The Hampton Rovers Under 19’s are the 2009 Premiers after they defeated Old Mentonians by 31 points at Trevor Barker Oval on Sunday. It capped off a great season for the Rovers in which they finished the regular season top of the ladder.
The turning point came in the first three minutes of the third quarter when best on ground winner Ed Turner slotted through two quick goals to level the scores and all of a sudden the boys switched on. On the biggest day of the year, the Rovers then put in their best quarter for the year. All of the boys lifted and showed the large Rovers crowd the type of football theyd been playing all year to justify their top of the ladder position. An 8 goal to nil quarter virtually sealed the win!
It wasnt all easy. While Hampton started strongly, they were unable to get the score on the board and it was OMs who crept away to a handy three goal lead at the first break. While never a critic of the umpires it did appear that the green and gold were getting the short end of the stick on a number of occasions with two of the OMs goals coming from soft free kicks. With Rich, Hoban and Britton holding firm on the final line of defence and Max, Baxter and Massie tight at half back, it was only a matter of time until the tide would turn. Jack Sperring was dominant in the ruck but his teammates just didnt seem to be able to capitalize on his good work. Russ, as always was hard at it and Jacko was creating the options.
In the second term, OMs slipped away and at one stage they were just over five goals up and the Rovers were looking a bit ragged. Rovers coach Anthony Quon instigated a number of moves and they started to work. A couple of quick goals to Jordan Goss and Matt Innes and singles to Culvenor and Fallon and things were starting to happen. With Brent Stevens putting pressure on the backs and Robbie Johnston getting into the game the OMs backs were starting to wilt. With Rick Jones, Nick Jewel and Ben Clarke coming on and off the bench, the fresh legs were giving the extra drive the Rovers needed. At the main break, Hampton went in 10 points down but the game had started to swing.
No doubt the inspirational words from Quonny at half time hit their mark as in the third quarter the boys played their best footy for the year. Jess started to pull down some big grabs at half back. Marlon went down back and together with Max being hard at the ball and their opponents were creating problems as the whole backline tightened up restricting any OM movement forward. Through the centre the Rovers started to gain dominance. The move of Hobes to the midfield and Turner down forward seemed to free the guys up and an avalanche of goals followed. Ned kicking four and Ed three, their opponents were on their back foot. With Tom Youl coming into the game and Russ burrowing away the OM resistance collapsed. With Pat Ivory alternating with Jack Sperring in the ruck the Rovers were on top and by this stage both big men were doing more around the ground than their opponents.
At three quarter time the Rovers looked safe with a seven goal buffer. The coach stressed the minute by minute approach the team had adopted all year and the need to continue to play hard, disciplined footy which they had done all day. While in the first five minutes of the quarter OMs kicked a couple, the Rovers quickly bounced back with a couple of goals to Gossy to put the result beyond doubt with 10 minutes to go. Brendan again had dominated his wing all day and it was great to see him drive the ball forward again and again through the midfield. A further goal to Ned to make it six for the day and a relayed free kick that ended up with Zeke (surprise, surprise) to enable him to be in the stats.
It was a relieved and elated coaching group that joined in the players post match celebration and fitting that at the Presentation Ceremony that Ed Turner received the medal for Best on Ground after two fantastic finals games. Once the Premiership Medallions were presented the boys and supporters then adjourned back to David Street for the celebrations that continued long into the night and it appears today!
Go Rovers!
HAMPTON ROVERS 1.4 7.5 15.7 19.11 (125)
OLD MENTONIANS 4.2 9.3 9.4 15.4 (94)
Goals: N. Fallon 6, J. Goss 4, M. Innes 3, E. Turner 3, Z. Lewis, T. Youl, B. Culvenor.
Best: E. Turner, B. Culvenor, N. Hoban, N. Fallon, R. Johnston, J. Lovig.
