Coaches Report - R1 - 3 from 3
Footy's back and a great start to the season with impressive wins over Gaza in the A's, B's and C's
A Grade Report - R1
ROCFC vs Gaza (Thebarton Oval)
The ROCS football club couldn’t have been happier with winning performances across all grades in round 1. After a tight see-sawing start in the A grade the players took control of the game with relentless pressure and had the reigning Division 1 Premiers on the ropes at half time with a convincing 7.3 to 0.5 lead. Some poor turnovers in the third quarter allowed Gaza to rebound well. They had enough momentum to get back in the game but didn’t capitalise on the scoreboard. In the last quarter the game really opened up and with a combination of heat, a big Thebarton oval and round 1 taking the toll on many players for both sides. Inaccurate kicking for goal by us in the last quarter kept the scoreboard closer than it could have otherwise been with ROCS running out convincing 30 point winners 11.12 78 to 6.12.48.
Congratulations to 50 gamer Luke Manuel who was very dangerous up forward all day finishing with two goals. One significant hiccup for the day was losing Vice Captain Will O’Malley to a knee injury early in the third quarter. Scans on Monday will reveal to extent of Will’s injury and we wish him all the best in his recovery.
Best players were Tom Birch who presented well up forward all day, Craig Holm and Jack Nelligan with their quality around stoppages and Scott Gilbert with 2 goals from a wing. There were many other valuable contributors across the ground.
The B’s and C’s both had even more convincing wins in their games which creates a competitive environment for spots across all grades. This is vital for us to remain consistent throughout the year. Congratulations to Damien Polkinghorne who played well in his 100th game for the club. Things were great off the field also on Saturday night with the player auction raising good funds for the club. Thank you to all that supported the group with your bidding.
Next week we host Salisbury North who will be hungry for form after losing by 10 goals to SPOC at Salisbury this week.
Matthew Dawes
A Grade Coach
B Grade Report - R1
The B grade showed some encouraging form in the trial games with intensity and pressure on the opposition and we were hoping to bring that into round 1 against an unknown opponent in Gaza. Our first half in particular was extremely pleasing as we dominated the play and controlled the ball with the intensity displayed by all players. Brad Manual, in his return to the club, was dominant early and capitalised on the midfielders first use of the ball and had 3 goals in the first 7 minutes of play. Captain for the day Charlie O'Malley stepped up and led by example in ruck and gave our midfielders first use of the ball. Daniel Gilbert, Trent Versace, Chris Cialini, Henry Schilling and Jeremy O'Leary were fantastic with their endeavour and pressure around the ball and repeatedly gave our forwards plenty of opportunities. Mitchell Sutcliffe, a first year player, was dominating at centre half back with disciplined efforts and Nick McDonough and Damien Polkinghorne were running off half back with plenty of purpose and rebounding the ball well. At quarter time we had dominated and held a 32 point lead with a 6 goal quarter.
Our second quarter was as impressive with intensity and controlled the quarter to stretch the lead out to 44 points at half time. Steve McKenna was excellent from a wing, running to provide support and running into space and providing another option and had 3 goals to half time. Tom Taylor and Josh Robinson had some important touches coming on from the bench in the middle and Dale Sheedy and Reece Digance were providing a good target across half forward.
Our third quarter is where our improvement will need to come from in coming weeks, as Gaza started to get their hands on the ball and for the first time in the match, controlled the ball for most of the quarter. We lost momentum and struggled to shut down their effectiveness and momentarily lost our structures. Losing Nick McDonough to concussion didn't help as he had been very good off half back in the first half.
We still held a 6 goal lead at three quarter time and it was a good chance to settle and regroup and focus on running the game out as best we could. Our last quarter was very good, especially considering it was a warm day and some players were playing their first game for the year. We kicked 6 goals to 2 in the last quarter and registered an impressive 10 goal win in our first game in div 1.
