Coaches Report - R16
A's; B's & C's vs SHOC; E's vs Uni
A Grade Match Report: Round 16 v SHOC
After a strong performance from our last outing and buoyed by the outstanding performance from the B Grade in the earlier game we headed into the on road clash full of confidence.
Having won the toss we kicked with the aid of the wind and got to work from the opening bounce. Our opponents with plenty riding on the game, kicked the opening goal against the grain despite our early ascendency in the front half. Jett Boxer looked dangerous early with goals and opportunist Paddy Dawson proving a problem to defend. Our back 6 were Rock Solid for the quarter rebounding at will. With the quarter filled with attacking footy it did feel at the break we had left a few goals out there not having taken some of the opportunities we had created. The margin saw us just 4 points ahead.
The second was a different story. Our opponents took complete control in the middle of the ground, dominating centre bounce and field position despite significant contest pressure from our mids lead by Justin McInerney and eventual best on ground performer in El Murada. This dominance generated significant momentum which we found challenging to control. The speed of entry inside 50 provided its own challenges for a back 6 allowing our opponents to generate ten scoring shots from 15 entries which produced significant scoreboard pressure with a return of 7.3.45 for the quarter. The margin at the breakout to 26 points.
Remaining positive at the main break the message clear use the conditions and take the opportunities we create to bridge the gap. Veteran Will Mead set the tone early off half back generating territory for us along with Charlie Kemp and Jett Boxer who gave us targets and Paddy Dawson looking lively. We controlled territory but were again unable to convert the opportunities using the conditions. The margin had been cut back by just 3 points at the final break.
Football can be a momentum driven contest at times, so it was important to start the final with confidence to slowly chip away at the deficit playing our way. While the intent, typified by a continued trademark performance from El Murada was there our opponents sensed an opportunity and again controlled territory kicking the first four goals of the quarter to send the margin out to a game high 48 points part way through the final quarter. We weren’t to be totally denied and pushed hard to kick 3 goals against the grain leaving the deficit at the siren at 35 points.
While the deficit sat where it did, and full credit to our opponents it’s the learnings on our reactions to momentum and taking opportunities which we will reflect on as we head into next week.
Final Score : ROCFC 11.11.77 defeated by SHOC 18.4.112
Goal Kickers : J. Boxer 4, P. Dawson 4, W. Fanning 1, C. Kemp 1, E. Murada 1
Best Players: E. Murada, P. Dawson, W. Mead, J. McInerney, J. Boxer
See you at the footy.
Bootsy
A Grade & Club Coach
B Grade Match Report: Round 16 v SHOC
A Game We Will Never Forget
This week presented our biggest challenge yet: facing an undefeated opponent on their home ground, a side that had lost only a couple of games over the past few years in this division. To make the challenge even greater, in the corresponding game in 2025, they had beaten us by 109 points.
Whilst you always try to find different motivational points for every game, this week we simply kept it really simple. As a group, we wanted to make sure that we played 88 minutes of ROCS football that every one of us could be proud of. That meant relentless pressure, total accountability and a commitment from all 21 players to play their role for the team.
We debuted another four players, while another four were playing only their second Division 1 Reserves game. But when those 21 young men walked out of the changerooms, there was a real sense that they were completely focused on the job ahead.
From the opening bounce, you could see that our pressure and intensity were at another level. It was almost finals-like football from the outset. Our opponent kicked the first goal, but we made them earn it. From there, we found some really good rhythm and kicked two goals of our own. As good opponents do, they responded with another goal, but our boys responded straight away and kicked another late in the quarter to take a four-point lead into quarter time.
At the first break, the feeling amongst the lads was as positive as I have ever seen it. The belief was obvious, and the look in their eyes told me that perhaps we were about to write a pretty special story.
Our opponents had some assistance from a breeze that had picked up, but even with that advantage, they could only add two goals to the scoreboard. Our boys continued to fight, compete and play positive football, adding two goals of their own to take a four-point lead into half time.
At half time, we made the decision to head to the rooms, which are some distance from the oval. It was about bottling the incredible energy the lads had created, resetting and remaining completely focused on the job at hand.
When the third quarter started, nothing changed the pressure continued. The intensity continued. The positive style of football continued. We took advantage of the conditions, moved the ball with confidence and opened the game up to a 15-point lead heading into the final quarter.
We knew the last quarter was going to present another enormous challenge. The breeze had picked up further, and our opponents were throwing absolutely everything they had at us, but so were we. We fought. We scrapped. We ran. We tackled. We supported each other. We stayed positive. Most importantly, we refused to leave anything out on that oval.
When the final siren sounded, we had done it.
A two-point victory.
I genuinely believe this game will go down as a legacy game for this group. Those who witnessed it saw 21 young men wearing the red and black put absolutely everything into a game that they simply were not prepared to lose. Every player played their part. Every player contributed. Every player stood up when it mattered.
By the end, they were completely spent. The look on their faces after the game said everything. The pride, the relief, the excitement and the belief were there for everyone to see.
I will never forget this game.
And 24 hours later, our song is still echoing in my head.
This performance didn't just win us a very big game. It showed us what this group is capable of when they commit to each other, believe in each other and play with the pressure, intensity and accountability that we know they possess.
And that is what makes this group so exciting.
To look around and genuinely be able to say that all 21 players played very, very, very well is something special. For a young group, playing against an opponent with so much experience and such a strong record, the maturity and belief they showed was outstanding.
But while we should absolutely enjoy this moment, we will stay grounded. We know there is still business to finish this season.
We know that one great performance does not define us, just as one poor performance never would.
