Few things unite a legion of people and divide them neatly into tribes like school footy.
Arguably, school footy is the sport at its most pure.
There isn't the scrutiny and professionalism of AFL; the individual focus of the talent pathway; or the increasing money focus of local footy.
It's an expression of passion and emotion.
The memories, experiences and friendships often last a lifetime.
On Friday night, Zero Hanger was on hand to witness Trinity Grammar defeat highly-rated AFL Draft prospect Harry Van Hattum's Ivanhoe Grammar by a point in a top of the table clash in the AGSV competition.
Van Hattum was the headline act, but sat out for almost the entire last quarter, with a source from his school indicating it was minor soreness. He was in good spirits post-game.
The match clearly flipped around in the contest in the dying stages as Trinity Grammar was able to get on top and lock the ball in their forward half when Van Hattum was off the field.
Across the first three quarters, Van Hattum spent most of his time in the ruck, resting forward late in each quarter.
There was not the unforgettable eye-catching moment, but a series of involvements across the game proved he was well above the level.
A hitout to teammate Tanner Wilson's advantage who decisively won the first centre clearance of the game was exemplary of Van Hattum's quantum leap and pure skill.
Wilson was arguably best-on-ground, with the highly regarded Northern Knights bottom-ager finding space in traffic, consistently hitting targets by foot and launching scoring chains.
Van Hattum never got out of third gear but was still one of the most influential players on the ground. When he wasn't winning a hitout to advantage, he was grabbing it out of the ruck and powering through traffic, or laying a bruising tackle.
Two strong contested intercept marks in the first half were a showcase of his reach, a clean skill which Trinity Grammar could not compete with.
He took a big contested mark in the last quarter before coming straight off with Achilles soreness.
Another notable name in action for Ivanhoe Grammar was Ben Richardson, a Collingwood father-son prospect whose size and power stood out on the wing. He will represent Vic Metro at the Under-16s National Development Championships, which kick off next month.
In some ways, school footy is a throwback to an era bygone where venues would be packed to the rafters, each tribe riding the rollercoaster of emotions and cheering each highlight with unbridled joy and unashamed gusto.
On Friday night, it was Trinity Grammar which got to celebrate and sing the team song.