Brad Manual kicked 6 goals from full forward and was a good target all day. Stevie McKenna from the wing kicked 4 and Jeremy O'Leary was our other multiple goal kicker with 3. Best on ground was our stand in captain Charlie O'Malley for his efforts in ruck. He held his own in ruck and dominated around the ground with marks and some of his desperation on the ground set up more scoring opportunities. Stevie Mckenna was also a stand out with his efforts from the wing and his 4 quarter running effort was a major factor in the size of the win. Damien Polkinghorne, playing his 100th match for the club, was solid from halfback and set up plenty of forward movements and encouraged his younger teammates with his attack on the ball and opposition. Dale Sheedy was very important across half forward and did a lot of little things to move the ball on and helped give his teammates more time to use the ball effectively. And first gamer Mitch Sutcliffe had a big job to do at centre half back and won his position with a very disciplined effort. Everyone contributed well and it was a good team effort. We still have plenty of room for improvement in terms of fitness and skills, particularly by foot. We have set ourselves a benchmark which we need to maintain in terms of intensity and if we can improve steadily we will see how we stack up against the other teams in div 1.
Glen Malkin
B Grade Coach
C Grade Report - R1
The 2012 football season started last Saturday with the new look 'Baby Rocs' clashing against Gaza FC in the leagues revamped C1 competition.
The home of football (Campbelltown Oval) had an unusual feel on a warm & windy day as a large crowd had gathered well before the game.
Since our last appearance (in the 2011 Grand Final) the C Grade squad has lost many players to retirement, club transfers, work commitments & the usual turn up when I feel like it attitudes !!!. What is fantastic about our club is the interest from each year’s school leavers & friends to boost our numbers & since the club was formed in the early 1970's a tradition of siblings, father & sons, cousins all pulling on the Red & Black Guernsey with pride.
The C1 Squad took to the field with 12 new players making their debuts for our club, 9 of which playing in their first senior game. Led by the dominant on ball division of Alex McKenzie, Andrew (Bungy) O'Conner, Josh (Coalminer) Daniele and Jess Abfalter the Baby Rocs were quick into attack, playing the run on style of play that has made our squad successful last season.
Anytime Gaza tried to move the ball forward a dominant back six led by Paul ('Trojan') Bannister, Brenno Edson, 'Captain Blood' (Simon Emanuele) & debutant Shannon Castellano (best on ground) across half back, repelled & set up many attacking plays. Our boys peppered the goals to score 5 goals, 5 points to 0 in a very exciting 22 minutes of team football.
The second quarter opened up with the expected challenge from our opponents with both teams ticking the scoreboard over. (1/2 time scores ROCS 9-8 vs Gaza 3-3)
During the halftime break, sitting on our traditional hill, our squad was encouraged to press on & be ready for the physical challenge that their opponents would respond.
The 3rd stanza saw a much more committed Gaza move the ball into attack & the first 9 or 10 minutes our forwards where now starved of opportunities. Once again our backline had to work overtime with debutants Sam Moten at fullback & Dan Marrotti back pocket teaming up well with cot blood & the half backs to repel the Gaza charge. Very pleasing during this stanza was our ability to absorb the pressure & play attacking footy as the Baby Rocs slammed on 5 goals late in the quarter to remain well on top. (3/4qtr scores rocs 14g-12p vs Gaza 3g-5p)
To their credit the Rocs boys ran out the last quarter & till the end worked very hard and as a team to win comfortably 18g-17p (125) vs Gaza 5g-7p (37).
The Rocs forward line led by debutant Steve ('Stevie J') Marotti & Scott 'Grizzly' Adams (now a senior leader at 21yrs) worked well with the evergreen Paul 'Cheesey' Arnfield & Paulo ('Jersey') Emanuele.
Others to play well & inspire teammates & coaching staff, Sam Tagg, Luke Polkinghorne, Max Martin, Jack McCarron (2 goals) and yet more Rocs siblings, Sam Wilson & Josh O'Leary.
A very pleasing aspect of our fine start to 2012 was ALL players actually listening to instruction & then acting on instruction during the game !!!!!
Steve Edwards
C Grade Coach
Results, Best Players and Goal Kickers uploaded for all teams.
A Grade
B Grade
C Grade
