ST KEVIN’S College has taken out the 2024 Herald Sun Shield Division 1 Intermediate boys title after thumping Western Heights College by 64 points in today’s decider. The APS powerhouse booted the game’s first 11 majors and kept its opponent goalless for three quarters at ETU Stadium.

A dominant opening half was the key to victory, as St Kevin’s booted four unanswered goals each in the first and second quarters. The margin took the sting out of the game thereafter, so much so that Western Heights College won the final term as consolation with its only three majors of the match.

St Kevin’s defender Archie Fogarty was named best afield for his outstanding performance in the 11.19 (85) to 3.3 (21) victory. He is among the likely future stars to feature in our Grand Final Scouting Notes.

WESTERN HEIGHTS COLLEGE 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 3.3 (21)
ST KEVIN’S COLLEGE 4.2 | 8.7 | 11.13 | 11.19 (85)

GOALS:
WHC: N. Howe, W. Pryor, W. Nicholls
SKC: L. Lefoe 2, B. Baker 2, M. Mahoney 2, E. Tesoriero 2, A. Currie, A. Duray, A. Meadows

BOG: Archie Fogarty (St Kevin’s)

SCOUTING NOTES

WESTERN HEIGHTS COLLEGE:

#4 Jack Thomson

Thomson did his best to set the tone for Western Heights in the early stages, providing plenty of effort and intent as his side’s skipper. He started on-ball but also shifted to defence, where he looked to take metres from the restarts and launch the ball long. While scrappy with his ball use at times, Thomson’s surge style suited the Grand Final atmosphere and such a mentality translated to hard defensive efforts.

#16 Rhylee Luca

Luca was among the mainstays in Western Heights’ engine room, playing a role alongside fellow leaders Thomson and Kye Smith. His side faced stiff competition against a deep, high quality and well oiled St Kevin’s midfield, but Luca managed to get his hands on the ball at stoppages. He read the opposition taps and found exits, doing so with more impetus under increasing pressure as the game wore on.

#18 Will Pryor

Pryor had his moments in Western Heights’ forward half and became one of his side’s three goalkickers during the final quarter. With decent size and strength, he provided a useful link option heading towards attacking 50 and also made his presence felt physically when the ball was in dispute. Pryor’s lone goal for the game came via a set shot after he stuck a nice overhead mark to finish his day on a high.

#27 Blake Keating

Possessing some of the best traits of any Western Heights player, Keating took on tough matchups in defence and looked like one of the more likely interceptors under enormous pressure. He proved himself capable of sticking intercept marks with clean hands overhead, while also moving well for a taller player and distributing the ball calmly in the face of St Kevin’s onslaught of forward 50 entries.

ST KEVIN’S COLLEGE:

#7 Henry Camilleri

Above all, Camilleri’s pace was what caught the eye most often. The energetic wingman/forward built into the game and constantly looked to take it on, driving his legs to help St Kevin’s transition end-to-end in a flash. His ability to take off immediately caught Western Heights unawares, though sometimes he proved too eager having run too far on one occasion, and scuffed a few kicks when moving at full tilt.

#18 Toby Round

Round was a consistent presence on-ball and ran out the game strongly amongst his side’s stacked midfield group. He helped St Kevin’s move the ball from inside to out, showcasing good poise at stoppages to extract the ball cleanly and come away into space or feed his teammates. His ability to distribute the ball by hand allowed others to hurt the opposition with their speed and skills.

#25 Archie Fogarty

Fogarty was deservedly named best afield and was, at times, head and shoulders above the rest. The latter notion proved quite literal, as the defender ruled the airways with his intercept marking. He positioned phenomenally well behind the ball, reading the play better than anyone and reacting first to not only impact aerial contests, but consistently win them without any sight of a fumble. Fogarty’s strong frame and clean fundamental skills made for assured work as he cut off just about everything while operating across a high line. He’s part of the Oakleigh Chargers Coates Talent League program.

#26 Eamon Tesoriero

Tesoriero popped up with consecutive goals to see out the third quarter, which put St Kevin’s ahead by 77 points heading into the final break. He was one of the many players to rotated between the wing and forwardline, making an impact inside 50 with his pace and finishing ability. Tesoriero’s six-pointers came from a coolly converted set shot, then a slick finish on the run.

#41 Max Mahoney

One of St Kevin’s four multiple goalkickers for the day, Mahoney kicked his majors consecutively on either side of quarter time. He had many more opportunities too, finding scoring avenues both in open play and via set shots. Mahoney’s left foot did not always find the mark, but his energy and attacking instincts brought the play to life inside 50. He has the ability to pounce on opportunities.

#42 Alex Dreaver

Dreaver was utterly dominant in the ruck and showcased tremendous craft throughout the day. The strongly built tall prospect held his position beautifully and from there, either hit the ball to a teammate’s advantage or grabbed the clearances himself. He rotated out to allow Henry Parris and skipper Ned Lewis a chance to ruck, leading to Dreaver imposing himself around the ground with a pair of clean intercept marks to lock the ball in St Kevin’s attacking half.

#62 Albert MacGowan

MacGowan was classy as ever in midfield, proving just why he was a Vic Metro Under 16 representative this year. He was most effective as the second possession winner, thriving on the extraction work of his teammates to receive and utilise his silky skills on the outside. MacGowan displayed great proficiency in kicking off both feet and was quite balanced in possession with terrific poise and vision. While damaging by foot, he was also agile in tight spaces and quite clean by hand. One to watch.

#65 Barnaby Smith

While Fogarty went about intercepting as a higher defender, Smith was a presence deep on the last line. He was tasked with patrolling the back 50 and took on some of the kick-in duties, repelling Western Heights attacks with his ability to impact aerially and distribute the ball by foot. He combined well with teammates to relieve pressure and clear his lines, doing so with composure.

#99 Benjamin Baker

Baker looked in store for a big game as he booted two of the first three goals and seemingly clunked everything inside 50 throughout the opening quarter. He was St Kevin’s most dangerous avenue to goal in the early stages with his presentation at the kicker and strong hands overhead. Baker could well have ended up with a bag of goals if his set shots were longer and more accurate. He got involved up the ground as the game wore on and even had a run in midfield, but has raw talent to burn up forward.