The school has produced 91 VFL/AFL footballers over the years, with six of these coming from the college's previous two Herald Sun Shield-winning teams in 1999 and 2005.

North Melbourne's Drew Petrie was the first St Pat's student to graduate from a Shield-winning team to the AFL.

Petrie was a massive part of the 1999 victory, dominating the ruck to earn the Neale Daniher Medal as the best player on the ground.

Gerard Ryan, who coached the 1999 team with current coach Howard Clark as assistant, said Petrie really "stepped forward" that day.

"(He) was fairly dominant and the fearlessness he approaches marking contests today was just as obvious back then," Ryan said.

Kangaroos vice-captain Petrie said he remembered the thrill of playing on the MCG for the first time and using the changerooms of AFL clubs.

"The passion that St Patrick's College has for football is so high and to be able to play with your closest school mates was very good," Petrie said.

"I reckon I could still name a lot of my teammates - so it's something that has stuck with me even now."

Five players from the 2005 side were drafted to AFL clubs - Mitch Brown to West Coast Eagles, brother Nathan to Collingwood, Matt Austin and Matt Tyler to Brisbane and Shaun Grigg to Carlton.

Mitch Brown, who debuted for the Eagles against Sydney in 2007 and has played 22 games, still rates the 2005 win as one of his "greatest moments in life".

"I still keep my jumper from that day - I wear it heaps over here (in Perth) - it holds a special place with me," he said.

He said it was a memorable day for many reasons.

"Because you're playing with your school mates," Brown said.

"At St Pat's you have a lot of pride for your school, and for me personally it was the first real trophy I won with footy so it was pretty good."

Brown kicked a goal that day against Penleigh Essendon Grammar School and was named among the best.

"It was a real team effort and we wanted to win it for (coach) Howard (Clark for all he's been through with his cancer."

Brother Nathan addressed the St Pat's players at their semi-final game against St Joseph's Geelong, along with former St Kilda captain Danny Frawley, telling the players it was also his best footballing experience.

Tyler is yet to debut for Brisbane but Austin played his first game against Adelaide in round eight earlier this season and last played for the Lions in their 43-point win over Geelong.

Grigg was a Rising Star nominee last season and also captained the St Pat's side in 2006, the year after the Shield success.