A Grade Premiers 2024 - Coaches Report & Photo Link
A Grade Premiers 2024 - Congratulations - Coaches Report & Photo Link
Congratulations - A Grade Premiers 2024
A big thank you once again to the fantastic work from Claude Beltrame behind the camera who has captured all the action from the 2024 A Grade victory.
Click on link below
2024 A Grade Grand Final Photo's Link
A Grade Match Report: Grand Final v Salisbury North
Football Seasons are long , challenging and always full of highs and lows but make no mistake everyone involved has a common purpose in channelling their energies toward participating in a Grand Final. This being the clubs 50th year many would have pondered the fairy tale and how it would be written in the annals of the club.
The club was full of optimism and enthusiasm in the week leading into Saturday. Numbers on the track were outstanding and the preparation measured and full of purpose.
Running onto the ground the players were immediately met with a sea of red and black support around the ground. The scene was set.
The first quarter usually sets the tone of the game. It didn’t disappoint the contests were fierce, the pace frenetic with both sides working hard to gain control. Salisbury North aided by a strong breeze to the northern end opened the quarter with scoreboard pressure heading to an early lead and keeping the ball in their front half, but we were not going to be denied kicking three straight late to head into the break 4 points adrift.
With each side now having settled into the contest we had an opportunity to use the conditions in the second. The pace of the game was electric with both sides shifting the ball to create scoring opportunities and build scoreboard pressure. Both sides defences were standing firm but it would be Stef Lanzoni who stood up for us kicking two long range goals to allow us to gain the advantage at the main break by just 6 points.
They say the third is the “ Premiership Quarter “ and at the end of what was a gruelling 27 minutes that statement would prove to be so true. The quarter was defining for the players. We had pride in our pressure and defensive actions all year and in this quarter our back 6 lead by Cam Ball and our team defence reached a new level. Time and time again we spoiled, smothered and rebounded our opponents who had the agency of the conditions. Ryan Lymn in an incredibly selfless performance continued to keep our opponents most dangerous under control. Every player stood up and when best on ground medallist James Warton kicked an incredible goal, we had restricted our opponents to just 3 behinds for the quarter and gained a game high 23 point buffer.
We knew at the final break we needed to remain focused. Salisbury North were not going to be denied as they started the quarter full of run, kicking the opening two goals of the quarter cutting the lead to just 11 points. Again we lifted and managed to kick the next from an outstanding mark from Jett Boxer. The contest for the final 15 min was nothing short of epic, Salisbury kept coming with another goal and we had a couple more opportunities but couldn’t finish. Patrick Dawson who had been unbelievable all day continued to deny our opponents, Tullio De Matteis in his 150th game for the club had his own ball taking telling mark after mark again denying our opponents. Literally everyone was on the edge of their seats. The final siren sounded and with that the final piece of history in the 50th Anniversary of the club had been written:
“ We were 2024 premiers”.
Heading to the ground I had recalled a comment made by our club President Bob Holland during the season “ You can see these players are driven !”. During the contest and at the final siren his statement had been validated !
Every single player who had worn the jumper on Saturday and been apart of the side during the season and contributed in what was a win for the ages and a great day for the football club and community.
Final Score : ROCFC 10.6 (66) defeated Salisbury North 7.13 (55)
Goal Scorers: Jett Boxer 2, Stefan Lanzoni 2, James Warton 2, Sam Buckham 1, Connor Butcher 1, Matthew Dnistriansky 1, Joshua Shute 1
Best Players: James Warton (BOG Medal), Cameron Ball, Patrick Dawson, Ryan Lymn, Stefan Lanzoni
Damian Boots
A Grade Coach
D Grade Match Report: Grand Final v Tea Tree Gully
A Ticket to the Big Dance was just reward for the Rocs Academy after a fantastic season so far. Our squad has improved their skills and fitness levels so much that we became a true contender for the title this campaign.
Taking on the powerful minor premiers Tea Tree Gully with an early start contested at the compact Walkerville Oval. A huge crowd had gathered to support both sides with a physically contested game producing some thrilling action from both combatants. Gullys started the game producing better teamwork and were constantly moving the ball forward, but Rocs were up to the task and continued to repel from our defensive unit and create many attacking plays with the Rocs working together to take the lead by a point at 1/4 time, scores - Rocs 2-2 vs Tea Tree Gully 2-1.
The second stanza was all Tea Tree Gully as they asserted control of general play, Gullies were constantly moving forward as a desperate Rocs did their best to stay in touch with a rampaging Gullies. 1/2-time score Rocs 3-3 vs Tea Tree Gully 6-2.
Rocs Academy hit the ground running after 1/2 time, working together to fight back against the scoreboard margin. Rocs constantly held up Tea Tree Gully going forward & with great desperation peppered the forward zone but could not break away in the high-pressure contest. However, under extreme pressure Rocs were unable to take full advantage of our excellent efforts Rocs producing 2-3 to a solitary goal from Tea Tree Gully. 3/4-time score - Rocs 5-6 vs Tea Tree Gully 7-2.
With the Flag up for grabs the Rocs Academy kept working as hard as they could & did well to stay in touch with Gullies but could not overcome the deficit with Tea Tree Gully booting the last few goals as the game ran its course.
Final scores: Rocs 6-8 (44) defeated by Tea Tree Gully 11-2 (68)
Goalkickers: Anton Slivak 2, Sam Tagg 1, Steve Marotti 1, Ashton Davis 1, Dion Bria 1.
Best players: Lawson Nitschke, Lachie Tripodi, Sam Tagg, Sam DuBois, Anton Slivak, Jack Munchenberg.
Best team men: Harvey Wilson, Brad Warren, Ferg Shanahan.
Until next year,
Steve Edwards
ROCS Academy Coach
