R7 Coaches Report
A's; B's and C's vs SHOC; D's vs Port Districts & LOSA vs Gepps Cross
A Grade Match Report: Round 7 v Sacred Heart Old Collegians
Past Players Day is always a pivotal date in the calendar for the club. The chance to celebrate those that have built the history of our club and an opportunity to showcase the current playing group in action.
Our challenge this week , an undefeated SHOC who has taken all before them sitting on top of the ladder. A rich and strong rivalry added to the task.
The opening quarter was fast and contested which is what we had expected. Our opponents quick ball movement was proving a challenge with our back 6 holding firm led by Damon Stepic and Darci Best. Our midfield continued to win it at the source giving us critical field position through the agency of Connor Butcher who was accumulating positions at will. At the siren in what was an arm wrestle and a little fiery our opponents had held a slender 4-point lead.
With the huge crowd support the players headed into the second full of confidence. We adjusted some elements which assisted in slowing our opponents ball movement and our contest pressure lifted. Our mids in James Warton , Josh Shute and Xavier Tranfa along with James Butterworth exerted their authority on the contest with the game for the quarter camped in our front half , with opportunities being created across the quarter. Unfortunately we were unable to capitalise kicking 2 goals 6 points for the quarter with a lead at the main break standing at just 7 points, but the momentum on our terms.
We came out at the start of the third with a clear mandate to maintain our high-pressure rating and control with a focus to finish. Our opponents were not going to be denied, and the opening minutes were combative, but we kicked the opening goal. The momentum was still with us, and we began to build. Finn Wakelin again did what Finn Wakelin does he created havoc in an arial display that was eye catching to stay the least. Jett Boxer’s pressure went to another level, and we ended the quarter having kicked 5 straight with our opponents unable to register a major.
The three-quarter time huddle was amazing surrounded by so many greats of the club the players belief and confidence was at a high. Before we broke, we were conscience that we were heading into the final quarter of Tom O’Malley’s for 2025 which gave us an added motivation. The final quarter started where the 3rd had ended with true belief, we hunted the contest and kicked three on the burst building the margin out to a game high 45 points with Tommy O being as ROCK SOLID as he has been over his years at the club. At the final siren a pleasing win for so many reasons.
We again take much from the game, look to learn embrace the well-earned break and look to our next challenge.
Thanks again for all the support from so many it was a great day for the club and truly demonstrated what is STRENGTH IN COMMUNITY our ROC’s community.
Final Score : ROCFC 11.9.75 defeated SHOC 6.12.48
Goal Kickers : Finn Wakelin 4, J. Shute 2, X. Tranfa 2, S. Lanzoni 1, P. Dawson 1, T. McCormack 1
Best Players : D. Best, C. Butcher, J. Warton, F. Wakelin, D. Stepic
See you at the footy.
Damian Boots
A Grade and Club Coach
B Grade Match Report: Round 7 v Sacred Heart Old Collegians
We came into this game this week with our weekly theme being - “Hunting”. We built this week around the Leigh Mathews theory from his time in Brisbane that “if it bleeds, we can kill it” as Sacred Heart are undefeated and last year’s premiers in Div. 1 reserves.
We once again head a good 1st qtr., and our pressure standards were up with our ability to be ruthless on the ball and opponent. We certainly gave Sacred Heart something to think about at qtr. time.
In the second qtr. we unfortunately let our opposition get away from us again with their ability to finish their work inside 50. Whilst we finished a couple of good opportunities with some desperation to keep the ball inside 50, we unfortunately went into the break 32 points down.
Our 3rd qtr. we controlled the game for a longer period and even winning the qtr. At one stage we held the ball on the club side of the wing for about 8 minutes, not letting our opponent out of the area with some well executed zone and pressure by the team.
The 4th qtr. we also won and played some good attacking footy and got the margin back to 20 points in the end. We have now proven that we are running games very well and there is belief that we will get there but we obviously know we need to sustain our efforts for longer in this competition.
I’m super proud of the group and their belief and trust amongst themselves and knowing that they have a very bright future ahead of them.
Next week we take another step forward in this competition.
Final Scores: ROCs 8.4.52 defeated by SHOC 10.12.72
Best Players: H. Shute, J. Slivak, J. Thomas, J. Massie, R. McNamara
Goal Kickers: J. Slivak 3, D. Matthews 2, Z. Searle 2 J. Piro 1.
Jamie Thomas
B Grade Coach
C Grade Match Report: Round 7 v Sacred Heart Old Collegians
Facing last year’s Premiers in this grade and our Arch enemy on Past Players Day was a challenge we had been looking forward too. Following the connection theme, Past Player and club legend Mark “49” Roberts provided an address of passion and what ROCS as a club truly means and off the back of that we were assured that our effort and desire to be hard to play against would be consistent.
