PARADE College has taken out its third-consecutive Herald Sun Shield Senior Boys Division 1 title after defeating Catherine McAuley College by 49 points this afternoon. Raiders key forward Lewis Houndsome was named best afield in the victory for an imposing aerial performance which yielded two goals.

Despite the comfortable margin of defeat, CMC acquitted itself well in the first half and only conceded a one-point deficit as the quarter time siren sounded. That was extended to 11 points at the main break as Parade began to pepper the goals and lock the ball inside their attacking half through repeat intercepts.

An leg injury to CMC defender Ben Miller in the second term allowed Parade’s tall forwards to further impose themselves on the game. 16-year-old Axton West finished with three goals ahead of Houndsome’s two, while Matthew Kayrooz popped up with a crucial pair of majors in the third term.

On the back of a solid defensive effort in the first half, Parade ran out the game in a canter with six goals to two in the final quarter. The result marked a third consecutive flag for Ricky Dyson‘s side out of the ACC competition, a feat the Raiders managed between 1996-1998 amid a run of five titles in six years.

PARADE COLLEGE 2.2 | 4.6 | 7.10 | 13.14 (92)
CATHERINE MCAULEY COLLEGE 2.1 | 3.1 | 5.1 | 7.1 (43)

GOALS:
PC: A. West 3, L. Houndsome 2, M. Kayrooz 2, S. Murphy, T. Krasna, L. Galletly, S. Caruso, L. Coffey, R. Ratkovic
CMC: M. Thompson 2, C. Reid 2, T. Griffin, R. Travaglia, S. Doherty

BEST:
PC: L. Houndsome, S. Murphy, A. West, M. Downes, H. Cooke, T. Gresham
CMC: P. Blake, S. Doherty, M. Thompson, J. Jackson-Leahy, C. Reid, H. Behrens

BOG: Lewis Houndsome (Parade College)

SCOUTING NOTES

PARADE COLLEGE:

#1 Seb Murphy
Midfielder/Forward | 176cm | 23/10/2007

A player with plenty of experience in Herald Sun Shield finals, Murphy again rose to the occasion for Parade. The Northern Knights co-captain fought hard on the inside and ran with just as much effort on the outside, making for a prolific performance. His ability to find space in the attacking phase meant he launched forward for direct score assists, while also sharking a goal on the run from a forward 50 stoppage in term three. He seemed to spend more time forward after half time, with the hard work done.

#2 Max Downes
Defender | 181cm | 09/07/2008

One of Parade’s many talented bottom-agers, Downes came into the final fresh off representing Vic Metro’s Futures side. He played with plenty of power and intent, generating plenty of drive on the overlap to surge his side forward. Downes took the game on where possible, but also caught the eye with his gutsy defensive efforts to intercept. His explosiveness makes him a threat in each third of the ground.

#3 Harvie Cooke
Midfielder | 176cm | 12/04/2008

Cooke has a game which suits finals, particularly with his pressure and effort around the contest. The diminutive bottom-ager wasn’t afraid to get stuck in and attack the ball hard, also applying fierce tackles to make the CMC midfielders earn every possession. On the outside, Cooke drove his legs to provide spurts of run out of congestion and scrapped hard all day to set a strong tone for his side.

#4 Tyson Gresham
Forward/Midfielder | 169cm | 21/06/2007

Playing seemingly the inverse game to fellow Northern Knights co-captain Murphy, Gresham started up forward before getting an extended run in midfield after half time. The Carlton Next Generation Academy prospect ventured high up the ground to provide Parade with some connectivity in transition, also competing well at stoppages. His tackling held up in a hotly contested game, as did his quick and clean hands in tight spaces. Gresham couldn’t quite conjure a goal with brother Jade watching on, but was unselfish in the final quarter in passing off a couple of opportunities inside 50.

#8 Zachary Broadbent
Defender | 183cm | 01/05/2007

Broadbent was a pillar of Parade’s defence, particularly during the first half when CMC poured on the most pressure. He was assured on the intercept, positioning well behind the ball and taking it cleanly overhead. One of his first contributions came up on the wing, where he cut off an opposition kick and launched inside 50 for Rylee Ratkovic to take a screamer. That kind of calm and reliable play helped Parade lock the ball in its attacking half and sustain periods of pressure throughout the day.

