Rochester has knocked off Echuca in a victory won by ugly grit and determination in miserable Sunday conditions at Euroa.
With the three-peat experience of the Murray Bombers, the dark green veterans were expected to lift in the conditions built for pressure moments – but it was the young Tiger cubs that gnashed their teeth when the going got tough, showing brilliant maturity against arguably the most established side in finals this season.
A hot start by Rochester’s Sean Williams saw the Tigers draw first blood as he wheeled around from 50 metres out, before Rochester’s defenders stood tall, desperately corralling two Echuca players in the goal square to deny what looked to be a certain goal.
Following downpour across the morning and early afternoon, the slippery conditions made disposal efficiency lacklustre, although the Murray Bombers showed glimpses of brilliance in the wet as their experienced leaders shone on a gloomy day.
Young gun Cody Walker set sail from beyond 50 but the kick fell a couple metres short, however Cooper Barber pounced on the crumb out the back to kick Echuca’s first.
Three goals in two minutes, the latter being a centre square bomb that trickled over the goal line from best on ground Hamish Hooppell, then set Rochester in motion towards the quarter-time break, but a period of sustained territory late in the quarter provided a spark for Echuca in the second term.
However, despite trailing by three goals at the first break, Echuca had begun controlling territory in the latter stages of the quarter, providing momentum into the second term.
Rochester looked to prevent a potential return fire in the second term, placing a spare man behind the ball as the Murray Bombers kicked with the breeze.
It was for good reason too, as two immediate repeat inside 50s to Echuca started the term, but the green couldn’t convert.
Experienced head Liam Tenace kicked a team lifter for Echuca as the finals experience began to shine through on a gloomy day, with the Murray Bombers peppering the goalmouth with territory and repeat entries.
However, as was the theme of the day, Rochester found itself holding firm, retaining its lead at half time, albeit just seven points, 5.3 (33) to 4.2 (26).
Echuca’s Cooper Barber kicked his second to start the third term but a huge roar erupted from the travelling Rochester crew as Cooper Hamilton snagged a critical goal.
A difficult drop punt nailed from the pocket by Adam McPhee handed Ash Watson’s men a 13-point advantage , before a contested clunk led to a goal and pumped up celebration for Murray Bomber Malik Gordon.
The see-sawing affair continued until the penultimate siren, with the Tigers’ half time advantage unmoving heading into the final term.
A vocal crowd at Memorial Oval raised the decibels as an intense final quarter began with a stunning Hugh Bryne contested grab on the wing, with the ensuing chain leading to an Echuca major.
Rochester bounced back but didn’t convert on the other end, however were shortly handed a 50 metre penalty on the cusp of the arc that provided a guaranteed major.
Rochester then appeared to be running away with it, as the youthful group’s confidence and energy reached its peak.
A goal nursed home by Hugh Hamilton, and kind bounce that saw the ball fall in Drew Lloyd’s lap, saw Rochester extend its lead to 20, but the reigning premiers were never going to quit until the final siren.
The Murray Bombers peppered the goal face in the dying stages, with each score bringing the crowd of green and white further back to life, but they would only convert three of their eight scoring shots in the final 15 minutes.
McPhee burst away unguarded inside 50 to kick the sealer for Rochester, and while Echuca continued charging to the final siren, including a final minute of held breaths and drama, it was too little, too late.
Rochester coach Ash Watson was rapt with his side’s maturity to hold on in the wet and to earn consecutive preliminary finals appearances.
“They’ve been the benchmark for a long time, Echuca,” Watson said.
“We’re really pleased with how we played today, we knew with all the rain around it was going to be a ground level, contested game.
“That’s the best pressure we’ve brought for a long time.”
Ruckman Hooppell’s spectacular display aerially and at ground level was clear cut to see throughout the contest, leaving Watson with nothing but praise for the key tall.
“Today against Morris and Tenace – they’re good rucks, really, really quality – he competed above his height, not only in the ruck but at ground level as well,” Watson said.
Now the Tigers have a date booked with Mansfield, which suffered a significant loss to Kyabram on Saturday.
Earning its second preliminary final in as many seasons, the Tigers will be hoping to show its growing maturity against the Eagles and go one better in 2025.
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