Football The 2016 1st XVIII season began with a two-night team building camp at Camp Kelly in Dwellingup during the first week of the April holidays. The team spent the two days working on their fitness and game plan and established a set of values by which they would play as a group for the season ahead. The camp finished with a practice match against the Banksia Hill Detention Centre. This was an experience beyond just another football game. It was indeed a lesson in understanding that it only takes one or two poor decisions to end up changing your life for the worse. Trinity won this match, but it was the time spent after the game having lunch with the opposition in the gymnasium where everyone was encouraged to get out of their comfort zones to mix with one another where lessons were learnt. The season kicked off properly against Hale School, where, upon arrival at the ground, we found the 2nd XVIII were nine goals down at half time. Amazingly, they returned from half-time to eventually take the lead and the victory. Unfortunately, the 1st XVIII couldn’t emulate this success, going down by 69 points after being down just a couple of goals down, late in the third quarter. Trinity opened their account in round two with a comprehensive win over Guildford Grammar School. The 24 point win was not reflective of the dominance of Trinity who was wasteful up forward having 29 scoring shots to 15. A second win to Wesley College in wet conditions had the 1sts in a good position as we hosted Aquinas College at home for the NAIDOC round. Unfortunately, Aquinas was harder at the ball and ran away with a 47 point victory. A victory over Christ Church Grammar School was again followed by a narrow four point loss to Scotch College in a game that was well within our grasp. During the second half of the season, the team reset their goals with the main aim of upsetting each side that was above them on the ladder. A much better effort against Hale was flanked by wins against Christ Church, Wesley and Guildford. The second last game of the season against arch rivals Aquinas gave Trinity the opportunity of denying Aquinas a share of the Alcock Cup if they could win. For the first three quarters, Trinity managed only three goals, going into the last quarter with a four goal deficit and, seemingly, out of the contest. No one could have predicted what was to come next. Captain Jayden Quill (12.2), suffering from a flu-like virus, was moved to full forward to begin the quarter. After Aquinas had the first scoring shot hitting the post, the Trinity side began to play the brand of football they had been wanting to play all season. With quick movement of the ball, one touch football and hardness at every contest, Trinity changed the momentum of the game. Quill proved to be too strong for his Aquinas opponent and kicked six goals in the final quarter to give him seven for the game, with Trinity winning by 14 points in front of a stunned Aquinas home crowd.
Mr Chris Allanson 1st XVIII Football Manager
Congratulations go to our State representatives, Brandon Starcevich (11.1) – State 18s, Jaxon Cahill (11.2) – State 18s, Malaki Rodoreda (10.2) State 16s and Liam Martin (10.5) –State 16s. We look forward to these boys having a big impact in the 2017 season. Thanks go to all the coaches from Year 7 level through to the 1st XVIII, for all the time and commitment they have put into the football program. Head Coach, Mr Peter Oliver, was ably supported by assistants Mr Andrew Jenkin, Mr Stephen Moloney and Mr Fraser McInnes (’10). These four gentleman put in countless hours of their time to develop, not just good footballers, but ‘good men’. We look forward now to season 2017 with some anticipation that success may not be too far away. A big thank you also goes to all the coaches and managers from the 7Bs up to the 2nd XVIII. It was a particularly cold and wet winter and whether it was rain, hail or shine, coaches were committed to providing their time and expertise to enrich the football program for their students. Mr Chris Allanson (’91) 1st XVIII Football Manager
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