Coaches Report - R2
A's down by 5 points, B's & C's strong wins against Salisbury North in a triple header at home.
Coaches Report - R2
Coaches Report - A Grade - R2 Vs Salisbury North
Round 2 didn’t bring the same lofty heights as the opening round with the A grade going down narrowly by 5 points to a tenacious Salisbury North at home. The ROCS got off to a very good start and controlled the first 20 minutes with numerous forward 50 entries but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard in deteriorating conditions. This proved a telling factor with Salisbury North getting a late goal against the momentum propelling them into a dominant second and third quarter.
The backline repelled countless attacks but the sheer weight of entries eventually saw the opposition take ascendancy on the scoreboard. At three quarter time our back was against the wall and all look lost when Salisbury took a two goal lead with increasingly slippery conditions making clean possession near impossible. We stood up well and fought back to pinch the lead at the 20 minute mark only to have it taken back with less than 5 minutes to go. From here in it was a genuine scrap with Salisbury North grinding out a hard fought win to their credit.
Best players were dominated by a strong backline led by Ben Birch who controlled the air by reading the ball well. He was well supported by John Trenordan in arguably his best game for the club, Luke Crouch who’s cleanliness of hands was a stand out and Kieran Holland who provided good rebound as well as keeping his man quiet. Craig Holm and Anthony Medhurst also worked tirelessly all day.
We suffered another significant injury blow with playing assistant coach Tom Wigley rolling his ankle badly in the second quarter after a big start. He has been cleared of any break but is still awaiting a scan to show up the severity of any ligament damage.
The B’s and C’s both had great wins in their games consolidating on the strength of numbers we’ve had out to training over the last two weeks. In fact last Thursday night we had 100 guys out to training which is unofficially something of a record. This week we head to Brighton to take on SHOC’s whos depth is one of their strengths and will test exactly where we are as a club. There A’s have their backs against the wall after consecutive losses and like us will be looking to turn around their fortunes of last week.
Best Players: Ben Birch, John Trenordan, Luke Crouch, Kieran Holland, Craig Holm, Anthony Medhurst
Goal Kickers: Drew Litster 2, Tom Birch, Medhurst, Bridge, Crouch
Matthew Dawes
A Grade Coach
B Grade Report - R2
After last weeks fantastic result the message to the lads before the game was pretty simple. Maintain the intensity and numbers at the ball that worked so well for us against Gaza. Unfortunately our first quarter was flat and Salisbury North were smashing us around the contests as they were in first and giving their players first use of the ball. We were probably lucky to only be 15 points down at quarter time. At the break the message was that the effort and intensity must increase and the players responded really well. Charlie O'Malley was giving us first use of the ball, Tom Bowler and John Corbett used their experience to get hold of the ball and use it well. Brad Manuel has been a great focal point up forward for us and with a better use of the ball we kept the forward line open and he was able to kick 2 in the second quarter. Henry Schilling, Stevie McKenna and Chris Cialini worked their way into the game well and Dale Sheedy was a great target for us across half forward. As we started to control the ball our confidence lifted and we started playing some good quick attacking footy. Such was our dominance in the second quarter that we had 9 scoring shots to 3 and we turned a 15 point quarter time deficit into a 6 point lead at half time.
Our third quarter was also dominant and we kicked 5 goals to 2 to have a very handy 26 point lead at 3 quarter time. Dan Gilbert was running hard and providing plenty of opportunities in this term and Chuck Norris, put up forward gave some really good forward pressure in keeping the ball inside our attacking half. Our backline with Digance, Murphy, Baillie, Shadiac, Bazzica, Shadiac and Sutcliffe were well on top and rebounded with ease at times. Our dominance in the third quarter didn't quite match the scoreboard as we wasted many opportunities being unable to get the ball past half forward in the later part of the quarter. We were trying to play short possession football and weren't giving our forwards any space or opportunity to receive the ball effectively. The rain came just before 3 quarter time, making the 26 point lead seem even more important.
The message at 3 quarter time was to play wet weather footy and stay low and get the body behind the ball and get the ball forward with a kick rather than trying to finesse with handball with a slippery ball. Gaza's bigger bodys' burrowed in and they started taking control around the contests and were consistently getting the ball forward.
