Another great day for Football presented itself at Murrumbeena Park, our Rovers Captain for the day was Harry Lewis. After suffering from Rover defeat in the Lightning Premiership our boys knew Murrumbeena JFC would be keen to settle the score.
In complete contrast to the week prior the Rovers had all the play in the first quarter. Our teamwork, voice and attack on the ball was second to none. Again Dan Bevan was relentless in his attack on the ball leading with a succession of tackles and second efforts to ensure the ball stayed in the Rovers forward half. Rising to the occasion in the middle of the ground was our captain for the day who did all the team things knocking the ball forward and shepherding to allow team mates clear passage. The Rovers had 8 scoring shots in the first quarter however we had only converted 1 major seeing us 1 point in front at the first break.
Our Rovers boys were confident going into the second quarter and again moved the ball very well. Liam Fagan had a terrific game and displayed excellent attack on the ball and great use moving it forward on numerous occasions. Also enjoying a run in the midfield was Josh Cameron who demonstrated he is one of our quickest players while also improving the defensive side of his game. Josh laid a tackle at centre half back and followed up his own work fighting through a 3 on 1 to cause a stoppage at centre wing when Beena were streaming down the ground to an open forward line. Although our work rate was solid and after a strong goal by Joe Ramsden we were beaten on the scoreboard in the second quarter trailing by 10 points at the main break.
The boys were not happy with the change of fortune and all players came out both firing and concentrating on the job at hand. Our attack was swift and early with Fletcher Hall moving the ball forward for an early Jonty McKimm, which was followed up again in short succession after another clearance from the midfield for Jonty’s second. Zain Sarant was terrific in his attack on the ball across the half forward line and provided Angus Gill a pass resulting in a goal moving the Rovers to a 2 point lead at 3 quarter time.
In the last quarter Murrumbeena had different thoughts as they showed us how to attack and defend a last quarter. They moved the ball very cleanly and found our boys behind eventually kicking away to a 37 point victory.
We learnt that footy doesn’t always go as you plan, the boys played the better footy for the majority of the game and had more genuine scoring shots, inaccurate kicking and the need to compete for 4 quarters will give us something to work on this week.
Round 2 was another well fought out game played in excellent sporting spirit.
We have a fabulous group of players, our team work and endeavour is very strong. I am sure we will we continue our trajectory of improvement and be singing the song in no time.
Go Rovers!
David
Rovers 5.15.45 Murrumbeena 13.4.82
Awards: Liam Fagan Josh Cameron, Zain Sarant
Goals: Jonty McKimm 2, Fletcher Hall 1, Joe Ramsden 1, Angus Gill 1
