Young guns battle for supremacy

By James Matthey

The Riverina is renowned for producing some of the state’s best AFL talent, and judging by the players on show in this year’s Carroll Cup, that reputation will only grow.

In an updated list of the GTES Player of the Series standings, Mater Dei Catholic College’s Isaac Damme is currently heading the leaderboard with five votes.

There is a logjam of players beneath him, with Tom Byrnes, Josh O’Connell, Pat O’Connell, Jerry Maslin, Zeik Foster and Liam McGregor all sitting on three votes apiece.

Andrew Emery, Sam Glyde Jordan Kemp and Mick Mattingly are the next best, each with two votes to their name.

Votes are awarded each match on a 3-2-1 basis in the competition that pits Wagga Wagga’s high schools against each other in both football and netball.

The Riverina Anglican College (TRAC) made history on the weekend by booking their place in the Grand Final for the first time after more than a decade in the competition.  

Their 36-point upset win over Kildare College at Robertson Oval will see them take on Mater Dei Catholic College in the decider next Wednesday.

TRAC coach Dane Fuller told The Daily Advertiser the win was just reward for an outstanding team performance.

“The boys have been working hard, we’re rapt,” said Fuller.

“To win a semi-final is great.

“It was a good team effort.”

Fuller went on to say it would be a tough challenge for his players to back up in next week’s premiership match.

“Some of these guys are playing four or five games in eight days with club footy and rep footy.

“We’ll take it easy, regroup late in the week and go from there.”

TRAC Principal Michael Stubbs said the team should be very proud of their achievement.

“It means an enormous amount to the school,” said Stubbs.

“You would have to say the Carroll Cup is above league and above netball … probably in that order.

“There’s a lot of school spirit around the team and we will try to use it next week.”