The Seniors dropped their first points of the season on Saturday, going down by 12 points to Old Carey at Trevor Barker Oval, with inaccuracy in front of goal costing the Rovers.
Meanwhile off the field, it was a successful day for the club, with a record Home Game Luncheon attendance of 135 at the annual Rovers Women’s Luncheon, raising funds for BCNA, run superbly by the Senior Women’s team. Further details of this to come.
On the field, we were expecting a close game and that’s exactly what we got in this top four encounter. Unlike earlier games this season, the Rovers got away to a good start but were again let down by poor kicking for goal. Carey weren’t in the game but Hampton couldn’t capitalise.
Tredders was having an engrossing battle with the Carey ruck and while the Rovers seemed to be able to get the ball out of the centre through the hard work of Carnovale, Cogs and Perko, Hampton were under pressure. The second started with a fine mark and goal to Hugo Garrow early in the quarter, but that was the only major for the term. Down back, VDS and Oscar Roberts were in control in the air and Speedy seemed to be everywhere on his back flank and mopping up all over the ground. Lucas Sharp was making space on the wing and was being effective as the link on our forward thrusts. Still, the score on the board just didn’t come.
Hampton started the third strongly, a great pass by Hugo Garrow to Corey Jones resulted in a goal and when Lachy Costello hit Hugo lace out it looked like the wheel was turning. Unfortunately, his shot at goal just missed. The Rovers backs were doing a great job and it looked like that again they would hold the opposition goalless for the quarter. A great mark to VDS at centre half back repelled another Carey attack and when a short time later one of the opposition was red carded for a misdemeanour that no one seemed to be aware of, the Carey boys appeared shaken. When Cogs late in the quarter made three great efforts in laying tackles, he was finally rewarded with the holding the ball free kick within distance. The resultant shot did not trouble the goal umpire. Still no doubt the award for the best effort of the day in any event.
In the last quarter the luck seemed to turn Old Carey’s way. Their 4.1 to Hampton’s 1.4 was the difference. A couple of questionable frees with an undeserved 50m penalty resulted in a couple of goals late in the quarter with the other two coming from a couple of Carey smalls who goaled from the square led to Hampton’s demise. While the Rovers had as much play as Old Carey, they couldn’t put the icing on the cake by hitting the scoreboard. While a loss is always disappointing, it was clear that the Rovers were down on form on the day and the opposition took advantage.
Next up, the Rovers are away to Ajax at Gary Smorgon Oval (Albert Park) who’ve been one of the leading sides in the competition since coming down from Premier B. The ladder has Hampton as one of top four teams on four wins after five rounds.
HR 2.5 3.6 4.8 5.12 42
OC 0.1 4.1 4.5 8.6 54
Best: VDS, Speedy, Tredders, Carney, CJ, Cogs
Goals: Gaz, Cogs, Sharpey, Joel, CJ – all singles
Reserves
There was only a goal in it all day with Old Carey sneaking over the line by 10 points. A little more composure up forward would probably have seen us bridge the gap in the last quarter. Not to be and facing not an easy game next week when we play Ajax who currently sit a place above us on the ladder but with an inferior percentage. Let’s see what transpires during the week.
HR 1.0 3.4 4.6 6.8 44
OC 2.6 4.9 5.11 7.12 54
Best: Ben Allan, Nick Jackson, Liam McCartney, Scott Ebbott, Daniel Osborn, Will Black
Goals: Jackson 2, McCarthy 2, Bowditch 1, Allan 1
Senior Women
Another strong performance by the Rovers Senior Women with a number of guns back in action, they had too much fire power against a belligerent opposition. The women have started the season strongly with 5 wins and a loss to be equal top of the ladder with Ajax and Glen Eira – teams that we have beaten this year.
Glen Eira 0.1 0.4 1.4 2.6 18
HR 3.1 4.1 5.1 6.1 37
Best: Isabella Cameron, Mandy Naylor, Natasha Morris, Bryanna Arnold, Isla Tucker, Bree-Anna Kavanagh
Goals: Bryanna Arnold, Poppy Ward, Alana Graham, Natasha Morris, Isla Tucker, Millie Smith
Under 19s
The Rovers made the long trek for an early start at Essendon facing St Bernards, and lost their second game of the season.
St B 5.1 11.3 11.8 14.12 96
HR 3.2 5.3 8.6 12.7 79
Best: Ben Seddon, Blake Jensen-Muir, Lachlan Celantano, Jake Grima, Mason Carrigan
Goals: Jake Grima 4, Will Rogaski 3, Charles Kilburn 2, Billy Barnes 1, John Ilias 1, Ben McGurgan 1
Thirds/Development
Old Mentone 5.1 11.3 11.8 14.12 96
HR 0.0 2.0 2.2 2.3 15
Best : Finbar Concaig, Matt Dixon, Billy Klein, Patrick Proper, Darcy Merlo, Jack Cookesley
Goals: Darcy Merlo 2