#9 Kai Parker
Defender | 190cm | 17/01/2008

Another of Parade’s promising bottom-agers, Parker formed part of his side’s defensive wall in combination with Broadbent and Max Brown. He provided great versatility and dynamism throughout the day, using his height to impact aerially on the intercept, while also taking ground on the counterattack. Parker’s best moments came when he took the game on with dare up the field, but he also produced several crucial defensive plays like his relieving intercept mark late in the first half.

#16 Matthew Kayrooz
Forward | 187cm | 12/02/2008

They call the third term the premiership quarter, and it belonged to Kayrooz today. He grabbed his moments with goals from either pocket to help Parade create an unassailable buffer heading into the final break, while also laying a crucial holding-the-ball tackle. Aside from his third quarter feats, Kayrooz was a useful connection piece working up the ground from half-forward, linking up in attacking chains.

#18 James Allison
Midfielder | 185cm | 23/02/2007

The title-winning captain was among Parade’s most prominent players at the contest and allowed others to produce the more eye-catching moments. He won his share of inside ball and looked to bullock a way out of congestion, using some of his power and speed to do so. There weren’t as many moments of flair as usual for the Northern Knights midfielder, but he played a key role nonetheless.

#21 Axton West
Tall Forward | 191cm | 24/03/2009

No one had a greater scoreboard impact than West, who booted three majors to spearhead a list of nine individual goalkickers. The Vic Metro Under 16 representative did so despite not being draft eligible until 2027. The left-footed forward proved mobile and dangerous deep inside attacking 50, leaping at the ball with vigour and following up nicely. He got on the board with a set shot in the first term and slotted a well crafted snap to make it two goals before half time. His third major was part of Parade’s late procession having marked over the back in the goalsquare. There’s plenty that points towards a bright future.

#23 Lewis Houndsome
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 29/05/2008

Houndsome’s sheer presence was felt all around ETU Stadium on Thursday as he took out best on ground honours. The imposing ruck-forward dominated the airways with a series of strong marks; dropping back to support behind the ball, presenting full-chested at kickers, and out-bodying his opponents one-on-one. Houndsome’s strong set of hands helped create scoring opportunities and he ended with two majors while also being selfless enough to set up others. The seas seemed to part when the ball came his way, and no doubt he’ll be a prospect to watch heading into next year.

CATHERINE MCAULEY COLLEGE:

#9 Max Thompson
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 06/03/2009

Playing in CMC’s seniors despite being of intermediate age, Thompson proved exactly why with moments of sheer class. The Vic Country Under 16 MVP and All-Australian was one of his side’s two multiple goalkickers, and had opportunities to set up others with searing delivery inside 50. While not all his kicks came off, he generally picked out dangerous options and was sure to finish his chances at goal. Both of Thompson’s majors came in the second half; one via a gilt-edged intercept on the move, and the other with a superb long-range dribbler as late consolation in the loss.

#18 Patrick Blake
Midfielder | 182cm | 27/12/2007

Blake was arguably CMC’s best and most consistent player on the day, providing constant effort in midfield. He was like a bull at the gate, bustling his way out of congestion with fends, spins, and explosive speed. Blake’s crash-and-bash style kept his side competitive and he created scoring opportunities by taking ground on the outside. He couldn’t quite convert his own set shot opportunity in the first term, but earned it via a strong tackle which proved to be a key feature of his game.

#20 Jaidi Jackson-Leahy
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 31/01/2007

CMC’s sole state Under 18 representative, Jackson-Leahy was among his side’s most highly credentialed assets. He utilised his strong frame to break through tackles and made his sharp left-foot kicking a feature, constantly looking for that favoured side. Jackson-Leahy’s delivery on the run was crisp, balancing his clearance work with contributions on the outside and mounting forward rotations.

#21 Carter Reid
Forward | 183cm | 27/12/2008

Along with Thompson, Reid was one of CMC’s two multiple goalkickers. He did so despite being a bottom-ager in the senior team, showing promising signs of talent in his contributions. Reid booted the opening goal of the game, wheeling around and finishing truly on the run. He later popped up with a terrific mark and set shot conversion to continue his side’s accurate goalkicking record.

#25 Seamus Doherty
Ruck/Key Forward | 194cm | 17/05/2008

Another bottom-ager who stood out on Thursday, Doherty was CMC’s most dominant key position player. He showed plenty of upside in the ruck, able to grab and clear the ball from stoppages, or follow up to dish the ball out a second time. Doherty was composed in possession and absorbed pressure when unable to step around opponents. He set up well behind the ball to take a couple of strong intercept marks, going on to boot a goal in the third quarter on the back of another contested grab.