Willow Brooks fires it deep for the under-12 girls. Photos: Supplied.
Under-12 girls
A cold winter’s night at Ewing Park set the stage for another dominant performance by the Rochester Under-12 girls, securing a 9.4 (58) to 0 victory over Eaglehawk.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Their rapid improvement each week is a testament to their hard work, trust in each other, and commitment to tackling hard while having fun.
Ellie Riordan starred, kicking three goals, showing her fearless approach in contests.
Kaylee Saunders and Ava Rasmussen left their mark, proving their strength and determination on the field.
Abbie Griffith's steady footwork and Josie Lea's strong hands made life tough for Eaglehawk’s defence.
Meanwhile, Frankie Hay once again showed she’s unstoppable, Willow Brooks grew more confident, and Ella Ford continued her consistent form.
Ella Mundie keeps getting stronger, while Abi Reid’s growing confidence adds another layer to Rochester’s squad.
Coach Trent Riordan praised the team’s progress and unity, highlighting how well they’ve embraced coaching advice.
With every player stepping up each week, Rochester is building not just a winning team, but a winning culture.
As the next challenge awaits, only one thing is certain - this Rochester team is only getting better.
A & L Holmberg one-percenter award: Kaylee Saunders.
Milkshake Lane award: Ellie Riordan.
The Café Rochester award: Abi Reid.
Under-12 mixed
Orly Cuttriss won the Spirit of Footy medal, chosen by opponent Echuca.
The Under-12 mixed team rolled out early Sunday morning at Windridge Oval after an unexpected, but welcome, drop of rain overnight.
We saw two very strong Under-12 teams battle it out in a tight, high-standard game, despite the conditions that left most brave young players covered in mud.
There was never more than a goal between the teams all morning.
Orly Cuttriss, Heath Wilkins and Bobby Watson seemed to mark and mop up everything off halfback, keeping the play in our forward half.
Riley Nichol and Max Seabrook both went forward and kicked great goals in the second half.
Echuca Green kicked the only goal of the last quarter, but Rochester held on in a close one.
It was also the AFL Goulburn Murray Spirit of Footy round.
Both teams chose a player from the opposing team.
Orly Cuttriss was our recipient of the medal, congratulations Orly.
Round seven will be under-lights in Kyabram, 5.30pm at Northern Oval.
Rochester 6.5 (41) d Echuca Green 5.6 (36)
Spirit of Footy award (selected by the opposition coach): Orly Cuttriss.
A & L Holmberg one-percenter award: Logan Carmichael.
Canteen awards: Charlie Pascoe, Orly Cuttriss, Brax Ryan.
Under-15 girls
The first of three home games started with a great win against Strathfieldsaye.
Rochy had a brilliant game, all working together and supporting each other throughout the field.
Rochy’s height and strength in the midfield, and speed and agility in the forward line were great highlights of the game.
After rain overnight, the day was mild, but the oval was wet and heavy in the middle to take on Marong at home.
Rochester came out firing and kicked the first four goals of the game through Hugh Acocks, Judd Cuttriss, George McFadzen and Harrison Wilkins before Marong hit the scoreboard.
Rochester continued their momentum with two goals to Harrison Wilkins in a tightly contested second quarter, where both teams were pushing for possession of the ball.
Zac Howard was working hard in the forward line for possessions and looking for goals.
Rochester’s first goals, to Taylor Murray and Asher Rasmussen, came halfway through the third quarter.
Both teams were working hard for the ball and contesting every contest.
Louie Frawley was taking some great marks in the backline and was assisted in the contests by Charlie Holmberg, as the backline held strong to limit Marong’s scoring.
Marong was able to score the first goal of the fourth quarter, as the Rochester backline was under a lot of pressure.
Walt James was marking overhead like a star all game and executed a beautiful tackle, chasing down a Marong player heading to the goals in the final few minutes of the game.
In a great team game, Rochester was able to come away with the win by three goals.
Rochester 8.8 (56) d Marong 6.1 (37)
Best: Asher Rasmussen, Harry Rasmussen, Hugh Acocks, Walt James, Harrison Wilkins, Judd Cuttriss.
Goals: H. Wilkins (3), T. Murray, J. Cuttriss, G. McFadzean, A. Rasmussen, H. Acocks.
Rochester Spreading Services one-percenter award: Charlie Holmberg.
Canteen awards: Louie Frawley, Walt James, Zac Howard.
Under-16 boys
Mitch Munro employs physical defence in the under-16s.
It was a scrappy affair at Marong’s Malone Park on Sunday, with no resemblance to the last time these teams faced off - the 2024 Grand Final.
Unfortunately, this time, the Tigers did not bring home the chocolates.
The majority of the game was played along the ground, which was lucky for Rochy as Marong seemed to be able to mark everything within arm’s reach of them.
The only time the ball made it deep into Rochy’s forward line in the first quarter was in the dying seconds, when Charles Watson took a great mark and kicked off to Tom Drust, who slotted a minor score from a set shot after the siren.
Rochy went into the first break 19 points behind.
Things seemed to be heading down the same path in the second, but a goal from Cale James on the run got Rochy on the board.
Tom Drust kicked true the second time around and also slotted a major, but Rochy was no match for the Panthers, who racked up four goals to Rochy’s two.
At halftime, the Tigers were 34 points down.
The Rochy boys were literally on the back foot in the third, with Marong playing well in front and converting possessions to goals from set shots all over the ground.
Tom Reynolds worked hard across the halfback line, turning balls back, but it wasn’t enough to stop Marong from piling on another five goals.
However, the Panthers were starting to tire, and some hot heads managed to give away a few 50m penalties, setting Cale James up for a set shot from the top of square.
It wasn’t enough, with the Panthers stretching their lead to 55 points at the end of the third.
The game continued much the same in the fourth, with Aaron Harbour kicking true for the only other Rochy goal for the day.
Jake Munro and Cal Giffin were valiant in their backline efforts all day, but it just wasn’t enough to keep the Panthers at bay.
Rochester 4.2 (26) lost to Marong 15.10 (100)
Best: Cale James, Callum Giffin, Mitch Munro, Tom Drust, Jag Tarrant, Corey Pangrazio.
Goals: C. James (2), T. Drust, A. Harbour.
Rochester Football Netball Club one-percenter award: Cal Giffin.
Canteen awards: Jackson Goldstraw, Tom Reynolds, Oscar Danswan.
7°C