Coaches Report - R2
A's B's & C''s vs Gleninga & D's vs PAOC; LOSA vs Modbury
A Grade Match Report: Round 2 v Glenunga
Football can be a game of moments separated by inches. Saturday’s Anzac clash against Glenunga was exactly that.
After what seemed like a mini preseason break, we finally found ourselves at Round 2 and our first home game against arguably the best performed side over the last two seasons in Division 1 in Glenunga.
We were out of the blocks early in the first generating the fast start we had discussed pregame. Our ball movement and contest work were noted features enabling us to play the majority of the quarter in our front half. While we controlled the ball, we failed to take the opportunities we had created finishing the quarter 10 points ahead.
The second was similar in intensity and ball movement from the opening bounce. The difference we lifted our efficiency in front of goals producing a rewarding 5 goal 1 behind output and a game high 19-point lead at the main break.
Not to be denied our opponents kicked the opening goal of the third giving them a sense that they were back in the contest. The quarter tightened with tackle pressure lifting from both sides. The game of inches began to materialise early as we continued to pepper the goal face time and time again without reward and potentially an Achilles heel with 1 goal 6 points for the quarter and a 12 point lead.
The final was as epic as you would want to witness. Again our opponents responded with the opening goal to start the quarter bringing the margin back to 6 points and game on. Both sides were not going to be denied as the game rebounded between the arcs with both defences holding firm.
With 4 min left on the clock our opponents hit the front for the first time in the game getting out to margin at 7 points. We again went to work which saw Stef Lanzoni kicking a class Captains goal to bring the deficit back to 1 point. Centre bounce loss gave Glenunga the ball and a running shot on goal to take the margin out to 2 points. A driving kick from full back down the middle saw Xavier Tranfa getting on the end of it about 40 out , his set shot on goal fell short but was marked by Finn Wakelin seconds before the final siren sounded.
Finn on an acute angle executed a near perfect check side kick which hit the goal post leaving us solitary 1 point behind. A game of inches.
We had contributions across all players with Darci Best the standout best player for four quarters. Time and time again Darci rebounded with now familiar intercept marks and elite decisions with ball in hand. Closely followed by our veteran ruckman James Butterworth who gave us first use all day hitting to advantage in another Herculean performance.
The class of our midfield pair in Josh Shute and James Warton was a privilege to witness as both combined all day driving us forward from deep inside contests. And finally Finn Wakelin who again put on a masterclass of contested marking both ahead of the ball and behind the ball and very nearly took that final inch to pinch the game.
Despite the disappointing result there was so much to like about the way we played and we know we can continue to work hard at building our game.
Final Score : ROCFC 9.16.70 defeated by Glenunga 10.11.71
Goal Kickers : S. Lanzoni 3, T. McCormack 2, T. Bradford 1, X. Tranfa 1, T. De Matteis 1, B. Baldwin 1.
Best Players : D. Best, J. Butterworth, J. Shute, F. Wakelin, J. Warton
See you at the footy.
Damian Boots
A Grade & Club Coach
B Grade Match Report: Round 2 v Glenunga
We came into this game with our weekly theme this week to “Wake Up”. This being our chance to let the competition know that we wanted to be noticed if we could beat last year’s Grand finals in this competition.
I knew that we had the energy before the game, and we just had to work through the game qtr. by qtr. and after a solid start by Glenunga in the first qtr. kicking 2.6 to our 1.0, we used the qtr. time break to work through a few things that we needed to realign with our structures to get the game on our terms.
After losing Jake Slivak in the first qtr. to injury and Adam Greenwood in the second qtr. (both lads shouldn’t be out for too long and are ok) we had to readjust our sides structure a little to combat there tall during the second qtr. We rebuilt a steady platform during the 2nd qtr. and found ourselves only 5 points down at half time.
The third qtr. was a bit of arm wrestle and unfortunately Glenunga got a couple of easy goals after we fought very hard against a slight breeze during the qtr. The one positive though is that we had learnt from round 1 and did not concede more than 2 goals a qtr.
In the last qtr. I asked the lads if they were ready to wake the competition up and the energy was there when they walked out to try and win the game.
I could not have been prouder of our lads in the last qtr. as they believed and kept to their structure and ran over the top of them to get and amazing win.
I must mention how well our defenders were so organised after qtr. time and even though they may not have featured in the top 5 best players their selfless team defence attitude helped our group get over the line.
Overall, we had 21 excellent contributors on the day and to see the smiles on all the lads after the game is something I am so proud of them for celebrating the moment.
Next week is another challenge against a rival that will now be very wary of this side.
