After a mediocre performance last week, Rovers faced Old Haileybury in a Friday night clash under lights at
Zampaglione had a blistering game and was dominant from the first quarter. Old Haileybury had no answers for his pace, his versatility and his smart use of the footy. Schafer had another stand-out performance and has made his mark this year providing much needed run off the back-line, as was demonstrated when he set-up Gleesons first goal for the quarter and Rovers second. Sharpe and McDonald were also good floating across half-back preventing any forward penetration by Old Haileybury.
With Rovers setting up the win with an eight goal first quarter, the tempo and ferocity waned in the second. Old Haileybury were able to work their way back into the game kicking three goals to Rovers two. Yet the half-time margin of 32 points would be maintained throughout the second half.
In the second half, as the game settled down to a more even contest, Rovers were increasingly winning the ball through pressure and hard work. Corbett and Westhead, amongst others, worked the advantage through determination and persistence. Overall, Rovers skills were greatly improved from the previous week with players making better use of the footy and kicking more direct. In the last, Gleeson took one of his signatory spectacular marks, flying over the back of the pack to emerge with the ball. He kicked Rovers only two goals in the last quarter, ending another strong game with 8 in total and building on the consistency of previous weeks.
Goals: Gleeson (8), White (3), Hendry, Hille, Ross, Rootsey, Semmel.
Best: Zampaglione, Semmel, Gleeson, Schafer, Cannell, Westhead, Hille.
Scores:
8. 2. (50) 2. 1. (13)
10. 5. (65) 5. 3. (33)
14. 8. (92) 7. 5. (47)
16. 10. (106) 10. 9. (69)