The football squad takes on St Bernard’s College in what is set to be a grand final rematch and a curtain raiser to the Collingwood-Port Adelaide AFL game. 

St Bernard’s defeated St Patrick’s by 16 points to claim the Herald Sun Shield last year.

St Patrick’s held its final training session on Monday afternoon with past student and AFL personality Danny Frawley addressing the players about seizing the moment and what it means to represent the school.

Coach Howard Clark said the group gathered together to share a meal on Wednesday night and talk about their own experiences playing for the club and for each other.

He said a decade of grand finals for the school was a huge achievement.

“To continue to replicate that year after year is a testament to the program and the relationships that we have with the Greater Western Victoria Rebels – there is no doubt the relationship with them has contributed to our success,” Clark said.

“The boys certainly buy into the program and love playing school football with their mates and for me that’s the beauty of the program.”

Rather than carry the school’s history as a burden, Clark hoped his team could relish the rare opportunity of playing at the MCG, which he described as having an added sense of spirituality.

“Win, lose or draw, they get an opportunity to play on the MCG and for a lot of these boys in Year 12 it’s the last time they ever play school footy, which means a lot to them,” Clark said.

As St Partick’s sets out for redemption led by captain Jacob Lohmann and with a full squad available, Clark said there would be a fair bit of rivalry between the two teams and no excuses.

“St Bernard’s were by far the better side last year and 16 points didn’t really reflect the difference in the teams that day,” he said.

“But it’s all about this group now because you have a different group of players and so will they.”

St Bernard’s will be led by Xavier O'Halloran, also captain of Vic Metro and expected to go high in the AFL draft.

“They’ve probably got two or three guys who are anticipated to get drafted this year and they’re a very even group so we certainly will have to play very well,” Clark said.

“Our strength is our running ability and our ability to cover the ground, their strength is their size and their inside work.”

Come early Saturday morning, his key messages as the team sets out for one final mission together this year will be to play boldly, instinctively and with some flair, but most of all, to take in and enjoy the experience.