Final Scores: ROCs 6.7(43) defeated Glenunga 4.10(34)
Best Players: Ryan Lymn, El Murada, Jules Piro, Henry Myall, Zak Searle
Goal Kickers: Jake Slivak, Jules Piro, Ignatius Crafter, Jayden Evans, Peter Vorrasi, Zak Searle
Jamie Thomas
B Grade Coach
C Grade Match Report: Round 2 v Glenunga
It was exciting to kick off Round 2 with our first home game for the year and the group was invested in setting the tone for the day against consistent Div 1 performers in Glenunga. Our leadership team led a visibly structured pre-game preparation that would have been intimidating to any opposition.
One of the focus areas from Rd 1 was to look at our starts to games. Although Glenunga hit the scoreboard early with 2.0, we created 11 scoring shots kicking 2.9 for the qtr., repeat opportunities created off the back of terrific forward 50 pressure and organised structure behind the ball. Glenunga did break our zone on a number of occasions and there monster key forward was able to mark inside 50 to convert 2 opportunities.
From Quarter time we controlled the game flow and dominated general play. Credit to the back 6 for their organisation and selfless adjustment particularly Lachie Hill, Tim Lewis and Zac Aufderheide for locking down their key forward and killing the high ball contest. At times, our footy was exhilarating and very much aligned with game plan and inputs from training. Some of our ball movement from defensive side of centre to goal was filled with quick hands, hit up target and overlap handball at speed which created good opportunities to convert. Our midfield rotation groups led by Amer Elhosni, Sam Warren and Josh Massie ensured we were dominate in clearances and tackle count, particularly forward half and combined with Josh Butterworth and Harry Smith who were outstanding on the wing, proved too much for Glenunga to lock down.
Our midfield dominated most of the day and whilst we don’t have a typical key forward, Jordan Huppatz, Fabian Di lulio, Henry Brasher and Luca Piantadosi displayed solid lead patterns and provided consistent stoppage connect when transitioning offensively.
It is more than fair to say that with the exception of Jaedyn Smith who we lost within the first 5 minutes due to a recurring shoulder injury, everyone contributed to what was a true team effort. This was highlighted by the fact that we had 11 individual goal kickers for the day.
Special mention to Lewis Matsis and Noah Bischoff who came into the group from the B-grade and their attitude and work ethics was infectious. Also great to have Josh Massie play his first game for points in 2025. His leadership and attack on the contest was a welcomed addition.
Final Scores: ROCS 18.21.129 defeated Glenunga 4.1.25
Goal Scorers: Josh Butterworth 3, Luca Piantadosi 3, Amer Elhosni 3, Thomas Matsis 2, Henry Brasher 1, Dion Bria 1, Fabian Di lulio 1, Ayman Ismail 1, Josh Massie 1, Lewis Matsis 1, Matthew Mezzini 1 .
Best Players: Josh Butterworth, Harrison Smith, Amer Elhosni, Lewis Matsis, Thomas Matsis.
Peter Pedersen
C Grade Coach
D Grade Match Report: Round 2 v PAOC
Another great day for Footy with Rocs on the road taking on longtime rivals PAOC.
The early morning start had both teams sluggish and struggling to create any team cohesion, Princes holding a slight advantage at the end of a forgettable first stanza. 1/4 score Rocs 0-2 vs PAOC 0-4.
Fortunately both combatants turned their efforts around with a more skilful execution of skills and the game became a fantastic fast paced contest with the lead changing hands throughout the 2nd & 3rd quarters. 3/4-time score Rocs 4-4 vs PAOC 3-6.
The final quarter saw a resurgence of Princes dominance with the Rocs playing catch-up footy, but able to play with enough pressure to stay in the game.
With time running out Rocs kept trying extremely hard and had a couple of very good goal scoring opportunities extremely late in the contest but unfortunately couldn't score the winning goal's that we desperately needed .
Final score Rocs 5-6(36) def by PAOC 6-8(44)
Goalkickers-- J. Avlonitis -2, S.Marotti -1, J. McInerney -1, N. Ferres -1.
Best players - J. Avlonitis, L. Tripodi, H. Sheid, B. Warren, J McInerney.
Best team men- S. Tagg, M. Augustine, S. Emanuel, W. McDonald.
Steve Edwards
D Grade Coach
LOSA vs Modbury
Round 2
Loreto OS 0 7 (7) defeated by Modbury 05 07 (37)
Best Players: Christina Fawns, Bella Simpson, Scarlett Pearce, Annie Green, Kate Donnelly
