Coaches Report - R1
A's; B's & C's vs Payneham Nwd; D's vs TTG and LOSA vs Woodville South
A Grade Match Report: Round 1 v Payneham Norwood Union
The opening round of the season is always full of expectations after a long preseason, with the playing group ready and fit for the clash. Playing away and against our cross-town rivals there was plenty on offer for the side.
Conditions were perfect for football with the opening quarter providing each side with opportunities to settle into their games. We pride ourselves on our team defence as it underpins our Rock Solid trademark. From the opening bounce the players did not disappoint. Defensively we were on restricting our opponents ball movement creating turnover opportunities to rebound offensively. Debutant Xavier Tranfa was active inside along with James Warton and Tom Bradford all setting the tone early along with the back 6 lead by Darci Best. The score line at the first read saw us ahead by 4 points.
The second was not much different from the first with the game being played mostly between the arcs each trying to gain some momentum to try and break the game open. Contest after Contest you could sense the control was in our hands, without gaining significant separation on the scoreboard. The main break we went in 11 points in front.
The third was a similar story to the opening half, we began with high energy and hunt for the contest. The ball was camped in our forward half for much of the quarter creating opportunity after opportunity to score, unfortunately we were unable to finish in front of goal. Our back 6 continued where they left off building a defensive ROCK WALL holding our opponents goal less for the quarter . We went into the main break with a margin of 20 points.
The final was an arm wrestle with the ball flying between the arcs, but with our players controlling much of the ball and keeping the scoreboard separation to finish 21 points ahead at the final siren .
We have contributions from 21 players across the game which was extremely pleasing and promising. The heavy lifting across four quarters from James Warton in a best on ground performance was outstanding to watch. Time and time again he gained possession and drove us forward bringing everyone into the game.
Darci Best controlled the air and his run and carry resulting in the opening goal of the game and season set the tone for the back 6 and our defence for the fame. He controlled their most dangerous forward and rebounded offensively for four quarters.
Connor Butcher was outstanding on the wing. His balance and poise with ball in hand was on show all afternoon creating numerous inside 50 entries and defensively at stoppage was elite at times.
Evergreen veteran James Butterworth controlled the ruck contest despite being man handled all day, providing our inside mids with first use and control of stoppage. His leadership and experience proved the difference.
Finally our fifth best player was Josh Shute who was a rock inside for four quarters. His elite game sense and ball use by hand and foot generated much of our offence all afternoon.
We look toward our round 2 opponents gaining confidence from our first game against a quality opponent.
Final Scores : ROCFC 7.11.53 defeated PNUFC 4.8.32
Goal kickers: T. Bradford 2, D. Best 1, M. Dnistrainsky 1, L. Stepic 1, F. Wakelin 1, B. Baldwin 1.
Best Players : J. Warton, D. Best, C. Butcher, J. Butterworth, J. Shute
See you at the Footy
Damian Boots
A Grade & Club Coach
B Grade Match Report: Round 1 v Payneham Norwood Union
After a terrific preseason we were excited to head in to round 1 with the theme of opportunity with a new look B Grade for 2025
There were 4 debutants in the side and a lot of players rewarded for a solid preseason to start the game.
We absolutely dominated the first half with Paddy Baldwin and Jake Slivak getting us off and running with some solid football but as a group we did not take our opportunities kicking 2.9 for the first half to PNU 4.1 – 11 scoring shots to 5.
At half time we touched on rewarding ourselves for our dominance but instead we unfortunately went into our shells after PNU kicked the first couple of goals in the third qtr. and let through another 5 goals for the qtr.
At 3 qtr. time we time we spoke about pride in what we do and that we must not let that qtr. define us for the day. So, in the last qtr. we scored 4.2 to PNUs 2.1. Some awesome separate team efforts from Adam Greenwood and Jason Cavuoto rewarded us with some good goals in the last qtr. and we need to take that momentum into the next game.
Overall, it wasn’t the day we had hoped as the stats along with the way we initially played you would win that game if we had our time again.
Next week will be a greater challenge against Glenunga who played in the Div reserves grand final last year.
Final Scores: ROCs 6.12.48 defeated by PNU 13.5.83
Best Players: P. Baldwin, J. Slivak, A. Greenwood, J. Thomas, O. Piro.
