XAVIER College hosted the Port Adelaide Football Club’s Indigenous AFL Academy on Tuesday last week for an exhibition game.

The College has welcomed the club’s Academy team to play for a number of years previously, and the two sides did battle in tough and wet conditions.

Port Adelaide aboriginal programs co-ordinator and former Power player Marlon Motlop said the matches are a great way for the students to express themselves.

“Our Indigenous AFL Academy plays here as a part of the program, we have the boys every Tuesday throughout the school term,” he said.

“They do an education piece for three quarters of the day, and we link in football development as well and this is their third game of the year.

“It’s more so a good way to play together; they spend every Tuesday together, and over the course of two years they build strong relationships.

“It’s good for them to play their footy together, and express themselves through that.”

South Gawler lad and Xavier College student Jordan Tippins played against his schoolmates as part of Port’s Academy side, and Motlop had nothing but praise for the youngster.

“Jordan’s a ripper, he’s really hard at it,” he said.

“In terms of his school work and how he conducts himself, he’s a really respectful lad and we love working with him.

“He’s a handy footballer as well.