The records continue to be broken with the Hampton Rovers Reserves undefeated after nine rounds. On Saturday, the boys knocked-off the second-placed and highly-fancied Ormond in one of the best comebacks of the season. 26 points down at quarter time and some had the Ressies written off. Too big a lead in a game where Ormond just dominated the first quarter.
Not to be outdone, the Rovers fought back and by half time there was nothing in it. With eight scoring shots to two in the last quarter, the Rovers ran over the top of the Ormond boys in a win for the ages!
Great to see Harry Hodges back in the green and gold after a couple of years in the wilderness, Dave Broadstock playing a great game in the ruck, Nick Jackson just keeping the goalkicking tally ticking along (he now has 37 for the season, 15 goals ahead of his closest rival!) and Darcy Merlo just owning his wing in a four-quarter performance.
HAMPTON ROVERS 1.2 7.3 9.4 12.9 (81)
ORMOND 5.4 7.6 9.9 11.9 (75)
Goal Kickers: N. Jackson 4, T. Stewart 3, Z. Raghdo 2, C. Tate 2, J. Young
Best Players: H. Hodges, D. Broadstock, N. Jackson, D. Merlo, C. Tate, T. Stewart
In the first game of the Boss James triple-header, the Thirds took on Monash Gryphons and started the game well. It was a wet and slippery first quarter causing both teams to fumble and play the wet weather style footy until the dew had cleared. Some great work from the on ballers seeing some quick clearances down forward leading to a couple of quick goals.
By the second quarter El Presidente Steve Anderson was ready to come on and slipped into the midfield. The guys played a patchy second quarter letting Monash score a couple of goals. First-gamer Ben Sheldrake, Ash Hoare, Steve Ando and Edi Melnjak contributed to a good second quarter putting the Rovers in front by a few goals at half time.
The third quarter was a slow start and after 10 minutes big Dyno took a couple of good strong marks and got the boys back on track for the remainder of the quarter.
The final quarter saw both teams tire. Hampton had nobody left on the interchange as the last injury came from some friendly fire when Daniel Ebbott and Guy McPherson collided resulting in both players being sidelined.
Overall, a good performance with another great captain’s game from Adam Power.
The Rovers Thirds are sitting second on the ladder with the next game against top-side Monash Blues. Given the Rovers lost to them earlier in the year by just three points, it’s the Rovers turn to get the win.
HAMPTON ROVERS 2.2 6.7 9.10 12.12 (84)
MONASH GRYPHONS 1.1 2.5 3.8 5.12 (42)
Goal Kickers: L. Blatchford 3, C. Ellison 2, A. Thompson 2, B. Sheldrake, E. Melnjak, A. Power, L. Cave, M. Flahive
Best Players: B. Sheldrake, E. Melnjak, A. Thompson, L. Blatchford, S. Anderson, J. Rees
