Coaches Report - R5 & R6
Coaches Report - R5 & R6 (A's B's C's vs Sal.North & SPOC & D's vs Walkies & SHOC and LOSA
Coaches Report - R5 & R6
Coaches Report - R5
A Grade Match Report: Round 5 v Salisbury North
We speak often that preparation is important in the lead into every season and every game. Conditioning is critical which is obvious, an understanding of the game plan is always at a premium to be predictable to each other and a skill set to execute is definitely required but a high level of trust and belief in each other is essential.
Saturday was a game of two halves as far as control of the game and the scoreboard. Our opponents arrived at CMO with a clear intent to take control of the contest from the first bounce. In the opening quarter the game was played very much in their front half, their quick ball movement proved a challenge for us to overcome. Time and time again they cut off our transition game at half forward rebounding deep into their forward 50. The margin at the break was 10 points.
The second proved to be more of the same, with our back 6 under extreme pressure. Our opponents were relentless demonstrating a desire build to put us to the sword. We continued to pressure but we were unable to gain any form of control to shift the momentum. The quarter ended with the deficit having blown out to 26 points.
Halftime was reflective , knowing what we needed to adjust and a clear belief that we were not out of the game despite the first half. We entered the third with a mandate to regain some momentum and chip away at the deficit.
The first three scoring shots of the quarter did not go to plan with our opponents getting out to a game high 39-point lead. It was at this point the players flipped the switch with Jet Boxer using brute strength to grab a contested ground ball and kick a team lifting goal. This energised all 21 players. Our run returned and we regained some of the momentum we had been searching for. Finn Wakelin got to work at what Finn Wakelin can do …control the air across the ground , James Butterworth , Xavier Tranfa , James Warton took over the midfield battle and Stefan Lanzoni imposed himself on the game which produced a 6-goal streak cutting the deficit at the final break back to 16 points.
We knew at the break we had the legs, and we had regained control but understood we needed to get to work to get it done. The last was as epic as it gets with our opponents refusing to be denied. With the conditions challenging us we continued to run and believe, even when the score got out again to 22 points we pushed harder. Wakelin put on another clinic in the air and Lanzoni again imposed himself with an incredible snap to cut the deficit again. We kept coming until the finisher Matty Dnistrainsky with a clutch set shot put us into the lead in the final minutes of the quarter. The end was vintage, and it was that man Wakelin taking an intercept mark in the back half to seal an incredible victory.
Another game full of learnings and one we will draw on as we head into next week and our next month of games.
Final Score : ROCFC 12.8.80 defeated Salisbury North 11.11.77
Goal Kickers: F. Wakelin 4, J. Boxer 3, S. Lanzoni 2, P. Vorrasi 1, M. Dnistrainsky 1, T. McCormack 1
Best Players: F. Wakelin, X. Tranfa, J. Butterworth , H. Swanbury, J. Boxer
Damian Boots
A Grade & Club Coach
B Grade Match Report: Round 5 v Salisbury North
We came into this game this week with our weekly theme being - “Connections”. We built this week around making connections within the group on all levels to better our team values along with the club’s game style.
In the first qtr. we did not have a great first 10 minutes but in the last part of the qtr. we certainly got back to playing our brand of ruthless football to stay in touch with a well experienced side.
In the second qtr. we continued to sort out our structures better and well and truly got ourselves in to the game without putting the result on the scoreboard and we recognised that we must reward ourselves better
Our 3rd qtr. unfortunately let the game get beyond us a little though some turnovers and a drop-off in energy all but for some solid defensive efforts from our backline once again.
At ¾ time we once again had belief that we could make a strong challenge to win the game and for those that saw the 4th qtr. we really did strangle the opposition to make a real challenge to winning the game – it was possibly the best qtr. we have set up structurally all year.
We continue to play a ruthless brand of football with this young side, and they are certainly competing well at Div. 1 Reserves level. We do believe that if they stay the journey this well set them up to play good Div. 1 football in the future.
Next week will once again be a challenge against a team above us on the ladder currently.
