R1 Reports
R1 - A's B's & C's vs Payneham-Norwood Union and D's vs Lockleys
The 2020 season finally got away on the weekend, with mixed results for the 4 ROCS teams.
113 players have registered for the shortened season. 15 new players have joined the club, bringing the total number to have represented the ROCFC to 1423.
A Grade
The main game was against last year's Div.1 Premiers, Payneham-Norwood Union, at Payneham.
After a horror start which saw ROCS go four goals down early in the first term, the team settled to be back in the game by quarter-time, and lead by 13 points at half-time.
PNU wrestled back the lead at the last break, but ROCS ran away in the final quarter to win 13.11 to 10.8. Luke Manuel and Dan McCallum (3 goals each) were outstanding.
James Butterworth was solid in ruck, Sam Jonas held the defence together, whilst Tim Baccanello and Charlie Jordan were others to make valuable contributions.
The three A Grade debutants Stefan Lanzoni (2 goals), Dylan Reinbrecht and Murphy Short all had their moments.
It is important to get early wins on the board in a shortened season, and coach Will O'Malley will be hoping to make it two from two this week, when the side faces Unley Mercedes Jets at Campbelltown.
James Jordan continues as skipper of the team.
B Grade
Coach Damien Polkinghorne has named Josh Massie and Elliot Shirley as Co-captains for the B's in 2020.
Unfortunately, in a low-scoring game, ROCS were defeated : 4.3 to 4.13. (Half-time 1.1 to 0.6).
Harry Simpson was best, and Zac Noonan battled hard all day. Others to have good games included Lachlan Bowler, Nick Karagich and Hayden Swanbury in his first game for the club. Adam Richter kicked 2 important goals. Polky will be keen to get the points this week in the home clash against the Jets.
C Grade
The C's played PNU in the early game at Rosella Street, Payneham and were defeated 4.5 to 9.13.
Coach Mark Twiggs would have been reasonably happy at the long break with the scores 4.1 to 3.5, but sadly the team went goal-less in the second half.
John McCarron was our best, followed by Justin McInerney, Tim Lewis, Harry Carter and Sam Tagg. Harrison Twiggs kicked 2 majors.
The team will be looking for an improved performance this week against the Unley Jets. Tom O'Leary is set to play his 50th.
This season's leaders are Jarrod Varley (captain) and John McCarron (vice-captain).
D Grade
ROCS played Lockleys at home in a must win game for Simon Emanuele's 350th. Newly-appointed captain Steven Marotti led the team to a comfortable win : 9.9 to 5.5. (Photo Gallery of Game 350 Link)
Tyler Gava had a day out kicking 5 goals, and was named best. Nick Bartold was superb, and Adrian Coles from Western Australia was also very good.
Others to stand out were Hamish Massie, Joshua Piantadosi and Angus Honner. Peter "Pistol Pete" Sianis kicked 2 goals.
Coach Steve Edwards will be looking forward to the challenging away game against North Haven, this Saturday.
Rino Cialini
Football Director
