SPORT: STATE FINALS

INTER GIRLS SOCCER:  STATE RUNNERS-UP

Congratulations to the McKinnon Secondary College Girls Soccer team on an outstanding performance at the State Soccer Championships.

The team began the day in impressive fashion, securing a 2-0 victory in their opening match before continuing their strong form with a convincing 4-0 win in their second game. They then produced another excellent performance in their third match, recording a 3-1 victory to progress through to the State Championship Final.

Reaching the final was a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the team’s skill, determination and commitment throughout the competition. Although the girls ultimately fell 2-0 in the final, they can be extremely proud of finishing as one of the best school soccer teams in Victoria.

A special congratulations goes to Captain Ella Malhotra (Year 10), who provided excellent leadership throughout the day and was a standout performer for the team. Emilia Jhoomun (Year 10) and Chloe Jiang (Year 10) also made an outstanding contribution, consistently supporting their teammates and playing important roles in the team’s success.

The team was also very fortunate to have the support of Year 12 coaches Ben and Damian, whose enthusiasm, knowledge and leadership were invaluable throughout the championship. Their contribution helped create a positive and focused environment for the players and was greatly appreciated.

Overall, reaching the State Final represents an outstanding achievement for McKinnon Secondary College. The girls should be extremely proud of the way they represented the College, demonstrating skill, resilience, teamwork and excellent sportsmanship throughout the competition.

Congratulations to the entire team on an exceptional result!

Michael Woolhouse

Coach

SENIOR GIRLS SOCCER: STATE FINALISTS

On Tuesday 8 September the Senior Girls Soccer team set off to Darebin International Sport Centre to participate in the SSV State finals. 

For our Year 12s it was their last time competing in the event and we thank and congratulate them for their continued effort and hard work in the soccer team over the past few years. The girls’ enthusiasm and determination was consistent for the day, putting in their strongest effort for all games. 

The first game was against Bendigo, which was a hard-fought game, resulting in a 1-2 loss. Up next, for the final match of the day was against Brunswick, where the girls were able to maintain their effort and abilities, to take out the win. This ultimately resulted in coming in 3rd place in all of Victoria.

This tremendous effort and perseverance is a testament to the girls and their talent. I congratulate all the girls and wish them all the best for the many state finals to come. 

Harley Karro

Year 12 Student

YEAR 7 BOYS SOCCER: STATE FINALISTS

The Year 7 Boys Soccer Team rose early on Friday 4 September for their date with destiny. After winning every game played in 2026 the squad knew they had earned their spot in the final 8 in Victoria but would have to step to another level against the State's finest footballers. The squad had been hit with the injury of their captain Henry Lyon but that aside there was a quiet confidence that the team could perform well. 

Darebin can be a footballing purgatory where one must conquer the doubts that exist in minds, hearts and limbs but the squad performed extremely well and were desperately unlucky to not make the state final showdown, finishing third in the state. That is a tremendous achievement. I am writing this a week and a half after the finals and I am writing this not with a heavy heart but one full of joy. I am very proud of the team and their efforts. They represented the school well and will grow to be fine young men. 

Our first game was against Bendigo. They had a goalkeeper who was comfortably the tallest Year 7 I have ever seen. He was a fine keeper who denied McKinnon on countless occasions. He had a presence which could not be denied. After imploring the boys at half time to continue to impress their game upon the opposition and with a couple of little tweaks in the second half, it remained nil all with a minute to go. The ball broke to Lenny Ota who crossed the ball where James Rasmussen smashed the ball high where it crossed over both the goal line and the keepers hand. There was 32 seconds left on the clock and we had our reward. The whistle blew and it was 1-0 to MCK in the first round.

Round 2 was a tight affair against Ballarat. Once again, we took the initiative in general game play. An unfortunate injury midway through the first half to Johnny Kawalsky meant an in game rejig with Owen Wong slotting back to partner the Colossus of Rhodes, our defensive lynchpin in Asher Tang. Our full backs in Benji Boyarovsky and Mahimna Dave were pushing high and our midfield of Tyler Vun, Adriz Tsalasi, Jayden Goh and Alwyn Jayesh were getting on the ball in good positions. We created chance after chance with James, Archie Thomas and Lenny doing well. We could not break the deadlock though and once again it was nil nil at the break. 

Early in the second half the ball broke to Lenny on the right flank, and he shot low and hard something he did all day. This time the keeper got a hand to it but not a strong hand and the ball smashed into the net. It was what we deserved but tournament football is often a game of fine margins. McKinnon navigated the rest of the game despite not scoring the second goal that they kept pushing for. Alon Segev came on as did Riley Guilfoyle for short, important cameos. 

Two games, two 1-0 wins meant we went into our last game against Ilim College, Glenroy who had also won their opening two games but had a better goal difference. That meant we had to win to qualify for the final.

The third game was a footballing classic. McKinnon took the game to their opponents and created some clear chances early. Ilim had some quality players and from a free kick from distance hit the crossbar. Their centre back was very quick, and it necessitated a change in approach. Ollie McKeown came on and with instructions to engage the quick centre back, he did just that. Julian Tyler came on as well eager to impress which he did. Stretching their defence was important and with a beautiful ball played across the top of the box, James was in a 1 on 1 with the keeper where he slotted to the keepers left. 1-0 to McKinnon and we went to half time in the lead and 15 minutes from a state final. 

The boys were excited and you could feel that we were in the ascendancy. Ilim pushed but we still created chances. It was a free kick that would destroy the dream and it was a fine free kick that beat Jordan Khreish in goal. McKinnon had conceded and if the game stayed as it was, a draw was not enough for McKinnon to qualify. The boys pushed and pushed, creating some good chances but it was not to be. The only game all year they did not win was a draw and it cost them the opportunity for a state final.

The boys were shattered as was I but when we gathered post-game to reflect on the grassy knolls of Darebin. They had given it their all and for that they deserved to be commended. They played in the right spirit and tried to play attacking football at all times. The parents who came to Darebin witnessed some thrilling football and whilst disappointed by the final result, were beaming post-game as they told the boys just how proud they were.

I have really enjoyed the journey I have experienced with these boys. I knew we had a good team, and I feel we just needed a little luck to qualify for state champions play off. Despite that, they performed admirably all year and in a manner that made me feel proud. I knew that a fire was lit, and we hope to follow their footballing journeys in 2027. 

Thank you to all who played throughout the year. While this report focuses on the State finals, there were 85 boys in Soccer which is an awful lot with the overwhelming majority playing for the school in some capacity in Kingston Division. Seventeen went to SMR and State Finals. I want to thank you all for your effort, skill and camaraderie. Special thanks to Xavier Khreish (Year 10) who ran a line on the day. Congratulations to the following boys who either played or come along on the day to support. Special thanks to Henry for being our captain and for Archie Thomas for captaining at State with Henry injured.

Benji Boyarovsky, Mahimna Dave, Jayden Goh, Riley Guilfoyle, Alwyn Jayesh, Jonathan Kawalsky, Nick Kheruvimov, Jordan Khreish, Henry Lyon, Oliver McKeown, Lenny Ota, James Rasmussen, Alon Segev, Asher Tang, Archie Thomas, Adriz Tsalasi, Julian Tyler, Tyler Vun and Owen Wong.

Jonathan Jhoomum

Coach