Our Senior Firsts Boys football team has now played six games in the NHSSA Senior Football Roster, where the team is currently sitting fifth on the ladder with a 2-win, 4-loss record. Although our win-loss record isn’t flattering, the performances to date have been very encouraging and the boys have shown a willingness to listen, learn and play with a team-first mentality throughout the six games. The best attribute demonstrated is their willingness to play different roles for the team, with a major focus on our ‘Effort Gauge’. The boys have become attuned to the correlation of our level of play to the effort they are putting into the game. We have been able to provide an opportunity to approximately 30 boys to play Senior Firsts thus far; with many of the boys showing Courage, Responsibility and Connection to the school and their peers to step up to a higher level. Many of our players are not involved in club football, so providing an opportunity to participate in Australian Rules Football continues to be a major focus of our school sports program.

Round 1:

Riverside High School 76 defeated Queechy High School 40

With a mix of boys that play club football and some that do not, our boys came together very well as a team and performed strongly in our first game against the Queechy High School team. With Ben W leading the way in the midfield, Nate C marking everything around the ground and Cross D rebounding many opposition attacks, the team was able to gather momentum and confidence as the game progressed to run away convincing winners.

Round 2:

Riverside High School 52 defeated by Kings Meadows High School 54

Playing away for the first time, the Riverside High School team suffered an agonising defeat, giving up 2 goals in the last 5 minutes to lose by 2 points. Liam O performed strongly in the ruck, Nate C was again a strong player around the ground, and Oliver G kicked 2 goals and linked up well playing across half forward.

Round 3:

Riverside High School 144 defeated Launceston Church Grammar School 6

Playing at home again under beautiful blue skies, the Riverside High School boys came out firing, flicking the ball around by hands and using excellent kicking skills to find teammates in scoring positions. Although the game was one-sided, the team once again showed great signs with their teamwork, understanding of roles, and their ability to listen to instructions. Loti N was excellent in the ruck, Oliver G again played a great role across half forward to finish with 5 goals, and Nate C continued his fine form. Many of our less experienced players continued to show growth with students like Mitch M, Charlie W, Keelan O-Q and Lachlan P growing in confidence each week. The boys continued to show great resilience, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Round 4:

Riverside High School 15 defeated by St Patricks College 88

Although we did not win the game, after quarter time we demonstrated a much-improved effort to compete against a very strong St Patricks College team. With an emphasis on our ‘Effort Gauge’ the Riverside High School boys were able to stay in the game after quarter time by competing harder in the contest. Loti N once again led the way in the ruck, Will F continued his fine form at full back playing on some very good key forwards, and Ethan S came back into the team to kick our only 2 goals as a small forward. 

Round 5:

Riverside High School 48 defeated by Queechy High School 56

In what was a hard fought and close encounter all day, the team went down to Queechy High School by 8 points away from home. This reversed the result from Round 1, highlighting the evenness of the Division 1 competition. With strong contributors all over the ground, Will F, Loti N and Charlie W have shone bright.

Round 6:

Riverside High School 39 defeated by Prospect High School 89

In extremely cold and windy conditions at Prospect High School, our boys were no match for a very strong Prospect High School team. After a slow start, Riverside High School was able to stem the bleeding somewhat, with an increase in our effort. Making his Senior Firsts debut, Angus C was our best player, continually attacking the ball and man with vigour. Lincoln W was a strong contributor through the midfield, and Lachlan P played his best game, running hard both ways to be involved on the wing.

With four roster games plus finals still to come heading into Term 3, our Senior Firsts Boys will be looking to string some wins together to ensure we finish in the top 4 to qualify for finals.

Adam Sanders
Sport Coordinator/Senior Firsts Boys Football Coach