Great Start to R1 - 3 out 3
**** C Grade Report for R1 now uploaded ***** - Coaches Report uploaded - Season 2014 is underway and 3 strong wins against Gaza to start R1
Coaches Report - A Grade R1
I was certainly nervous going into this round one match. For various frustrating reasons our 3 trial matches each only consisted of 3 quarters per game, which is never ideal and Gaza had added some quality players to their list from last season. However, my nerves were slightly put at ease by the way the players had attacked preseason and have managed the work load without picking up many injury mishaps along the way.
Last season having played our last 3 minor round matches away, 4 finals matches on away grounds and our 3 trial matches this year on away grounds it was great to be back playing at The Quarry (Campbelltown Oval) and didn’t it look a picture?!
The match was played in perfect conditions and both sides scored freely in the first quarter. Luke Manuel’s run, Paul Fantasia’s work rate and Mitch Sutcliffe’s and Mick Aloisi’s ruck work were all important parts in getting us off to a good start. We went into the quarter time break with a 2 goal lead.
After quarter time our midfield really lifted and simply didn’t allow Gaza to get their hands on the ball often enough to hurt us. Brendan Little, Will O’Malley, Jack Nelligan and Tim Bacccanello all won plenty of contested ball which allowed us to drive the ball forward. Mitch Sutcliffe’s snap shot goal from 45m out on the boundary was a highlight of the quarter.
The second half continued on from the second quarter. Kieran Holland was providing excellent run and rebound from defence and his stats would’ve been on par with some of our midfielders and Jon Corbett and Dan McCallum were both playing good defensive games.
Heath Commane, playing his first game for the club didn’t stop presenting all game, finishing with 4 goals for the match. Jimmy Jordan was clean in close and finished off well with 3 goals.
To win the first game by 82 points is obviously very pleasing. But it is only round one and Malcolm Blight often says you should never take any notice of the round 1 results in regard to how a team’s season will pan out.
We now look forward to playing Salisbury North at Salisbury North next week. Given we played them in 3 finals matches last year and with them coming off a good win against Henley at Henley, this is as big as a minor round match can get!
Tom Wigley
A Grade Coach
C Grade Report - R1
Football season 2014 started with a Bang as the Rocfc Academy of Football's 3 senior Teams eagerly ran onto their respective ovals in the first round, as the always increasing buzz of excitement surrounding the Rocfc was finally unleashed. Plenty of new faces & the return of some former players had joined with 2013's successful combatants to charge at the competition head on producing the first Rocs Rinse for 2014. Guided by Senior Coach Wiggs astute conditioning formula during pre-season, everyone involved have been champing at the bit to play their part in the Red & Blacks 40th season in the SAAFL.
Rocs C1 squad travelled to meet Gaza in warm conditions at Klemzig Oval. Having 12 new players in the line-up including 10 debutants the Red & Black machine totally dominated the centre breaks led by Murf (Pat Murphy) guiding the sherrin to onballers Bunji (Andy O’Conner), The Express (Chris Press), Snorkel (Matt Zamperelli), S Tagg (Sam Tagg) & new inclusion Nick White all combined superbly producing run & carry footy that has been so successful over the last 3 seasons. New players Ollie Wilkie & Gus (Angus Kerr) worked with Murf through CHF & ruck to keep the constant supply of footy thru the on ball brigade, the Twin Towers at Full Forward H-Bomb (Hadyn Edwards) & Jersey Boy (Paulo Emanuele) totally on fire presenting on the lead or holding position in the square gave the Rocs a clear avenue to goal, only accuracy saving Gaza from a total whitewash.
1/2 time scores Rocs 12-14 (80) vs Gaza 0-2 (2)
During the break the players were instructed to make better use of the ball around goal & pleasingly our efforts did improve in this vital area. However in the second half Rocs conversion rate remained statistically the same, our team play improved greatly as Gaza stepped up their pressure around the contested ball. Rocs continued their team play using quick handball & run to record a 182pt victory starting the 2014 campaign just as we finished off last year’s standout effort.
Players all over the park had dominant games with defenders running to provide goals as well, Funky (Sam Millard), Wonka (Jack Tagg) following up defensive efforts to score majors. Evergreen Chuck (Paul Norris) 2 goals & Wonameeri Wombat (Rhys Davies) both used their time on ball to help their teamates, booting truly when the opportunity presented. Debutant Boff (Mike Boffa) worked hard to keep Rocs team play on track & would be well pleased with his first senior game in a new sport.
Fantastic efforts on debut from young guns Jazz (Jarrod Varley) & Zee (Jordan Zoia) both boys having been to most pre-season sessions, fitted into the C1 Team superbly & played with courage & poise setting up important attacks toward the forward zone.
The only dampener to an impressive team display was a major ankle injury to Golden Boot Jersey Boy who came off in the third qtr. having slotted 6 majors by the start of the second half. We wish the Big fella a speedy recovery as he is vital to our team’s success. There won’t be any dramas filling his position as Rocs are lucky enough to have a multitude of players waiting their chance to jump on board the Juggernaut when their turn is up, so we forge ahead with plenty to work on, plenty of keen players as season 2014 unfolds.
Full Time scores Rocs 27-28 (190) def. Gaza 1-2 (8)
Steve Edwards
C Grade Coach
All the results from R1 with best players and goal kickers click below
