St Bernard’s College proved too strong for a gallant St Patrick’s College outfit as it made it back-to-back Herald Sun Shield triumphs at the MCG on Saturday.
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In a rematch of last year’s division one boys’ grand final, the same result played out as St Bernard’s made the fast-start on its way to a 10.10 (70) – 5.9 (39) victory.
St Bernard’s kicked five goals to nothing in the opening term, stamping its authority on the match. But it was far from a one-sided affair, St Patrick’s College had several opportunities to limit the damage, but could not convert, in contrast St Bernard’s were dobbing just about everything.
The margin extended to 31 points at the main break, but the St Pat’s boys showed plenty of character in the second half, rallying to match it with St Bernard’s for large parts of the final 40 minutes.
Coach Howard Clark, who announced that Saturday would be his last time as senior coach of the division one side, said the difference between the sides in size, execution and running power was evident throughout the first half.
“They kicked five in the first quarter and then we were chasing and they had the momentum,” Clark said.
“We had some opportunities early.
“Sometimes football is about seizing the moment.
“I couldn’t question the intensity of the boys, I was really proud of that.
“Their (St Bernard’s College) ability to hit targets under pressure, that was the big difference between the sides.
“They seemed a bit physically stronger, they beat us in the air and in the first half their run and carry hurt us both ways.”
While it was not the result St Pat’s were hoping for, Clark was proud of the way his group fought out the contest in what was his 10th consecutive Herald Sun Shield grand final as coach in his 18th and final year at the helm.
“The second half showed some character, because we could’ve easily been blown away.
“The school program has got to be about the development of young men, they had to look at themselves at three quarter-time (and say) how do we want to be remembered?
“They could’ve easily dropped their bundle and let it blow-out to 50 or 60 points, but they got off the canvas and won the quarter and showed a resilient nature in the second half.”
Josh Chatfield was named St Pat’s best player, kicking two goals and was the side’s most likely prospect in attack while Brodie Newman got the medal for St Bernard’s in a best on ground performance.
Scott Carlin impressed for St Pat’s while Jack Tillig, Craig Cooper-Peters and Joel O’Connell were also named among the best.
Chatfield was the only multiple goal-kicker for St Pat’s, Craig-Peters, Dean O’Brien and Elliot Lamb joining him on the goal sheet.
Re-live it here.