St Patrick's College has advanced to its 11th consecutive Herald Sun Shield grand final after defeating Catherine McAuley College in Craigieburn.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wet and miserable weather wasn't enough to stop St Pat's which kicked away in the final quarter to beat its Bendigo counterparts 5.7-37 to 1.3-9 on Wednesday.
The result delighted St Pat's coach Gavin Webb who praised the effort of his side in what were challenging conditions.
"It was low scoring, it was a game of territory to get it forward at any cost," he said
"There were plenty of stoppages and it was a very contested game of footy. The guys had to crack-in and they were able to do that."
St Pat's came from behind to win the contest after conceding the first goal to Catherine McAuley College in the early stages of the match.
But St Pat's clawed its way, going ahead in the second term to lead the match heading into the main break.
The arm wrestle ensued in the third quarter as both teams struggled to attain shots on goal. With points hard to come by the match became a battle for territory as it entered the final phase.
With the game still in the balance, St Pat's struck the first goal of the last term which laid the platform for a semi final win.
"If they'd kicked the first goal of the last quarter it would've been game on, but we did and in those conditions it was enough to get us home," Webb said.
Webb heaped praise on Riley Polkinghorne, who was sensational at half back all game. Fraser Marris was also good, along with Josh Gibcus who impressed in the ruck.
"They won a lot of contested footy, our back six were tight after the first 15 minutes and our midfield were able to get on top," Webb said.
St Pat's will now play St Bede's College in the final on August 7. St Bede's was the last school standing in the Associated Catholic Colleges division.
"It's quite a good comp, but we are a good side so it should be a pretty good game. Whatever way the result goes I expect it to be tight game."
Webb said this year's St Pat's team featured a good combination of players which included NAB League players and home-grown talent.
He said there were many clubs represented in the St Pat's 22-man side.
"For this yer's group its their chance to make their own bit of history for the school," he said.
