The school footy season is at the pointy end, with the Associated Catholic Colleges semi-finals set to blast off. We name the key players. SEE THE LIST
The school footy season has entered the pointy end.
The Associated Catholic Colleges semi-finals will be held this week for a shot at a premiership and a place in the prestigious Herald Sun Shield.
On Wednesday, Bundoora’s Parade College will host Ballarat powerhouse St Patrick’s, while St Bede’s will welcome Geelong talent-factory St Joseph’s.
Some of Victoria’s elite, young football talent will be on display.
A number of draft hopefuls will strut their stuff, looking to boost their chances under the watchful eyes of AFL club recruiters.
Parade heads into the finals as favourite after finishing on top of the home-and-away ladder with a 4-1 record.
The school is chasing its first title since 2009.
Meanwhile, it’s opponent St Patrick’s is in its first year of competition in the ACC after crossing from the Ballarat Associated Schools competition.
A perennial Herald Sun Shield semi-finalist before the move, St Pat’s secured its place in the final four with a win over second-placed St Bede’s in the final round.
In the other semi-final, St Bede’s will be looking to return to the top after winning the premiership in 2019.
The last-round loss to St Patrick’s was the school’s only blemish this season and it will go in hot favourites after beating St Joseph’s by 51 points back in May.
The Geelong school has not won the ACC title since 2016 but comes into the game in strong form after consecutive wins, 34 points against reigning premier Whitefriars and 111 points over St Bernard’s.
PARADE COLLEGE v ST PATRICK’S BALLARAT
Wednesday, June 14 at Parade College, Bundoora
PLAYERS TO WATCH
PARADE COLLEGE
Nate Caddy: A top-10 draft prospect, Caddy has proven difficult to stop at times this season and helped Parade kick some big scores. The Yarrambat talent made his senior debut for Bundoora last year and has excelled in the Coates Talent League, despite playing just three games. Kicked bags of two, four and three in those games and has been selected in the Vic Metro national championships squad.
Zak Johnson: Still only 16 (his birthday is in December) but already one of the leading ball-winners in the Coates Talent League. The St Mary’s product exploded with 34 disposals, nine marks, seven tackles and a couple of behinds against Oakleigh Chargers a couple of weeks ago and has been rewarded with a spot in the Vic Metro national championships squad.
Tom Sims: The Montmorency junior is 17 and already 199cm, putting him on the draft radar for 2024. In his four games for Northern Knights, Sims has kicked 5.3 and averaged nine disposals, three marks and two tackles and pinch-hit in the ruck. Had a standout game against Oakleigh Chargers with two goals, 13 disposals and three marks.
ST PATRICK’S BALLARAT
Mitch Lloyd: If the country kids are going to come to Melbourne and leave with a win, Lloyd will likely have played a big part. The 17-year-old boarder from Koroit is already playing centre half-forward for GWV Rebels in the Coates Talent league. An athletic, strong-leading forward, he has three goals in six CTL outings and is averaging nine disposals, three marks and two tackles per game.
Harry Charleson: With school skipper and big brother Lachie questionable due to Vic Country national championship duties, Harry will be called on to step up. A hard-running half-back with a tidy kick, the 17-year-old is also capable of taking key intercept marks and winning one-on-one duels. The East Point product is averaging 15 disposals and 2.3 tackles a game for GWV Rebels this season.
Ollie Hanneford: Will be one of St Patrick’s leading midfielders but can also make an impact in attack or defence with his speed and skill. The East Point talent loves to get his hands dirty, highlighted by his almost six tackles a game for GWV Rebels in the Coates Talent League but also averaging 16 disposals, three inside 50s and 2.3 rebound 50s a game.
ST BEDE’S v ST JOSEPH’S GEELONG
Wednesday, June 14 at Gerry Green Reserve, Parkdale
ST BEDE’S
Tarkyn O’Leary: The Sandringham Dragons vice-captain is in the Vic Metro squad. He’s an inside midfielder with an elite engine; fast, combative and uses his legs to drive out of the contest. The Parkdale Vultures junior is averaging 18 disposals and 3.3 tackles a game for the Dragons in the Coates Talent League.
Calsher Dear: The son of the late Paul Dear, the 1990 Norm Smith Medallist, and a father-son prospect for Hawthorn. Calsher is a key forward who boasts a strong contested mark and likes to run and jump at the ball. The Beaumaris product has kicked some bags for St Bede’s and will be a real focal point in attack. Has booted five goals and averages 10 disposals a game for Sandringham Dragons.
Brodie Findlay: A 200cm ruckman who racked up an eye-popping 97 hit outs in a game for Beaumaris in the Southern league recently. Made his Coates Talent League debut for Sandringham Dragons last week and collected eight touches, two tackles and 15 hit outs. With a big strong body, Findlay gives St Bede’s first use of the ball with great ruck craft to get his team moving forward.
ST JOSEPH’S
Patrick Hughes: The Torquay junior is a standout inside mid ball-winner. Hughes is averaging 20 disposal and five tackles a game for Geelong Falcons but can also make an impact up forward with his neat skills. Will need to be at his best if St Joseph’s are to trek down to Parkdale and come away with a grand final spot.
Tom Burke: One of the leading tacklers in the Coates Talent League. Burke can play anywhere on the ground and limit the influence of his man but still make an impact of his own. Averages 15 disposals and 5.2 tackles a game for Geelong Falcons, the Torquay product will be sure to play a key role on Wednesday.
Ethan Borys: The reliable defender and smooth-moving back flanker hails from Grovedale and will play a key role in St Joseph’s semi-final. Has impressed in six outing for Geelong Falcons, averaging 17 disposals a game, including six rebound 50s, almost doubling his output from last season.
Originally published as ACC football semi-finals: Nate Caddy, Ollie Hanneford, Brodie Findlay among key players