A week’s a long time in Football
First Quarter – Opening bloodbath
The Rovers hit the pitch feeling confident after the first week annihilation of the Hawks. Kicking to the scoreboard end the team were quickly realised they were up against a much tougher and organised opponent in week two.
Whilst winning a lot of the ball in the centre, we fell down at half forward, the forwards unable to capitalise on a few opportunities.
As the quarter continued the Vampires stuck their teeth in and started to control the centre corridor and peppered their forward line with multiple inside 50’s. The Rovers backline stood strong and repelled each attack under the leadership of Lily who was sweeping in the last line of defence with poise and purpose.
A number of great individual efforts including a number of high-pressure tackles from Nadia stopped the flow but the relentless pressure finally gave way and the Vampires scored three quick goals late in the quarter to punish the Rovers.
Second Quarter – Working under pressure some tactical changes stems the flow
A more determined Rovers took to the field after some strong words from the coach. Again some individual brilliance from a number of players kept the Rovers in the match. Maddie was owning the middle of the ground with support from her fellow centre line, she showed great speed and broke tackles that would have made Dusty Martin proud. Some changes by coach Kabel stemmed the flow, but once again the vampires circled like a pack and punished the Rovers with three more unanswered goals. Jules was strong across the ground with a number of great tackles and second efforts.
Third Quarter – Resolute defence and linking up the Rovers start playing like a team
With pride on the line, the third term opened, and the Rovers looked a different team in the second half.
Lola “the wall” imposed herself on the game with Darcy Moore like touch and class. Her intercept marks thwarted each Vampire entry at centre half back. This filled the team with much need run, carry and importantly confidence. Jules was running and carrying, and the team linked up for the first time in the match which put the Vampires under pressure for the first time. That run turned into a number of brilliant team efforts and the girls put together a number of great passages of play which almost resulted in the drought breaking goal.
Rovers started playing like a team.
Fourth Quarter – More determined the Rovers finally click into gear and play like a team
With confidence starting to build and hunger in the eyes the Rovers could smell blood.
Lead by the charismatic captain Charlotte, who dominated the centre clearance and around the ground, she dominated the last quarter like Melbourne’s Max Gawn. The Rovers put the sword to the Vampires and relentlessly peppered the forward line with a number of attacking options with great support from the running Joely. There were a number of shots on goal, the Rovers looking more and more dangerous with each forward attack.
As the forward line began to gel, brilliant quick-thinking pass from Zara to OIive who marked courageously and kicked the first goaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllll. This is what the crowd had come to see!
This was a great reward for a team effort, the Rovers had battled valiantly all day long. Let’s turn this this momentum into a win next week!