Goal Kickers: O. Piro 1, J. Thomas 1, J. Slivak1, I. Crafter, 1, Z. Seale 1, D. Matthews 1
Jamie Thomas
B Grade Coach
C Grade Match Report: Round 1 v Payneham Norwood Union
We spoke on Thursday night about the importance of the C Grade to embrace “Rock Solid” and set the tone for the day, particularly away against what is a strong rivalry with PNU. With 5 debutants for the club in the side in Josh “Junior” Butterworth, Jayden “Nugget Rhys” Evans, James “Nivea” Nyvlt, Wieu Kuach and Ayman Ismail there was a sense of excitement and anticipation as to what we would look like as a collective.
The first quarter was an arm wrestle, and they managed to kick the first couple getting goal side of the defensive press but to our credit the group fought back late to even the ledger just prior to half time. Fair to say after a reset on a few structural things our second term was dominant with us kicking 6.2 to 0.2 and this set us up to continue to dominate field play in the second half, albeit we probably failed to capitalise on our forward entries and to their credit they kept fighting.
In speaking to the opposition coaches’ post-game, they mentioned how organised we were behind the ball and how our ball use at times transitioning from defence to attack was at another level and that is terrific recognition for hard work in pre-season. In addition to this, although at times our entries missed the target, our forwards in Jordan Huppatz, Fabes, Henry Brasher and Luca Piantadosi were active and looked dangerous whenever the ball was in their area.
It was one of the more even efforts whereby everyone of the 24 contributed to the result and selfless attitude. Importantly, 2 of the 3 named in the best players were debutants and in addition the others accounted for themselves with maturity. Special mention to Daniel “The Chef” Cook for his Ruck work and assistance in guiding Wieu in his first game.
Great to start the year with a “Rock Solid” win and as a group we look forward to continuing to improve from what is a solid foundation to head into Round 2 v Glenunga after the Easter break.
Final Scores: ROCs 13.16.94 defeated Payneham NU 6.6.42
Goal Scorers: Henry Brasher 3, Luca Piantadosi 2, Jordan Huppatz 2, Josh Butterworth 1, Ayman Ismail 1, Daniel Leonard 1.
Best Players: Jayden Evans, Amer Elhosni, Josh Butterworth, Jordan Huppatz, Ky Haddad.
Peter Pedersen
C Grade Coach
D Grade Match Report: Round 1 v Tea Tree Gully
Magnificent conditions at Roc Park to kick off Season 2025 as The Rocs Academy hosted last year's Premiers & fierce rivals Tea Tree Gully in a grand final rematch.
TTGully held the early advantage & constantly attacked the forward areas but Rocs applied just enough pressure to hold Gullies at bay. The new look Rocs applied themselves and worked back into the contest using run & carry team play . 1/4-time score Rocs 1-0 vs TTG 1-4.
The Rocs were relentless during the second stanza & controlled general play. Rocs made the most of our forward opportunities, working hard for each other, using quick & direct disposal with plenty of fantastic link up plays to storm into the lead by the end of the quarter. 1/2-time score Rocs 4-3 vs TTG 1-9.
Unfortunately the Rocs were brushed aside for most of the 2nd half. Unable to score during the 3rd quarter as Gullies increased their attack on ball & player.
A fantastic fight back against the odds had Rocs take a late game lead but Gullies replied & did enough hold Rocs at bay in the last few minutes claiming a desperate 2pt win.
Final Scores: ROCs 5.4.34 def by Tea Tree Gully 4.12.36
Goalkickers- S.Tagg -2, C .Pietrafesa -2, S .Marotti-1.
Best players - C. Pietrafesa, J. McInerney, J. Munchenberg, S .Tagg, L. Tripodi.
Best Team Men - W. McDonald, M. Nitsche
Special efforts - Sam Wakelin (debut) J Avlonitis, A. Psaradillas.
Steve Edwards
D Grade Coach
LOSA - Round 1
Loreto OS 03 01 (19) drew with Woodville South 03 01 (19)
Goal Scorers: Sophie Haines 1, Emilie Hasler 1, Bella Simpson 1
Best Players: Bella Simpson, Jacinta Beltrame, Abbie Deegan, Hannah Osborn, Amelia Rosella
