It was a big day for the Rovers at Keilor Park on Saturday, with both the Seniors and Reserves recording big victories over PEGS in round 15 of the 2024 season.
The Rovers traditionally haven’t had a good time at the PEGS Sporting Fields, or ‘The Runway’ as it’s known under the Melbourne airport flightpath – inclement weather and wins few and far between have been the norm. However, Saturday presented warm conditions and a combined winning margin of 269 points between the two teams.
Hampton had the wind in the first quarter, but despite this, were outscored by the desperate Grammar boys. The coach wasn’t happy at quarter time as the boys let the opposition dictate terms. This did spur the Rovers on in the second term and to outscore the hosts was a great effort particularly kicking against the breeze.
The gap at the main break would have been wider had not a couple of minor indiscretions which caused a reversal of decisions. While this season the Rovers goal kicking has been wanting that doesn’t mean that the forwards haven’t been playing well. On Saturday, Will Crawford was leading well and took a number of fine marks which resulted in goals. You have to watch Clinton Young closely to see all the work he does up forward. It’s not just the goals he kicks but the area he clears for his teammates, the deft touches and the little things he does to keep the scoreboard moving – the great work he did to shepherd one goal through was fantastic while also kicking the first two majors of the game.
Tom Ellinghaus is having a great run of games in the middle and last year’s B&F, Liam O’Driscoll is enjoying the support and being able to spend more time up forward – 3 goals now two weeks in a row. Hugo Lay the third member of the ruck group is a Mr Fixit, whether on the ball, down back on a tall forward or taking marks up forward his game has improved immensely as the year has progressed.
At the main break, the coach still wasn’t happy and urged the team to stay with the plan and the scoreboard would look after itself. Well, they did and the goals started to flow. A 7.6 to 2.1 third quarter blew the game apart. The Rovers mids led by Carnovale and ably backed up by Dillon Melnjak, Chris Perkins, James Prosser and Adrian Hug kept winning the centre clearances – there were a lot of goals! The margin kept on increasing. One of the Rovers most improved, Lachy Costello, gave great drive from the wing and his two way running was a treat to see. In one on one contests he was on top. Clearly a BOG performance.
Down back, the Rovers were well on top in the second half. Crispy and Speedy both featured in the best and the two talls in Joel Melnjak and Max Van Der Straaten had it all over their opponents. Aussie Parker who in all games played this year as well as showing great pace has shown a commitment to the cause and the unselfish things he has done for the team have been noticed.
As the last quarter started, the Rovers were against the wind already holding a strong lead. There was no camping however. The boys didn’t let up and banged on 5 goals to extend the lead by another 20 points and make what in some years has been a most unpleasant afternoon at the runway an enjoyable afternoon for those who made the long trip.
Next week, the Rovers are up against Marcellin at Bulleen, for what should be a tight clash. Marcellin had a 90 point win against another of the teams in the relegation battle on Saturday – Oakleigh. At the moment the relegation battle is between Marcellin 12 points, Monash 8 points and Oakleigh 4 points. Hampton play Oakleigh in the last round (and Glen Eira in round 17) – with all three games away from home.
At the top end of the table, the Rovers remain equal top, but third on percentage, with Old Carey and Ajax in the top two – they play each other in the final round.
PEGS 1.1 4.2 6.3 8.5 53
HR 1.4 6.5 13.11 18.16 124
Best: Lachy Costello, Josh McPherson, Will Crawford, Austin Parker, Harry Crisp, Liam O’Driscoll
Goals: Ant Folino 1, Chris Perkins 1, Dillon Melnjak 1, Jamie Delaney 2, Christian Carnovale 2, Clinton Young 3, Will Crawford 4, Adrian Hug 1, Liam O’Driscoll 3
SENIOR RESERVES
PEGS 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
HR 8.5 14.11 20.17 29.24 198
Best: Ryan Leslie, Tom Goldsmith, Cam Carmeni, Andrew Woolston, Tom Folino, Joel Bowditch
Goals: Ryan Leslie 10, Daniel McCoy 1, Hugo Twigg 1, Nick Murnane 1,Finn McMaster 1, Jarrod Dartnell 2, Joel Bowditch 2, Daniel Field 1, Ben Allen 1, Tom Folino 4, Andrew Woolston 5
SENIOR WOMEN
The Rovers women were up against the ladder leader in the last round prior to the start of the 2024 final’s campaign but 1.1 after half time to 2.9 for the opposition is a big gap in view of the results this season. Great to see some old hands in the best players and goal kickers and the development of some of the younger ones in Cherry Cameron, Olive Tuppen and Isla Tucker all having impact. Our congratulations go to Isla this week for being named the Women’s Rising star in the VAFA record this week.
HR 2.1 2.3 2.3 4.4 28
GE 1.1 1.4 3.8 3.13 31
Best: Bella Cameron, Lizzie Dingledei, Mandy Naylor, Bryanna Arnold, Shae Raywood, Cherry Cameron
Goals: Bianca Lenarcic, Harmoni Collins, Olive Tuppen, Alana Graham
