Footy returns this weekend following Melbourne’s latest lockdown, with a must-win game for the Rovers against Old Mentonians, while the Senior Women’s team hosts Ajax in a Semi Final at Castlefield.
With the lockdown extending the double-bye by one week, it means there’s only five games remaining in the Premier C season, and the Rovers will be looking to regain their early-season form to charge into the finals. Old Mentone caused an upset last time the two teams met, charging home to win by 4 points.
Going into Saturday’s game at the Keysborough Playing Fields, both teams are on equal points, with the Rovers 6th, two games outside the top four. Please note, the starting times have been delayed to 12:45pm (Reserves) & 2:30pm (Seniors) due to school sport at the ground earlier in the day. Live Scores available here and live updates on Rovers Social Media.
The Senior Women will get the action underway on Saturday, hosting the Second Semi Final at Castlefield Reserve against second-placed Ajax, with the winner to advance to the division 3 Grand Final. It promises to be an enthralling contest, with the top two sides yet to go up against each other this season.
The Thirds take on Chadstone at Boss James Reserve from 11:40am in the final game of the home & away season. The Rovers look to have secured the double chance and could even finish as minor premiers if other results go their way. Either way, the boys will be looking to finish the regular season strongly to take momentum into the finals series the following week.
The Under 19s finally get their chance to take on Old McKinnon/Glen Eira on Saturday in a rematch of the 2019 Grand Final, after the last meeting in round 8 was cancelled due to Covid – one of four rounds that have been scrapped. Just three rounds remain after this week’s round 15 fixture, with the Rovers second on the ladder, and Glen Eira fifth. The match gets underway at 2pm at Boss James Reserve.
DOWNLOAD THE ROUND 14 VAFA RECORD >
As was the case when we came out of the last lockdown, the Victorian Government has advised spectators are not permitted to attend local sport – more information can be found on the VAFA website here.
Training will proceed as normal on Thursday evening and next week, albeit with AFL Victoria’s RTP Protocols in place.
These restrictions are in place for at least the next two weeks, meaning Saturday-week’s round 15 home game against Old Geelong will be without spectators and no match day luncheon – the fourth luncheon this season the club has been forced to cancel. It means just one home game remains – round 18 on Saturday 28 August.
