SCHOOL SPORTS VICTORIA - SANDHURST DIVISION

Year 8 Boys Football

The Year 8 Boys Football Campaign began on Wednesday 17 June at the Sandhurst Division Competition. The boys were excited to represent the school on what was a brilliant winter’s day with very pleasant conditions.

Game 1: CMCB 11.12.78 defeated Crusoe College 0.0.0

The theme of the day was ‘Be reliable, not remarkable’, with a focus on team-first footy, and the boys kick-started their 2026 campaign with some glorious team footy against Crusoe. Cale Polson’s 50m bomb launched momentum CMCB’s way, off the back of a brilliant slingshot passage of play from half-back to half-forward. That fast-ball movement from defence to attack became the norm across the rest of the game, with Flynn Todd’s elite running and ball use highlighting this style of play. Gus Pitcher cashed in with three goals, providing a presence up forward. Hamish Baker’s midfield brigade, spearheaded by Nash Campbell, were relentless with their contested ball-work and spread. The team finished as 78-point winners and Mr Hann was very impressed with the selfless way the boys played their footy.

Goals: Max Carmichael, Angus Pitcher 3, Cale Polson 2, Brady McDermott, Jack Holland, Hamish Baker, Jesse Cox, Will Shadbolt

Best Players: Nash Campbell, Angus Pitcher, Cale Polson, Flynn Todd

Game 2: CMCB 11.3.69 defeated Bendigo South East College 2.3.15

Game 2 against BSE was identified as a game where the team’s pressure and intensity would need to be up, as BSE were also coming off a comfortable win in their first game.

BSE certainly came to play with a splendid individual effort from their ruckman, tapping the ball to himself and ramming a goal home from 50m, putting them in front after just 10 seconds of play! The next 5 minutes proved to be an arm wrestle, with a lot of congestion and the ball played between the wings. It wasn’t until a nice bit of work by Gus Ritchie in the pocket that CMCB were able to get a score on the board. This triggered a sequence of centre breaks, again spearheaded by Nash Campbell that resulted in quick goals to McDermott, Pitcher, and Harrington. A further two goals were added before halftime, with the CMCB boys now on top after an early scare. In the second half, Shadbolt and McDermott proved far too strong in the air up forward, as the boys finished the game strongly, running out comfortable 54-point winners. The victory was however soured a little by an ankle injury to the bustling Gus Pitcher and a hamstring injury to fellow big man, Cale Polson.

Goals: Gus Ritchie, Brady McDermott 3, Gus Pitcher 3, Callan Harrington, Jack Holland, Cale Polson, Nash Campbell,

Best Players: Brady McDermott, Nash Campbell, Will Shadbolt, Gus Ritchie

Game 3: CMCB 12.6.78 defeated Victory Christian College 0.2.2

With the team’s two dominant tall players out for the final game, the magnets were forced to be moved around. Stoic full-back Henry Kleinert was thrown to full-forward, Shadbolt into the ruck and Cox to centre half back. Coach Hann’s message was clear: despite the previous results, you cannot afford to take this team lightly – especially with only 1 player on the bench. Selfless football would get the job done, but everyone needed to contribute. The message was heard loud and clear as onlookers observed several passages of play that were full of link-up handball and run.

The blonde bombshells, Todd and Campbell, were everywhere, with Prowse and Holland providing lots of transitional ball movement through the midfield. An unlikely hero in Kleinert bobbed up with three goals – and could have had more if it wasn’t for some inaccurate shots. The highlight of the day was saved for the last passage of play. Nash Campbell launched himself onto the shoulders of a Victory forward (Flyin’ Ryan style) in front of gobsmacked students and spectators, taking an incredible hanger. It was a fantastic highlight that capped off a great day as the boys ran out 76-point victors.

Goals: Henry Kleinert 3, Hamish Baker 2, Jack Holland, Callan Harrington, Brady McDermott, Joshua Prowse, Nash Campbell, Max Carmichael, Jensen Sawyer

Best Players: Henry Kleinert, Jack Holland, Nash Campbell, Hamish Baker

Thank you to Tarkyn Ralphs and James Clark for being the team runners and a special mention to Ted Cowan for umpiring on the day.

The team will now progress to the Loddon Mallee Regional Final in Swan Hill on Monday 27 July.

Mr Josh Hann (Coach)

TEAM: Jed Mannix, Marcus Thomas, Brady McDermott, Henry Kleinert, Nash Campbell, Isaac Manley, Angus Pitcher, Cale Polson, Jesse Cox, Will Shadbolt, Jensen Sawyer, Eddie Mansfield, Mr Josh Hann (Coach), Flynn Todd, Jack Holland, Gus Ritchie, Angus Davies, Max Carmichael, Will Tuddenham, Hamish Baker, Jye MacDonald, Joshua Prowse, Alex Kelly, Callen Harrington, Matthew Jennings