A seven goal to three final term by Old Melburnians gave the finals-bound side a 48-point win over the Rovers at Boss James Reserve on Saturday, while the U19s recorded a big win to return to the top four.
The Rovers managed to take the visitors off their normal game plan and while they were in front all day, they never really took full control of the game until late on. At the 10 minute mark of the final term, the margin was just 16 points before five goals unanswered killed the contest.
With the U19 eligible players dropping back to the U19s to help their finals chances, the Rovers side had multiple changes. In came Ben Kezilas, Daniel Andersen, Ben Clarke and Nigel Bloomfield for their first game in the seniors for 2015.
The Rovers played a possession game early on and this restricted the visitors scoring foray to four in the first term that came from lucky breaks. Will McTaggert kicked the Rovers only major of the first with a quick snap when outnumbered three to one. Fletcher, Corp and McNeil were racking up the possessions and Turner was enjoying some time on the ball. At quarter time the deficit was 21 points.
Hampton were kicking with the slight breeze in the second and it started well for the home side. A good spoil by Lovig, pickup by McNeil and a bullet like pass to Ned Fallon for a set shot and goal from 50. Bryce Pewtress kicked the next goal, also from a set-shot, and the margin was reduced to 11 points. OMs kicked their only goal of the term late on and at the main break, they led by 19 points.
At the break, there was plenty of positivity in the rooms with the Rovers matching their more fancied opposition. Rich Atkins was on top, Lynch who returned from a spell in the ressies looked refreshed and the backline resembled a little more the tight unit it had been in the past two premiership seasons. Charlie Miles was changing with Cain Malthouse in the ruck and we were breaking even in the centre clearances.
It was three goals apiece in the third term and while the visitors slightly outscored the Rovers, it was the home side that outplayed their opposition. Will McTaggert put on a show for the first goal of the term – a pickup near the wing, a couple of bounces, a couple of baulks, a nice don’t-argue and an accurate kick from 30 metres in front of the Rovers faithful. In the later part of the term the Rovers were all over their opposition but failed to inflict any scoreboard damage. 22 points was the margin at the final change and the home side was in with a chance.
It was goal for goal early on in the last quarter. The Rovers kicked the first major only for OMs to reply quickly and it was the same story minutes later. From there, it was all the visitors, kicking five unanswered in 11 minutes to blow the margin out to 47 points. Matt Robbins got one back but it was too little too late.
Overall, a fighting effort from the boys and it holds the Rovers in good stead for the final two games of the season to finish strongly. This Saturday the Rovers are back at the Boss for the final home game of 2015, taking on arch-rivals Ajax (make sure you book in for the lunch!) before facing Parkdale Vultures the following week away. Hampton remains in seventh position on the Premier B ladder, assured of remaining in the section for 2016.
HAMPTON ROVERS 1.1 3.2 6.6 9.6 (60)
OLD MELBURNIANS 4.4 5.9 8.16 15.18 (108)
Goal Kickers: N. Fallon 2, B. Pewtress 2, W. McTaggart 2, E. Turner, D. Corp, M. Robbins
Best Players: L. Fletcher, D. Corp, A. McNeil, N. Fallon, E. Turner, S. Bradford
WATCH: Match Highlights | Full Match Replay | Photos
Prior to the game, another great lunch was held in the Wright-Scarlett Pavilion. While not the largest of the season, there were still some 60 people in attendance as we celebrated the 1965 Reserves Premiership Reunion (with Captain-Coach Dave Mather, Geoff Grimmer, Milton Beattie, Dick Prideaux and Peter Wolfe in attendance) and the 80th anniversary of Ken Trinnick winning the 1935 VAFA B&F. It was his second of three league B&Fs, also winning it in 1934 & 1936 while he came third in 1937 and it was great to have his son Noel and wife Shirley join us.
The Reserves struggled against a strong Old Melburnians side. With so many players unavailable through injury, illness, travel and promotion to the seniors, it was always going to be a tough ask. The seniors featured nine players who had played ressies in the past couple of weeks and a number of regular thirds players made the step up. The Rovers failed to kick a goal while the opposition banged on 24. Steve Anderson, Vinnie Camera and Wes Kingsford were best for the Rovers.
The U19s had a crucial clash against Ormond at EE Gunn Reserve. After last week’s defeat, the young Rovers had slipped to fifth on the table and needed to defeat their arch-rivals in the Grand Final replay to overtake them and return to the final four. With a swag of players returning to the side, the Rovers made light work of Ormond, defeating them by 95 points.
Ormond didn’t kick their first goal until the third quarter and only managed a further three majors in the last. Daniel Tocher was best for the Rovers, also kicking four goals, he was well supported by Cam Jones, Joel Balleggi and Mackie Robertson. The Rovers had 12 individual goal kickers. The Rovers play Old Carey away next week in the final round and must win to assure themselves of a top four finish. View the full report >
Seniors scoreworm:
