By EVONNE BARRY
ASSUMPTION College has again asserted its authority by collecting its ninth Herald Sun Shield at the MCG.
Victoria’s proudest footy school scored a 42-point victory over Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School in last night’s grand final curtain raiser to the Richmond and Melbourne clash.
Led by the legendary coach Ray Carroll, who has coached the school for 25 years, the reigning titleholders were always in command.
While they struggled to convert early in the 25th Herald Sun Shield final, they kept PEGS goalless until early in the third quarter.
Assumption prevailed over the 1995 champions 11.11 (77) to 5.5 (35).
Accepting the shield on behalf of his team, Kilmore captain Eric Kuret paid tribute to his coach.
“It’s fantastic to win this,” said Kuret from the podium.
“But if it wasn’t for Ray we would not have achieved it.
He puts in a lot of work.”
Assumption has an illustrious 108-year history, recently producing a host of recent AFL stars including Hawks Shane Crawford and Ben Dixon and Kangaroo David King.
However in 25 years at the helm, Carroll said he had seen few better sides.
“It was a tremendous performance today,” he said.
“This is one of the best sides of all time, certainly one of the best since I’ve been involved with the school.”
Leading the charge was Nicholas Trenfield who collected the Neale Daniher Medal as best player in the grand final.
Also impressive for the champions was the cousin of Brownlow medallist Shane Crawford, Ryan, who excelled on the wing. Gareth Hall, was dominant in the forward line.
PEGS, coached by former Essendon champion Ken Fletcher, showed flashes of the brilliance that propelled them into the final.
Last week they won a one point thriller against Geelong’s St Joseph’s after the siren.
Just as he did in the semi final, Adam Winter showed his class at both ends of the ground with his forceful marking and kicking.
But to the delight of their spirited contingent in the Olympic Stand, it was Assumption’s day.
They secured their finals berth a week earlier with a win 36-point win over St Bernard’s. It was their ninth title since 1977.
For almost a century Assumption football (and cricket) had enjoyed good media coverage. Way back in 1926 Herald sports editor Bill Shailand spent a weekend at ACK with the brothers and boys to check what made the ACK game so successful. For just over a hundred years the Assumption game was ranked one, two or three in the nation’s college football. It also enjoyed high ranking in cricket.
AUSTRALIA THRASHED
Test minnow Bangladesh did not just beat Australia in Darwin – it out batted, bowled and fielded all over the home side. Whatever the result of the 2nd Test in Mackay (QLD) there is no doubt we are paying the penalty for timid selectors who seem to wish to be known for picking the oldest side in Australia history. Labuschagne, Weatherald, Lyon (yes, the Goat) should be replaced. There are some good young players in waiting such as Cooper Connelly (WA), Ollie Peake, Campbell Kellaway and Fergus O’Neill (VIC) who should be selected and Sam Konstas (NSW) given another chance. Australia’s test future is being sabotaged by the selectors, and the game will pay a heavy price for it.
WELL DONE
Congratulations to Tallarook cricket champions Sam Watts and his son Lachlan on their recent state and S.D.C.A awards. Both are of the type that keeps the game going in the “bush” as do their counterparts across Australia. The tiny town of Tallarook has been a powerhouse of cricket in this region for many years.
