Round 9 Report
ROCS vs PAOC in all 4 grades
ROCS played PAOC in all 4 grades on the weekend. Wintery conditions prevailed, and the two clubs shared the points.
A Grade
In a very low-scoring encounter, ROCS were narrowly defeated by Prince Alfred Old Collegians : 4.9 to 5.5.Our opponents adapted better to the conditions, and got the two points despite a late surge from the ROCS. Captain Will O'Malley was named our best, followed by Will Mead and Dan McCallum. Jack Nelligan, Charlie Jordan and Luke Manuel also had their moments. Tim Baccanello's two late goals got us back into the match."Nells" was named Best Team Man. Congratulations to brothers Jack and Sam Tagg on playing their first A grade game for the club.The side remains in top position at the half-way mark of the minor round, with 7 wins and 2 losses. Next week the team has another tough encounter, away to Adelaide University.
B Grade
The B's were comprehensive winners against PAOC: 9.12 to 1.9. Half-time scores were 6.4 to 1.4. John Harrison led the goal-kicking with three. Our best players relished the conditions, and included Zac Noonan, Chris Ash, Nick Scheid, Mitch Warren and Tom O'Malley. The B's also have a 7/2 win/loss record, and sit second on the premiership table. Congratulations to Tom O'Malley on reaching the 100 game milestone on the weekend, After playing 2 games for ROCS' B grade in 2012, whilst still at the College, "Tommy O" has proven to be a reliable and consistent defender/mid-fielder, for both the A and B Grade sides. An excellent team man, he was appointed captain of the 2018 B grade earlier in the season.
C Grade
The early game saw ROCS defeat PAOC : 9.12 to 2.3 (the same overall score line as in the B's). After an impressive first quarter when ROCS outscored PAOC into the wind, the side was never really troubled.Ben Dineen played his best game for the club, Nick Bartold controlled the rucks, Luke Spher was very good, and other solid contributors were Steve Marotti (3 goals) and Jeremy O'Leary (2 goals). It was a superb effort from "Super-coach" Edwards and his vertically challenged line-up. The result puts ROCS back in the five, and at the half-way point of their season are in a good position to continue their unbroken run of finals appearances since 2010. Next week they face second placed Uni.
D Grade
The D's showed how much they have improved since the start of the season, and in a see-sawing game were narrowly defeated by PAOC : 8.6 to 9.8.Harry Simpson starred once again, followed by Lachlan Bowler (3 goals), the incredibly consistent Dan Franzon, Will Sullivan, Jordan Kelly and Steve Russo. Luke "Moses" Du Bois chipped in with 2 goals.The team has slipped out of the five, and face an interesting run to the finals, starting with an away game this week at 12.15 pm, against Old Iggies. Steve Russo played his 100th game for the ROCS on Saturday. After finishing his schooling at Rostrevor, Steve played a couple of seasons with Hope Valley, before commencing his career with ROCS in 1997.He recalls Chris Cattrall being his first coach, and Matthew Haddad one of his early inspirational captains. The road to the ton has taken a little longer than expected - given Steve played 17 games in his first year.Injuries have de-railed many a season, but "Russ-Dog" has persevered and fully deserves to have reached the milestone. He has also been Team Manager for the D's in 2018.
At this stage of the year 126 players have represented the mighty ROCS - 39 for the first time.
Rino Cialini
Football Director
