Coaches Report - R15
Rd 15 vs SHOCs match review.
When we win in all 3 grades on the same day our supporters refer to it as a “ROCS Rinse”. Pleasingly we have just had our 3rd ROCS Rinse in a row, a hat-trick of rinses I suppose you could call it?
The C grade’s big win was significant as it put 2 games between us (5th spot) and SHOCs (6th spot). The C’s are starting to hit their straps and I’m confident if they continue to play with the passion they are renowned for, finals action will become a reality.
I really enjoyed the B grade’s win on Saturday. SHOCs are top of the B grade ladder but they simply couldn’t match the intensity, hardness and hunger that our B grader’s brought. This sees our B’s in 6th place with only 1 point and percentage separating us from 3rd spot.
Now for the A grade:
I was really disappointed the way we started this game. Our inside midfielders were being beaten in close and we made a lot of frustrating basic skill errors during the first 15 min. It wasn’t poor decisions that were letting us down, simply poor execution. So the message at quarter time was to continue to play the same style but simply concentrate on nailing the execution and it will turn. Quarter time scores: ROCS 3.4 to SHOCs 3.2.
Immediately after quarter time Tullio DeMatteis kicked a long running goal that seemed to ignite the players and spark the players into gear. From that point on we kicked 20.7 to SHOCs 0.3, keeping SHOCs scoreless after half time to run out comprehensive winners of the Jelly Nelson Cup.
We had many good players, as happens when you win by such a big margin. James Jordan (BOG) and Luke Manuel had terrific games, winning many one on ones while providing great run and drive and Lachie Surman was marking everything that came his way.
This was our 4th consecutive win and helped consolidate us in 5th spot. With have 3 minor rounds remaining we simply have to keep winning to ensure we play finals. Depending on how results fall we will finish anywhere from 3rd to 6th on the ladder at the end of the minor rounds. The players will continue to train hard and prepare well to ensure we keep building on this momentum.
Tom Wigley
A Grade Coach
