School celebrates NAIDOC win

Spencer Park Primary School claimed its third consecutive NAIDOC Week football match, and retained the framed Claremont indigenous football jumper in the process, after a comprehensive victory over Mt Lockyer Primary School on their home turf last Tuesday.

Spencer Park leapt out of the blocks in the first term and piled on scoreboard pressure before half-time.

Mt Lockyer hit back with a much better third term that included three consecutive goals. However, kicking with the aid of a strong breeze in the final quarter, Spencer Park were able to run out clear winners by 44 points led by speedy midfielder Tristan Loo.

Loo was awarded one of Spencer Park’s best player awards along with Josh Noakes, while Mt Lockyer’s Sage Brown and Mikael Philipps were judged their side’s best players in the 10.13 (73) to 4.5 (29) result.

The annual football match between the two primary schools celebrates their NAIDOC Week history, with Spencer Park leading the NAIDOC Week ledger 5-2. The match was umpired by the Great Southern Clontarf Academy.

Former Mt Barker resident and female footballer Kirby Bentley, was the special guest at the event.

Bentley played for the Melbourne Demons in the first-ever AFL-sanctioned women’s match at the MCG against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday and is a role model to up and coming indigenous sportspeople.

Spencer Park coach Paul Hockey said the match was played in great spirits and was boosted by Bentley’s appearance.

“We had a great turnout of parents for the game,” he said.

“Having Kirby there was great, it added something special.