Saturday felt like winter had arrived in Melbourne, and in the wet conditions the Women continued their good form, the Ressies recorded their first victory, while the Seniors started well but fell away against Old Carey at Bulleen.
Here are the Round 6 reports from the weekend.
SENIOR MEN (Thanks to coach Marty Pask for this report)
We played a really pleasing first quarter with our ability to match the intensity at the contest. In the second quarter the intensity was maintained and at the 30 minute mark I thought that we could halve the half. Unfortunately, two quick goals to the opposition in as many minutes and we were 17 points down. The second half was one to forget, we fell away in the second half, couldn’t hit the scoreboard but it did provide another good learning experience for our young players and there are many of them!
Owen Bater looked good down back and seemed to improve as the game progressed. Max Blackie in his new spot in backline was good. Chris Perkins is having a solid year and his balance and timing was outstanding. We were missing the skipper’s drive from the centre and in the second half it showed. Will Crawford showed some strong signs in his first game back from injury and its only a matter of time before he hits his 2024 form. Lachy Costello’s effort was high end and his run and attack on the ball was outstanding.
It was great to have a forward kicking goals and Will Walker showed his skills often during the game but was only rewarded with 3 goals in the first half. Liam O’Driscoll up forward and our other big men in Tom Ellinghaus and Zac Zeisling were improving with each game.
Next week we face Old Melburnians at home, always a tough test but they, like us, are struggling in 2025.
OC 3.3.21 6.9.45 12.14.86 14.17.101
HR 3.2.20 4.4.28 4.5.29 4.6.30
Best: Will Walker, Owen Bater, Chris Perkins, Max Blackie, Lachy Costello, Liam O’Driscoll
Goals: Will Walker 3, James Prosser
SENIOR WOMEN (Thanks to Alana & Wardy for this report)
Key Strengths: Resilience After a Slow Start: Adjusted our approach and steadily gained control of the game. Proactive Ball Engagement: Transitioning from a reactive mindset to actively seeking first possession allowed us to dictate the game’s tempo. Use of Space: Recognising the opposition’s intent for stoppages, we effectively utilised available space. Forward Line Cohesion: Our forwards exhibited exceptional movement and synergy, embracing their roles and creating efficient scoring opportunities. Defensive Confidence: The backline displayed composure under pressure, effectively clearing the ball and transitioning into attack, providing a solid foundation for the team. Midfield Tenacity: Midfielders were relentless, consistently present at contests, and driving the team forward. Effective Use of the Boot: We prioritised getting the ball onto the boot and surging it forward – minimised handling errors in the wet. Positional Adaptability: Players embraced new roles with a strong team-first mentality, contributing positively across the ground. Midfield Adaptability Under Pressure: Midfielders playing on a genuine superstar (#14) showed great composure, reacting to and implementing coaching direction from Bus with discipline and intent. Bravery Against Physical Odds: Players consistently positioned themselves in front and attacked the ball with courage against a physically larger and more old school style of opposition. Selflessness in Support: Several players demonstrated outstanding team spirit by stepping up to play a quarter for the opposition, helping both teams and coaches on the day.
Areas for Growth: Risk-Taking with our Switches
HR 4.1.25 6.2.38 9.2.56 13.3.81
TP 1.1.7 2.2.14 2.4.16 3.7.25
Best: Hollie Brodribb, Madelaine Pearson, Casey Politarhis, Greta Robertson, Maegan Miller, Tayla Jones
Goals; Hollie Brodribb 5, Madelaine Pearson 5, Bree-Anna Kavanagh 2, Tayla Jones 1
RESERVES (Thanks to coach Paul Golding for this report)
After 3 good battles with Old Carey last season, the trend continued Saturday with the skipper P. Somogyi kicking the ball to Kilburn who took a great mark with 40 seconds to go and goes back to kick the winning my goal. T. Goldsmith played his 200th club game in his usual, “give it all” style. Important we got off to a good start and we did.
Our back 7 were solid all game, not only stopping scores but rebounding and creating forward opportunities. Midfield battle was great all game with both midfields refusing to yield . Our young forwards looked sharp and worked up and back all game
It was a very good team effort over the 4 quarters
OC 0.1.1 1.5.11 3.8.26 7.10.52
HR 2.4.18 4.6.30 7.6.48 8.6.54
Best: Jake Klinkhamer, Cam Carmeni, Peter Somogyi, Charles Kilburn, Scott Ebbott, Jacob Gray
Goals: Charles Kilburn 4, Tom Goldsmith 1, Sam Horrigan 1, Mitch Langer 1, Ben Krieger 1
UNDER 19s (thanks to coach Paul Carrigan for this report)
The lads ventured out to JJ Holland Park in Kensington – dark, wet and entertaining. We started with 18 on the ground but that went to 17 after quarter time. Chev playing at full forward, he kicked two goals and did well.
Jake Tarranto was Mr Everywhere, he handled the wet ball like it was dry, he was our BOG and I referenced him at half time and ¾ time for his efforts. It was a good game of footy, GAK kicked the goal of the year so far after taking the game on from 60 meters out, breaking a tackle and kicking from 45 from a super tight angle. Stef Smoji was hard at it as always. Ben Newton owned a wing, Mason likes the conditions and kicked one from 55 out. Josh Haines was super as was Cohen Friend.
We finished the game with 16 on the ground, down by 4 goals at the final break and just ran out to of legs. We get players back over the next few weeks, we see blue sky ahead.
UNI B 3.3.21 8.6.54 9.12.66 15.15.105
HR 1.0.6 3.1.19 6.3.39 6.3.39
Best: Jake Taranto, Mason Carrigan, Archie Steedman, Ben Newton, Cohen Friend
Goals: Elliot Jurduklan 2, Mason Carrigan 1, Chevi O’Neill 2, Will Rogacki 1
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD (Thanks to JLov for this report)
A tough day at the Boss for the Development Squad. On the other hand, if you read the report you can see that things will be picking up in the next few weeks. It seems the slow start effectively ended our chances in this game and this coupled with the low scoring only made things more difficult. Talk about chocolates to boiled lollies – our last 3 games, a loss by 120 points, a win by 130 points and a loss by 83 points. Any successful tipsters out there?
- 6 on the bench Thursday down to 0 on Saturday
- Didn’t start well with 6 goals to 0 in the first 10min and two going down with injury
- Thanks to Will Jackson and Shifty who pulled on the boots mid game
- Matched it with them for the next 3 quarters but couldn’t find a goal
- Will be much better with a few back next week
HR 1.1.7 2.1.13 2.3.15 2.5.17
COLL 6.2.38 8.4.52 11.11.77 14.16.100
Best: Tom Folino, Jesse Lovig, Koby Upton, Oscar Beaton, Oliver Anderson
Goals: Nick Anderson 1, James Young 1
NEXT UP
The Seniors and Reserves host Old Melburnians at Boss James Reserve. Parents and supporters – BOOK NOW for the Home Game Luncheon – just $40 for what is undoubtedly the best lunch function in the Ammo’s!
The Senior Women face rivals Glen Eira at Packer Park, the Thirds take on Mazenod at Castlefield Reserve and the U19s travel to Chelsworth Park to take on Old Ivanhoe.
SAVE THE DATE: Past Players Day & 1995 Premiership Reunion – June 14th at the Boss. See details.
Support the Rovers today and purchase a 2025 Club Membership…
