Pre-season Update (Feb)
Update from Football Director - Rino Cialini
Pre-season training for the 2019 season commenced on November 27, 2018 under new A Grade Coach, Will O'Malley. Sessions continued on Tuesdays and Thursdays before the group broke for Christmas on December 18.
Training re-commenced at Rostrevor College on January 8, and attendances have been solid. The players have been put through their paces by Willo, fitness coach John Turner, Damien Polkinghorne and Steve Edwards.
Player losses from last season have been minimal. The only regular A Grader missing from 2018 will be Nathan Surman (Athelstone).
Many new faces have joined ROCS, with several others returning to the club.
Mostly old scholars, players out for the first time have included Jarryd Ball (TTG), Harry Carter (Mt. Lofty), George Connolly (PNU), Thomas McCormack (Hahndorf), Josh Massie (Broadview), Reg Matheson (Torrens Valley),
Tom Matsis (PNU/St), Patrick Moller, Joshua Piantadosi, Samuel Pinneri (Athelstone), Patrick Russo (PNU), Jack Vandervegt (Mt .Lofty),and Henry Warren (Hectorville).
Jake Bowler (long term injury), Sam Lynch and Blake Mios (South Yarra) have rejoined the club. Cameron Ball (Norwood), Doug Hadden (Crows Reserves) and Oliver Wilkie (Interstate), are among players who have agreed
to play for the ROCFC when not required by their respective clubs. Luke Allen and Brendan Littler have brought further experience to the training group.
Players, coaches and medical staff, greatly appreciate the opportunity to once again use the school's ovals and other facilities during the pre-season.
We have had close to 100 players attend pre-season training thus far, with an average of 45-50 per session.
The leadership groups will be announced after the trials. Two of the coaches in the lower grades have swapped teams, with Mark Twiggs now in charge of the C's, and Stevo "Super-Coach" Edwards the D's. Polky will continue as coach of the B Grade. Former A Grade premiership coach Tom Wigley will be the bench coach for the seniors.
Wahib Joubeir (Physio) and Vicki Lines (Head Trainer) will run the medical side, with help from trainers Lauren Harrington, Paige Mudge and Lucy O'Malley.
Training will return to Campbelltown in late March.
Leading into Round 1 (6/4), Trials have been organised for :
March 16 Vs Brighton (Thebarton)
March 23 Vs PHOS (Away)
March 30 Vs Broadview (Away)
Round 1 is against Prince Alfred Old Collegians, at the Campbelltown Memorial Oval.
At this stage, all 4 grades will be playing on the CMO on that day, with the A's starting at 4.30 pm.
Rino Cialini
Football Director