Final Scores: ROCs 4.9(33) defeated by Salisbury North 7.5(47)
Best Players: J. Piro, Z. Searle , J. Slivak, J. Thomas, R. McNamara
Goal Kickers: M. Daw 2, J. Thomas. Z. Searle
Jamie Thomas
B Grade Coach
C Grade Match Report: Round 5 v Salisbury North
The mornings are getting colder and certainly for our game the moisture on the ground and then light precipitation provided a different condition component to the recent weeks of warm and dry weather.
The group was focused on maintaining structure and application despite the scoreboard and to our credit we were organised, efficient (except in finishing) and professional the way we approach the game. Pleasingly, Adam Greenwood back from a hamstring got through unscathed and despite losing Josh Massie in the warmup to go up due to a late withdrawal in the A grade, our Midfield shuffle was seamless and all rotating maintained high standards.
We were dominant in all KPI area’s and some of the identified improvement areas at stoppage and stoppage connect will stand us in good stead for what will be an important game away at SPOC this week.
For the third time in 2025 and without a recognised key forward, we had 11 different goalkickers and 51 scoring shots, many of which we missed opportunities, and this is one area we will need to train because it will cost against the better sides.
Our overall F1 footy was too much for the opposition, our speed, skill and fitness is showing as our last 2-week last quarters have returned 9 and 8 goals respectively. It is difficult to single out individuals as it was such an even contribution with all having their input throughout, but Jordan Huppatz continues to knock on JT’s door with selfless forward craft, Tom Matsis put in a big effort before flying out to the UK for a few weeks this Wednesday, Aspen Davis led us in the Ruck in Wieu’s absence and Sam Warren and Dion “the food critique” Bria were Bulls inside. With a view key backs out ZacAuf and Cookey together with Captain Hill and his rotating M1’s maintained our shape and almost a clean sheet for the day.
Zac Aufderheide dusted off the Birkenstocks and was the player led “Barometer” for this week and following on from Willo maintained a high standard of driving motivation, energy and enjoyment within the group. Well done “Silk”!
Final Scores: ROCS 25.26.176 defeated Salisbury North 0.1.1
Goal Scorers: Henry Brasher 4, Luca Piantadosi 4, Jack MA Haddad 3, Amer Elhosni 3, Jordan Huppatz 3, Jason Cavuoto 2, Lewis Matsis 2, Adam Greenwood 1, Jack Hill 1, Thomas Matsis 1, Harvey Wilson 1
Best Players: Jordan Huppatz, Thomas Matsis, Aspen Davis, Samuel WARREN, Dion Bria
Peter Pedersen
C Grade Coach
D Grade Match Report: Round 5 v Walkerville
Rocs on the road taking on Walkerville FC a new team in our grade this campaign. Real winter weather this week greeting the respective teams, with cold & drizzly conditions to start the early morning game. Rocs were brushed aside by a better organised Walkerville, as they worked harder to create fluent play and used the ground much better than Rocs to repeatedly keep the scoreboard ticking over. 1/4-time score Rocs 0-3 vs Walkerville 3-4
Ten or so minutes into the 2nd Stanza Walkerville had extended their lead to 31pts and the game was reaching breaking point. The Rocs Academy finally started to work with each other using quick ball movement, increased our pressure on the ball carrier and with run & carry teamwork used the footy with purpose to reduce the deficit to 11pts by 1/2 time.
1/2-time score Rocs 4-4 vs Walkerville 5-5.
Rocs kept working together & burst into the lead, many nervous moments tested the Red& Blacks during the second half, but Rocs held sway in defence and created enough scoring opportunities to power away to our much needed first win of the season.
Final score Rocs 8-10 (58) def Walkerville 6-11 (47)
Goalkickers-- N. Karagich -3, J. Avlonitis -2, A.M. Hall -1, H. Dawson -1, A. Condo -1.
Best players - M. Lombardi, N. Karagich, J. Avlonitis,
M. Nitschke, D. Leggett B. Warren.
Best team men- J. Munchenberg, F. Shanahan, S. Emanuele.
Debut- Harry Musk
Steve Edwards
D Grade Coach
****************************************************
Coaches Report - R6
A Grade Match Report: Round 6 v St Peters Old Collegians
Football is a game of moments and for those who made the trek to the game witnessed firsthand a game filled with moments which as a cumulative impacted the final outcome of what was a great game.
