Gallery | Rochester back in finals hunt with vital victory over Shepparton United
Beware the Tiger ambush.
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Stealthily stalking its prey, after a 3-6 start to the Goulburn Valley League season, you mightn’t have seen Rochester coming.
But after round 11, and two consecutive wins, the Tigers are perched just percentage outside of a finals spot – the yellow and black could be back.
Rounds 10 and 11 were no easy feats either, coming against two teams that would have equally loved four premiership points against Rochester.
Both Mooroopna and, on Saturday, Shepparton United lost to the Tigers.
Both are left sharing a 5-6 record with Rochester.
A win against the Tigers would’ve placed either club in the top six after the weekend.
But instead, Rochester has its nose in front of the Cats and Demons, and will be eyeing off Kyabram’s spot in sixth, or even Mansfield’s spot in fifth, ahead of round 12.
Against Shepparton United on Saturday, it was a second-quarter strike that latched the Tigers’ claws onto a victorious position.
Following a relatively even opening term, Rochester sat ahead by 11 points as the Demons languished inaccuracy for back-to-back weeks, kicking 0.4 to Rochester’s 2.3.
United would grit its teeth with frustration in the second term too, scoring 1.5 as the Tigers kicked away happily with 6.2 of its own, marking an 8.5 (53) to 1.9 (15) scoreline at the main break.
The Demons would tighten the contest in the second half, with the margin only increasing in Rochester’s favour by nine, but the final scoreline was not a pretty sight for the visitors – 12.11 (83) to 4.12 (36).
Rochester coach Ash Watson was pleased with the result as the Tigers are in the midst of tackling a “massive” four-week block that could make or break their season.
“It was a massive game for us, we know they’ve been in great form (United) and a win like that keeps our season alive,” Watson said.
“We’re in a massive four weeks against clubs above us on the ladder – Mooroopna and United were above us when we played them, and now we’ve got Mansfield and Kyabram next up who are in a similar mix too.”
Ex-AFL player Michael Barlow made his second appearance for the Demons in the loss, being one of the four goal-kickers for the red and blue, while Felix Fogaty led the way with three majors for Rochester.
Bailey Wileman was named as the Tigers’ best, with Jordan Haynes earning those honours for the Dees.
“(Wileman’s) had an awesome season, he just hunted the footy and attacked the footy hard on Saturday, which was awesome and gave our outside runners an opportunity,” Watson said of the star midfielder.
A top six spot is up for grabs this week when the Tigers take on Mansfield, while Shepparton United hosts Euroa in round 12.
“They smashed us all over the park when we played them in round two, so we’ll have to approach the game with a different mindset and hopefully score another win,” Watson said.