Coaches Report - R18
A's; B's & C's vs Port Districts & D's vs Golden Grove
A Grade Match Report: Round 18 2025 v Port Districts
Round 18 has finally come around. It’s incredible to consider Saturday was the final minor round game for 2025. We faced no tougher test than against reigning Premier who not surprisingly sit at the top of the ladder. One we embraced in the lead up to the game, a response from round 17 against a tough opponent on our home deck, just what we wanted.
The opening quarter had many pondering where we were at. Our composure had escaped us as we turned the ball over time and time again heading inside and our opponents made us pay with their ball use on the rebound. We failed to register a major with our second shot hitting the post on the siren. The damage a 24 point deficit.
Just a slight refresh at the break we headed into the second knowing despite the margin we had had plenty of the ball and just needed to lift our composure. Our opponents took the opening goal with the margin stretching to 31 points before we were able to kick our first goal for the game. Xavier Tranfa was working hard to keep us in the contest along with Connor Butcher and Finn Wakelin. We had stopped the bleeding; despite finishing the quarter having kicked 2.5 we had worked our way back into the contest with the margin back to 14 points.
Again some adjustments at halftime having lost Tullio De Matties we had belief. James Butterworth went to work giving us first use and our ascendancy at stoppage gave us field position which we utilised through Tom McCormack and Stef Lanzoni . Our back 6 again controlled our opponents entries with Darci Best and Hayden Swanbury standout’s along with Josh Shute. The lead changed hands twice in the final minutes with the deficit at the siren just 2 points. Game on.
Our fitness has definitely been a weapon across the season and our desire to respond was fierce. Our opponents kicked the opening goal inside the first minute of the final quarter giving them an eight points buffer in a very tight contest. What was to follow was a tremendous reward for the players. Contributions across the entire side saw us put on the next 6 goals with Jett Boxer’s back to back goals a highlight, securing a famous final round 28 point win and a spot in the finals race.
A mature measured performance from a side which has no ceiling and continues to grow.
We will again reflect, learn and move to next week.
Final Score: ROCFC 11.9.75 defeated Pt Districts 7.5.47
Goal Kickers: T. McCormack 3, J. Boxer 2, S. Lanzoni 2, F. Wakelin 2, C. Kemp 1, J. Butterworth 1
Best Players: C. Butcher, J. Butterworth, X. Tranfa, H. Swanbury, D. Best
See you at the finals!
Damian Boots
A Grade & Club Coach
B Grade Match Report: Round 18 2025 v Port Districts
As we entered Round 18, our focus was simple: Love. Love for the game, for your teammates, your family, your community, and your club. We asked the players to play as if it were their last game—and they did exactly that.
From the opening bounce, we came out firing, putting early scoreboard pressure on a strong Port District side who were sitting second on the ladder and pushing for top spot. It was a great start that set the tone for the day.
In the second quarter, as expected, our opponents lifted. But to our boys’ credit, they stood strong and held a narrow lead at half-time. It was a real show of courage—our younger players stepped up, and with the support of a few experienced heads, we matched them contest after contest.
The third quarter was a real highlight. We responded to their challenge with some of the most exciting football we’ve played all season. The group showed skill, hunger, and belief, and we took a two-goal lead into the final break.
Heading into the last quarter, we asked the lads to believe in themselves and finish the job—for all the reasons we spoke about before the game. And when the final siren sounded, we were in front. A well-deserved win.
This result was about more than just four quarters of football. It was about a group of young men who simply wanted it more. The pride on their faces said it all, and it was a truly fitting way to finish the season.
A heartfelt thank you to our team manager, Dean Lord, for his outstanding service throughout the year, and to our assistant coaches, John Butcher and Brett Bonython, for their guidance, support, and belief in this group.
Well done lads. A brilliant way to close out the season.
Final Scores: ROCs 10.11.71 defeated Port District 8.12.60
Best Players: T. Bradford, J. Bradford, D. Huppatz, P. Baldwin, M. Daw
Goal Kickers: D.Huppatz 4, S. Carey 2, J. Bradford 2, H. Myall 1, J. Cavuoto 1
Jamie Thomas
B Grade Coach
C Grade Match Report: Round 18 2025 v Port Districts
The last home game for the year and an opportunity to finish the minor round with a win in front of our supporters was all the incentive the lads needed, and it was certainly a game worthy of a final.
We have had two terrifically tight and hard contested games against Port Districts this year and Saturday was no exception. Both sides should be congratulated with the quality of contested footy on display and both will take a lot out of the game in preparations for next week’s finals.
In a tight fought affair, ROCS managed to finish stronger and record a narrow victory in what was a tight arm wrestle all day.
Congratulations to the other sides for recording victories and celebrating the final minor round with a Rinse. I congratulate JT, Sticks and Brett and the B grade for their season of development, I particularly thank JT for his assistance in developing players in preparation for higher roles during the year and in preparation for 2026. With young B and C grade groups the future is exciting.
Well done to Bootsy and the A grade for qualifying 4th in what is one of the strongest Div 1 comps in recent memory and the same to Stevo and the D grade who’s growth and improvement in many aspects has been consistently building and on display on the track.
We look forward to the first week of knock out finals.
Final Scores: ROCS 8.7.55 defeated Port District OC 07.10.52
Goal Scorers: Amer Elhosni 2, Paul Fantasia 2, Max Aufderheide 1, Aspen Davis 1, Adam Greenwood 1, Hamish Scheid 1
Best Players: Hamish Scheid, Adam Greenwood, Aspen Davis, Samuel Warren, Anton Slivak.
Peter Pedersen
C Grade Coach
D Grade Match Report: Round 18 2025 v Golden Grove
Rocs on the road this week, with a midday clash against the Golden Grove Kookaburras rounding out the 2025 season. Rocs Academy were fully focused on the opportunity to reclaim 4th position with a solid win & take a crucial home ground advantage for the first week of the final series if the cards fall our way.
Great weather and a large and vocal GG support crew in attendance to celebrate a couple of stalwarts 300th games were soon silenced by a smooth moving Rocs unit using quick ball movement and run & carry teamwork to kick away to an early lead . The Kookaburras responded with some nice kicking to position but were unable to break into attack as the Rocs inform back 6 repelled any forward threats with precision teamwork and created many opportunities for our forward line to work with.
1/4 time score Rocs 5-4 vs Golden Grove 0-1.
The Rocs kept working hard to create fluent ball use forward and controlled general play during the 2nd & 3rd stanzas setting up a huge lead by 3/4 time. The Red and Blacks were relentless all over the ground and kept the Kookaburras to minimal scoring opportunities and created many fluent passages with some great teamwork.
3/4 time score Rocs 15-12 vs Golden Grove 3-3.
The Kookaburras fought back strongly during the final qtr & matched the Rocs around the contest to grind out a small advantage on the scoreboard to end the game. But the Rocs Academy had done enough to run away with a fantastic 80pt win a fitting reward for the Teams dominant efforts.
Final score Rocs 17.15.117 defeated Golden Grove 5.7.37
Goalkickers- S.Marotti -4, P. Norris -3, J Thoday -3, J. McInerney -3, D. Leggett -2, S. Tagg -1, M. Bowman -1.
Best players- S. Tagg, M. Warren, M. Lombardi, S. Marotti, M. Palmer, P. Norris.
Best team men- W. McDonald, J. Draper, J. Nyvit.
Steve Edwards
D Grade Coach