Conditions early presented a challenge to execution for both sides with our opponents enjoying and using them to their advantage. They were cleaner with the ball and built some scoreboard separation despite our efforts with several inside 50 entries being intercepted by their key backs. 18 points down at the first break.
We needed to respond in the second and as a collective we did. With James Warton , Xavier Tranfa and James Butterworth combing through the midfield we asserted our authority in the game , dominating clearance which resulted in the game being played in our front half. This dominance and pressure created opportunities which we took kicking 5 goals for the quarter and regaining the lead at the main break by 7 points.
A slight reset at the break knowing we need to hold the momentum; we went into the third full of confidence. Our opponents kicked the opening goal of the third and the momentum had again shifted with moments taken by our opponents and some we created falling the other side of the post or intercepted. But the game was still there for the taking despite the 19-point deficit at the final break.
This season we had experienced the same scenario before and knew what to do and when to do it. Again we needed to take the moments and execute. The run and carry and work rate from the players was exceptional again and we managed with the collective pressure , team defence and some individual moments of brilliance from the likes of Stefan Lanzoni, Matt Dnistrainsky (goal of the year), Finn Wakelin and Connor Butcher we had cut the margin back to 6 points. Another shot on goal inside the final 2min saw the margin back again to 5 points. A rebound from our opponents kick in was intercepted and they managed to get us out the back just before the final siren to take the contest by 11 points.
A game of moments and one we will learn from and look to rebound again next week.
Thanks for the huge support on Saturday and a special tribute to our amazing group of volunteers without whom we cannot function as a team and club. Thank you.
Final Score : ROCFC 8.8.56 defeated by SPOC 10.7.67
Goal Kickers: F. Wakelin 2, S. Lanzoni 1, B. Baldwin 1, M. Dnistrainsky 1, T. Bradford 1, J. Warton 1, T. McCormack 1.
Best Players: J. Warton, M. Dnistrainsky, J. Butterworth, X. Tranfa, C. Butcher
See you at the footy.
Damian Boots
A Grade & Club Coach
B Grade Match Report: Round 6 v St Peters Old Collegians
We came into this game this week with our weekly theme being - “Trust”. We built this week around trusting each other and not just being a good team but a great team by removing the “Me” and believing in the “We”.
This was clearly our best 1st qtr. of the year as we clearly by holding our opposition to 1 goal whilst they had a 3 to 4 goal breeze. Our pressure and ruthless approach were at the level we need to be competitive at this level.
In the second qtr. we let the opposition get a bit away from us with 4 goals to 2 qtr. against the wind. The opposition had 12 inside 50s to our 3 which we rectified in the next 2 qtrs.
Our 3rd qtr. we set up ourselves to have a run at the opposition in the last qtr. by sharing the honours with 3 goals each and you could feel amongst the group at ¾ time that there was belief with in them to get a result.
The 4th qtr. we really did run all over them with some direct footy and some excellent finishing. We never gave up and if we have one more minute, we win the game.
After the game the lads were hurting and in a positive look at that we have a group of young men that care about the outcomes and know that they are close. We can never take away that feeling, and we know that whilst our time wasn’t on this day this young groups time will come soon.
Next week we take another step forward in this competition.
Final Scores: ROCs 9.8.62 defeated by SPOC 9.9.63
Best Players: L. Stepic, J. Piro, M. Daw, J. Thomas, I. Crafter
Goal Kickers: L. Stepic 6, O. Piro 1, J. Piro 1, H. Myall 1.
Jamie Thomas
B Grade Coach
C Grade Match Report: Round 6 v St Peters Old Collegians
Sharing a later start on Wilson Oval adjacent to the B grade game was a new phenomenon. Complicating things further was trying to find the changerooms which were a kilometre from the oval hidden amongst the French Riviera inspired Buildings within the College. After a long trek and 2 bottles of water we located the change rooms and then realised we didn’t have warm up footies. Thanks to Sam Warren who grabbed one he had in his boot, and we could do a semi warm up.
Despite the strange pre-match preparation, Jack Hill settled the group and there was a calm re-assurance that once we found the oval from the changerooms, normality and routine would come to the fore, and it did. We kicked in to what was a strong wind or “Brendan Gale” and to our credit we were able to score the first goal and then once we adjusted to the strength of the breeze, we were able to pressure them into a return of 1.7 at quarter time. From there we took control in the second quarter utilising the breeze with efficiency and kicked 6.1 to 0.2 which gave us a handy lead.
