ACT schoolboys overcome powerhouse

By Sarah Browne

You could almost hear the celebrations from Darwin all the way down in Canberra as the ACT Under-15 schoolboys team came from behind to defeat Vic Metro by 14 points at the School Sport Australian Football Championships on Monday.

It was looking like the usual Victorian domination from the outset, with Vic Metro leading by 19 points at quarter time and holding ACT goalless.

However, the Canberra boys were determined to not let Victoria increase their lead, winning the second quarter and decreasing the margin by a point by half time.

A strong third quarter from the boys, and the atmosphere changed at TIO Stadium.

The ACT were only one goal down with a quarter to go, and the boys started to believe they could win this David v Goliath battle.

An outstanding final quarter saw the ACT break away from Victoria, finally celebrating a 14 point victory.

ACT Coach Brendan Collis, from Daramalan College, was over the moon with the win

“Awesome day in Darwin. So proud to have coached the ACT team to a win against VIC Metro,” Collis tweeted on Monday night.

Nelson Foley from Lyneham High School received best on ground honours for the match.

Josh McGovern and Sam De Sousa, both from Marist College, kicked two goals each in the win.

This is only the second time the ACT has defeated Vic Metro since the School Sports Championships began in 1923.

Also on Monday, the ACT Under-12 side were defeated by South Australia 23.7.145 to. 1.1.7, while the Under-16 Girls team went down to Victoria: 22.22.154 to 1.3.9.

The Under-15 boys enjoyed a well-deserved rest on Tuesday, before playing South Australia on Wednesday.

The Under-12 Boys also have the day off before playing Queensland on Wednesday, while the Under-16 Girls played South Australia on Tuesday.

For more information and results, visit  www.schoolsport.edu.au

Western Bulldogs’ Jason Tutt, originally from Ainslie in Canberra, congratulated the team on Twitter

Fellow Canberran and now GWS GIANT Josh Bruce also praised the team on Twitter

Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy Manager Lachlan Buszard on Twitter

AFL NSW/ACT Manager – ACT/South Coast Region Steven Mahar sends his congratulations