FAIRHOLME REACHES SCHOOL CUP FINAL FOUR
AUSSIE RULES: Fairholme College has continued a dream run through the AFLQ Schools Cup preliminary finals.
On Wednesday the senior girls took out a hard-fought 2.12 (24) to 2.2 (14) semi-final win over Mountain Creek State High School at Maroochydore, building on from their win over Cleveland District State High School last month.
“I’m extremely proud of the girls and the win. It’s a case of a will to put their body on the line,” coach Tony Tregaskis said.
“They’re a great bunch of girls, and the range of skills they bring to the table is unbelievable.”
Despite winning by 10 points in the end, Tregaskis said the team showed incredible character to overcome an early setback.
“It was a grind. In the first few minutes we were down 12-0 before we ground back with five behinds to go in 12-5 at the end of the first quarter,” he said.
“The talk at quarter time was that they might be a school of excellence, but it doesn’t mean they can’t be beaten.
“That set the tone for next three quarters and ground away with the win.
“They out ‘AFLed’ us in the first quarter, but we outsmarted the we them and were too physical in the next three.”
They will now face either Southport State High School or Palm Beach Currumbin State High School in the preliminary finals at Maroochydore in October,
“Beating a school that does pride itself on AFL gives the girls that self belief,” he said.
“They’ve knocked off one school and they’re capable of doing anything.
“They’re ecstatic and they’re really looking forward to the next lot of games. They believe in themselves now.
“It will go a long way. The next part is getting those small things right. Our defence allowed us to transition into attack, which is something we’ve worked on. We have to make sure we’re kicking goals and not behinds as often.
“When you look at the scores it was 24-14, we kicked 12 behinds. Looking at that we have to improve those percentages, and that is what will keep us winning games.”