Rochester Tigers travelled to Strathfieldsaye on Sunday, April 30, for the first round of grading in the Bendigo Junior Football League.
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The under-14 team was led on to the field by team-voted captains Cale James and Darby Martin and vice-captains Kassidy Cail and Reno Mountjoy.
The Tigers started slow, but with direction from coach Leigh Hartshorne, quickly found their form to come back towards the end of the game with a two-goal to two-point final quarter.
Individual efforts by many players combined to sure up passages of play for the team with solid handballing, kicking and running.
James was instrumental in the midfield with his solid running and good use of the ball. He also went forward to kick two goals in the last quarter.
Ever-dependable in the back line, Tex Jones was hard in the contest, regularly winning the ball and taking strong contested marks.
New to the under-14 team, Asher Lehmann found and created opportunities to score and finished with a goal.
Martin used his speed and endurance to find space and set up passages of play from half-back and the midfield.
Playing across half-back, Harvey Keating won the footy effortlessly against bigger opponents and ran well for the match.
Charles Watson played fearlessly through the midfield, winning the ball and using it well.
The team played well together and fought hard but finished the match 46 points down.
As the players and coaches look ahead to the three remaining grading rounds, the strength and cohesion of the team is sure to develop on the back of this first game.
Final score: Strathfieldsaye 10.8 (68) d Rochester 3.4 (22)
Goals: Cale James 2, Asher Lehman
Best: Cale James, Darby Martin, Charlie Watson, Tex Jones, Reno Mountjoy, Morgan Boyack
Mayreef Pty Ltd one-percenter award: Harvey Keating
• Momentum for the under-16s was strong from the start, after Rochester kicked an early goal and never looked back.
Cooper Harbour’s control in the ruck ensured Rochester was frequently in command of the ball. Captain Lachie Joyce played well through the midfield, capably using both sides of his body to easily move the ball forward. Matt Harrington converted possessions into goals, snagging three for the game.
Oakley Tarrant was a formidable force busting through the pack, and Sam Seabrook did not lose a contest on the forward flank. Jim Hipwell owned the wing and Angus Ferguson consistently made a contest in the backline. Vice-captain Jordy Rasmussen didn’t let much get through centre half-back.
Final score: Rochester 14.13 (97) d Strathfieldsaye 6.6 (42)
Goals: Matt Harrington, Lachie Joyce 3, Kade Pearse, Jim Hipwell 2, Jimmy Otto, Jordy Rasmussen, Will Coghill, Oli Williams
Best: Lachie Joyce, Oakley Tarrant, James Hipwell, Cooper Harbour, Matt Harrington, Angus Ferguson
Rochester Football Netball Club one-percenter award: Sam Seabrook
• Rochester Tigers’ under-12 team put together a dominant performance on Sunday afternoon against Runnymede. The team is starting to play some beautiful football, linking up with handballs and precise kicking.
The side’s ability to take marks above the head is also an excellent advantage it has shown each weekend. Zac Froon did the most damage on the scoreboard, kicking four goals in the first quarter on his way to six for the match.
Judd Cuttriss managed three, including two when he sneaked forward from the back flank, and his work in the middle of the ground was telling. Mason Mundie found a stack of the ball and used his opposite foot to great effect. Harry Rasmussen produced a wonderful goal and also found a stack of the ball in the midfield before being moved down back in the second half.
Hugh Acocks was again strong over the ball and in the air and created many opportunities for the Tigers. Asher Rasmussen moved into the middle in the second half and was clever with his ball use and managed to snag two goals. Maddox Parker played well in the forward line and kicked a clever goal, as did Harrison Wilkins, who seemed to bob up everywhere.
Noah Makepeace was clever whenever he was near the ball and Walt James provided great run and carry with the footy. Mack Dickinson was again at his bullocking best and seemed impossible to tackle. Taylor Murray up forward and Louis Frawley down back also played their best games of the season.
Archie Watson was terrific in the forward line, winning the footy and using it well when he got it. Seth Hunter is growing in confidence and won a lot of contested football. Scores at the final siren were 135 to 0. The team is looking very strong and the team-oriented, selflessness football is a pleasure to watch.
Best: Judd, Mason, Harry, Asher, Hugh and Mack
Gary Parker one-percenter award: Zac Froon
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