A young Rovers side went down to SFL div 1 Grand Finalists Mordialloc in the second practice game of the year last Saturday. Next up after Easter is Mazenod at Boss James Reserve.
With a number of players unavailable, plenty of youngsters were given a chance at senior level, against a side more advanced at this stage of the pre-season and with plenty of quality.
The home side had all the momentum in the opening term, with the breeze at Ben Kavanagh Reserve, before Smith and Bradford got amongst the goals in the second. In the end it was a 11.5 (71) – 5.2 (32) win to the Bloods in a well spirited hit-out providing great match practice for both sides.
In the early game, and we do mean early (the Reserves kicked-off at 8:30am), it was a scrappy affair with the Rovers going down by a goal.
Following the Easter break, the Rovers play their final practice match prior to the commencement of the 2016 VAFA Premier B season, and it’s a rare home practice hit-out at Boss James Reserve. The Seniors, Reserves and Under 19s will all take on Mazenod on Saturday 2 April. The U19s will start at 10am with the Seniors at 2pm.
With the likes of senior faces Corp, Martyn, Kyle Pinto, Clements, Turner, and others set to return, it should be a more realistic hit-out in regards to where the team is at ahead of the new season.
The following day is our 2016 Season Launch – being held at Hotel Brighton on Sunday 3 April commencing at 3pm. We welcome all players and supporters along as we roll into the new season.
Training continues each Tuesday and Thursday 6pm at Boss James Reserve.
Meanwhile, senior coach Owen Lalor has bolstered his coaching panel with Tim Noonan on board to lend a hand in 2016. Tim has plenty of footy experience and until 2013 was the Football Operations Manager at the VAFA and worked over 10 years with the West Coast Eagles Melbourne-based match day staff. He joins assistant coach Lou Folino.