Again after half time in difficult conditions against a much better opponent, we again were able to hold them under control in the 3rd term and then again kick 4.5 to 0.1 with the breeze in the last to secure a disciplined win in difficult conditions.
Our execution of game plan and structure was noted by the strong group of supporters watching. Our ability to continue to get to contests or hold up when outnumbered was inspiring. Examples of this were D Grade Players of the months Jerome Avlonitis who in from of the throng of ROCS supporters turned a 1 v 3 into a ball up with sheer desperation. In the same area a little earlier Sam Warren off the back of a first effort chased down and hunted a SPOCO and laid a fwd entry tackle based on absolute desire to win the footy back and this type of set the tone for the day.
The backline was resolute especially when defending the breeze. Lachie Hill, Tim Lewis back from his “Hong Kong high performance research trip”, Daniel Leonard, Daniel Cook and Harvey Wilson dominated the air and were clever with exit strategy. Zac Aufderheide if always looking to hit the switch and change lanes.
Off the back of developing Rucks in Aspen Davies and Wieu who returned from a week off, our Mids/ Wings were again creative, and dominant led by Captain Jack, Amer, Adam Greenwood, Cavs, Wazza, Tone Loc’s favourite Funky Cold Mezzini, The Food Critics, Charlesworth nuts finest Lachie Tripodi, Anton and Jerome. Dion and Jerome led the clearances and Dion “The Bull” in the food critic partnership with Harry Smith, also the tackle count.
It was a difficult day for forwards with the breeze challenging entry quality. But for the 3rd time in 2025 we had 11 goalkickers which highlights our ability to adjust to all conditions and personnel. It was good to see Anton Slivak hit the scoreboard off the wing and Max Auder filling in a hole to kick 2 goals in the final qtr due to structure match up changes.
Lewis Matsis was player led “Barometer” for this week and off the back of that led from the front in a fine display of mid/fwd impact with and without the ball. Again the energy and enthusiasm from the Barometers is infectious.
In what was a game akin to that of a chess game at times, we provided a solid team performance with all 24 contributing. Check Mate!
Final Scores: ROCS 13.9.87 defeated SPOC 4.11.35
Goal Scorers: Max Aufderheide 2, Anton Slivak 2, Dion Bria 1, Jason Cavuoto 1, Adam Greenwood 1, Jack Hill 1, Jordan Huppatz 1, Lewis Matsis 1, Matthew Mezzini 1, Luca Piantadosi 1, Samuel Warren
Best Players: Lewis Matsis, Jack Hill, Jerome Avlonitis, Anton Slivak, Lachie Hill
Peter Pedersen
C Grade Coach
D Grade Match Report: Round 6 v Sacred Heart Old Collegians
Rocs Academy hosted longtime rivals SHOC in windy conditions in the morning clash at Roc Park.
The Undefeated SHOC had first use of the strong breeze blowing to the Victor Harbour end of the ground & with some slick teamwork used the footy superbly to find many opportunities to create forward line attacks and had the scoreboard ticking over repeatedly. Rocs kept working hard to apply pressure in each contest but could not find many fluent forward entries to even out the scoring.
1/4-time score Rocs 0-1 vs SHOC 4-2.
Rocs played out the remainder of the contest with great teamwork and desperation, applying pressure on the ball carrier and matched SHOC in all areas of team play but could not diminish the gap on the scoreboard. The final margin did not properly reflect on the closely fought contest and the rebuilding Rocs Academy should be proud of their efforts to match their skills with the ladder leader's for the majority of the match.
Final score Rocs 4-6.30 def by SHOC 8-10.58
Goalkickers- S.Marotti -3, L. Gigos -1.
Best players - J. Munchenberg, F. Shanahan , B. Warren, S.Marotti , S. Emanuelle, M. Lombardi.
Best team men- M. Warren, W. McDonald, M. Bowman, H. Dawson.
Congrats to Andrew Condo playing his 50th game for the Mighty Rocs.
Steve Edwards
D Grade Coach
