Eyes on the ball: Rochester’s Adam McPhee runs on to the football.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
The Rochester Tigers continued their positive start to the Goulburn Valley League season on Saturday, defeating Shepparton United at Deakin Reserve.
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It was a well rounded performance from the Tigers, leading at every change and running out eventual 11.6 (72) to 16.18 (114) victors.
Wrapped up: United’s Adam Pigatto tackles Rochester’s Shaun Atley.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
However it was not all smooth sailing for the visiting side, with a youthful United working hard throughout the game and outscoring Rochester in the final term.
United coach Paul Serra said United was up and down across the four quarters.
“Our pressure was really good, tackling was really good for the four quarters,” Serra said.
Strong hands: Izaac Johnson takes a mark for Rochester.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
“Rochester brought a very physical game to us which we really enjoyed but there were probably times with a bit of ball use and positioning that Rochester were a lot smarter.
“Overall we played a good, consistent, hard-ball game and probably just lacked a little bit on the outside.”
Contest: Rochester’s Mitch Cricelli rises over the back of the pack.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
Kyle Clarke, Joel Serra, Mitchell Roche and Adam and Damien Pigatto were among United’s best on the day, while Chris Jansen, Mitch Cricelli, Shaun Atley, Nathan Kay and Lachlan Harper stood out for Rochester.
With four rounds now complete in the competition, United remains winless, however Serra has seen plenty of positives.
Good tackle: Rochester's Charlie Ward tackles United’s Blake Serra.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
“We’ve taken a lot of positives (from the start of the season), we had probably two guys that were over 22 years old that played yesterday so if you look at that it’s around 90 per cent of our list that played on Saturday is 22 or under,” he said.
Flying high: Shaun Atley of Rochester makes a leap for the ball.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
“I wouldn’t think there are too many sides in premier country league footy that have got such a young list.
“We’re growing but we’ve got to be consistent.
“It doesn’t mean that we’re going to continually get growth and there’s going to be times when it’s harder for us.
In front: Blake Serra of United wins the ball.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
“There’s a lot of positives going on but we still haven’t tasted the four points so we need to keep striving to improve.”
The result sees Rochester sit in second place on the ladder behind Mooroopna, while Shepparton United remains in 11th.
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