Rovers 3-6-24 to ES 6-8-44
Goals: Brown (1), Rankin (1), Roberts (1)
Summary
We emphasised the importance of backing up our good performance from the week prior, coming up against an opponent in ES who has had the better of us in recent times. Whilst we looked threatening early with our forays deep into the forward line, it amounted to nothing and before we knew it ES had posted a couple of majors through long and direct kicking. We were being led to the ball and allowing ES to much time and space, particularly to some of their prime movers. ES continued to dictate play in the 2nd quarter, and our midfielders were not giving their back men much of a chance as they accumulated another 3 goals for the quarter (to none) that could have been worse. Fair to say the rovers trudged off the ground with their tale between their legs
Sensing the opposition were already celebrating as they entered the half time chamber, this made an already angry coach furious. The half time rev up was about bringing it back to basics , focusing on hardness at the footy and no easy kicks for the opposition. The response was emphatic where we saw the boys outplay the opposition, but we were left wondering where this was in the first half. We managed the first goal of the second half through a strong mark up forward, soon followed by another opportunistic goal near the square. A third goal would have really raised some anxiety in the ES box, but we were unable to post and they unfortunately closed out the quarter with a late goal thwarting the momentum that was building. The last quarter we were still in for the fight, but by the time we posted what was to be the only goal of the quarter, there was only 5 minutes on the clock. Going by the Leigh Matthews rule of time verse possible goals, we still had some hope. However the arm wrestle continued and whilst we left proud of the fighting spirit that manifest itself in the second half, we remained dumfounded by the manner in which the opposition outplayed us in the first half.
Highlights
- Maxie with his sure hands across half back, not to mention leading the way with his attack on the footy with his ground ball efforts
- Arch and his emphatic response at the contested footy to lift his team in the second half, capped off with a team lifting goal in the last q
- Ted Mackie and his selling the candy on the clubhouse wing before sending the ball forward
- Maso and his physicality with his stint on the ball in the third q, tackling hard and splitting the packs for his teammates
- Jules and his smart reading of the play and quick rebounds across half back
- Ted McKimm and his second half response providing a much needed target up forward
- Elliot playing beyond his height marking strongly and converting to get his team going in the third
- Jake T and Josh and their willingness to engage in the 1-1 contests deep in the backline, with the return of the Iron Fist from Josh
- Kai and his remarkable coverage of the ground getting to contest after contest in the second half
Things we did well
- First half – not much
- Second half – team showed character in the way they responded, particular from the leaders within the team
- Pressure on the opposition, not allowing them an easy possession for the second half (just needed it over 4 quarters)
Room for improvement (RFI’s)
- 4 quarter effort, and not relying on a half time bake to respond
- Greater team support and awareness when we are under pressure, but also need to be more composed with the footy with our use and decision making
- Forward play to create more scoring opportunities
