Coaches Report - R5
A's; B's & C's v Golden Grove; D's vs SHOC and E's vs Modbury & LOSA vs Seaton Ramblersss
A Grade Match Report: Round 5 v Golden Grove
Saturday was again another opportunity; however we were set to face an undefeated opponent and one whom we had a lot of history over the last few years.
Pressure is a privilege is something we spoke about during the pregame and highlighted the need to remain composed and calm for four quarters.
The opening centre bounce was an introduction to eventual best on ground honours from Paddy Baldwin as he gave first class ruck service to Xavier Tranfa who hit Finn Wakelin 30 out resulting our first goal of the game. We controlled much of the quarter however we left several opportunities on the table with inaccurate kicking heading into the first break just 8 points ahead.
The opening 6 minutes of the second we put on our best display of team defence denying our opponents any exit from our front half. Again our inaccuracy in front of goal denied us some real scoreboard pressure we had been searching for, but with that came some frustration and our opponents generated some 25 metre penalties giving them some moments of momentum which they seized cutting our lead to just 2 points at the halftime.
We spoke of the pressure at the break, and we knew they would come. Our back 6 led by Hayden Swanbury were incredible all day and withheld our opponents in a quarter that was full of pressure, run and goals from both sides. Beau Baldwin in career best form along with Cam Taheny, Josh Bradford continued to work hard all quarter, creating and demanding opportunities. The lead changed hands several times during the quarter with the scores locked away at the final break.
It was not lost on the side that Pressure is a privilege and we all agreed at the final break ‘ IT WAS TIME’. The final quarter was one of our best quarters for the season with all 21 including the likes of debutant Jules Piro and Jet Boxer willing themselves to every contest, placing enormous pressure on our opponents enabling us to capitalise on our opportunities kicking 4 goals to 1 to take out an extremely satisfying ROCK SOLID victory by 16 points on the final siren.
A win full of character from all who put the jumper on today.
We will again review and learn as we head into Round 6 next week.
Final Score : ROCFC 12.12.84 defeated Golden Grove 9.14.68
Goal kickers : F. Wakelin 4, J. Bradford 2, J. Boxer 2, S. Lanzoni 2, T. McCormack 1, X. Tranfa 1
Best Players : P. Baldwin , H. Swanbury, F. Wakelin, B. Baldwin, X. Tranfa
See you at the footy.
Bootsy
A Grade & Club Coach
B Grade Match Report: Round 5 v Golden Grove
Round 5 was all about getting to know each other’s “weapon” and continuing to grow our connection as a group. Coming up against a side that has been a consistent top-three team in Division 1 Reserves for a long time, we entered the game full of confidence and excitement about continuing to build our brand of football.
The first quarter was a fantastic contest, with both teams attacking the game hard and some exciting end-to-end football on display. We went into quarter time with a six-point lead, although it felt like we could have been a little further in front after conceding a late goal.
In the second quarter, we turned the ball over a little too often under pressure, which allowed our opposition to capitalise and kick five goals for the term. While this is an area we continue to grow in as a young group, the pleasing part was that the players never stopped competing. At half time, despite trailing by 13 points, there was a real belief that we were still well within striking distance.
The third quarter was an outstanding display of resilience and determination from our side. Neither team gave an inch, and I was incredibly proud of the way our group attacked the contest with a ruthless approach to both the ball and the opposition. We began to gain territory, generated more inside 50s, and created opportunities, heading into the final quarter only 12 points down.
At the final break, we challenged the group to embrace the moment, back themselves in, and attack the game with confidence. The response was tremendous. The boys kept fighting right until the final siren and, honestly, another five minutes may well have seen us get over the line. Unfortunately, we fell just short, going down by 10 points.
While the result didn’t fall our way, there is enormous positivity around this young group. Against one of the benchmark teams in the competition, we showed that when we play our brand for four quarters, we are more than capable of matching it with the best sides. The growth, belief, and connection within this team continue to build every week, and the way the players compete for each other is something everyone involved should be proud of.
We won three of the four quarters and once again proved that our fight and resilience are genuine strengths. At this level, we know it takes a complete four-quarter performance, but the future for this young group is incredibly exciting.
Final Scores: ROCS 8:9 (57) defeated by Golden Grove 10:8 (68)
Best Players: P. Vorrasi, S. Carey, M. Daw, D. Carbone, A. Davis
Goal Kickers: S. Carey 4, D. Huppatz 2, M. Daw 1 Z. Searle 1
Jamie Thomas
B Grade Coach
C Grade Match Report: Round 5 v Golden Grove
The C grade took some really positive steps in the right direction last game against Glenunga. Round 5 gave the team a real opportunity to show those improvements against a stronger outfit in Golden Grove. The game against The Kookaburras wasn’t just ‘A’ game, it had a personal touch. If anyone remembers last year, Golden Grove beat us in the Elimination Final. We as a team spoke a little bit about what this game meant to us and to play on emotion. We wanted them to feel the way we felt at the end of last year. Not going to lie, I myself have had this game circled since pre-season.
Conditions were difficult at first with it raining constantly overnight so we took a little bit of time adjusting to those conditions as well as understanding our opponents game plan. In what felt like a one sided first quarter in favour of Golden Grove, we were only down by 3 points. The team knew we had to fix a couple things around the ground and at stoppage which were addressed at quarter time.
In the second quarter we managed to the game back on our terms. It wasn’t pretty but we were winning the battle in key areas such as clearances, tackle count and inside 50’s. Although Golden Grove were still able to break our structure at times and get into their forward 50, our back-six held strong and limited there scoreboard pressure. Allowing us to take the lead into halftime.
