Middle School AFL - Eagles Cup Country Challenge

On a cold morning on Tuesday the 28th of July 30 boys from the Middle School piled into the school bus for the long trip down to Australind (just North of Bunbury).

Drizzling rain and horrible traffic (it took 30min to get past the city) were an early dampener on the day, but it wasn't too long until the bus pulled into the playing fields to see Mackillop Catholic College and Manjimup SHS going up against each other in the first of the three games that were to be played.

The boys, made up of mostly Year 9s with a handful of Year 8s, had qualified to play in this carnival by finishing on top of the East Perth district school competition.

This is definitely something to be proud of, and the shield soon-to-be sitting in the school's cabinet will remain a reminder of this achievement.

After a quick warm up and acclimatisation to the cold and wet weather, the boys were ready to be play their first game up against Mackillop.

Team captain Patrick won the toss and the Lawley boys were kicking with the breeze.

It got even better from here with MLSHS running out comfortable winners in a game highlighted by Kwame's speed and evasiveness.

The following game saw the two winners of the first games (MLSHS and Manjimup SHS) go head to head, to decide who would represent the East Perth district against all the other zones.

This time the boys started against the strong breeze and the big, stronger and older bodies of Manjimup proved to be too tough a task and the Lawley boys went down in a closely fought game.

Carlos was dangerous up forward on the day, as he was in all the after-school games earlier in the year.

Ruckman Jed's strong performance sealed the Most Valuable Player award for the year (votes given after each game played).

An award that many would have predicted would be collected by Rhai-Arn, a talented midfielder and leader of the group who was unfortunately ruled out of half of the games with a broken collarbone.

All in all, a successful year for a Lawley team that progressed further in the Eagles Cup than any other has in recent times.

Thanks must be given to all three teachers involved, Mr Nichols, Miss Heal and Mr Ruck, who gave up time and energy to organise and coach the team.

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