Coaches Report - R14
C's uploaded now - A's, B's & C's record strong wins against SPOC in another triple header
A Grade Report - R14
Our first quarter was full of skill errors, although our backline held firm so we were only a few points behind. In contrast, our second quarter was brilliant as we scored 9 goals to 2, with Luke Manuel kicking 5 goals himself in the quarter. It was a truly spectacular display! We held a handy lead at half time which we were determined not to relinquish.
The second half was a tighter affair but we extended our lead in both the third and fourth quarters to record a convincing win and push us clear at the top by three games and percentage with four to play. Obviously, we'd still like to be more consistent across four quarters and get more value for touches in some situations, whilst individuals can certainly improve their performance level in terms of consistency and skills.
Luke Manuel, Matthew Dawes, Craig Holm, Will O'Malley, Michael Aloisi, Tom Birch and Scott Gilbert had impressive games and it was good to see Drew get more opportunities.
This week is another important game against PAOC at home followed by the Quiz Night at the College. We look forward to great support at both events.
Tim Hart
A Grade Coach
B Grade Report - R14
ROCS B-Grade took another step forward this weekend by beating 3rd placed SPOC by 46 points on a great day to play football. In a pleasing trend from the past couple of weeks we started the game very well and with the breeze set up a 27 point lead. Our pressure and intensity at the ball was first rate and we got numbers to the contest really well. 9 scoring shots to 2 was a fair indication of our dominance in the first quarter.
SPOC had the use of a 2-3 goal breeze in the 2nd quarter and we battled hard and the game turned a little scrappy with a lot of ball ups around the ground. SPOC kicked the first 2 goals of the quarter and bought the lead back to 16points, however another pleasing part of the teams growth this year is that we didn't panic under pressure. We were able to steady and by the end of the quarter we actually outscored them to take a very handy 29 point lead into half time.
The third quarter was tight and tough, and rarely was there any free flowing football. When Tom Taylor snapped a goal from being front and centre to a contest we maintained a 5 goal lead going into the last quarter. The last quarter was really pleasing that we ran the game out well and even against a breeze (that had dropped away a little) we kept SPOC goalless and stretched the final margin out to a 46 point win.
The result was fantastic and as a team we played really well together and our pressure and attitude was really good. However we can still get better as our skill level and decision making was poor at times. We make it hard for our forwards sometimes as we blast the ball forward and we need to lift the eyes and put the ball in the right spot to give our forwards a better chance to take possession. It is really important that we understand as a team we need to continue to improve and try to get better week by week.
Our backline were sensational again, led by best on ground Russel Brooks at centre-half back. We only conceded 4 goals for the game and first year players Patrick Holland and Henry Schilling have made huge impacts on the team structure and look really comfortable and settled in the team structure.
Ollie Bowler and Sam Bowler were great inclusions to the b-grade team this week, after some solid efforts in the a-grade over the past month. Ollie played on ball and kicked 4 goals earning second best player for the day and Sam Bowler was third best on the wing providing plenty of run, he used the ball well and impressed with his hardness at the contest and opposition.
Matt Bazzica in his third game back after a long break was 4th best. He was very damaging in the first half in particular and his experience and leadership has been important for the younger players in the team. 5th best went to Jeremy O'Leary who worried SPOC's defence with his pace and ability to stay on his feet at a contest.
Special mentions also go to Trent Versace who played in a variety of positions during the day, Tom Taylor played well with nagging knee soreness and Patrick Murphy was very important to us in ruck and rarely gets a break during the game.
This week we come up against PAC who are also in the running for a finals spot. It is really important for us to win this week to give us further momentum and a better hold on a finals berth.
Glen Malkin
B Grade Coach
C Grade Report - R14
A huge game of football awaited the ROCS boys V St Peters OC at St Peters College. SPOC had been in good form in recent weeks and had some momentum coming into the clash.
The first quarter had the ROCS kicking with a stiff breeze down the ground and were soon pushing strongly into the forward line. The team was hard at the contest and attacked in numbers. But for some wasteful shots on goal our boys should have held a huge ¼ time advantage. Even with a loose man in defence SPOC could not contain the ROCS boys as they linked up well and repeatedly moved the ball into the attacking zone. Scores were ROCS 0.6 to SPOC 0.1.
Going into the wind saw our boys kicking too wide into attack and we constantly gave the ball back to the opposition from a dead pocket. SPOC kept running and soon had their gun forward in the action taking several good grabs and kicking truly. The ROCS boys stayed in the game with great team play and were well led by Vice Captain Vic “Pissa” Pisanello. Pissa is a very consistent player for us and his drive and passion for the ball is first class. Half time saw the ROCS down by a point and the team had some work to do in the third quarter. Scores were ROCS 1.8 to SPOC 2.3
During half time the team was asked to fire up and use the wind and their advantage around the ball to keep attacking at all times and to kick at least four goals in the stanza. The third quarter is very important in all games and can set a team up for a winning total. The ROCS then proceded to serve up a fantastic brand of running team football to slam home 6 majors and keep the SPOC side to 1.1 from their limited forward movements. Paul “The Cheese” Arnfield moved to full forward and put on a great display, stopped trying to join the Qantas Club and easily outbodied his opponent several times to mark and kick three goals, providing the ROCS with a direct target in the forward structure. Our boys are all playing for eachother and their team game was positive and direct. Our pressure on the player with the ball is really great to watch as all players strive to chase, tackle, smother and block for their teamates. ¾ time scores were ROCS 7.8 to SPOC 3.4.
The last quarter was played by two very tired teams with SPOC using the wind well to have several shots on goal. Into the wind ROCS attacking moves were much better implemented than in the 2nd quarter. Lee “Gene” Simmons and Tom “Pig” Deegan came onto the ground to bolster the forward line and both used their time on the ground very well providing some extra spark up front. The Pig lead and marked, and goaled strongly while Gene’s superb running goal was a highlight of the day and brought the house down. A very weary and tired ROCS team held onto their lead to run out 29 point winners. Final scores were ROCS 11.7-75 to SPOC 6.10-46.
Other players to excite their teammates were Eamon “Snitzel” Ansell and Charlie “Rucci”O’Connor. The Snitzel was in everything at half forward while Rucci came on to a wing after half time and dazzled his teammates with electrifying pace and a hard attack on the ball. Carlisle “bobcat” Jones continued his excellent form to have a huge impact in around the ground and his efforts in the ruck have been first class. Paul “Banno” Bannister and Captain Blood Simon “Hambone” Emanuele held our backline together and linked up well to drive their team into attack.
Dan “Bails” Baille, Matt “Hot Sauce” Sauer and Pauyl “Whitty” Whitford all played major rolls in a fantastic win. Sam “Funky” Millard, nursing a dicky knee was also high in the best players. A promising return to the team from Ryan “Sea Biscuit” Tarca, missing with injury since round 5, was important for us going forward. Tarcs is vital to our forward line and will be better for the run.
The past few weeks have seen some excellent wins from the boys against finals bound teams and it is pleasing that we continue to run over teams and win well in high pressure games. This week sees another huge game in a top of the table clash with PAC.
Best Players: V.Pisanello, C.Jones, P.Banister, P.Arnfield, D.Baille
Goalkickers: P.Arnfield 3, N.Rendell 2, S.Newman 1, R.Tarca 1, M.Zamparelli 1, E.Ansell 1, T.Deegan 1, L.Simmons 1
Steve Edwards
C Grade Coach
