Coaches Report - R7
Quality Henley outfit against the A's & B's - and the C's record a 10 goal win vs Iggs
A Grade Report - R7
Round 7 Vs Henley at Henley 26/5/2012
We couldn’t quite get the points against a quality Henley outfit on Saturday in a tightly contested game at Henley. We got off to a good start and looked dangerous around goals with Luke Manuel and James Jordan having numerous shots on goal. Henley looked just as, if not more dangerous when they got the ball deep into their 50 and hit up veteran full forward Sam Phillipou on a number of occasions. At quarter time it was Henley by a point.
The intensity of the game continued in the second quarter with Henley getting on top and threatening to kick away. We were outscored 2.3 to 3 points and missed some easy shots on goal that should have had us closer at half time. Damien Mole was playing very well and supported by the consistent Will O’Malley and Craig Holm in the middle. Phillipou was again causing a concern up forward kicking all 5 for the half but with other dangerous forwards looming we were reluctant to drop another man off on him.
In the third quarter we showed some resilience kicking 3 goals straight and having the majority of the play. We probably could have been closer than 7 points at 3 quarter time after a dubious goal was allowed to them that appeared to be touched from all angles. Anthony Medhurst and James Jordan gave us some real drive this quarter and Damien Moyle took a courageous mark running back with the flight. Well done to Charlie O’Malley who came on for his first run in the A’s in the third quarter after a huge pres-season and some impressive form in the B’s
The game was still in our reach and after kicking the first goal of the last quarter we looked a big chance to overrun the early premiership favourites. Unfortunately this is where it ended. Henley’s ability to use the ball and hit targets had us chasing guernseys for a fair proportion of the last quarter. After they kicked the next two goals we had to take risks to score but unfortunately couldn’t get much space coming into our forwardline.
A couple of late goals in the quarter probably made the scoreline a little more flattering to them when were realistically in the game until about the 20 minute mark of the final quarter. Luke Crouch did everything he could to generate some run and creation from defence and Craig Holm and Jack Nelligan also had a big last quarters. Best players fro the day were Luke Crouch for his accountability and run from the backlines. Damien Moyle for a consistent four quarter effort on the wing. Luke Manuel and James Jordan were creative and tough while Jack Nelligan gave everything until the final siren.
The B grade looked a little outclassed again and will look to turn their season around in coming weeks while the C grade’s strength of depth appears to be holding them in good stead each week.
Best Players: Luke Crouch, Damien Moyle, Luke Manuel, James Jordan, Jack Nelligan
Goal Kickers: Luke Manuel 3, James Jordan 2, Craig Holm 1, Drew Litster 1
Matthew Dawes
A Grade Coach
B Grade Report - R7
Rocs B-grade travelled down to Henley to take on the undefeated B-grade team of the competition. We were outplayed and outrun by a very well drilled and organised team. While we battled hard to take possession of the ball we lacked polish and finish in being able to pass the ball on effectively to a team mate in a better position. We are all trying really heard to turn around our current form and get a win on the board, but in doing that we break down in some basic structures and have little effective options to use. We matched Henley in height , but they had bigger and stronger bodies that stood up in tackles and one-on –one contests.
Henley raced to a 5 goal lead at quarter time and 9 goals up at half time. We certainly could have been smashed in the second half, but to the lads credit they refused to lie down. While a 13 goal loss is nothing to be happy about the efforts and character of the players to keep having a go was a real positive of the second half.
Tom Taylor was best for the B grade with his usual trade mark hard approach at the ball and running to provide options for his teammates. If he could improve in the consistency of his disposal, he could push for A grade selection. Young Mitchell Sutcliffe won his position at centre half back earning 2nd best. He looks comfortable at half back and running the ball out of defence. Mitchell was very good in the air with some timely grabs as well. Patrick Holland continues his good form and is gaining more confidence leave his player to attack the ball and be proactive with the ball in his area. Paddy uses the ball well and I think I said last week, his decision making with the ball is improving. 4th best, Sam Bowler played a pretty consistent game on the wing and helping out in the back pocket when the team was under pressure. Sam has good pace and should use it to take the game on and try to carry the ball to break the lines and help deliver the ball deep into attack. Andy O’Connor has slotted back into the b grade nicely onto the half back line and showed his best form in patches on Saturday. He is quick and generally uses the ball well running in straight lines to clear the ball out of defence. It was also nice to see Dan Gilbert back and add to the team recovering from a heavy ‘knock’ against Broadview.
