The highly anticipated Huntingtower Heyington Shield was set for Game #5 following its inception in 2018. With our St Catherine’s girls coming off a few losses in the post COVID-era, they have been working hard at training guided by the expertise and coaching influence of Nick Brimacombe. However, on the day, it was Alumni coach and past St Catherine’s AFL Captain Celia Cody (’19) who was in charge avidly assisted by Sienna Farrell and 2024 AFL Captains Emma Hoban and Charlotte Phipps-Parsons.

The pre-game speech highlighted the seven Year 12s who were about to play in their final shield game, complemented by six new girls who were due to play in their first Shield match. The message was clear: ‘play as a team and play for each other.’

From the first bounce, we were here to play. For the entire game, Ruck Zara Stevens delivered the ball to our midfielders but in the first instance she stood up to win us the opening clearance, with Sophie Knight’s poise and skill delivering it into our forward 50 for our first play of the day.

Immediately it was clear the speed of first gamer Jess Kemp was going to bring some firepower into our forward line, with her contesting every ground ball to give ourselves the best opportunity to advance the ball into our attack.

Throughout the first quarter, St Cath’s were able to slow any Lauriston advances, with Lily Van der Venne and co-captain Annabel Calvert soaring for incredible marks that lit up the ground and had the crowd on their feet. We were able to capitalise on one incredible mark from Lily, with a quick kick inside 50, to the experience of Issy Peters who kept the ball moving towards goals until she gained the composure to possess the ball and neatly pass it off with a lightning-fast handball to Tilda Stoddart. Finishing the play with our first goal of the season, Tilda kicked an incredible goal on the run from the forward left pocket.

Ruby Jesudason danced through traffic from the backline like it was choreographed, weaving in and out with precision and poise. Co-captain Jess Sibly was a rock at full back – immovable, unshakable, and unbreakable.

The second quarter was a tackling festival, led by tackling queen Ivy Cockerell and Emily Cameron off the half back line. The girls halted any Lauriston scores, leaving them with only 2 scoring shots for the entire first half.

Belle Percival-Tine’s class and 40m long kicks from the midfield linked up seamlessly with Jess Kemp, who threw herself into every contest with courage. Milly Tulloch and Amity Morris patrolled the half back with authority – intercepting, reading the play, and driving us forward.

Half Time: STC 1.2.8 to LGS 1.0.6

The third quarter presented a game of swings, back and forth with neither side capitalising on any inside 50 entries. The girls continued to tackle with ferocity and determination that kept them ahead of Lauriston for most of the quarter. Unfortunately, we let one moment slip, and Lauriston found themselves with a free kick in front of goal with 30 seconds to go on the clock for the quarter.

3/4 Time: STC: 1.1.7 to LGS 2.0.12

Down by five points at the final break, our captains rallied the troops. Their words echoed across the huddle: “We have 12 minutes to make this game ours. 12 minutes to show our supporters how hard we can work to achieve success. This is our moment.”

With the ball locked in our forward 50 for the first six minutes of the final term, Pippa Van der Venne made her move – requesting the forward switch and launching a silky shot from the pocket that deserved six but cruelly curved for a minor score.

And when the game was on the line, every single tackle told the story of a team that simply refused to give in. Despite a hard tag from Tilda, one of the Lauriston captains managed to sneak a quick goal in to cement their lead with two minutes to go.

STC: 1.3.9 to LGS 3.0.18.

Unfortunately, in true Huntingtower Heyington shield fashion, the game was left to the final moments and every coach’s nightmare. A Lauriston launching kick from the centre of the ground, bounced away and into the goal square for a major score with 30 seconds to go.

We may not have walked away with the scoreboard glory—but make no mistake, this was a performance built on guts, grit, and girls who gave it everything for each other and for the cause. We are so proud to be a part of this special game supporting Breast Cancer Network Australia and we cannot wait for the rivalry to continue in the years to come.