We actually started well, unfortunately we again burned good opportunity in front of goal and again against the best opposition we found ourselves 3.2.20 to 0.4.4 at Qtr. time. The next 3 quarters we fought to stay in the contest and despite our best efforts and finishing the stronger the head start we gave them was too much and whilst they were clean and efficient, we just fumbled and turned the ball over at crucial times under pressure and that was the difference in the end, their quality was at a higher level.
Although the scoreboard doesn’t reflect, the KPI’s were pleasing, we won clearances, we doubled the tackle count which given we won clearance we weren’t always chasing tail, our pressure in and around the contest was terrific and inside 50s ended up 31-28. Unfortunately to beat the best sometimes you need to bring your best and also have things go your way and for us losing Amer to a hamstring strain at Qtr. time and Captain Jack to a strained lower back early in the second term, saw us lose 2 out of our 3 M1 mids and this meant a re-shuffle. Amer who started the game on fire, strapped up and moved to FF and ended up kicking 3.3. Tim Lewis provided a solid key target at CHF and worked to bring the ball to ground, with Fabes holding down Half Back we can look to work this more consistently as Tim has clear forward craft and in the absence of key forwards, is a necessity.
Adam Greenwood and Jason Cavuoto drove the midfield along with Lew Matsis, Sam Warren, Mezz, Jermone and Dion and these guys in their rotations maintained the clearance advantage and worked hard particularly after qtr. time. Greeny and Dion led our tackle count and also drove clearances with aggression and willingness to compete. Off the back of last week’s Barometer performance, Lewy Matsis led by example contest to contest work rate from Midfield to forward.
The reshuffle also saw Harry Smith move to Half Back and he was instrumental with rebound off half back and linked well with Josh Butterworth, Anton Slivak and Aspen Davis who joined the wing rotations due to the key injuries. Wieu and Cookey fought hard against quality Ruck, Wieu is making great progress, taking contested marks and second efforts. Some of Anton, Aspo and Butters chase down pressure and refusal to give up the ball was inspirational.
Defensively I though our back 6 defended one on one and as a unit very well. A lot of the SHOC 15 behinds were as a result of pressure and goal line rushed because we were well organised and did not get dominated in the air. Our full ground pressure and guarding of the hot spots saw them take shots from wide and deep making it difficult to convert after qtr. time. Lachie Hill “The Barometer” led by example and with Fabes back, joining Silk Aufderheide, Lenny, Harry Smith and then Jordan Huppatz a forced change we kept the top side to 69 points. We were a little too cautious exiting from kick ins and once we changed exit strategy, we were able to clear their zone, this is something we need to do much more off when under pressure.
A lot to take out of this one but encouraging again was our ability to run the game out. The conditioning the team has done with JT pre-season is coming to the fore and the rotations are enabling that freshness and physical continuity to be maintained. We just need to convert our hard work early to ensure scoreboard rewards for effort.
Final Scores: ROCS 8.7.55 defeated by SHOC 9.15.69
Goal Scorers: Amer Elhosni 3, Dion Bria 2, Jason Cavuoto 1, Timothy Lewis 1, Harrison Smith 1
Best Players: Lachie Hill, Harrison Smith, Dion Bria, Adam Greenwood, Amer Elhosni
Peter Pedersen
C Grade Coach
D Grade Match Report: Round 7 v Port Districts
Rocs on the road taking on Pt. District in blustery conditions to start this important clash.
Rocs aided by a strong breeze blowing towards the Southern end were soon up and running, with some slick teamwork had the ball deep in the attacking zone but unfortunately wasted many opportunities but kept the pressure on contested ball to control most of the first quarter action.
1/4: time score Rocs 2-4 vs Pt. District 0-2.
During the second stanza the game became a mirror image of the first term, but Pt. District ran the ball with better organised teamwork than Rocs to take a 1pt lead into the 1/2-time break.
1/2-time score Rocs 2-6 vs Pt. District 2-7.
Rocs Academy refocused their efforts during the long break , working hard around the contest to dominate the game during the second half and with quick ball movement, increased work rates to linkup brilliantly with each other creating many forward opportunities and our attacking zone conversion became stronger to keep the scoreboard ticking away. Rocs backlines were relentless and nearly impossible to score against as the Red & Blacks surged ahead to win by a 27pt margin.
Great reward for the hard work the squad has been doing so far this campaign.
Final score Rocs 9.13.67 def Pt. District 5.10.40
Goalkickers- S. Marotti -4, S.DuBois -2, P. Norris -1, C Pietrafesa -1, J. McInerney -1.
Best players - M. Lombardi, S.Marotti, W. McDonald, S.DuBois, B. Warren.
Best team men- L. Tripodi, C. Pietrafesa.
Steve Edwards
D Grade Coach
LOSA R7
Loreto OS 02 02 (14) Def. by Gepps Cross 07 05 (47)
Goal Scorers: Annie Green 2
Best Players: Annie Green, Poppy Scaife, Lucy Franzon, Lisa Olive, Hannah Osborne
