DEEP in the final term, St Patrick’s College began to sense it had secured premiership glory.It took four unanswered goals from mid-way through the fourth for St Pat’s to break Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School and claim the MCC-Herald Sun Shield by 23 points.As defending champion, St Pat’s had plenty to prove in vying to become the first St Pat’s team to go back-to-back.It was already the first time St Pat’s was to contest a third consecutive Shield final.St Pat’s school and football captain Nick O’Brien’s on-field leadership and relentless work ethic up forward earnt the best on ground medallion in the 13.11 (89) to 10.6 (66) victory.O’Brien said medal or no medal, the best feeling was winning a final with his best mates.“When you pretty much live with these blokes for six years, this means the world to win this title,” O’Brien said.“This group is such a tight unit, we’re all best mates, we share this.”Little had split either team in the elite schoolboy football final at the MCG – momentum wavered between each – until goal-by-goal St Pat’s clawed ahead.PEGS had had St Pat’s measure early, controlling play out of the midfield to take an 11-point lead into quarter-time.St Pat’s was quick to move the ball forward in the second with O’Brien setting up clever play alongside Rory Taggert and Jaydon Stiles.The team had its chances but inaccuracy before goals left scores tied 36 points apiece at half-time.St Pat’s again hit hard with three unanswered goals to open the third quarter until a fast-running, clean PEGS outfit made two late majors to claim momentum, which it held until midway through the final term.Defenders David Morris, Tyler Blake and Tom Stapleton ruthlessly shut down PEGS’ forward forays.Once St Pat’s regained control, it stormed away.Scores were level when Jaydon Stiles sparked the late surge, earning a free kick from a tackle directly out from goal and breaking the deadlock.A vocal St Pat’s crowd grew louder as the Ballarat team piled on four of the next five goals.PEGS forward Jordan Williams interrupted the goal haul with one late major for his team.St Pat’s coach Howard Clark said it was a credit to his players to take the game on when it was there to be won.Clark said he felt relief at the siren but also proud of PEGS coach Ken Fletcher, his long-time coaching mentor, who is set to retire next year.