Under-12 girls
Friday saw our girls head to Bendigo to take on Mt Pleasant. The weather certainly reminded us that football is a winter sport with wet and cool conditions. The girls did themselves proud with their attack on the ball and the ferocious tackling of the opposition.
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After a bit of a slow start we got on the board in the second quarter with two quick goals to Jordi.
All players showed great fight getting in and getting the ball when it was there to be won. Mila and Alida showed great determination and speed moving the ball well through the midfield.
We had Zahli pop up with a goal in the last quarter from some quick footwork. This, partnered with her great defence early in the game, saw her receive the Café Rochester award. The movie award went to Tilly for great marking efforts and attack on the ball all game.
The one-percenter award went to Lilly, one of the smaller and younger players who didn’t take a backward step all night. This was especially impressive when faced with opponents a full head taller than her, who she was very willing to jump in and tackle.
While unfortunately Rochy didn’t come away with the win, all players did a wonderful job against a much larger opposition. Once again, a fantastic supporter base turned up to cheer the girls on, which we really appreciate.
Our players have shown outstanding improvement over the few short weeks we have been playing and we look forward to seeing them continue for the season.
Rochy 3.2 (20) lost to Mt Pleasant 13.5 (83)
Under-14 mixed
With the sun shining and warmth in the air, it was a beautiful Mother’s Day Sunday for football. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Rochester football mums attending football on their special day.
After two weeks of easier games, Rochester players found themselves under pressure from the first bounce with the Rochester backs working hard. Maryborough scored the first goal and the first four scores for the game.
Jag Tarrant was marking well and working hard in the backline under pressure. Rochester took the ball forward on a few occasions but was unable to capitalise, missing the goals or scoring points.
The players found themselves down at quarter-time for the first time in two weeks. Coach Tim Rasmussen asked the players to improve their work rate, work hard for the quarter and over-celebrate when something good is achieved on the field.
Rochester’s coach asked the players to improve in the second quarter and they came out of the huddle looking like a different team. Zac Morgan came out strong in the ruck and marking in the middle, assisted by Asher Rasmussen, Hugh Acocks and Mason Mundie.
Rochester had most of the play, with the first goal coming from a beautiful passage of play from Mac Dickinson to Judd Cuttriss to Heath Kyne, who scored the goal.
Rochester scored its second goal of the game within minutes with Dickinson kicking the ball to the open square and Cuttriss kicking the goal.
Ella Treacy, Tarrant, Corey Pangrazio and the backline players worked hard to keep the ball out of Maryborough’s forward line, keeping Maryborough scoreless for the quarter. Rochester players had lifted their performances and were back in the contest.
Maryborough came out tougher in the third quarter, putting pressure on the Rochester back line. Rochester had most of the play at the start of the quarter, scoring the first goal from Mundie.
This put Rochester in front for the first time in the game. A number of points were scored by both teams, with Rochester unable to capitalise from the time in its forward line.
Maryborough scored a couple of goals in a row but Rochester continued to fight with a great goal coming from a pass by Kyne to Charlie Watson. Coming into the fourth quarter, Rochester led Maryborough by one point.
Morgan started the fourth quarter taking the ball straight out of the middle into the Rochester forward line.
Many points continued to be kicked by Rochester throughout the quarter, with goals also coming from great passages of play from Mundie, Acocks, Morgan and Asher Rasmussen with two.
Maryborough moved the ball forward on a number of occasions scoring one goal for the quarter, with great back line pressure coming from Nate Macfarlane and Tarrant to move the ball back forward.
The coach praised the Rochester players’ courage in being able to turn the first quarter around and win the game.
Rochy 9.17 (71) d Maryborough 5.7 (37)
Goals: M. Mundie, A. Rasmussen 2, J. Cuttriss, H. Acocks, H. Kyne, C. Watson, Z. Morgan.
Best: Zac Morgan, Asher Rasmussen, Jag Tarrant, Judd Cuttriss, Hugh Acocks, Mason Mundie
Mayreef Pty Ltd one-percenter award: Heath Kyne.
Canteen awards: Zac Morgan, Asher Rasmussen, Jag Tarrant
Under-16 boys
The under-16s travelled to Strathfieldsaye for what was sure to be a test on Mother’s Day.
Early in the first, the boys got some good looks going inside 50. Cale James looked dangerous on the half-forward flank and key forwards Kade Pearse and Morgan Boyack got their hands on the ball early.
The defence was under attack for the majority of the day, however Lachie Smith, Kaelan Connor and Edan McDonald fought hard, despite being often undersized against some big Strath forwards.
Jackson Morgan and Jake Munro looked to provide some spark out of half-back using the ball well as they always do.
Despite a bleak scoreboard going in to quarter-time, the boys’ efforts rose at every opportunity, with usual customers Sam Seabrook, Darby Martin and Tom Drust fighting hard and starting to win the ball from the source.
This allowed for Boyack to kick a magical goal from the boundary to get things going.
Jimmy Otto brought some flare to the forward line again, kicking a great goal on the run, while small forward Amon Riordan fought well above his weight to keep the ball locked inside the forward half.
Wingers Michael Gibson, Mitch Munro and Callum Giffin continued running up and down all day, which started to provide more opportunities as the game went on.
Late in the third, Cyril Thomas-Tuaiti single-handedly out-bodied two opposition players, sending the boys into the last break with some inspiration.
Despite things on the scoreboard looking grim, the boys played their hearts out in the final quarter, kicking multiple goals. Ben Hewes’ forward craft brought some life into the quarter and again Blake Kyne and Tom McFadzean continued their reliability when it comes to forward pressure.
Curtis Howard and Darcey Pump once again fought above and beyond, rucking all game long.
The boys should be proud of their efforts against a quality opposition.
We look forward to seeing what the boys are capable of coming into the regular season next week. A special thanks to all the mothers for their ongoing support of our boys on their special day.
Rochy 4.7 (31) lost to Strathfieldsaye 20.15 (135)
Goals: Kade Pearse 2, Morgan Boyack, Jimmy Otto.
Best: Sam Seabrook, Mitch Munro, Cale James, Darby Martin, Kaelan Connor, Kade Pearse.
Rochester Football Netball Club one-percenter award: Amon Riordan.
Canteen awards: Kaelan Connor, Morgan Boyack, Jake Munro.
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