Coaches Report - R7
(B's Coaches Report uploaded) - A's record strong win against Uni at home & C's home by 13 points
Coaches Report - R7
A Grade Report
We played well defensively into the breeze but didn't score in the first quarter. Then we kicked 6 goals in a strong burst but let them kick three just before half time. In the second half we dug a bit deeper and played more consistently to record a strong win.
Peter Baccanello, Ben Moyle, Sam Bridge, Chris Pahl, Matthew Dawes, Luke Manuel all made good contributtions as we ground out a very competitive win.
Congratulations to all involved in organising a very successful Ladies Day and the Mr ROC event. The atmosphere was certainly one of a strong and united community on Saturday! We play a resurgent Port Districts at home this week and we'd love your support.
Tim Hart
A Grade Coach
B Grade Report
Adelaide University are top of the ladder in the reserves and we knew that it would be a tough contest. The first quarter was free flowing football and when we controlled the ball we moved the ball well. Unfortunately in the first quarter promising junior, and onballer, James Jordan copped a significant knee injury to the ACL and will be out of action for the next 12 months. The second quarter was clearly Adelaide Uni's quarter and were able to open up a 6 goal lead a half time. We are learning slowly about reacting to an oppositions run on and we are trying desperately to educate the young lads to get behind the ball and help out the backline to stop the flow. Once we have the ball then we attack and create run.
Our second half was very promising as we were able to compete well against the best team in the league and we actually outscored them in the final term. A special mention needs to go to John Corbett who came out to offer some experience to the team from a wing.
Best players this week included youngsters Dan Gilbert on his wing and Tom Taylor a fierce on-baller. The old fella Dave Eckert for his efforts on the ball and up forward and Nick Lyons was a real trier all day and used his body well to help out his teammates. Best on ground for the reserves was clearly our captain John Trenorden. He received a knee and ankle injury last saturday, started walking without a limp on Tuesday, Scrapped through training on Thursday and made himself available for the game. He is truely inspirational and puts his body on the line every time for the club and his teammates.
Port districts at home this week. We are looking forward to the challenge with a real shot of getting a reward for our efforts.
Glen Malkin
B Grade Coach
C Grade Report
The ROCS C-Grade played away Vs Adelaide Uni on a beautiful day or footy. The squad had been rocked with injury over recent weeks and this has taken its toll on the availability of players to play for the Red & Black. Four players, ROCS legends Darren Furst, Steve Russo, Matt “The Sauce” Sauer and Lauchy Kitson were bought into the team for the clash to help out and and all played a major part in the teams success.
The game started with some fluent football from both teams and if not for a great start from Matt Zamparelli up forward with two goals we would have struggled to impress on the scoreboard. The Adelaide Uni team were prepared to run and support their teamates and luckily for the ROCS couldn't capitalise on their attacking pressure and failed to score a goal.
Great work from Acting Captain Craig “Mr Fabulous” Fabbian held their gun full forward well, forcing the shot he did have from long range and difficult angles. Paul “Banno” Bannister, one of the ROCS best for the day, was hard and tough on the half back line denying the opposition time and time again with his aggressive approach. The quarter time scores were ROCS 2.4 to Adelaide Uni 0.3.
The second quarter stared well for the ROCS but wasted opportunities and a lack of support had our team chasing jumpers instead of creating play. Again Adelaide Uni's inaccuracy and failure to convert possession into goals, along with some tough defensive work from Matt Pedler and Sam “Funky” Millard had us looking good on the scoreboard. Half time scores were ROCS 3.7 to Adelaide Uni 0.6.
The team was warned at the long break that only a couple of kicks would have us in trouble and we responded well to start the third term with three great team goals, extending our lead to over 30 points. Darren “X-Factor” Furst, forced off the ground in the second term with a dislocated finger, took a magnificent one handed mark and charged around two players to kick goal of the day. Inspiring stuff! Hayden Edwards (2 Goals), switching between full forward and a wing with the evergreen Paul “The Cheese” Arnfield was giving his team a great focal point while Nick “Wildman” Bartold (ROCS Best On Ground) was providing a huge target across half forward and had taken numerous great marks to be our best player. Another of our best for the day, Pat Murphy, was completely dominant in the ruck and gave our on-ballers first use all day. Inexplicitly however, when it seemed as if the ROCS were going to run out comfortable victors, the boys stopped doing the hard things and failed to pick up players which saw Adelaide Uni respond with four goals in ten minutes to suddenly trail by just 13 points. At three quarter time the boys had plenty to prove.
When the players came off the ground for the final change they were greeted by a particularly unhappy senior coach, senior players and the seething ROCS crowd. They were given a tirade of harsh words and home truths that most of the young team had never been subjected to in their short football careers. They responded. With the game getting tight at the start of the last quarter after Adelaide Uni brought the lead back to less than a goal Lauchy “Kitts” Kitson wove his way through a pack to snap a decisive goal. Matt Sauer continued his influential strong attack on the ball and Tom “Wilderbeast” Wilson's effort shut down an opposition wingman who was dominating play was crucial to ROCS steadying and easing away to win by 13 points. Final scores were ROCS 8.9 (57) to Adelaide Uni 6.8 (44).
Importantly we got back on the winners list this week however if we want to be a genuine contender this year we must not play our best football in patches but be up for the challenge at every opportunity. At 5-1 we have began the season well but this weeks away game at Port Districts provides us with a stern test against a proud opposition always tough to beat at their home ground.
Steve Edwards
C Grade Coach
