With A & B Grades of the VAFA having the week off due to representative matches against the VCFL, all the attention was on the Rovers Thirds and Under 19s at Boss James Reserve on Saturday.
It was blowing a gale at David Street making conditions difficult for all players. First on at 11:40am was the Thirds who were high on confidence following their first win the previous week over Ormond. Their opponent was fifth-placed Old Scotch who had defeated the Rovers earlier in the season at Camberwell.
The Rovers kicked with the wind in the opening term and kicked the only two majors. The visitors responded with four goals to one in the second. The Rovers could only manage one with the wind in the third while Scotch also kicked a single. Three goals to the visitors in the final term sealed the win for the Cardinals who ran out 27 point victors. Best for the Rovers were Jesse Donald, Nathan Foster and Jason Laver. Emery Lonie was the sole multiple goal kicked with two.
The Under 19s were next to take the main stage, taking on the Monash Blues. While winning the toss, the Rovers decided to kick against the strong wind in the opening term. While being down at quarter time for the first time this year (two goals to three), the Rovers kicked three in the second stanza while keeping the visitors scoreless. The Rovers half time lead of 13 points was reduced to 9 at the final break, but the Rovers came home strong kicking four goals to nil in the last to win by 34 points.
Amongst the best were captain Max Greenway, Ned Fallon, Tom Youl and Ed Turner. Fallon and Jordan Goss kicked three each while Matt Innes and Rob Johnston kicked two each. Click Here to read the full match report.
On Sunday, the VAFA took on the VCFL in Senior and Under 19 representative games at Junction Oval. Minus Leigh Fletcher who was made first emergency, the VAFA were up by 26 points early in the last, but lost the lead in the 32nd minute and were defeated by 4 points. While in the earlier game, the VCFL Under 19s were too strong for the VAFA, winning by 46 points.
The Hampton Rovers Seniors and Reserves are back in action next Saturday (July 25th) when they take on St Kevins in Round 13 of the VAFA at Boss James Reserve. Skevs currently sit third on the B Section ladder. Last time they met in Round 3 at Kooyong, it was the home side just getting up over the Rovers by 3 points. The Rovers know they can defeat anyone at Boss James and have confidence heading into the game.
Before the game, we?re holding a special Ladies Luncheon commencing at 12:30pm. We?re inviting all mums, wives, girlfriends and friends to come along and enjoy a great meal and a few drinks before watching the boys take on St Kevins. More details here.
