The Rovers Under 19s unfurled their premiership flag at Boss James Reserve on Saturday before recording an excellent 15-point victory over the highly-fancied Old Geelong side.
It was close contest all day with the pressure applied all game by both sides. Geelong were in front until midway through the second quarter, but with the Rovers continuing to apply the heat with midfield clearances, they finally hit the front just before the main break.
The back six ably led by Nick Jackson, Matt Oswald, Luke Morcom and Toby Sullivan were sensational all day. Jack Stewart was strong in defence and went to a higher level when he relieved the captain in the midfield. Ryan Fogarty played another great game in the centre, ably assisted by Olly Sweetapple-Gagiero, Joel Balleggi, Sam Weatherby and James Benjamin. Jason Klein was again dominant whether on a wing or down back. Jack Zaina, the hard nut, showed the coach why he should be one of the first picked on ball and he finished with two majors and assisted several more.
Jack Campion worked tirelessly in the ruck all day and Corey Jones, Tom Nicholls and Campbell Jones looked dangerous up forward. Perry Clinton did a great job tagging the opposition’s speedy 15 to finally shut him out of the game.
Overall it was a terrific team effort against a very good opposition. We now look forward to playing another undefeated side in Old Carey on Saturday morning at the Boss. This game will be at 9.20am to give all U19 parents the only opportunity for 2015 to stay on after the game, and attend the Rovers ANZAC Day home game lunch prior to the big match against local rivals Old Brighton.
U19 premiership flag unfurled at the Boss today. Rovers leading Old Geelong at qtr time pic.twitter.com/Ae8IGXL0NN
— Hampton Rovers FC (@HRAFC) April 18, 2015
