The school football powerhouse claimed an unprecedented sixth consecutive Herald Sun Shield on Saturday, defeating Essendon Keilor College by 29 points at Port Melbourne.

In an intensely physical match, St Pat’s never looked in danger to run out 10.12 (72) to 6.7 (43) victors.

Joel Cowan (younger brother of Geelong’s Josh Cowan) received the best on ground medal, on a day where St Pat’s had to overcome the extreme physicality of Essendon Keilor to claim the victory.

Played away from the MCG for the first time, a scrappy contest ensued on the smaller Port Melbourne oval, where Essendon appeared to try and quell the class of the Ballarat side with out and out physicality.

Coach Howard Clark said it was the most fiercely contested game of school footy he had seen.

“We were really challenged, they threw absolutely everything at us,” he said.

“It was the most physical game of school football I’ve ever been involved in.

“We aren’t often challenged to that extent so to respond in the way we did was really satisfying.”

Aside from conceding the first goal of the game, St Pat’s never really looked in trouble.

Of the five goals it conceded, two were from undisciplined 50m penalties, which Clark attributed to the physical nature of the game.

“It just became a real slog, it wasn’t a great game of footy,” he said.

“It’s just great for the guys though, it completes a full generation for the college.

“These boys were in year seven when we started the streak. They have seen it happen before and they deserve every bit of success they get.

“Now it’s just about enjoying the moment together, because it’s the last time they will play together as a group, which is special for them.”

BEST: J Cowan, B Hurley, H Dawborn, J Hopper, B Simpson, J Dodd

GOALS: J Wheelahan 2, J Carrick 2, H Coulton, B Veale, J Hopper, D Rioli, L Spiteri, T Blackney-Noter