The Rovers suffered a disappointing loss to Old Mentonians in the opening home game of the season on Saturday. The U19s win over Old Brighton in the early game was the highlight.
There were over 80 people in attendance for our first home game lunch of 2017 and as we’ve done for the last few years, the ANZAC Day tribute and the story of 92 year-old Cyril Dewire and his war record made the day even more memorable. The Ode, Last Past and National Anthem followed and then it was game-on. The players also wore special commemorative ANZAC Appeal Round Guernseys – a few of these will be available for sale/auction.
As coach Daniel Hughes said after the game, no one saw this result coming. Old Mentonians jumped the Rovers from the opening siren, 4.4 before we’d opened our account and we were faced with catch up footy all day. The Rovers just couldn’t get into the game and while we bridged the gap in the second, we had no answer to the speed of the Mentonians.
Cam Hetheringham was pulling his weight up forward, a nice goal on the run in the first followed by a strong lead and mark at 50m where he kicked trully. A 30 point deficit at half time and the Rovers brain’s trust had some thinking to do. Nothing went our way. The OMs kicked the first 6 of the third quarter and it was only at the 27 minute mark that Ben Kneebush, who I thought had been playing well popped through our only goal for the quarter. A 6 goal to 1 goal quarter and it was curtains.
The last quarter started with a couple of quick goals from the Rovers, the skipper marked strongly in the forward 50 and kicked truly and Ben Kneebush took the strong grab and converted from 30m. It was simply a case of us not recovering from that first 15 minutes of the game and as time progressed as the opposition’s confidence increased ours dropped.
Hughes summed it up after the game when he said that robbed of momentum from the start we just weren’t in the contest and the lack of direction of the team allowed OMs in for an easy win. Ben Traeger-Haig played his best game for the Club and was awarded the best on at the after game. Daniel Terjung, in his first game in 2017, showed a lot of class and will only be better as he adjusts to the speed of the seniors. Josh Pavlou and Nick Jackson, down back were solid all day but the unrelenting delivery of the ball into the OM forward line had them under pressure all day.
Next week, the Rovers need to re-group and travel to Bulleen to take on Marcellin.
HAMPTON ROVERS 1.0 3.3 4.4 6.8-44
OLD MENTONIANS 4.6 7.9 13.14 19.20-134
Best: Ben Traeger-Haig, Ben Kneebush, Daniel Terjung, Josh Pavlou, Cam Hetheringham, Adam McNeil, Zac Donald & Fletch
Goals: Kneebush 3, Hetheringham 2, Carnovale 1
The Reserves had another big chance to get a win but the boys just couldn’t hang on in the last quarter and the Oms sprinted away.
The Rovers got off to a rough start with Jay Dillion dislocating his shoulder in the first 60 seconds of the game and Ben Theodore’s hamstring not lasting the first 10 minutes. The boys fought hard but with a couple more injuries, leaving no rotations on the bench mid-way through the third quarter, it was going to be tough.
Unfortunately, Old Mentonians were a lot cleaner and were able to run the game out better, ending up winners by 45 points. Best on ground was Tim Jones who had to take on the majority of the unfamiliar ruck role, the skipper Daniel Anderson leading the way in familiar fashion with plenty of contested footy, Shem Curry, Jack Lloyd & a three goal cameo from Eddie ‘ET’ Turner – we need his goal kicking prowess!
The Under 19s came out in the first game of the triple-header eager to make amends for their round one defeat. The players looked focused pre-game and also determined to get the points against arch rival Old Brighton.
The game was a close affair right throughout the morning. The Rovers just kept persisting and from the 2nd quarter onwards their efforts just kept getting better and better.
Some of the better players included the captain Scott Ebbot who ran all day, Sam Gall did a terrific job nullifying the oppositions Gregson and Steve Raymer was tireless at full back all day. Mitch Bowles played his best game for the U 19’s after the coach challenged him pre game to use his ability and just attack the footy hard. Joel Bowditch put in a brilliant 2nd quarter finishing with 3 majors for the term from a forward flank. Harry Robertson and Jack Daley also provided drive for the team throughout the game.
The coach commented after the game that he was really pleased with the big improvement in the team as the game progressed. I’m sure the improvement will continue next week when the boys take on Old McKinnon/Glen Eira at East Caulfield Reserve at 9:20am.
The U19 (2) side were defeated by La Trobe University at Castlefield Reserve. Connor Cochrane kicked five goals while William Bowden was best for the Rovers.
The women’s team took on a powerful St Mary’s Salesian side Friday evening at Sportscover Arena and while defeated, still enjoyed the game! Read the report here >
