The Rovers travelled to Williamstown to face the CY’s on Saturday and while conditions were much better than last time we made the visit, the result was the same.
The two sides had the pleasure on playing on Williamstown’s VFL ground – Burbank Oval, and it was in great condition for the round 5 VAFA clash, while the usually windy ground due to its location had great conditions for the day with only a slight breeze.
On the field it was ordinary. The Rovers started well enough, only to let ourselves down late in the first quarter with a couple of undisciplined acts which let Willy in for a couple of cheap goals – one on the siren which always hurts. We opened the scoring with a goal to Cam Hetherington from a sharp handball from Ant Folino. Two of the three Williamstown goals came from scrambles in the goal square.
Despite there only being a slight breeze favouring one end, Willy managed to bang on 7 & 6 goals in the second and fourth quarters, the effect was that the game was over at half time. Of course, our backs were under huge pressure with the deluge of goals but how did Willy bang on 7 straight in the second quarter? They kicked them from 55m, from the boundary line, over their heads and off the ground – we couldn’t take a trick. Ryan Fogarty didn’t let up and while often overwhelmed by the opposition midfielders flooding forward fought hard to be our BOG for the day.
The third quarter was our best, we restricted Willy to one scoring shot (a goal, of course) while we kicked 3.4. Had we mirrored Willy’s efforts in the second it would have been less than 2 goals in it! Goals to Ben Traeger-Haig, Clemo after a sequence from Fletch and Cowboy in our best play of the day and Cam Hetherington on the run for his second for the day. Roland De Biase was continuing his good form of last week, Nick Jackson looking dangerous up forward, the skipper, Christian Carnovale, was as usual hard at it but not getting much support from the midfield group. Leigh Fletcher was being his usual reliable self from half back backed up by Shem Curry.
At the final break we were six goals down, but when we kicked the first for the quarter there may have been a glimmer of hope, but that was short lived. The Willy boys came to life and banged on the last 6 goals, all unanswered.
HAMPTON ROVERS 1.4 2.4 5.8 6.13 (49)
WILLIAMSTOWN CYMS 4.5 10.5 11.6 17.9 (111)
Goal Kickers: S. Clements 2, C. Hetherington 2, B. Traeger-Haig, N. Jackson
Best Players: A. Folino, A. McNeil, N. Jackson, B. Traeger-Haig, R. Fogarty, R. De Biase
This week, the Rovers host Old Geelong at Boss James Reserve – another team on two wins and three losses and a must-win match for Hampton. Book in now for the pre-game Luncheon >
The Reserves was a very even game where really the scores don’t reflect how well the Rovers played. The three goals Willy kicked in the second quarter was the winning margin at the end of the game. Great to see some veterans running around. Playing coach Anton Duddy is getting better with time and the big mark and goal in the third quarter was reminiscent of past glories. Mat Care, in his first game back, showed his class with a long goal just before half time, followed up by a hanger in the third – at the Boss it would have brought the house down! Josh Schmitz, also back for his first game, was easing his way back into the game and while not at his fittest, his desire to chase and tackle was still there. Rick Jones playing as a wing was knocking up getting kicks and with old mate Brendan Culvenor seemed at some stages to be waxing.
One thing was apparent all day – on the round Williamstown oval, we insisted on going the long way home while the Willy boys were far more direct. Adam Power was proving a rock in defence and with his accurate disposal giving our running players plenty of opportunities. Rory Lynch, a pivotal defender, in our Premiership years has returned to that form and his judgement of the high ball whether in attack or defence was a feature of his game all day and his delivery of the ball was excellent. He even appeared to enjoy the occasional run in the ruck.
The second half was an arm wrestle and it was surprising that in near perfect conditions both sides only scored 2 goals each. Our two came courtesy of a great pass by Luke Morcom to Dudds and the pass from Goose to Steph Constantinou who kicked accurately from 35m on the run. Like the seniors, we squandered many chances we had up forward by simple mistakes. The CY’s ran out 27-point winners.
The Under 19s just can’t take a trick. For the third time in as many weeks, we’re gone down to opposition which we should have accounted for. A 5 point defeat is hard to take particularly in a season where wins are hard to come by.
Great to see skipper Scott Ebbott continuing his good form in the middle. No doubt aided by big Romaan Kozulin and Magnus Anderson who controlled the ruck for most of the day. Good to see a couple of young big blokes doing well.
Corey Jones was the main goal kicker with 4 ably backed up by young Dylan Melnjak who popped through 2 for the day. Steve Rayner was solid all day at full back and Tom Marron playing the Leigh Fletcher role off half back was cool in the crises!
The Chrisps/Crisps, Taylor and Harry (no, not related) were effective whether in the middle or at half forward and both clearly had the better of their opponents. I’m told Sam Gall has found a new niche. Given the role of tagging the OT gun midfielder he did a fine job and featured in our best for the day.
The Under 19 two’s went down to Melbourne High School Old Boy’s by 34 points at South Yarra. Will Bowden kicked three goals and Sam Taylor was the Rovers best.
On Sunday, the Senior Women took on Ajax – a very strong team which really should be in a higher division! Still, the girls rocked up at Castlefield Reserve for the Sunday twilight match, with the espresso martinis of the previous evening’s Ladies Night Function still roaring through their veins, ready to give it their all!
At 68-2 it wasn’t the result we were looking for, but the game stood testament to the fact that women can do pretty much anything, especially with the support of other strong women.
What better way to celebrate Mothers Day!
Our defenders had their work cut out for them, as we finally found in Ajax a team unafraid to return the tackling pressure characterising the Rovers Women brand of footy.
Chloe McLaren rose to the occasion, pummelling through the packs and throwing in a few absolutely incredible Dusty Martin “don’t argues” on the run. Her sister Caity was always there to back her up, and the Sister Act continued with Sarah and Emma Miliken’s fabulous tagging efforts against feisty forwards.
Kiah O’Brien, Bianca Lenarcic and Gabby Samkova were formidable in the rucking contests and as the go-to. Gabby’s long bombs helped us gain momentum when times were tough.
Amy Cullen dazzled with her speed through the midfield, some amazing spoils and boundary pressure, and finally Emma Checkley was at her unstoppable ball magnet best.
The next home game is our traditional Mother’s Luncheon (with the Rovers not hosting a home game on Mother’s Day weekend this year). We send a special invite to all the women of our club to attend what is always one of the biggest home game luncheon’s of the year! Book now >
