Under-12 girls
Round seven saw the Rochester under-12 girls return to Moon Oval, taking on Huntly in front of a buzzing home crowd.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Excitement was already sky‑high after the incredible news that Frankie Hay and Ella Forde had been selected in the Team Vic Australian Football 12 Years and Under Girls team, set to represent SSV at the School Sport Australia Championships in August.
Coach Trent Riordan gathered the girls pre‑game, urging them to channel that energy into quick ball movement, encouragement and confident play‑on footy.
It took a few minutes for the Tigers to settle, but once they did, they were off and running.
Rochester dominated the first quarter, piling on 5.3 (33) to 0, with the wings forming a strong wall to lock the ball inside the forward half.
The familiar duo of Hay and Forde were standouts again, bursting from packs and proving difficult for Huntly to contain.
Huntly lifted in the second quarter, applying fierce pressure and tackling relentlessly, holding Rochester scoreless.
Their intensity caused congestion around the ball, prompting Trent to remind the girls to spread, find space, and stay composed.
Credit to Huntly for their resilience and refusal to give in.
As the game progressed, Rochester regained control.
Abi Reid increased her involvement with strong tackling efforts, while Alva Acocks continued her impressive development, finding space and clearing the ball from congestion.
Ellie Riordan was superb in front of goal, finishing with three majors due to her smart positioning and clean reading of the play.
Izzy Ryan showed grit and fearlessness, attacking every contest.
A special mention goes to Charlotte Wolfe, who stepped into the ruck role and embraced the challenge with determination and effort all night.
Although Huntly finished scoreless, they displayed grit, pressure, and admirable persistence, chasing down loose balls and never dropping their heads.
Rochester claimed a strong win, with Trent praising the girls for their ability to readjust, listen, and respond to instruction.
A terrific team performance from the young Tigers.
Rochester 8.5 (53) defeated Huntly 0.0 (0)
Mundie Constructions Award: Izzy Ryan.
Rochester Sports Museum Award: Ellie Riordan.
The Café Rochester Award: Alva Acocks.
Under-12 mixed
Friday night lights at Moama set the scene for a great round eight clash, with the Rochester Tigers returning from their interleague bye to take on the Moama Magpies Red.
The Tigers came out firing after the week off, bringing plenty of energy from the opening bounce and heading into the first break with a two-goal lead while keeping Moama scoreless.
The Magpies answered back in the second quarter, finding their rhythm and piling on five goals to swing the momentum their way and set up a thrilling second half.
The Tigers weren’t going to let the contest slip away, fighting hard after the main break and responding with three goals in the third term, including two from Bobby Watson, who led the way as Rochester’s leading goal kicker for the night.
With everything still to play for, the Tigers lifted again in the final quarter, holding Moama scoreless while adding two more goals of their own to run away with a hard-fought two-point win.
It was a fantastic team effort under lights, with plenty of pressure, determination and never-give-up attitude shown across the ground.
A special moment came with Carter Lee kicking his first goal of the season, adding to a great night for the group.
After a week away from footy, the boys returned ready to go and delivered a memorable Friday night performance.
Rochester 46 defeated Moama Magpies Red 44
Luke Ryan Real Estate Award: Bobby Watson.
St Joseph’s Primary School Award: Riley Nichol.
Canteen awards: Seth Rasmussen and Orly Cuttris.
Under-14 mixed
Rochester under-14s knew they were in for a tough day at home, coming up against a well drilled Strathfieldsaye side.
It didn’t take long for the Storm to hit the scoreboard, and from there they continued to dominate the first quarter.
The Tigers backline was kept busy, with the ball barely leaving Strathfieldsaye’s forward 50 in the first quarter.
At the first break, Rochy only had one point on the board thanks to George McFadzean, while the Storm held a comfortable 33 point lead.
Things looked brighter for the Tigers in the second quarter, with the boys getting the ball into their forward line considerably more often, however scoring shots were difficult to execute.
The physicality in the game picked up, and Strathfieldsaye continued to mark strongly in the packs and hit targets when needed.
