Coaches Report - R15
A's and B's impressive wins at home, C's go down to PAOC in R15.
A Grade Report - R15
We were conscious of making a better start this week after poor first quarters in the last two games and kicked six goals to one in the first quarter to set up victory. Our second quarter extended the lead and we played some exciting football in parts of the third quarter. The last quarter was really poor as we only scored a point, generally looked tired and a bit disinterested and allowed PAOC to kick a couple of easy goals. Doubtless we were pondering the answers to the Quiz Night later in the evening! The final margin was convincing, however, we are stiill searching for a consistency over four quarters, which would see us close to our best all the time.
Better players were Will O'Malley who was quite superb, Craig Holm, Matthew Dawes, Jack Nelligan,Tom Birch whilst Ben Birch and Rohan Watson showed much improved form and Sam Bowler and Scott Gilbert did some good things. Drew Litster again kicked 6 goals, despite illness, to lead our scoring.
This week will be much more of a challenge as Adelaide University has been in good form of late and are looking to cement fourth position and a home final. Their home ground is an excellent surface and our clashes are always keenly contested. We still have memories of a heartbreaking loss there last year. it would be good to have a big crowd and to continue the strong support we are enjoying.
Tim Hart
A Grade Coach
B Grade Report - R15
On the sunbaked "ROC Park" the boys started the match with outstanding intensity and had a goal on the board within the first few minutes. With Murphy well on top in the ruck and Taylor, Cialini and Versace were all working hard to win the contested ball we dominated the stoppages and continually pumped the ball inside 50. Derrington and Harrison worked exceptionally well together all day in the forward 50 and finished with 6 goals each. With a couple of Derrington's coming from brilliant set shots from the boundary, which has been a feature of his game all year. Digance, who has missed a lot of footy with injury this season and last season, provided a strong target at centre half forward and his thirst for the contest set a fine example for his teammates.
Bazzica and Gilbert provided plenty of run from their wing's and Bazzica's long kicking was certainly appreciated by the forwards. O'Connor was playing an outstanding game at half back before his day was ended after he landed heavily on the rock hard cricket pitch area late in the third quarter. Consequently he looked like he'd gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson after the incident.
The back 6 played superb as a unit all day, led by Brooks and Hanna who both provided plenty of run and rebound from half back. The fact PAOC only had 1 goal to 3/4 time and only kicked 3 for the entire match highlights the ruthlessness in which the team played.
The B's have kept their chances of playing finals alive and with the improvement they've shown in the second half of the season there's certainly some excitement among the group!
ROCS 19.13 - 127 def PACOC 3.2 - 20.
Best players: Harrison, Bazzica, O'Connor, Versace, Derrington.
Goal kickers: Derrington 6, Harrison 6, Versace 2, Digance 2, McKenzie, Gilbert, McKenna.
Tom Wigley
B Grade - Acting Coach for the match
C Grade Report - R15
ROCS Vs PAOC saw two teams that had held the top two positions in Div 2 all season clash in finals type pressure as both squads strove for top spot. The game started with ROCS having a slight breeze to kick with and the boys attacked the goals with numerous entries into the forward line. Wasteful kicking however had the ROCS boys squandering chances but still running hard and teaming up well to kick 2.5 to 1.2. Our advantage should have been greater in a tough and physical encounter.
PAOC had held us well and during the second quarter kicked two goals and should have had a couple more but for several easy misses. The game became even more physical with some hard tackling from both combatants. A fine last few minutes had the ROCS boys surging ahead as they kicked 3 goals in 5 minutes to lead at half time. Some excellent work from crumbing forward Scott “Grizzly” Adams and heavy work from Nick “Moose” Rendell had the ROCS boys buoyant at the long break as our team play and discipline saw us fight back and take over the game. At half time the scores were ROCS 5.6 to PAOC 3.6
After half time the game completely changed with PAOC prepared to do the disciplined things with hard running and creative play. PAOC had several shots on goal against the trend of the first half and capitalised on the ROCS woeful disposal and lack of team work to slam on 4.3 to 0.2. There were worrying signs as the ROCS boys forgot to do the hard team things and ended up being second to the ball and were totally overrun by a much more disciplined and team orientated squad. The amount of the times the ROCS failed to dispose of the ball to advantage was comical at times and our boys totally lost the plot against a very well drilled and committed PAOC outfit. The ROCS defence was under siege as PAOC completely dominated around the stoppages and spread wide to use their link up players to telling advantage. ¾ time scores were ROCS 5.8 to PAOC 7.9.
The ROCS team should have still been very much in the game but had just lost all sense of structure and were simply chasing jumpers and putting themselves under pressure trying to play catch up footy. The last quarter went from bad to worse as a huge weight of forward entries saw PAOC peppering the goals, piling on 5.4 to ROCS 0.1 for the term.
Final scores were ROCS 5.9.39 to PAOC 12.13.85, a scoreline which saw the ROCS lose top spot and an advantage in percentage. In a finals type atmosphere our boys failed to give more than a yelp against PAOC's committed team effort.
Once again our back line were all very good with all 6 back men playing well. They were disciplined despite being constantly under attack for the entire second half as our runners and wingmen all hovered around the ball to be easily beaten to the contest.
There was a pleasing return from a broken leg by Elliot “L-Dog” Shirley who in his first game for the season showed an attack on the ball that was very encouraging. Luke “Moses” Dubois also played his first game in at least 12 months after a long lay off with injury and battled hard despite our poor kicking to position. Both L-Dog and Moses will be better for the run and will be a very important part of our forward structure come finals.
Carlisle “Bobcat” Jones rucked tirelessly and tried his heart out for his team to once again be our best player while still managing a dodgy groin. Craig “Mr Fabulous” Fabbian worked tirelessly on a very good forward and his effort is always exemplary. Sam “Funky” Millard and Paul “Banno” Bannister also had their moments as did captain courageous Simon “Hambone” Emanuele who on at least 3 separate occasions looked as though he was done for the day injured putting his body on the line however buttered up to finish out the game. Alex “Kells” Kelly was also under siege at fullback and tried his hardest for his teams cause.
Fortunately for the ROCS our great form this season has us in a position where our destiny is in our own hands and three wins to finish off the season will see us still finish top. For this to happen however an attitude and form reversal would need to be shown against an in form Adelaide Uni side this week.
Goalkickers: S.Adams 2, E.Shirley 1, Nick Rendell 1, E.Ansell 1
Best Players: C.Jones, C.Fabbian, N.Rendell
Steve Edwards
C Grade Coach