To some up the second half in one word, ELITE! The team dialled up the pressure gauge to the maximum, we dominated at stoppage, our forwards were taking big, contested marks and crashing packs. We were a team playing with a great deal of confidence and believed in our game and trusted each other. Ultimately resulting in putting serious scoreboard pressure on our opponents.
Fabian Di Lulio was outstanding all day. The man was on a mission. With 9 interceptions possessions and the confidence he had to run, carry and create out of our back 50 gave our team a serious boost.
Lewis Matsis had his best game for the year. Been consistent over the first 4 rounds but kicked things into overdrive against Golden Grove. His 2nd and 3rd efforts were outstanding and was strong in the contest all day.
Harrison Twiggs was solid all day. Giving our midfielders first use and strong in the contest as well taking some really nice marks.
Ayman Ismail had a great game for the C grade after coming down from the B grade. When the game was tight in the first half, he really set the tone for us with his run and carry off half forward. Made some really key contests. His effort all day was fantastic.
Marshall Nitschke effort all day was ‘EPIC’. His tackle pressure and willingness to compete all day in the midfield and forward line was outstanding. A fantastic team man a real tone setter throughout the game.
Special mention to Mhalan Arslan. His first four games for the club probably haven’t been what he envisioned them to be. However, he made some really strong steps in the right direction against Golden Grove. Ran really well on the wings, helped the defence out and got reward for effort after breaking a couple of tackles to kick a goal. Well done, Marz!
Final Score: ROCS: 13.13.91 defeated Golden Grove: 5.11.41
Best Players: Fabian Di Lulio, Lewis Matsis, Harrison Twiggs, Ayman Ismail, Marshall Nitschke
Goal Kickers: Coach (2), Dylan Matthews (2), Sam Warren (2), Mhalan Aralan (1), Adrian Bruno (1), Amer Elhosni (1), Jordan Huppatz (1), Ayman Ismail (1), James McGuinness (1), Jack Platten (1)
Nick Karagich
C Grade Coach
D Grade Match Report: Round 5 v SHOC
Rocs on the road this week taking on long-time nemesis SHOC .
Another slow start to the game had SHOC controlling general play with the wind.
Rocs were chasing jumpers again and were again lucky not to be further behind as SHOC hit the post a couple of times. Gradually the team worked into the contest and linked together with better purpose & accurately put some scores on the board to hold a slight lead by the first break.
1/4 time scores Rocs 2-2 (14) vs SHOC 1-3 (9)
A much better effort in the second stanza had the Red & Blacks working together all around the ground, linking up with run & carry, increasing our momentum forward to set-up many opportunities on goal. Rocs backlines were relentless in providing the teamwork to create some excellent ball movement & controlled general play heading into the long break with a comfortable lead.
1/2 time scores Rocs 5-5 (35) vs SHOC 1-4 (10)
A very disappointing second half by the Rocs Academy as SHOC took complete control of general play and were far better with their ball movement holding up many attacking plays from Rocs to control contested possession and storm back into the match and in a low scoring game every chance must be taken.
Rocs backline was now under siege and Rocs could not find any way to stop the Hearts from taking the lead late in the contest and despite our best efforts were stymied in attack and were overwhelmed by a disappointing 5pts.
Final score ROCS 6-7 (43) defeated by SHOC 6-12 (48)
Goalkickers: T. Barnes 2, D. Nitschke 1, A. Condo 1, C. Simile 1, P. Norris 1
Best players: A. Wakelin, T. Grant, J. Avlonitis, L. Nitschke, A. Condo, M. Lombardi.
Best team men: T. Barnes, M. Dzido B. Warren, N. Brown.
Congrats to Darcy Nitschke on playing his 50th game for the Rocs & topped his milestone game with his first senior goal.
Steve Edwards
D Grade Coach
E Grade Match Report: Round 5 v Modbury
The team travelled to Modbury for a top 4 clash. As usual we don’t travel well. A huge day for our VC Jack Hill playing his 100th game for the club.
He is a wonderful player and club man and was on fire in the first half as was the team ,we went into half time 6 goals up.
Unfortunately all downhill from there. Hilly hurt his knee and came off (suspected ACL), and three players left to get to the Crows game.!!
Mezzini was unbelievable on the wing playing his best game for us (until he left)and Fitzy was also damaging on the far side as well.
Charlie Brasher debut for us with 3 first half goals and Cheese Arnfield debut as well with his return to footy.
Five players down in the last quarter and I asked for everyone to dig deep.
Our stars lifted J-Mac got control of the game and along with Tim Lewis. I moved Dawson back where he found his home and was excellent as was our whole backline in the last.
George Kemp moved into the middle and was brilliant and I moved Spehr forward who kicked the goal to seal the game.
A hard day at the office.
Final Scores: Rostrevor 9.8.62 defeated Modbury 6.9.45
Best Players: Justin McInerney, Matt Mezzini, Henry Dawson, George Kemp, Tim Lewis, Dylan Fitzsimmons
Goal Scorers: Charlie Brasher 3, Alex Pietrobon 2, Angus Massie 2, Lachie Spehr & J-Mac 1each.
See you next week at home.
Tony Franzon
E Grade Coach
LOSA - R5
Loreto OS 02 07 (19) def by Seaton Ramblers 06 05 (41)
Goal Scorers: Tayla Gordon 1, Emma Slattery 1
Best Players: Charlene Lee, Tayla Gordon, Madeleine Honner, Abbie Deegan, Evie Nelson
