Rochester Tigers produced a stunning upset in the Bendigo Junior Football League Under-16 grand final, beating Maiden Gully YCW by five points.
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The game was played at Tannery Lane Oval in Strathfieldsaye in hot conditions.
This was the fifth time the two teams played this year and the first time the Tigers have won.
The teams met in the qualifying final, where the Tigers were kept goalless in the first half before losing by 38 points.
And, in the final game of the home and away season, Maiden Gully ran out winners by 49 points.
So the boys were up against it.
The start to the game was fierce, with Rochester doing all the attacking for the first few minutes before Maiden Gully caught the Tigers out on the rebound and moved play to the end to score the game’s first goal.
The Tigers responded through Lachie Joyce, who marked well after Harrison Keating found Oakley Tarrant in the middle of the ground, and long kick forward found Joyce.
Keating and Tarrant were key figures in the second goal when Keating gave a one-two handball with Tarrant before finding Oli Williams with a long handball.
His long kick to the square was roved by Bill Hipwell, who handballed to Jimmy Otto, who stepped around a couple of defenders before goaling to put the Tigers in front.
The Eagles responded with a goal before the quarter-time siren.
At the first break, the Tigers held a one-point lead, the first time the side had been in front at quarter-time and it gave the boys a huge confidence boost.
Maiden Gully dominated the second quarter.
The side dominated the ball around the contest and the ball lived in the Tigers’ back 50 for the quarter.
Rochester failed to score for the quarter but the backline was simply brilliant.
Led by Jordy Rasmussen, who took countless intercept marks and used the ball brilliantly, the backline was able to hold Maiden Gully to just five points.
Curtis Howard defended strongly from full back, Paddy Eeles was tough in the back pocket and Matt Harrington and Angus Ferguson supported well.
That the Tigers were just four points down at half-time was a brilliant result and their ability to hold on in the second quarter was a key reason that they were able to run over the top of the Eagles.
The third quarter started much the same as the second quarter, with Maiden Gully winning the ball from the middle and locking the ball into their forward line.
Again, the Tigers backline refused to budge and defended magnificently.
The Gully repeatedly threatened to blow the game open, but the Tigers repelled the Eagles’ attack.
They managed to keep the opposition to just one goal for the quarter and late in the term the Tigers scored their third goal.
Cooper Harbour, who did a great job in the ruck all day, tapped the ball beautifully to Trey White from a boundary throw in.
White snapped cleverly and the Tigers had a sniff and went to the three-quarter-time break just six points down.
With the conditions the hottest the boys had played in all year, the game always had the possibility of opening up as the boys tired.
The Tigers’ onball brigade in Joyce, Keating, Tarrant and Williams had done a power of work already and were asked to lift the boys again.
The midfield got on top and suddenly Rochester’s forwards were alive and in the game.
Keating found Williams in the middle of the ground, who kicked long to the goal square.
A contest in the air saw the ball spill to the ground. A flurry of arms and legs went everywhere and White managed to keep his feet and get his foot to the ball just before it crossed the line.
Suddenly, the game was a draw, and the Tigers had some real belief.
Rasmussen continued to dominate across half-back and drove the ball forward relentlessly.
Otto burst to life in the last and looked a chance of kicking a goal every time the ball went into the forward 50.
He took a great mark and chipped a kick to 15m out directly in front of the goal.
Williams gathered and handballed to Kade Pearse who snapped truly and the Tigers were in front with nine minutes to go.
Maiden Gully responded with the next goal and the game was back to even.
The Eagles then kicked the next goal and there were concerns the Tigers were going to fall short with five minutes left on the clock. However, the team had different ideas.
After the centre square ball up, the ball bounced loose where Tarrant swooped on it, crashed through some would be tacklers and kicked a chaos ball into the forward 50.
Otto swooped on it, lost his defender and kicked his third goal — the scores level with four minutes left.
The Tiger midfield dominated the last quarter and again forced the ball forward.
White was able to beat off opponents and kick cleverly into the forward 50 where he found Pearse.
Pearse then kicked the ball short to Otto, who marked 30m out from goal.
Pearse pushed on after the kick and Otto was able to find him free, 20m out.
Pearse calmly slotted the goal and the Tigers were a goal in front with just over three minutes left.
Maiden Gully won the clearance and forced the ball forward and a scramble of bodies and some desperate acts saw the Tigers be able to rush the ball over the line for a point.
Rasmussen played on from the kick out and was able to find Keating just outside the defensive 50.
The ball then bobbed around, before Tarrant barged through the pack taking the ball with him.
He ran 15m and launched the ball 50 forward and the Tiger army knew that they had won.
The crowd streamed onto the ground and the young Tigers celebrated a memorable victory against the odds.
The Tigers had heroes all across the ground, particularly in the last quarter.
Rasmussen was outstanding across all four quarters. His ability to win the one-on-one contests and then his composure to hit targets was crucial in the Tigers being able to restrict Maiden Gully when the side dominated the second and third quarters.
Keating was the best of the Tigers’ midfield. His enormous work rate and class with the ball was incredible to watch.
Captain Joyce was again a crucial contributor. Like Keating, he ran himself into the ground and was able to win a power of the footy.
Oli Williams produced a brilliant last quarter, repeatedly driving the ball into the forward 50 and producing opportunities for the forward line.
Curtis Howard had a big job at full back and never stopped competing.
Tarrant came up with some huge plays with his bullocking style and his last quarter was crucial in the Tigers being able to run over the top.
White was the best of the forwards, presenting up the ground and looking dangerous all game.
He was well supported by Otto and Pearse who were both excellent in the last quarter.
Will Broucek played his best game of the year with some crucial touches.
The boys won because of their determination, courage, confidence and belief in each other.
Many teams would have wilted under the pressure that the boys faced.
That they were able to absorb the pressure and then take their opportunities when the game turned was an absolute credit to them and to their coach Steve Joyce.
And to the town of Rochester, the support that you provided was beyond belief.
The Under-18 boys who came on the bus and provided incredible energy and support for the boys, it was like an extra player.
To all the senior footballers in the crowd cheering the boys on, the boys certainly noticed you.
And to all the Rochy residents who just came along to cheer on the town, it created a special atmosphere for the boys that they will never forget.
This town and these young men have been through an unbelievable amount, but the way it came together and overcame adversity again was a brilliant thing to see.
Final score: Rochester 8.3 (51) to Maiden Gully 6.10 (46)
Goalkickers: Otto 3, Pearse 2, White 2, Joyce 1.
Best players: Jordy Rasmussen, Harrison Keating, Lachie Joyce, Oli Williams, Curtis Howard, Oakley Tarrant and Trey White.
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