We also know that you can sometimes only be as good as the last game you played — and our next challenge is already waiting for us. We now face another side that is improving and will be hungry to test us.
So we celebrate this win, we enjoy what we achieved together, and then we get back to work.
Because this group has shown us that they can win big games. Now we want to see just how big this season can become.
Stay humble. Stay hungry. Stay connected.
And most importantly, keep playing ROCS football that we can all be proud of.
There is still business to finish.
Final Scores: ROCFC 7.4.46 defeated SHOC 6.8.44.
Best Players: T. Bradford, I. Crafter, Z. Searle, M. Daw, J. Haddad
Goal Kickers: W. Thomas 2., A. Bruno 1 T. Bradford 1, J. Haddad 1, S. Carey 1, S. Warren 1
Jamie Thomas
B Grade Coach
C Grade Match Report: Round 16 v SHOC
The C grade hit the road again to face there biggest college rival, Sacred Heart. Unfortunately we didn’t get the privilege of playing at SHOC’s home ground as they opted to have a bunch of year 10’s play in the regular C grade time slot. Our game was played at Morphettville Park Football Clubs home ground of all places. Unfortunately the club was still under the injury cloud which made team selection interesting however I was confident in the team that was picked to produce and give 100% effort. 24hrs out from game time was one of the most interesting preparations I’ve had in football. Obviously being new to coaching I’ve dealt with changes, ins and out and the occasional dropping of a player but this was quite unique. Three players from the B grade pulled out which forced three players to go up. Leaving the team with one on the bench for the game. Fun times. Especially when you’re coming up against an opponent that hasn’t lost a game all year.
We knew our depth would be tested against such a good opposition however the energy before the game was extremely positive. The first half was a tightly contested game with bodies flying everywhere and both teams wanting to assert the physical dominance. Our entries going forward weren’t clean, but we were able to make it work. Our stats showed that we were breaking even across the board with our opponent, but we just couldn’t put it on the scoreboard.
The second half slipped away from us a bit. SHOC were more polished with ball in hand and ran in waves. We went away from structure a bit a lacked movement around the ground. The weight of injuries, missing personal and having one on the bench for the game had finally caught up to us.
Usually I would single out our best players for the game, but I can’t. I need to applaud all of the players that played, 19 players fronted up for the C grade and ran themselves into the ground. The team never stopped giving effort, never stopped running and never backed down. Although we didn’t win on the scoreboard, the game showed me that this team has a lot of heart and fight in them. I believe this will hold us in good shape mentally come finals.
Thank you to the guys who came in from the D grade and E grade. George Psaradellis, Carlos Simile, and Jack L Haddad. Funniest part of the day was pregame when in the middle of the oval. George whips out a vape and we all turn and have a chuckle. George says and I quote, “I don’t change my game day routine for any grade”. Nothing but good vibes from George. All three however provided great contest work and willingness to compete.
We move on to round 17 where we face a Tea Tree Gully side who are battling for the last spot in finals. We have something to fight for as well. Win, and we cement a top three spot and a double chance heading into finals. Can’t wait to see a response from the team on Saturday.
Final Scores: ROCFC 5.11.41 defeated by SHOC 11.15.81
Goal Scorers: Dylan Matthews 2, James McGuinness 1, Mlaham Arslan 1, Amer Elhosni 1
Best Players: Harrison Twiggs, Amer Elhosni, Lewis Matsis, James McGuinness, Harry Smith
Choo Choo
Nick Karagich
C Grade Coach
E Grade Match Report: Round 16 v Adelaide Uni
Another tough day at the office. Crappy conditions, lots of ins and outs through illness and playing against a younger, fitter team that was hungry for a win.
We started well , pretty much dominating in the first quarter but couldn’t hit the scoreboard. Our second quarter was our worst of the year. We got belted in the middle, missed handballs ,dropped marks, and poor skills I can go on. A very poor moment for our season to be honest. Uni handled the conditions better and we let them score four majors. Our backlines were solid as always but were under siege. We dominated the tap outs, but they cleared it away far better than us. At half time we needed to regroup.
I asked the lads to toughen up which followed with a better third but two very dubious free kicks in front of goal left the door a jar for them. Our injuries were mounting Lachie McGuinness dislocating his shoulder Angus Massie hurt. Sometimes I think we watch too much TV, but we were coming off worse. Lachie Spehr copped a solid hit, and Jack Draper hurt his driver.
That’s 5 down just after ½ time. Vincent Clemente and Peter Sianis were solid down back and Mitch Warren and Tim Lewis started to get on top in the centre. Dylan Fitzsimmons was everywhere and was providing needed run along with Matt Mezzini on the wings. We just couldn’t hit the scoreboard. Henry Dawson was outstanding off the half back line.
Last quarter I thought we dominated but bad kicking is bad football. 1-8 in the last tells the tale with two out on the full. Dumb footy allowed a couple out the back and with five mins to go and we missed one 10 meters out destroying any chance of victory. Also adding salt to the wound Fanta limping off with a hammy wasn’t an enjoyable site. Incredibly we could have stolen the match, but in the end Uni deserved the win.
With a bye this week we can refresh with our next game against Walkerville who are major contenders for the flag.
As I have said to the squad there’s no tomorrow now .
Final Scores: ROCFC 4-17-41 defeated by Adelaide Uni 8-5-53
Best Players: Henry Dawson, Dylan Fitzsimmons, Mitch Warren, Tim Lewis, Vinent Clemente
Goal Kickers: Paul Fantasia 3, Dylan Fitzsimmons 1
p.s. best umpiring of the year well-done to the two young lads that officiated the match.
Tony Franzon
E Grade Coach
