Fitting finale for footy

Coach Olivia Purcell (Geelong Cats) presents Stephanie with her jumper (Supplied) 212719_01

Male students from The Geelong College and St Joseph’s College’s Joeys team played against each other in a memorable football game last weekend.

At the end of the match, the score was 14.5.89 to The Geelong College and 10.6.66 to the Joeys.

The Geelong College’s Teacher in Charge of Football, Tom Hodge, said: “We were so pleased to get a game in for our students before stage three restrictions were enforced.

“It was a fitting finale for schoolboy football in 2020 as we got a beautiful, sunny day that allowed all Year 12 footballers from each school to play.”

Mr Hodge said the first XVIII match had a number of Geelong Falcons’ players on display, and the game was played with a high intensity and fast pace.

“It was possibly the last time these boys will represent the college, so to have this game and get a win was a bonus,” he said.

“I think it will be etched in the players’ memories for a long time and they will look back on the challenges they have encountered this year and be really pleased they got this opportunity when many other Melbourne schools have been locked down for a lot longer.

“We are grateful for both schools adhering to COVID regulations and hoping that a fixture can be repeated in future years.”

Also on Monday, The Geelong College officially launched its Girls’ Football Team.

The college held a jumper presentation ceremony for the inaugural APS (Associated Public Schools of Victoria) Girls 1st XVIII Team.

The girls’ team joined the APS competition for the first time this year and have been training since early March under the guidance of two coaches, Geelong Cats AFL players Olivia Purcell and Millie Brown.

At the event, college graduate and former school captain Annabelle Shannon spoke to the girls about her football journey and highlights, including playing with VFL clubs Geelong and Williamstown.

In addition, Ms Purcell expressed her gratitude for the opportunities she has experienced through pathways into football from basketball and netball.

She congratulated The Geelong College girls on their hard work to improve their skills in readiness for a COVID-interrupted inaugural season.