Maddox Parker provided a great running option across the ground for the Tigers when the opportunity presented.
Archie Watson was the general across the backline, providing leadership and talk to direct traffic.
At the main break, the Storm were continuing to pull away, with the lead out to 60 points.
Strathfieldsaye charged on in the third quarter.
Despite their continued efforts, the taller, bigger bodies were becoming harder for the Tigers to defend.
Harrison Wilkins displayed his trademark intensity and consistency across the ground.
Trey Hayes was strong in the ruck, rotating into full-back, against one of the Storms' tallest goal-kickers, doing his best to hold him at bay.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Tigers were really feeling the margin and bodies were getting weary.
Jaxon Wolfe was a real chance for goal after taking a great mark 35ms out, however luck was not on his side.
Walt James used his speed to execute some well-timed run down tackles, however Strathfieldsaye continued to string together some great passages of play, beating the Tigers convincingly.
Rochester 0.4 (4) lost to Strathfieldsaye 18.17 (125)
Best: Harrison Wilkins, Trey Hayes, Walt James, Maddox Parker, Archie Watson, Cooper Rasmussen.
Mayreef Pty Ltd Award: Trey Hayes.
Glenavon Farms Award: Jack Holmberg.
Canteen Awards: Henry Williams and Zac Howard.
Under-15 girls
The Rochester Tigers under-15 girls travelled to Bendigo on Sunday to take on North Bendigo in what proved to be a fantastic team effort.
It was touch and go whether the girls would have enough players to take the field, with almost half the squad unavailable due to injuries and other sporting commitments.
A big thank you goes to North Bendigo for accommodating the smaller side and lending Rochester a player each quarter to ensure the match could go ahead.
The Tigers came out firing, with Ashlea Duckworth kicking a goal within the opening minutes.
Rochester continued to apply scoreboard pressure, with even a couple of scoring shots from North Bendigo's loan player helping the Tigers to a 22-point lead at quarter time.
The girls maintained their intensity throughout the second quarter, keeping the pressure on and adding to their tally to head into the main break with a commanding 40-point advantage.
The second half saw North Bendigo lift its intensity, making it difficult at times for Rochester to keep the ball in its forward half.
However, the Tigers showed great determination and composure to maintain control and record a convincing victory.
Rochester 9.7 (61) defeated North Bendigo 4.4 (28)
Best: Aliza Beer, Alida Beer, Sophie Kyne, Ashlea Duckworth, Zoe Squires, Kaylee Saunders.
Mawsons Concrete and Quarries Award: Tilly Ryan.
Darling Irrigation Award: Zahli Young.
Iddles Lane Emporium Award: Alida Beer.
Under-16s
Rochester faced a determined South Bendigo outfit in a hard-fought contest, with the Tigers showing plenty of resilience and effort throughout the day.
Despite the final result not going their way, Rochester's midfield group worked tirelessly from the opening bounce, continually contesting the ball and applying pressure around the ground.
Their willingness to compete and never give in was a highlight against a strong opposition.
Among Rochester's best were Asher Rasmussen, Harry Rasmussen and Mason Mundie, who all played influential roles throughout the match.
Asher Rasmussen was a constant presence around the contest and finished with two goals, while Mason Mundie combined strong midfield work with a valuable goal of his own.
Harry Rasmussen battled hard all day, providing drive and determination through the middle.
Charles Watson also hit the scoreboard with a goal as Rochester continued to fight until the final siren.
While South Bendigo proved too strong on the day, the Tigers can take plenty of positives from their effort and commitment in a challenging encounter.
Rochester 5.5 (35) lost to South Bendigo 13.7 (95)
Best: Asher Rasmussen, Harry Rasmussen, Mason Mundie, Charles Watson, Reno Mountjoy, Archie Jennings.
Rochester Football Netball Club Awards: Zac Morgan and Asher Rasmussen.
Glenavon Farms Award: Harry Rasmussen.
Canteen Awards: Charles Watson and Heath Kyne.