Sheldon’s union

By Peter Sweeney
LIGHTNING-FAST Sheldon Ronald gave away Aussie Rules because he “couldn’t bounce the ball”.
The tearaway had won a few awards with the Pakenham juniors, but knew his future lay elsewhere – something Melbourne Grammar School will forever be thankful for.
Ronald took to rugby union and the weekend before last he was an integral member of Melbourne Grammar’s first XV that beat St Kevin’s College to win the Victorian Schools premiership. It was the team’s first title win since 1969.
And in being part of the win, Ronald joined a premier group: Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu was a member of the previous Melbourne Grammar side to have won the state championship.
Normally a winger, Ronald was switched to fullback in the final when captain and best player Anthony James was injured.
According to watchers, Ronald – who won Melbourne Grammar’s most improved player for the season – played “out of the ordinary”.
And on the weekend just gone, Ronald, 17, in his final year at school, did something out of the ordinary as well. He was in Hobart playing for the Tasmanian under-18 rugby union side – against Victoria and some of his school mates.
Overlooked for Victorian selection in try-outs, he was approached by Tasmania to play for it.
Yesterday, at Melbourne Grammar, he and his first XV mates were honoured at a school assembly of 1000 students.
“Yeah, they’re all pretty ecstatic,” Ronald, the ironman champion of the most recent Pakenham Show, said.
Asked his plans for 2012, Ronald replied: “To go backpacking.
“And if I can play rugby union somewhere, that would be awesome.”