A BEST afield performance from Nate Caddy has helped Parade College pull off a historic Herald Sun Shield double. The Raiders took out both titles, and their first senior gong for 25 years as the Victorian school football competition came to a close last week.

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Caddy, a top-end draft prospect this year, was named Parade’s best player in the 27-point Senior win over Maribyrnong College, while Seb Murphy took out the same honour as the Intermediate (Year 10 and below) side downed Rowville Secondary College by seven points.

Coached by Ricky Dyson, the Raiders stamped themselves as one of the state’s premier sporting schools this year with squad lists littered with current and future Coates Talent League prospects. Among them was Caddy and his Northern Knights captain, Christian Mardini.

Parade also fielded promising bottom-ager Zak Johnson, who earned a berth with Vic Metro’s Under 18 team this year. For the opposition, Western Bulldogs father-son candidate Jordan Croft was the leading talent, alongside Essendon NGA product Jayden Nguyen and Western Jets midfielder Lucca Grego.

While Murphy was the leading Intermediate player, many keen AFL watchers would have recognised Jade Gresham‘s brother, Tyson among Parade’s best and goal kickers lists. He turned out for the Vic Metro Under 16s this year alongside Rowville’s Lachy Dovaston – an All Australian at this year’s carnival.

Another familiar name dominated the Girls Division One final, with 2024 Carlton father-daughter prospect Sophie McKay best afield in Melbourne Girls Grammar School’s 15-point win over reigning champions, Caulfield Grammar.

The daughter of Andrew and sister of Abbie booted two goals as her side downed the previously undefeated Fielders. A terrific second term against the win helped Melbourne eventually extend to an unassailable lead, taking out their first ever title in the process.

In the Intermediate grade, Neave Dickson starred with six goals as Sacred Heart College defeated Carey Grammar by 26 points. Needless to say, she was adjudged best afield as the Geelong-based school made good on their four-goal head start in term one.

2023 HERALD SUN SHIELD FINALS

Senior Boys Division One

Parade College 12.9 (81) def. Maribyrnong College 8.6 (54)

BEST:

Parade: Nate Caddy, Riley Ormerod, Liam Farrar, Laird Ramshaw, Zak Johnson, Kristian Lawson
Maribyrnong: West Barker, Kyren Weerasekera, Christian Olivieri, Lucca Grego, Xavier Kardachi, Lucas Impey

GOALS:

Parade: Angus Smith 3, Nate Caddy 2, Josh Carelli, Zak Johnson, Seb Cannizzaro, Liam Farrar, Christian Ganino, Laird Ramshaw, Cooper Janevski
Maribyrnong: Christian Olivieri 2, Jordan Croft, Lucas Impey, Lucca Grego, Lachlan Fitzgerald, Kayne Rutley, Xavier Kardachi

Intermediate Boys Division One

Parade College 5.10 (40) def. Rowville Secondary College 5.3 (33)

BEST:

Parade: Seb Murphy, Milun Fernando, Tyrone Uwanda, Tyson Gresham, Brayden Apostola, James Alison
Rowville: Jay De Varlet, Lachy Dovaston, Ryder Pierce, Zak Smith, Kayleb Lovett, Ethan Campbell

GOALS:

Parade: Seb Murphy 2, Cameron Pascoe, Tyson Gresham, Max Brown
Rowville: Archie Le Clerc, Harry Lees, Zac Smith, Max Bartlett, Seth Clearly

Senior Girls Division One

Melbourne Girls Grammar 6.5 (41) def. Caulfield Grammar 3.8 (26)

BEST:

Melbourne: Sophie McKay, Grace Perrett, Macy Watkins, Lulu Bernie, Sam O’Keefe, Lily Wallace
Caulfield: Willow Sweeney-Johnston, Sienna Farrell, Cleo Anastasios, Jacinta Baxter, Lily Wenk, Georgie Height

GOALS:

Melbourne: Mikayla Berto, Sophie McKay 2, Amy Trindale, Chloe Williams
Caulfield: Anabelle Embleton 2, Zoe Samuel

Intermediate Girls Division One

Sacred Heart College Geelong 9.5 (59) def. Carey Grammar 5.3 (33)

BEST:

SHC: Neave Dickson, Emily Soppit, Sarah Conroy, Tara Trethowan, Charlotte Belcher, Ally Lappin
Carey: Sophia Davey, Emma Johnston, Sienna Coffin, Tess Andrews, Ruby Kaye, Kaitlyn Mcintyre 

GOALS:

SHC: Neave Dickson 6, Grace Carroll, Gracie Richard, Milla Wall
Carey: Sophia Davey 2, Milly White, Ruby Kaye, Georgia Ross