Hampton Rovers did what they had to do on Saturday, defeating Monash Blues by 52 points in wet conditions at Trevor Barker Oval on Saturday.
Whilst Monash had been struggling this season and sitting second bottom, they had recorded a 10 goal victory over Marcellin the previous week who are just above them in the relegation zone. That coupled with the damp conditions meant the Rovers had to be on their game.
Despite that, the Rovers had control from the outset and with a lead of 7 goals at half time, playing in ordinary conditions it was really game over. Hampton had complete control in the ruck with Liam O’Driscoll changing with Tom Ellinghaus, there was no let up for the undersized Monash follower – stark contrast to a couple of seasons ago!
The Rovers midfielders were clearly on top shown by Max Coughlin, Dillon Melnjak and Chris Perkins all named in the best. Down back it wasn’t really a contest as the boys had total control of their opponents – 1.4 for the half is evidence enough of that. The disheartening thing late in the second quarter was when Will Walker in his second game back from a hamstring sprinted down the scoreboard wing, even had a bounce, eluded a Monash defender then just as he was about to kick, the hammy went again and he limped off not to appear again.
At the main break the coach stressed that he wanted the team to put Monash to the sword in the third quarter and show the competition our strength. Not to be. While our first half was our most accurate for the year, in the second the boys reverted to previous form and finished with 4.10 to Monash’s 3.4 for the half. No doubt the conditions played a big part as with rain falling and a slippery surface, the game at times presented as rugby, as players struggled with ball handling. It allowed Monash to block up the game, slow it down and make it a slow, dour contest.
Hampton were still comfortably on top but when we went forward the Monash defenders did a good job of blocking up the game restricting our scoring, of course the other side of the coin was that they rarely scored themselves.
Great to see Corey Jones with the right boots on this week and his three goals were a good reward for a strong game, Hugo Lay kept pulling down those big marks and Will Crawford was finally getting some better delivery from the mids and his leads were rewarded on a number of occasions. The skipper while heavily tagged was effective and his attack on the ball and the man with the ball was outstanding.
We are fortunate down back to not only have effective talls in Max Van Der Straaten, (aka VDS) Oscar Roberts and Joel Melnjak but we must have a couple of the quickest players in the competition in Aussie Parker and Lachy Costello, not to forget Speedy McPherson, who at his age, is now left in their wake! I’d be remiss not to add Mr Reliable, Harry Crisp while not the quickest always seems to be in the right place at the right time to take that mark or lay that tackle or stop that goal.
Disaster struck just before three quarter time when Oscar Roberts came from the ground in pain with what appeared to be an elbow injury. Later confirmed to be a fracture of his humerus, and undergoing surgery today. Everyone at the Rovers wish Will and Oscar speedy recoveries.
HR 4.0 8.2 11.7 12.12 (84)
MB 0.2 1.4 3.6 4.8 (32)
Best: Max Coughlin, Dillon Melnjak, Harry Crisp, Chris Perkins, Hugo Lay, Corey Jones
Goals: Corey Jones 3, Clinton Young 2, Max Coughlin 2, Will Crawford 2, Will Walker 1, Liam O’Driscoll 1, Lachy Cairns 1
Ladder: Sitting 3rd/equal 2nd, 16 points clear of 5th
Next up, the Rovers are back at Trevor Barker Oval for their FINAL home game of the 2024 season (four away games follow before finals commence) – and it’s a big one – 1 v 2 as the Rovers host Ajax. It’s a huge game and we encourage everyone to get along for what will be a big day. Book your spot for the last Home Game Luncheon of 2024, and following the game, don’t forget the $2K Draw Function.
RESERVES
HR 4.0 6.6 9.10 12.13 (85)
MB 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.5 (5)
Best: Cam Carmeni, Tom Goldsmith, Johnny Wilson, Ben Allan, Finn McMaster, Joel Bowditch
Goals Finn Mc Master 3, Tom Folino 2, Ryan Leslie 1, Nick Jackson 1, Cam Carmeni 1, Peter Somogyi 1, Tom Goldsmith1, Ben Allan 1, Andrew Woolston 1
Ladder: Sitting 4th, 12 points clear of 5th.
SENIOR WOMEN
HR 2.1 2.1 2.4 3.5 (23)
WF 1.3 3.5 4.5 4.5 (29)
Best Mandy Naylor, Bry Arnold, Tash Morris, Maegen Miller, Kiera Geddes, Isobell Cameron
Goals Maegan Miller 1, Bry Arnold 1, Tash Morris 1
Ladder: Sitting 3rd, 6 points clear of 5th with 2 games to play
UNDER 19s
Glen Eira 0.1 3.7 4.8 9.13 (67)
HR 4.4 12.4 18.6 19.9 (123)
Best Zac Ziesling, Kai Carrigan, Blake Jenson-Muir, Charles Kilburn, Ben Seddon,
Goals Charles Kilburn 5, Jamie Delaney 4, Mason Carrigan 3, Jake Grima 2, Max Carroll 1, Lachy Celantano 1, Ben Seddon 1, Lui Coughlin 1, Blake Jenson-Muir 1
Ladder: Sitting 3rd, 20 points clear of 5th
THIRDS/DEVELOPMENT
HR 0.1 0.2 1.3 1.3 (9)
OB 2.1 6.8 6.13 11.19 (85)
Best: Matt Dixon, Liam Jarvis, Olli Anderson, Darcy Merlo, Nick Anderson, Sam Horigan
Goal: Darcy Merlo
Great
