Round 1 Recap: Results and Photos
Tuesday 21, April
Senior men
Collegians 16-9-105 def De La Salle 12-6-76
Best players:
Nick Canny, Alex Lukic, Will Pewtress, Luke Smith, Hugh Johnson, Jim Bazzani.
Goal Kickers:
Alex Lukic 4, Sam Frost 3, Scott Beilby 2, Billy Johnson 2, Hugh Johnson 2, Campbell Walker 2, James Archer 1.
Coaches comment:
It was a hard fought and pleasing win against a hard working De La Salle outfit. We started the first 3 quarters well, but let ourselves down late in those quarters, especially with multiple poor defensive 50 stoppages. At our best, our handball chains along with forward half pressure were very good. The game was in the balance at 3 quarter time, and it was very pleasing to see our best quarter of footy produced, lead by the midfield. Leaders Nick Canny, Campbell Walker and Jim Bazzani were very consistent throughout the day. Lukic and Frost were a handful for opposition backs. Hugh Johnson worked tirelessly in the ruck, and Pewtress played a pivotal role for the team down back. We look forward to taking on Williamstown next week in a big ANZAC clash, which will be the first time the 2 clubs have ever played each other. We look forward to continuing to build our season.
Senior Women
Senior Women 11-12-78 def South Melbourne 1-0-6
Best players:
Annabel Schmidt, Katy Perree, Millie Stonnill, Bridie Elith, Sheldon Menzies.
Goal Kickers:
Annabel Schmidt 3, Lauren Kenneally 2, Trinity Meachem 1, Maddie Marquet-Walker 1, Molly Crighton 1, Sheldon Menzies 1, Katy Perree 1.
Coaches comment:
The Collegians women’s team had their first outing on Saturday at Toorak Park. Having merged with the Prahran FC women’s team for the 2026 season, we weren’t sure what to expect. The team began with an amazing performance, running out winners by over 10 goals. The chemistry within the team was outstanding for such a new group, and this is what got us over the line so convincingly. There were great passages of play, including hard chase-down tackles and snaps at goal that sailed through! Ruth in defence had an amazing first game at full back, and the team worked for each other all over the ground. Annabel Schmidt was excellent at full forward and also contributed well in the ruck. Maddie showed excellent leadership in the forward line. Can’t wait for next week!
Reserves
Collegians 7-7-49 def by De La Salle 7-10-52
Best players:
Mario McKeown, Richie Andrew, Kobi George, Wilson MacDonald, Will Pocknee, Will Dean.
Goal Kickers:
Kobi George 3, Will Pocknee 2, Will D’Amico 1, Adam Petracca 1.
Coaches comment:
The game was a mixture of good play and mistakes resulting in many missed chances. For example in the second quarter we had 15 entries inside the 45m arc for only two goals, compared to De La Salle who had 7 entries for 3 goals. The team needs to work on better connection to our forwards and simply grabbing the ball with two hands is where we will start. What was very encouraging was our last quarter. Trailing by 21 points the side persisted right to the end of the quarter. Kobi George set us a light with 3 goals in the quarter, while Richie Andrew gave us another avenue to goal. Despite a couple of chances to hit the front we fell 3 points short. Good players over the entire game included the captain Jordie Carroll, Richie Andrew and Jack Howard. We will improve, we must improve, and we look forward to the challenge of Williamstown next Saturday.
19’s
Collegians 10-9-69 def by Preston 11-9-75
Best players:
Nico Levy, Will Rahilly, Alex Elg, Cam Tassone, James Turner, Finneas Arnold.
Goal Kickers:
Nico Levy 4, Will Rahilly 2, Will Johnson 1, Ned Hartnett 1, Ben Abrahams 1, Alex Elg 1.
Coaches comment:
Round 1 saw us open the season against Preston Bullants at the Trott. In front of a large home crowd and in perfect conditions it was a tight tussle all day. The first half saw Preston move the ball efficiently and looked the better team. Despite not playing our best, we went into half time only 1 point down. The second half saw much improved ball movement and quicker entries into the forward line and we were able to hit the lead in the last. However, with scores level and 20 seconds to go, a free kick to Preston and a 50m penalty enabled them to kick a goal after the siren and take the four points.
Thirds
Collegians 20-9-129 def West Brunswick 7-6-48
Best players:
Will Houghton, Cameron Sharp, Lucca Castine, Oliver Andrews, Harry Scott, Alex Gebert.
Goal Kickers:
Cameron Sharp 4, Louis Jorgenson 2, Fletcher Brennan 2, Max Daphne 2, Will Houghton 2, Speridan Peterson 2, Peter Wren 1, Eanna Mulvihill 1, Jake Properjohn 1, Jackson Cox 1, Oli Noke 1, Leon Keam 1.
Coaches comment:
It was a great first hitout for the thirds, who have taken on the nickname of "Penny's Pandas" for season 2026. The Pandas are out for redemption this year after losing the grand final in 2025. On Saturday night, we matched up against West Brunswick and we were noticeably fitter and more skilled from the first bounce. The backline were impenetrable all game, led by the likes of Castine, Gebert and Keam. Ben Monahan was outstanding in the ruck all day and gave great service to a strong midfield, which included the strength and poise of Ollie Andrews and the ever-brilliant forward running of Cam Sharp, who finished with 4 goals. Fletcher Brennan was superb as a lead up forward all day and he finished the game off with a 70m bomb on the run. It wouldn't be a game review without highlighting Eanna's snap from the boundary. It was the talk of the College Lawn on Saturday night post-game. Well done to everyone who played. The Pandas will be strong force in 2026!
Photos from Round 1 courtesy of Bruce Tobin below.
