Coaches Report - R14
Draw in the A's against Broadies, B's continue impressive form and the C's down to Uni
Coaches Report - R14
A Grade Report - R14
Round 14 V Broadview at Campbelltown 21/7/2012
Our mid-season form continues to be inconsistent with the ups and downs this week resulting in our first draw since the second semi final against Adelaide Uni last year. The game was one of ebbs and flows with each side controlling significant parts of the game but neither capitalizing on opportunities late in the game to seal victory. The first quarter was quite even where we threatened to break the game open at various stages and looked more damaging in front of goal but only took a narrow lead into the quarter time break. Paul Fantasia, Drew Litster and later in the quarter Dale Sheedy all showed dangerous signs in front of goal. First gamer Tom Taylor was very busy and continued his good form to find plenty of the ball at A Grade level and James Jordan was his usual bustling self around the packs.
The second quarter was a bit of a stale mate with lots of ball ups, congestion and not much in the way of goals scored. Broadview missed some easy opportunities and our defence stood up well under pressure led by Centre Half Back by Ben Birch. We were unable to get any drive forward from stoppages and had to rely on turnovers and good foot skills to get any attacking chances. At half time we had a narrow 4 point lead but seemed in control of the game.
The third quarter saw some of the best and then worst footy of the season in the space of a short while. We had early ascendency around stoppages and continued to drive forward deep into the forward 50 and were rewarded with quick goals. Tom Birch had a real purple patch finding plenty of the ball across the half forward line. With a quality Craig Holm goal given a point, and, then moments later Simon Fitzgerald missing from straight in front when we should have been 6 goals up, the momentum of the game turned in an instant. After two players were sent off in the last 10 minutes of the term Broadview regained momentum and we seemed to lack any concentration and determination for the football. At three quarter time we still had a significant 4 goal lead.
The last quarter saw us flat footed and we were beaten badly around stoppages in a similar sight to the last 15 minutes against Salisbury North. Broadview piled on 5 quick goals which was aided by clumsy tackling and giving away a significant number of free kicks in a very short period. Within 15 minutes Broadview had hit the lead and then extended it to 9 points and we looked all but gone. In the last 10 minutes we dug deep and clawed our way back with a goal and numerous shots which we missed but managed to get even. In the final hectic minutes we missed a couple of chances to score a potentially match winning point only to have Broadview have one last roll of the dice. When their player kicking at goal kicked into the man on the mark a quick scrimmage resulted and then the final siren went. This was followed by mixed emotions in which it was hard to gauge whether we had just saved the game or squandered the 2 points.
Best Players: Tom Birch, Drew Litster, Paul Fantasia, Ben Birch, Luke Crouch, Tom Taylor
Goal Kickers: Drew Litster 6, Anthony Medhurst 2, James Jordan 1, Mick Aloisi 1, Dale Sheedy 1, T Birch 1
Well done to the B’s on another comprehensive win and turning around the fortunes of the first game against Broadview when they were badly overrun in the last quarter. In fact the tides completely turned to the same effect with a great last quarter. Commiserations to the C’s who went very close against Uni only just falling short.
Matthew Dawes
A Grade Coach
B Grade Report - R14
Rocs B grade won a crucial game against Broadview who were looking to get into the final 5 on the weekend. The win has now guaranteed the team a finals berth and we have moved up to third place with a result of 10 wins and 4 losses for the year.
Having lost to Broadview earlier in the year it was important to beat them at home and build on our 6 game winning streak. The task was made more interesting with 10 forced changes from last weeks side and it was really pleasing that second tier players really stepped up and accepted the challenge. Reece Digance has been very handy and his work ethic in ruck has been terrific. Jeremy O'Leary has found some good form with his recent move to the wing, giving him more chances to use his pace. Josh Daniele coming up from the c grade showed particular energy, pace and great second efforts and Daniel Gilbert is a honest hardworking young man who is one of the senior regulars in the team at the age of 20. Josh Robinson is very handy when he is available from work commitments and adds an extra dimension to the onball and forward line. Elliott Shirley has held down centre half back well for the past 6 weeks and is learning the craft and getting better week by week. Sam Tagg is a slight built player, but he has huge courage and heart with his attack on the ball. He also shows great poise when using the ball.
It was our best 4 quarter effort for a while and we won every quarter of footy. Especially pleasing was our 7 goal last quarter to record a 76 point win. That's an 87 point turn around from 10 weeks ago. Our forward line worked well and we had 11 different goal scorers showing that we are all willing to share the workload and give the ball to the person in a better spot.
Chris Cialini was 5th best for the game. It is only his second game back from a long break with injury and Chilli seems to have his pace back and attacks the ball with a lot more confidence. Shannon Castellano has been steady in the backline, but he had a great game on Saturday to receive 4th best player. His straight line attack on the ball and bowling over players in his way is good to see from a young teenager just out of school.
Matt Sauer is an old club legend who has taken his rise to the B grade with both hands. His efforts from the wing were fantastic and his voice and experience was invaluable to the younger players in the side. Sam Bowler came back to the B grade this week and to his credit he put in a steller performance to again keep his name in the mix for an A grade recall. Sammy runs hard and the little things he does like sheppards and tackles made his efforts stand out. If you see Sammy this week ask him which direction he's going. He might like to fill you in on his spectacular run through the middle in the last quarter.
Best on ground was fitting for Ryan Catellano as he celebrated his 100th club game. Casta uses the ball extremely well and is very courageous throwing his body into contests and taking good contested marks. His fitness level is getting to where we need it, now he is starting to run out a whole game.
We have a massive challenge ahead of us this week. St Peters OC away from home. We were taught a lesson last time we played them, and we just edged SPOC out of 3rd place this week. A win will go a long way to try and cement 3rd spot for the finals.
Glen Malkin
B Grade Coach
C Grade Report
uploading soon
Steve Edwards
C Grade Coach
