Round 16 Report
4 out of 4
ROCS bounced back from last week, to win in all 4 grades on Saturday.
D Grade
ROCS won the last Minor Round clash of the season beating North Haven 13.10 to 9.4. The win secured the team fourth spot, and hopefully a home final against the same opponent. The scores were tied away at half-time, 5.4 apiece, but ROCS opened up a 3 goal lead at the last break, and went on to have a solid victory. Better players on the day were the classy Tom O'Leary, Will Sullivan, Max Tarca, Dan Franzon (capt), Justin McInerney, Luke Turner and Harrison Twiggs (5 goals). 1997 was the last time ROCS had a D grade team in the finals, and we wish coach Mark Twiggs and the boys all the best on Saturday.
Elimination Final is likely to be played at Foxfield, this Saturday, at 2.15pm - tbc by SAAFL
C Grade
Coach Stevo "Super" Edwards would have been looking for a strong start against Modbury on Saturday, and the players responded accordingly. In far from perfect conditions, ROCS led 6 goals to nil at quarter time, and were not troubled for the rest of the match, winning 16.7 to 2.2. John Harrison was best on ground with a dominant 7 goal display. Kane Cini (5 goals) was not far behind, followed by skipper Matt Sauer, Scott Adams, "Jezza" O'Leary, and Sam Bridge. The side has to win the remaining two minor round games to have a chance of once again participating in the finals, making this week's away game against 5th placed Goodwood Saints all-important.
B Grade
In wet, windy and muddy conditions, ROCS ground out a 4.7 to 0.2 win against the Modbury Hawks, at Modbury. The scores were 0.0 to 0.0 at quarter time, and midway through the match ROCS had "raced away" to a 0.4 to 0.0 lead. Coach Damien Polkinghorne would have been relieved once the first major was posted, and eventually satisfied with the 4.7 to 0.2 scoreline. Dylan Fitzsimons was adjudged best on ground, followed by Peter Vorrasi, Ferghus Kernahan, Chris Pahl (acting-capt)and Elliot Shirley. It was a good victory given the conditions, and now the focus moves to the top side Goodwood Saints. Whilst ROCS have now secured a spot in the finals, there is still a bottleneck at the top of the table, with the last two rounds set to decide which teams will gain the double-chance.
A Grade
The A's responded to last week's loss by beating Modbury 13.12 to 3.6. Sam Jonas was dominant in defence, Will Mead and Patrick Dawson provided plenty of drive, whilst Will "Skip" O'Malley and Charlie Jordan keep getting the job done. Kieran Holland was as reliable as always in his 150th appearance for the ROCFC. Spearhead Heath Commane kicked 4. Coach Adrian Rocco and the players will be keen to sew up the Minor Premiership this Saturday, at Goodwood Oval.
Training this week : Tuesday (6.15) at Daly Oval, Thursday (6.00) at Thebarton.
Upcoming Milestones :
Scott "Scooter" Gilbert is expected to line-up for his 150th game this Saturday, at Goodwood Oval.
Having graduated from the College in 2007, Scott moved from the First XVIII directly into the ROCS A Grade in 2008. He cemented his spot in the team early in the piece, and has always set a great example in preparing himself for matches and working hard at trainings.
He was in the United Kingdom during the 2015-2016 football seasons, but returned in time to add the 2017 Division One Premiership to the 2013 inaugural Div.1 flag.
Scott has been a consistent performer for a long period of time, and we congratulate him on reaching the milestone, and trust he has many more years of good football ahead of him.
See you all on Saturday.
Rino Cialini
Football Director
