The Anglican Church Grammar School first XVIII have won the Jason Dunstall Cup after contesting the Grand Final of the AFL SportsReady Queensland Independent Schools AFL competition.
Victorian-like conditions greeted the GPS Schools at Yeronga on Friday night for the AFL SportsReady QIS Grand Finals.
The wind and rain didn’t deter the boys as they took the field to battle it out for the four premierships on offer.
The night was opened with the Year 8 Robin Hull Cup and Year 9 Clint Bizzell Cup, both contested by St Joseph’s Nudgee College and Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC).
BBC had an exceptionally strong Year 8 team this year, going through the season not only undefeated but without a single point scored against them.
They took the Robin Hull Cup 10.11.71 to Nudgee’s 0.0.0.
BBC’s Jack Clayton, the winner of the best-on-ground medallion was superb throughout, ably assisted by Max Webber.
In the Year 9 Grand Final, it was the team from Nudgee that led from start to finish and powered home to the premiership title.
Nudgee kicked 12.5.77 defeating BBC by 47 points (4.6.30).
Liam Stewart-Smith (Nudgee) was judge best-on-ground and was instrumental in leading his team to victory.
The Year 10 Grand Final was always going to be a hotly contested affair with the calibre of teams in this division in 2012.
Finishing third and fourth on the ladder respectively BBC and Churchie posted strong semi-final wins to progress to the Grand Final.
In a low scoring match, BBC made the most of their opportunities and lead 7-1 at half time, before Churchie came back in the last quarter to level the scores 2.6.18 a-piece.
It was a frantic last few minutes and when Churchie registered a behind, the players reacted as if they had scored a goal.
That solitary point decided the game with Churchie 2.7.19 defeating BBC 2.6.18.
Churchie headmaster, Jonathan Hensman, was on hand to witness the win and celebrate with the Year 10 team.
Ben Ogilvy (Churchie) was awarded the best-on-ground medallion.
The First XVIII Grand Final was the centrepiece of the night and showcased some of the best footballers from representative, club and school level.
Reigning premiers Nudgee dictated play early on and were able to hold the ball in their half for most of the first quarter.
Accuracy was a problem with five scoring shots only converting one goal.
Churchie, missing forward spearhead Declan Smith due to club commitments, answered with a goal to leave scores at 1.4.10 to 1.0.6 at quarter time.
Churchie hit back with two goals in the second quarter but Nudgee were equal to the challenge kicking three unanswered goals to lead by seven points going into the main break 4.4.22 to 3.3.15.
The lead see-sawed throughout the third quarter with Nudgee in favour by just one point going into the final term 6.6.42 to 6.5.41.
Churchie’s Jordan Piper kicked a spectatcular goal on the run from deep in the pocket, on an impossible angle, to pinch the lead back early in the fourth quarter.
Another goal shortly after should have sealed the win for Churchie however Nudgee never gave up and fought all the way to the final siren.
They managed a goal and a behind in the dying minutes to come within three points of Churchie.
The siren beat them in the end with Churchie winning their second Jason Dunstall Cup in three years 8.6.54 to Nudgee’s 7.9.51.
Churchie were well served by Captain Harry Baxter, the dynamic Josh Mazoletti, Jordan Piper and best-on-ground medallion winner Darcy Cameron-Reeves.
For Nudgee, Lachlan McKeller was fantastic all night and well supported by Nick Sculpher and Mufaro Muneri.
A big thank you to all teachers, coaches and coordinators involved with the competition this year. Without all your hard work this competition would not have been possible. AFL Queensland looks forward to growing the competition next year and to seeing teams return in 2013!