5 goals kicked against us in the last quarter to our 1, was disappointing. We certainly took our foot off the pedal and when the pressure was put on us, a lot of players struggled to shut the game down and keep their composure. This is a bit of a problem as the same thing happened to us against Gaza in the third quarter the previous week.
To only play one half of football and still come away with a win was a great result. To be 2 and zip at the start of the year is a positive as well.
Our best player today was Dale Sheedy who was one of two players to put in a solid 4 quarter effort. His work rate at centre half forward was excellent and gave us confidence to go forward. Dan Gilbert was second best and he also put in a decent 4 quarter effort in the centre, on the ball or resting across half forward. Stevie McKenna continued his good form from round one and was named third best. Tom Bowler was very good in the second and third quarter and his use of the ball was exceptional. Not a bad effort for his first game of the year and probably ran out of petrol tickets in the last quarter. Fifth best was Brad Manuel for his 5 goals at full forward and he is a very unselfish player and gave off 3 or 4 more that he could have had a go at.
2 and zip is a great start, but with other results in our division over the weekend and our own inconsistency means we have plenty of work to do and improvement to work on. Hope to see you out Sunday as we take on a very good side in Sacred Heart OC.
Glen Malkin
B Grade Coach
C Grade Report - R2
The first of many early starts awaited the 'Baby Rocs' at the Home of football (Campbelltown Oval) against an old foe Salisbury North FC. With so much to do & organise at the ridiculous time of 9am !!!!, everyone involved in the C grade squad must lean quickly to manage our time a little better.
As mentioned by our senior coach Matt Dawes over 100 players had turned up to training Thursday night, making selection a real headache especially for our squad as trying to keep people happy and keen is a very difficult exercise indeed. That said, it is also a fantastic time for our Footy club as we endeavor to consolidate ourselves in the highest grade of the competition.
The first quarter was underway after a technical glitch (padding on the goalposts not in position) and the Rocs boys moved the ball well and soon had the scoreboard ticking over. Once again man mountain Alex McKenzie gave our onballers first look at the footy, with some slick movement out of the middle, the boys peppered the attacking zone and after a tough & physical quarter of footy led by 14pts. Rocs 3-3 vs Salisbury North 1-1.
Once the cobwebs had been dusted off, the Rocs machine exploded into life during the second quarter as our boys dominated every position, ran to support and sheppard, applied themselves at the contest and played the team style of footy they have been demanded to adopt. Very pleasing at this stage of the season is our want to assist the ball carrier, our attack on the ball & player, our kicking to position and our follow up work. At the long break the Rocs had opened up a handy lead scoring 8-4 (52) vs 2-1 (13)
Both teams wasted opportunities during the bruising and physical 3rd stanza of footy with the Rocs still holding sway kicking 1-5 vs 0-4. During the quarter with plenty of niggled and extra attention, our boys did well to focus on the game and not get sucked in to retaliate to the tough and rough stuff. However some work is needed to address the chatting of umpires as a couple of 25 metre penalties were handed out, something we don’t need, especially in a tight struggle. The Rocs squad went to the final break with a commanding lead 9-9 (63) vs 2-5 (17)
As the final term started, Salisbury North to their credit, played a more direct style of play and soon had 3 goals on the scoreboard. With plenty of encouragement from the boundary, the Rocs regrouped and then ran away with the game, slamming on 6 goals from midway of the last quarter. A very pleasing performance from our squad, as we have not beaten Salisbury North since 2008 in the B & C grades. Final scores Rocs 15-11(101) vs Salisbury North 5-7(37)
This game saw the emergence of "cult" idol Nick 'Bang Bang' Bartold, who in only his 15 or16th game of aussie rules put on a clinic at CHF and in the ruck, so much has Bangers confidence grown that he is starting to dominate his position and will soon release an instructional video on "how to play Aussie Rules"
Three players going about their business in an unassuming way, FF Paulo Emanuele, Small forward Grizzly Adams and Full back Sam Moten have been a pleasure to watch, especially 'motor' as his task each week is a difficult one standing much older and more physical seasoned campaigners, but Motor backs his judgment and ability to be a standout in a very disciplined backline. Great to see also the debuts to Aussie rules of the two Michaels - Lucas (2 goals) and Wells. Once they new what part of the ground to stand in they fitted into their new team very well.
All of our players to pull on the Rocs Guernsey so far have done themselves proud but we must continue this effort and improve each week as the season unfolds.
Steve Edwards
C Grade Coach
