It was a busy penultimate week in the Premier B season culminating in two losses for the Seniors and Reserves away to Caulfield Grammarians.
It got underway with a big Thursday night dinner at the club for the second-last selection night of the year and then onto Friday for the annual Domino Luncheon. Around 100 guests enjoyed another magnificent day at the Boss, with guest speaker Tony Jones entertaining the crowd, another amazing lunch by our caterers ASAT and most importantly, a significant sum raised for the club. Thanks to everyone who supported the day by attending or providing auction items. Next year will be an even bigger Domino Lunch being the 30th year of the event!
Onto Saturday at Glenhuntly Oval. Not much can be said about the tough day the seniors had. While we had no changes from last week it was clear that a couple of players were not 100%. When it was pointed out to me that Caulfield had a full complement of their VFL players in the team, some for the first time this season after playing a full season in the VFL, I was worried. By games end all four of them were named in the best.
Still the scoreboard did not really reflect the ebb and flow of the game. We had as much of the ball as the opposition it was just that they marked and scored every time that they went forward while our forward forays were not rewarded. They clearly had taken note of Speedy’s form last week and gave him little room to move. At stages, like last week, it looked like boys taking on men as the height and weight differential was substantial.
I said last week that there was consistency in our best for the last few weeks and it was the same again on Saturday. Caulfield for their lunch produced a Footy Record based on the HR team list it must have been taken from early in the season as 13 of the players listed were not playing on the day! It was a credit to the hard work and enthusiasm of the under 19s in the team that while beaten we were not disgraced and they fought the game out to the end.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the finals series as I thought that if Caulfield can keep its VFL players that they will play a big part in determining the Premiership winner this year.
Caulfield 6.4 14.9 21.14 28.18 186
HR 1.4 3.4 6.6 8.10 58
Best Lachy Costello, Christian Carnovale, Ollie Sutherland, Blake Jensen-Muir, Cohen Friend, Zac Ziesing
Goals Blake Jensen-Muir 3, Harry Block 1, Joel Melnjak 1, Will Crawford 1, Ollie Sutherland1, Cohen Friend 1
Reserves
I only saw part of the first quarter, but it was clear that there were a number of under 19s brought into the team for this game. On checking with the coaches after the game the U19s, particularly Mason Carrigan and Jake Taranto performed well. This was backed up by semi retired veteran Darcy Merlo putting in his best game for the ressies since his elevation from the Thirds. Damon O’Shea continued his great form of 2025 and big Tom Ellinghaus was getting his hands on the ball after returning from his overseas travels.
Caulfield 5.3 8.7 13.11 19.15 129
HR 1.1 3.4 5.4 5.5 35
Best Darcy Merlo, Damon O’Shea, Darcy Lyon, Peter Somogyi, Jake Taranto, Tom Elllinghaus
Goals Lachie Roberts 1, Jake Taranto 1, Nick Murnane 1, Mo Labib 1, Angus Zufic 1
NEXT UP
It’s the last home game, in fact last game for 2025. We’re up against top of the ladder, premiership favourites Old Ivanhoe. We’ve had a long and close relationship with Old Ivanhoe as they are one of the few clubs in Premier C and B who hold a supporters lunch for every home game. 2025 has been a tough year for all Rovers teams. With all senior teams being promoted and then to have all of their seasons cruelled by an horrific run of injuries it has been hard. We encourage all supporters to take time on Saturday to either experience a Rovers home game lunch or simply just to pop in for a drink. We also invite all players and supporters after the seniors game where end of season drinks will be held.
Bookings can be made on the Rovers website here or direct with Nashy by texting him on 0407 313 054.
