Under-16s
Rochester’s under-16 boys made it three wins for the day for our junior club with a brilliant win against Eaglehawk. With injuries and availability restricting the team to just 17 players, the boys produced their best performance of the year to win an entertaining and high quality game.
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The first quarter started horribly, with Eaglehawk kicking two goals inside the first four minutes. However, the midfield fought back through the ruck work of Cooper Harbour and the onballers in Lachie Joyce, Harrison Keating and Rory Hayes.
Two quick goals to Joyce and Hayes steadied the team and evened up the score line. The Tigers finished the quarter the stronger and kicked two more goals through Jimmy Otto and Trey White. This gave the team an 11-point lead at quarter-time.
Eaglehawk came out firing in the second quarter and, with the aide of the breeze, began to take over the game. The backline, led by Jordy Rasmussen and well assisted by Paddy Eeles and Will Broucek, fought hard all quarter and was able to limit the damage.
A strong mark and goal from Joyce meant that Eaglehawk only held a one-point lead at half-time.
Rochester’s use of the handball and its short kicking to open teammates were an absolute feature of the third quarter. This enabled the boys to move the ball freely down the ground and the hard leading of White provided a clear forward target for the boys all game.
Jimmy Otto kicked his second, Harrison Keating kicked truly from a set shot and the defence again held up well, providing the Tigers with a four-point lead going into the last.
With Eaglehawk kicking to the scoring end and the team not having a bench for the whole game, the boys were going to need a huge effort in the last quarter to come away with a win. In what was an intense and hard fought quarter, both teams were able to produce some scoring opportunities, however the backlines held tight and kicking goals became very difficult.
With 11 minutes left in the game, White took another strong mark and kicked beautifully to stretch the lead to 11 points. Eaglehawk threw everything at the Tigers, but the boys lifted again and played some inspiring footy. Their desperation, willingness to use teammates in the best spot and composure under pressure were wonderful to see.
The boys fought to the siren and ran out 10-point winners in what was clearly their best team performance for the year and one that all the coaching staff and supporters could be very proud of.
Rasmussen was brilliant down back. His ability to read the play and intercept continuous forward thrusts, then set up his teammates with clever ball use, was excellent.
Joyce continued his great form. He won plenty of the footy all over the ground and then went forward where he was able to mark strongly and kick two goals.
Keating also found a stack of the ball and, as always, was very clever with the use of the footy.
White was fantastic in the forward line. He continually provided a target and took many strong marks. He capped his game off with two goals, including the sealer.
Cooper Harbour rucked tirelessly for the team and provided first use of the ball to his midfield.
Hayes played his best game for the season, linking up well through the midfield and using the ball well.
Scores: Rochester 8.7 (55) defeated Eaglehawk 6.10 (46)
Goals: Lachie Joyce 2, Trey White 2, Jimmy Otto 2, Harrison Keating, Rory Hayes.
Best: Jordy Rasmussen, Lachie Joyce, Harrison Keating, Trey White, Cooper Harbour and Rory Hayes.
Rochester Football Netball Club one-percenter award: Jimmy Otto.
Rochester Hotel meal award: Harrison Keating.
Under-14s
Rochy’s under-14 team faced off against Marong for the second time this season. After losing to Marong by 41 points earlier in the season, the young Tigers were keen to turn the tables on home soil.
Charles Watson got the team off to a great start with the first goal of the game, followed up by his teammates kicking four behinds. Rochy held a handy lead at the first break, keeping Marong to only one point.
The Rochy midfield worked hard all day to deliver the ball into the forward line, giving the forwards plenty of scoring opportunities. The contest was hard fought given Marong’s speed and ball movement across the ground.
In the second and third quarters, Marong picked up the pace, outscoring Rochy to put pressure on the home side. Zac Morgan was strong in defence, ably supported by Jag Tarrant and Kassidy Cail. However, at three-quarter time Rochy was down by 10 points.
Coach Leigh Hartshorne rallied the troops with his inspirational words of encouragement. Leo Hayes came out firing, kicking his second goal for the game and getting the Tigers back on track.
A late goal from Cale James tipped the scales the right way, and a kick off the ground by Declan Carmichael just before the siren sealed the deal for Rochy.
With six players on the bench this week, rotations were high and each player is to be commended for ensuring changes on and off the bench were smooth and efficient.
Tom Drust played his first official game of the season after being sidelined with injury in a practice match early in the year. What a welcome return he made, fitting back into the side with one of the best-on-ground performances of the day.
Scores: Rochester 5.9 (39) defeated Marong 4.6 (30)
Best: Leo Hayes, Darby Martin, Kassidy Cail, Jag Tarrant, Reno Mountjoy, Tom Drust.
Goals: Leo Hayes 2, Declan Carmichael, Charles Watson, Cale James.
Mayreef Pty Ltd one-percenter award: Brock Edwards.
Rochester Hotel meal award: Darby Martin.
Play of the day: Ella Treacy.
Under-12s
After not playing for the previous four weeks, the under-12 boys certainly showed they had been working hard to ensure their skilful style of play was not hindered.
With an almost full-strength squad available, the boys took no time to get to work, moving the ball swiftly to create and capitalise on some precise forward entries. As was a theme throughout the day and consistently echoed from the coaching staff, the boys took every opportunity to bring their teammates into the game.
Using the wind to its advantage, the side piled on 10 goals with an even spread of contributors.
Asher and Harry Rasmussen took full advantage of Hugh Acocks’ ruckwork and were ably assisted by Walt James’ run from half-back. Judd Cuttriss found space to use his skills to advantage and Seth Hunter looked to be a difficult match-up deep in the forward line.
Harrison Pangrazio worked tirelessly in the forward line in the second term and was rewarded for his hard work, kicking a couple of excellent goals.
With some key positional changes around the ground, the boys’ ability to find a comrade in a better position was a highlight of the term. Maddox Parker was clean under pressure and drew praise from the coaches for his ability to do all the little things well.
The third term saw another few experimental line changes, with the highlight being the centre work pressure of Harrison Wilkins and the lively work from Walt, including a goal of the year contender from in front of the cricket nets. Mason Mundie stamped his name on the game with some strong contested marking, while Hugh made a wet day look dry with his marking close to goal.
LBU battled away in the final term and was able to halt many attacking thrusts early in the quarter. The repeated forward entries again allowed for further shots on goal from many of the forwards and midfielders. Asher Rasmussen would have kept the statisticians busy, winning plenty of the ball throughout the day and selflessly denied himself a big bag of goals.
Next Friday the boys play Moama White at 6pm at Moama Recreation Reserve under lights, with another big test in front of them.
Best: Asher Rasmussen, Hugh Acocks, Mason Mundie, Judd Cuttriss.
Rochester Spreading Service one-percenter award: Harrison Pangrazio.
Rochester Hotel meal award: Maddox Parker.
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