Coaches Report - A's by a 1 - Win first ever A1 final
A Grade report uploaded - A's defeat Goody Saints by 1 point in the Qualifying Final
A Grade advance to the 2nd Semi Final vs Salisbury North
1 point victory over Goodwood Saints to win first ever A1 final
Coaches Report
A Grade Report - Qualifying Final vs Goodwood Saints
Having finished 3rd at the end of the minor rounds we faced Goodwood Saints at Goodwood oval in the qualifying final. The sun was out, the ROCS crowd was strong and our captain Will O'Malley won the toss giving us first use of the slight northerly breeze. The opening 10-15min was a real arm wrestle with the ball spending most of the time through the midfield. However, from about half way through the first quarter we started to win some clean ball and get the ball inside our forward 50m. When Tim Baccanello kicked a long set shot goal after the quarter time siren the scores read ROCs 5.2 to Goody's 0.0.
The second quarter saw Goodwood get on top at the stoppages and win more of the ball. Luckily for us the weren't very accurate in front of goal, kicking 2.5 for the quarter to our 2.1, resulting in a 28 point ROCs lead at half time.
The third quarter was again and very even contest with players from both sides taking strong contested marks and tackling at the level you would expect in such a big game. The boisterous ROCs crowd were clearly enjoying SAAFL Div 1 finals footy at its best.
Goody's had the aid of the slight breeze in the last quarter and with some of their forwards taking contested marks inside 50 and some sloppy skill errors from some tired ROCs players the momentum had swung well and truly in Goody's favour. With 7 min of play to go in the game they had reduced the 3 quarter time margin of 33 points down to a solitary point.
But to the players credit they refused to let the momentum Goody's mentally beat them. With some clean running football that resulted in goals to Drew Litster and Brendan Littler the margin was out to 13 points with minutes remaining. But again Goody's won the centre clearances and responded to kick to 2 more quick goals and reduce the margin back to 1 point. With under 2 minutes remaining Goody's had one last pressured kick into their forward 50 that floated out of bounds on the full. Following Kieren Holland's long clearing kick our players showed great character and mental toughness to hold on for the win by the smallest of margins.
We now progress the second semi final against Salisbury North at Salisbury North Oval. I know the players really appreciated the big vocal crowd of ROCs supporters at the ground, it would be terrific to see you all out at Salisbury North Oval again this Saturday supporting the players.
I'd like to wish Stevo, Simmo and the C Grade player's all the best for their grand final this weekend.
Tom Wigley
A Grade Coach
