Coaches Report - Q/F 6 point win against Henley
Great start for the A's & B's in the Qualifying Finals
A Grade Report - Qualifying Final Vs Henley at Campbelltown Oval
In sunny conditions and with the aid of a slight northerly breeze we started the game in terrific fashion. Our midfield looked sharp, our forwards were competing hard and our defenders were providing good run and rebound. We dominated possessions during the first quarter and the ball spent the majority of the quarter in our forward half. This put the Henley defence under pressure and they stood up quite well to restrict us to only 3 goals for the quarter, despite us creating many more opportunities to score. Some sloppy play in our back lines allowed Henley to kick a goal from their limited opportunities in the first quarter. So despite our dominance around the ground we failed to put any real scoreboard pressure on the opposition.
Quarter time scores: ROCs 3.4 (22) to Henley 1.0 (6)
The second quarter was a much more even affair. Henley’s midfield started to win more of the ball and the defensive side of our game was not up to the standard it should’ve been. So despite both sides having their fair share of the ball our poor defensive efforts allowed Henley to hit the score board virtually every time they went forward. Coupled with the fact we again kicked poorly at goal, missing some very easy shots, Henley were able to fight their way back into the game and level the scores at half time.
Half time scores: ROCs 4.9 (33) to Henley 5.3 (33)
We started the third quarter in terrific fashion, kicking the first 3 goals of the quarter, which saw the momentum swing back in our direction. Thankfully we were much more accurate in front of goal, which meant we were able to put pressure on Henley via the score board. With players on both sides beginning to fatigue the game started to open up and players continually found themselves in space. However, despite being able to find the ball in space, we continually made basic skill errors which meant we were not able to finish off a lot of our hard work. No doubt this was as frustrating for our supporters as it was for the players!
Three quarter time scores: ROCs: 8.11 (59) to Henley 7.6 (48)
The last quarter was a classic display of two sides desperate as ever to win a finals game of footy. As the quarter dragged on it became clear that neither side was going to pull away. With 5 minutes to go Henley kicked a point to reduce our lead to 5 points. From the kick in we were able to transition the ball into our forward 50m and lock it in there for a period of time before a quick kick out of the pack registered a point for us, putting us 6 points up. With a minute to go and Henley with the ball in their hands it was now up to us to defend and get the ball back off them. Thankfully we were able to do this when Ross Christie took and match saving contested mark on our half back line, with the siren sounding seconds after.
Final scores: ROCs 9.14 (68) def Henley 9.8 (62)
We have now advanced to the second semi-final against Goodwood, where the winner will advance to the grand final and the loser will play in the preliminary final against the winner of Henley and Gullies.
Tom Wigley
A Grade Coach
Photos from A Grade vs Henley Q/F (click on link below)
A Grade vs Henley
Photos from B Grade vs TTG Q/F - A story by Luke Schapel (click on link below)
B Grade vs TTG
This weeks finals
A Grade - 2nd Semi Final
ROCS vs Goodwood Saints 2.15pm at Goodwood Saints Oval
B Grade - 2nd Semi Final
ROCS vs Goodwood Saints 12.15pm at Goodwood Saints Oval
C Grade - Preliminary Final
ROCS vs Adelaide Uni - 12pm Campbelltown Oval
