, while the losers would meet in the consolation final.
Stella have been a regular at this level of state competition and have once before experienced premiership success in 2003 and since many times been runner up. After winning their qualifying final against the St.Francis Xavier team, Stella faced Nudgee in the main game. After leading for much of the first half, slipping behind just on the half time siren they continued to battle hard throughout the second half but couldn’t wrestle back the ascendancy to go down by 11 points.
So again school AFL footy gives many of our Sunshine Coast Schools great opportunity to participate and for a few opportunity on the big grounds to have a quality kick and a catch.
Last Modified on 31/08/2011 15:52