Where every national draft pick went to high school; Sam Lalor; Richmond Football Club; Jagga Smith; Carlton Blues

That match was effectively the APS grand final, but Brighton still had two games to play and trailed in the final term a week later against St Kevin’s College before coming from behind, as they did against Haileybury.

Brighton also survived eventual No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor’s first-half heroics to beat Geelong Grammar in the last match to seal a perfect season.

Only 19 of the 71 draftees picked up in the national draft came from a public school, but Joslin said there was an unfair perception that private schools always “poached” talented footballers.

“It’s not often us, or any schools in the APS, swooping on kids,” he said.

“I would say it’s often the parents of boys in state schools, or the like, reaching out to schools in the private system, knowing the offerings they get – not just from a resource standpoint for footy, [because] I think that’s secondary.

“I think it’s more the academic networking opportunities … so I would like to change the vernacular around us poaching, or swooping, on boys or girls in the state system.”

St Patrick’s College students Ollie Hannaford (pick No.18) and Jack Ough (36) are both headed to the Giants, while schoolmate Harry Charleson joined Carlton in the rookie draft.

The Ballarat school could have had five draftees, too, with Lalor a past student before crossing to Geelong Grammar for his final two years, and Rhys Unwin choosing to attend Mercy Regional College after committing to St Pat’s.

Loading

St Patrick’s College director of football Howard Clark, who coached the school’s team for 18 years and led it to seven Herald Sun Shield premierships, including six in a row from 2010 to 2015, was delighted for all five boys.

“They’ve dreamt about this since they were little boys, so [for them] to be given that opportunity, you’re so thrilled for them,” Clark said.

“It’s a great endorsement of the culture that permeates through the school, and certainly not just football, but a positive culture [in general]. There will be 18 St Pat’s boys on AFL lists next year … that is a significant number.

“It means what we’re doing [is working], but also in conjunction with the Greater Western Victoria Rebels – it’s a great alignment – and you’re providing a chance for these boys to be given these opportunities each year.”

St Patrick’s College, coached by Jason Lappin, lost the Associated Catholic Colleges grand final to Parade College in June, after finding out the night before that none of their Vic Country representatives were allowed to play because the AFL under-18 championships were on.

However, Clark said there was a greater goal beyond draftees and premierships for every student who came through the school.

“It’s not [just] about footy – it’s about trying to educate them, so they can become the very best young men,” he said.

“If they don’t leave our program a better young man, then we failed them. That’s our No.1 priority. If they have some success along the way, then great, in terms of being drafted, but only a very small number get to do that.”

Loading

If Hannaford is any gauge, Clark and co. have succeeded.

Ballarat, as a community, suffered through three high-profile killings of women within a matter of months early this year.

In response, Hannaford initiated the “Break the Cycle” event to raise funds and awareness about domestic violence. For the event, teams of students and staff rode four exercise bikes non-stop across a 24-hour period, with Hannaford helping to raise more than $8000.

He was St Patrick’s College’s football and boarding captain.

“Ollie is an outstanding young man and leader,” Clark said. “He also won our best and fairest when he was in year 11, so he has a lot going for him.”

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.