Playing at home this week and with the possibility of regaining some of the 14 players currently unavailable in the A and B grade should give the group confidence of having a win for the first time in a month. We can’t get ahead of ourselves. We will need to play well and attack the ball and opposition with intensity and work together as a team. If we can do that we can change our fortunes around.
Glen Malkin
B Grade Coach
C Grade Report - R7
Round 7, 2012 - Rocs vs Old Iggies
Rocs C1 squad tackled another traditional college rival this round with many recent players past & present having some tie-in with Old Iggies. The C1 squad with playing stocks decimated in recent weeks as all Rocs teams have injury, sickness & availability concerns, still had enough depth to field a side of ready to roll up to the standard players.
Old Iggies started off full of running confident players who took the Rocs by surprise on our hallowed home turf. Rocs high standard of teamwork & support were really challenged & then became non-existent as Rocs boys scratched their heads over decisions, complaining to each other & otherwise not focusing on our usual high standard of run & support team football that has been vital to our successes this season. Old Iggies rallied even more to score at will as the Rocs flonded & missed scoring chances. During this time Josh (Coalminer) Daniele ran, crashed, burrowed & forced a contest at every slight opportunity & his efforts kept the Rocs still in the game. ¼ time scores Rocs 1-2 vs Old Iggs 3-2
The second quarter was very important to the Rocs team development this season & they all lifted a notch or two as challenged during the break. Old Iggies were still persistent & tried to hold the Rocs at arms length but with great endeavor but not at their best Rocs were back in the contest & held a slender lead at ½ time scores Rocs 4-5 vs Old Iggys 4-4.
At the long break Rocs returned their focus to working on our structures correct commitment & providing options during the contest & what each role in our game plan demands.
The ¾ quarter saw the Rocs instantly into attack as all team members ran & supported the ball carrier. Rocs took control of the centre breaks & stoppages around the ground with Big Mac McKenzie, Barometer Pisaniello, Matt (Snorkel) Zamparelli & Elliot (Camel) Shirley winning touches & used their possessions skillfully loading up chances to Rocs now open & functioning forward zone. Robby Emanuele stepped up his impressive workrate dominating play on his wing to set the Rocs alight & now in control of another very physical contest. Still very wasteful with our scoring opportunities the Rocs ran out the qtr well & scored during "red time" aka the last five minutes of a quarter, to hold a handy 17 point lead at ¾ time
The final stanza had the Rocs continuing on their merry way & then increasing everyone’s output to our standard, creating an avalanche of goals & near misses during a pulsating 10 minutes of total team football. Whenever Old Iggys formed a hopeful forward entry it was instantly stifled by Rocs impassable back 6 led by Sam (Funky) Millard & Golden Ox Fabbian with Sam (Motor) Moten using judgment & skill ably supported by Captain Blood Emanuele & Danny Moratti they all supported Little (Ghengis) Castellano or Barometer Pisaniello when resting to form an impassable & attacking fortress across halfback. Again the Rocs ran the qtr out claiming our third win in a row & consolidating a spot inside the top 4 of our division.
## Great return from long term injury by Matt (Laserus) Pedler who passed all tests given to him & relished his time on the ground fitting straight back into a team unit.
Goalkickers - Elliot Shirley 4, Jack McCarron 3, Ryan Tarca 2, Chris Ash 2, Scott Adams 1, Josh Daniele 1, Rob Emanuele 1
Best team man - Sam Millard
Best players - Jezz Daniele, Chris Ash, Rob Emanuele, Elliot Shirley, Vic Pisaniello, Craig Fabbian
Many players just outside the votes – Alex McKenzie, Shann Castellano, Sam Moten, Matt Zamparelli, Scott Adams, Alex Kelly, Jack McCarron, Max Martin
Steve Edwards
C Grade Coach
