Rochester Junior Football Club hosted its second triple-header for the season on Sunday.
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The day started with a ‘friendly’ match for the under-12s against Echuca. With both teams facing several weeks of no footy due to holidays and byes, this was a great opportunity to bring the clubs together for an informal local derby on Moon Oval. Both teams played quality football and the interclub socialising afterwards was a great way to finish.
Round eight of the Bendigo Junior Football League saw Rochester’s under-14 side take on Strathfieldsaye in front a large crowd at home.
Interleague, injury and family holidays meant the door was open for many members of the team to take the chance to step up, and that they did.
It was a slow start for Rochy, but the team fought hard to minimise the scores as best it could.
Kassidy Cail played one of her best games for the year, dominating in multiple positions, and her second efforts were impressive.
Morgan Boyack also displayed an impressive effort with his ruck work and contested balls.
Tex Jones was a driving force in the backline, working hard all day alongside Reno Mountjoy and Jag Tarrant in their attempts to minimise the scoreline.
Zac Morgan took a couple of strong marks on the goal line to hold Strathfieldsaye back a little.
Brock Edwards spent a bit of time up each end of the ground and managed to stem the flow of the Strathfieldsaye forward line.
Blake Kyne also played his best game for the year, a culmination of contested pressure and second efforts throughout the entire game.
Amon Riordan is showing great improvement each week, tying together the coaches’ instructions over the past few weeks to come out firing on all cylinders.
Throughout the game, the backline and midfield worked hard to get the ball forward, but due to some strong defensive play from Strathfieldsaye, the young Tigers struggled to convert the effort into scores.
All players worked hard and unfortunately the score didn’t reflect their efforts throughout the day. They are to be commended on their positive attitudes, great sportsmanship and giving their best effort right until the final siren.
Final scores: Rochester 1.1 (7) lost to Strathfieldsaye 14.18 (102).
Goals: Declan Carmichael.
Best: Kassidy Cail, Tex Jones, Morgan Boyack, Blake Kyne, Reno Mountjoy, Zac Morgan.
Mayreef one-percenter award: Axel Cail.
Play of the day: Amon Riordan
• Off the back of a good win last week, the under-16 side came up against a very good opponent in Golden Square.
Golden Square kicked the first goal, with Rochester immediately responding with a goal from Trey White.
After that, Golden Square put on another five goals to Rochester’s three points. Trey White battled hard and was a standout, while Oakley Tarrant was his usual self, attacking the ball and consistently driving it into the forward line. Captain Oli Williams led from the front and Flynn Pain and the rest of the backline tried hard to repel the constant bombardment from Golden Square.
The second quarter saw Golden Square put on 7.4 to Rochester’s no score. White, Tarrant, Flynn Pain and Cooper Harbour in the ruck were winning the ruck contests and marking strongly around the ground.
At half-time, coach Steve Joyce spoke to the boys about pressure, pride and reminded them of the game plan that had given them so much success to date.
The third quarter saw that pride in the Rochester jumper shine through. Goals to Williams, Matt Harrington and Rory Hayes saw the tigers win the quarter 3.3 to 1.1. White continued to be a force, as did Tarrant. Harrington started to take a few intercept marks and fought hard for the ball. Jimmy Otto was in everything! Harbour continued to dominate in the ruck and Pain, along with Angus Ferguson and the rest of the backline, stood up to the strong Golden Square unit.
The final quarter saw a nice goal to Kade Pearce, and Golden Square only scored three goals for the quarter. Again, White was a standout, as was Tarrant. Harrington continued to mark strongly, as did Harbour. Williams led from the front and Otto was as annoying as ever to the opposition. Will Coghill won every contest and made it hard for his opponents.
Unfortunately, the last quarter saw Tarrant involved in an unfortunate collision. We all wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back at the club very soon.
Final scores: Golden Square 17.9 (111) defeated Rochester 5.9 (39).
Goals: Rory Hayes, Kade Pearse, Oli Williams, Matt Harrington, Trey White.
Best: Trey White, Cooper Harbour, Flynn Pain, Oakley Tarrant, Matt Harrington, Oli Williams.
Rochester Football Netball Club one-percenter award: Will Coghill, for winning every contest and, when under pressure, using his cool head to nullify his opponent.
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