Old Brighton proved too strong for the Hampton Rovers on Saturday, getting up by 21 points with a dominant first half in a big day at Boss James Reserve.
While the result didn’t go the way of the Rovers, it was a great day at Boss James Reserve. It started with the sold-out ANZAC Luncheon with 120+ in attendance where we heard from Stand Up Events founder Angie Greene about fighting homophobia in sport. Players from both sides also wore socks to raise awareness.
An ANZAC ceremony was held on the ground prior to the start of the main game, featuring the Last Post, a minute’s silence which was impeccably observed and the Australian National Anthem.
A big crowd was on hand to see the local derby between the two Bayside club’s, and kicking with the wind in the first term, it was an arm wrestle early on and Old Brighton kicked the first two goals of the game before Nathan Smith slotted the Rovers first 16 minutes in – his first of four.
The visitors held a 20 point advantage at quarter term, despite Hampton having 28 more kicks, 8 more handballs and 16 more marks. While the Rovers kicked the first of the second stanza, the visitors kicked the next two and things weren’t going according to plan for the Rovers. Skill errors and costly mistakes hurt the Rovers as they struggled to put a score on the board.
Old Brighton were on a roll and they booted the final four goals of the second term with former Rover Harry Hill in everything, to take a 42-point lead into the sheds at the main break with four of Brighton’s first half goals had come from free kicks. Rich Atkins was having one his best games in recent years and Brighton’s key forward Dan Anthony was beaten most one on one contests but managed a couple of majors. Adam McNeil and Ryan Fogarty were also putting in good performances down back.
They kicked the first goal of the third term to push the margin out to a game-high 48 points. However from there, the Rovers showed improvement, as they had in patches in the first two games of the season. Great to see young Nick Pavlou and Luke Verma on the ball and up forward and it was in the third where they started to have influence. Our first goal came from a bullet pass from Verma to Pav who kicked accurately. Then it was Verma to Carnovale to Corp, a free to Corpy, then Sam Bradford put on the afterburners, run away from his opponent and bang it through. Four consecutive goals to reduce the deficit to 28 points at the final change. The margin could have been less if not for some mistakes. A miss from a set-shot in front of goals resulting in a two goal turnaround plus other errors made for some frustrating viewing.
It was a much improved performance from the Rovers and the game was there for the taking if the young Rovers side could put a full-quarter performance together. Old Brighton were tiring, but again it was a mistake that handed the visitors the first goal of the quarter. Goals to Nath Smith, Ben Kneebush and Jack Toouli meant the Rovers won the quarter and the half (48-27) but unfortunately not the game. However the young side are better for the run and are improving with a win surely not too far away.
Great to see another youngster in Adam Schaeche making his debut in the seniors and, while it took him a half to get into the rhythm of the game, he showed a lot to the Rovers faithful, named in the best.
Next week the Rovers travel to Monash University in Clayton to face the Monash Blues, who are also winless and will be a good opportunity to get the first victory of the season.
HAMPTON ROVERS 2.3 4.6 8.9 11.12 (78)
OLD BRIGHTON 5.5 11.6 13.7 15.9 (99)
Goal Kickers: N. Smith 4, D. Corp 3, S. Bradford 2, B. Kneebush, N. Pavlou
Best Players: R. Atkins, A. Schaeche, J. Toouli, N. Smith, L. Fletcher, L. Verma
In the early game, the Reserves had a good side on paper, and while they did match it with Old Brighton at stages, it was the quality of a couple of forwards that proved too strong, with one kicking eight goals in their 62 point win. Ash Fisher kicked four for the Rovers.
The coach called it a break out game for Jack Campion, a stalwart of the U19s over the past couple of years, who hit his straps in the ruck, named best for Hampton. A steadily improving Joel Emmins had an impact on many contests. Ned Fallon, needing the run, was everywhere and no doubt pushing for senior selection with his run off half back. Cameo appearances abounded in the last quarter with Liam Dynon and Stef Constantinou chipping in with some great tackling and some clever goals. We ran all over the OB boys at the start of the last quarter but again, fitness was the issue and they kicked away towards the end.
The Under 19s faced Mazenod at Castlefield Reserve in the morning and held a four goal lead at three-quarter time. From there, it all went wrong with the visitors booting eight in the last to just the one for the Rovers, getting up by 25 points. Darcy Merlo kicked four and James Prosser four, who was also named best for the Rovers. Next week the boys face Old Geelong at Como Park.
Seniors scoreworm:
