KIRWAN SHOW HEART IN AFL CAMPAIGN
THEY were beaten and muddied, but Kirwan High refused to give up hope.
After being dominated by eventual AFL North Queensland Schools Cup champions St Andrews Catholic College in the opening round, Kirwan High fought back from the void to record a thumping victory.
The 37-9 win over St Patrick’s College, Mackay delivered a third-placed finish for the Cannons.
But more than that, it delivered reward for the team’s tenacity and neversay-die attitude.
“I am stoked,” Kirwan coach Troy Ferrier said.
“They are a really good bunch of girls who have all come from different sporting backgrounds.
“They have worked hard together and they enjoy being around each other. It was certainly pleasing to see them come away with that final win.
“(After the first loss) we spoke about the strength of that Cairns team and that a number of them play youth girls footy. But aside from that it was about (the players) building on what we had spoken about and stick to our structures and that came to fruition.”
The players had to battle against horror conditions, with the ground soaked from the previous day’s lashings while the wind picked up to a steady gale.
But the players refused to drop their heads, with Tailah Rennie starring for the Cannons.
“It was challenging but like any sport you have to be able to adjust to the conditions,” Ferrier said.
St Andrews Catholic College went on to dominate Rockhampton rivals The Cathedral College in the senior girls grand final winning 51-0.