JARROD Korewha is keen to uphold his school’s rich football history when he runs out onto the MCG on Saturday.
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The Koroit teenager will represent St Patrick’s College Ballarat in the Herald Sun Shield grand final as it strives for its seventh straight title.
Korewha, who was part of its 2015 title-winning side at Port Melbourne, said he was excited to play against St Joesph’s College Geelong at the home of football for the third time in his fledgling career.
He will play with former Hawks junior Tanna Blackney-Noter, who also boards at St Patrick’s.
“The footy program here is so respected, so we all want to add to the history of the school,” he said.
“It (the MCG) is the home of football and it’s going to be really exciting to get out there again, but I think personally the ground you play at and the team you’re playing shouldn’t change your mindset.
“I am focused on my role and what I can do for the team.”
Korewha, 18, said it would be memorable playing alongside Blackney-Noter, a talented Vic Country-calibre basketballer who combines the two sports.
“We have a good friendship that goes back to our junior footy when we played against each other,” he said.
“We’re both from Warrnambool and now here we are playing footy on the MCG together.”
The Herald Sun Shield grand final – the pinnacle for Victorian school football – will cap of a busy period for Korewha.
He has represented the AFL Academy, TAC Cup club North Ballarat Rebels and Vic Country at the national under 18 championships in 2016 as he strives to achieve his dream of playing AFL.
Korewha said the chance to be a part of varying football programs was beneficial to his development.
“It is an advantage to play for two different teams and get exposure in different roles,” he said.
“At the Rebels and nationals I was a key defender and for school footy it’s more of a midfield-forward role.”
The Herald Sun Shield grand final is a curtain-raiser to the Collingwood-West Coast match.