Herald Sun Shield returns in 2023
Top school football teams from across Victoria will compete in the 45th edition of the annual Herald Sun Shield in 2023.
First played in 1977, the interschool competition was successfully reignited in 2022 after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic and will start this year on Tuesday, July 25, with all division winners to be determined by early September.
Teams for the top divisions of the boys and girls senior and intermediate groups have been confirmed, with division two teams to be announced soon.
Seedings, which determine semi-final match ups in division one, are based on the performance of school associations and the teams that represented them in the 2022 competition. Senior divisions are open age while intermediate teams comprise players in Year 10 and below.
Long-standing Herald Sun Shield partner News Corp Australia will continue to support the competition and provide exclusive live streaming coverage via its KommunityTV platform (www.kommunitytv.com).
Teams qualified for the Herald Sun Shield by being the best teams in their school association divisions.
Head of AFL Victoria, Ben Kavenagh, said: “We saw how enthusiastic and passionate schools were about competing in the Herald Sun Shield in 2022, so this year’s competition will carry that momentum and promises to showcase great school footy.
“We are committed to building on the Herald Sun Shield’s long, rich history and give the best school footballers and teams from Victoria the opportunity to test themselves against other great teams.
“I would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of News Corp, who will continue to exclusively live stream the Herald Sun Shield via the KommunityTV platform, providing the competition, schools and players involved with outstanding exposure.”
News Sport Network general manager product and partnerships Sachin Kumar said the continuation of KommunityTV's coverage of the Herald Sun Shield was a proud moment.
"The Herald Sun Shield is one of the premier junior Aussie rules competitions in the country, and adds another layer to our comprehensive coverage of the game at the junior and grassroots level," Kumar said.
"This is the second year of KommunityTV's live streaming partnership with the AFL, and a continuation of News Corp's longstanding support of the elite schools competition.
"The Herald Sun Shield is a fantastic addition to our swelling Aussie rules live streaming portfolio which already includes the Coates Talent League, VAFA, SANFL junior finals, AFL Queensland Schools Cup and AFL NSW/ACT Senior Schools Cup and Paul Kelly Cup.
"KommunityTV is the home of the best schools and community football competitions in the country."
2023 TEAMS
Senior Boys – Division 1
1. Parade College (Associated Catholic Colleges)
2. Ballarat Clarendon College (Ballarat Associated Schools)
3. Maribyrnong College (School Sport Victoria)
4. Padua College (Southern Independent Schools)
Intermediate Boys – Division 1
1. St Patrick’s College (Ballarat Associated Schools)
2. Parade College (Associated Catholic Colleges)
3. Marcellin College (Associated Grammar Schools)
4. Caulfield Grammar (Associated Public Schools)*
5. Rowville Secondary College (School Sport Victoria)*
*The 4th and 5th seeds in Intermediate Boys Division One will contest a ‘Play In’ game, with the winner to progress to a semi-final against the 1st seed
Senior Girls – Division 1
1. Caulfield Grammar (Associated Public Schools)
2. SEDA College (School Sport Victoria)
3. Melbourne Girls Grammar (Girls Sport Victoria)
4. Ballarat Clarendon College (Ballarat Associated Schools)
Intermediate Girls – Division 1
1. Sacred Heart College, Geelong (Geelong Independent Secondary School Association)
2. Ballarat Grammar (Ballarat Associated Schools)
3. Carey Grammar (Associated Public Schools)
4. Strathmore Secondary College (School Sport Victoria)
2023 HERALD SUN SHIELD FIXTURE
DIVISION 1
Tuesday 25 July - Coburg City Oval
Inter Girls Div 1 Semi Final - 10am: Ballarat Grammar (BAS 2) vs Carey Grammar (APS 3)
Inter Girls Div 1 Semi Final - 12pm: Sacred Heart College (GISSA 1) vs Strathmore Secondary College (SSV 4)
Inter Boys Div 1 Play-In - 2pm: Caulfield Grammar (APS) v Rowville Secondary College (SSV)*
Wednesday 26 July - Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham
Senior Girls Div 1 Semi Final - 10am: SEDA College (SSV 2) vs Melbourne Girls Grammar (GSV 3
Senior Girls Div 1 Semi Final - 12pm: Caulfield Grammar (APS 1) vs Ballarat Clarendon College (BAS 4)
Tuesday 1 August - Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham
Inter Boys Div 1 Semi Final - 10am: Parade College (ACC 2) vs Marcellin College (AGSV 3)
Inter Boys Div 1 Semi Final - 12pm: St Patrick’s College (BAS 1) vs Play-in Winner*
Wednesday 2 August - Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham
Senior Boys Div 1 Semi Finals - 10am: Parade College (ACC 1) vs Padua College (SIS 4)
Senior Boys Div 1 Semi Finals - 12pm: Ballarat Clarendon College (BAS2) vs Maribyrnong College (SSV 3)
Thursday 10 August - Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham
Inter Boys Div 1 Grand Final - 10am
Inter Girls Div 1 Grand Final - 12pm
Senior Girls and Boys Division 1 Grand Finals TBC
*The 4th (Caulfield Grammar) and 5th (Rowville Secondary College) seeds in Intermediate Boys Division One will contest a ‘Play In’ game, with the winner to progress to a semi-final against the 1st seed
DIVISION 2
Fixtures and teams for Division 2 matches are to be confirmed
Tuesday 15 August: Intermediate Girls Division 2 – Pool A, Casey Fields
Wednesday 16 August: Intermediate Girls Division 2 – Pool B, Highgate Recreation Reserve
Tuesday 22 August: Intermediate Boys - Division 2, Highgate Recreation Reserve
Monday 28 August: Senior Girls Division 2 – Pool A, Casey Fields
Tuesday 29 August: Senior Girls Division 2 – Pool B, Highgate Recreation Reserve
Tuesday 5 September: Senior Boys Division 2, Highgate Recreation Reserve
Wednesday 6 September - Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham
10am: Intermediate Girls Division 2 Grand Final
12pm: Senior Girls Division 2 Grand Final
2022 Herald Sun Shield Grand Final results:
GIRLS
Senior Div 1: Caulfield Grammar 9.9 (63) def. Rowville Secondary College 2.5 (17)
Senior Div 2: Our Lady of Mercy College Heidelberg 6.7 (43) def. Sacred Heart College Geelong 4.3 (27)
Intermediate Div 1: Clonard College Geelong 5.6 (36) def. Ballarat Clarendon College 4.2 (26)
Intermediate Div 2: Maribyrnong College 13.21 (99) def. Avila College 2.4 (16)
BOYS
Senior Div 1: Whitefriars College 4.4 (28) def. St Patrick’s College Ballarat 2.9 (21)
Senior Div 2: Padua College 12.9 (81) def. MacKillop College Werribee 5.3 (33)
Intermediate Div 1: St Patrick’s College Ballarat 7.9 (51) def. Parade College 5.17 (47)
Intermediate Div 2: Rowville Secondary College 11.10 (76) def. Saint Ignatius College Geelong 6.10 (46)
Caulfield Grammar will be out to defend the Senior Girls Division 1 title after defeating Rowville Secondary College in the 2022 decider
Whitefriars College after defeating St Patrick's College in the 2022 Senior Boys Division 1 Grand Final
