Scotch College

Scotch retains Cordner-Eggleston Cup

The 2001 Football season had been one of frustration for the first nine rounds, the team had been very competitive, with very close games against the other leading teams, St Kevin's, Brighton and Xavier, although we were very disappointing against premiership favourite Caulfield. Injuries to key players had prevented us from putting our best team on the field most weeks, but despite this the players had remained very committed and focussed on representing the school with pride each week.

The constant reminder to all members of the 1st XVIII was that we would finish the season with the Cordner-Eggleston match, at the MCG. And this certainly gave the squad something special to strive towards as the rest of the season passed us by.

Only five members of this year's Scotch team for the Cordner-Eggleston trophy had played in the corresponding match last year. The 2001 game was therefore something to really strive for by the remaining players. Playing at the MCG was a distraction but also an added incentive, and is something that will stick in the minds of the players forever.

Every player is to be commended on the way that they approached the match itself, a big build up during the week, culminating in an entertaining speech from school captain Brendan Ferguson, and some words of wisdom from guest speaker Dermott Brereton set the tone for the day. From the moment we arrived at the MCG all the hype was forgotten as the players prepared for the game itself, in front of a very supportive crowd.

The game was our best for the season, an open forward line, dominated by Tom Fraser and Lachie Thompson was given plenty of opportunities by a dominant midfield. Well led by inspirational captain Campbell Brown; Will Slade, Nick Ackroyd, Adam Routledge and Andrew Philalay took advantage of Year 10 player Matt Ramage's dominance in the ruck. An effective back line led by Brendan Ferguson, and running players Tom Rankin, Sam Troon, Tom Polk and Matt Earle continued to provide rebounds from deep in defence, while restricting MGS to one goal for the match.

In the first quarter the team set records for the number of tackles laid and the hard ball gets won, simple statistics which demonstrate which side wants the ball the most. And this set the tone for the day; even as the game progressed, and despite some fatigue due to the hard running on the big ground every player gave his all, and at no stage was the pressure relaxed. The final score was Scotch 21/19/145 to Melbourne Grammar 1/2/8.

While the result does not make up for the disappointment from the losses earlier in the season; it did however prove just how committed and passionate the team of 2001 were about their football. In addition it provided some reward and compensation

for the hard work put in, as well as demonstrating what this team was capable of when at full strength.

The Team

B: Polk, Hope, Earle HB: Troon, Ferguson, Rankin C: Routledge, Brown, Philalay HF: Tallent, Clark, Dick F: Jonas, Fraser, L. Thompson R: Ramage, RR: Ackroyd ROV: Slade INT: Reid, Purnell, Symington EMERGENCY: Logan Beaurepaire, Pearce