Rovers 5.3.33 def by East Malvern 10.12.72
Goals: Jem.T (1), Josh.E (1), Lucas.C (1), Lucas.R (1), Mitch T (1)
Summary
Our second week in D4 looked to be a challenging one, with the Rovers up against an East Malvern team that had taken all before them so far this season. With low numbers due to injury, Rovers’ welcomed Harry T, Jem T, Mitch T and Luke Ryan from the U12’s to the team.
As in all the games this season, the Rovers started strongly, with good ball movement and forward pressure. The players were rewarded early and often, with a strong early lead in the first quarter. East Malvern then fought back, drawing even by the first quarter break.
In the second quarter, East Malvern moved their late-arriving player into the ruck, and his size and skill was a major challenge for the Rovers for the rest of the game. With their confidence up, East Malvern began to dominate in the center and at stoppages, but the Rovers had plenty of the ball during general play. The effort from the Rovers was always there, with players willing to work hard to get the ball, support their mates and run to next contest. Quick runs of opposition goals in the second and third quarters put the Rovers significantly behind, but they didn’t give up.
At the final change, the Rovers were implored to keep running and spreading, using their leg speed and skill to outmaneuver the opposition big-men. To the Rovers’ credit, they continued to work hard, matching East Malvern’s goal tally for the quarter.
Unfortunately, the result was the Rover’s first loss for the year, but the players should be pleased how they played throughout the game. The Rovers’ can be confident in their ability to be competitive in this division.
Highlights
- Great start to the game, 3 goals from Josh E,Lucas C and Lucas R
- Ben F fighting hard all day in the ruck against a much bigger opponent
- Tackle pressure and punching in the backline during the competitive first quarter
- James M making a habit of tackling and taking-down opponents almost twice his size
- In the second quarter, a passage of play from half-back to full-forward without an opposition disposal Ben F -> Ted M -> Ollie H -> Luke Ryan -> Lucas R -> Marco G -> Jem T-> Ethan P (apologies if I missed anyone !)
- Valuable contributions from our U12 players, blending wel into the team and contributing to multiple goals
Things we did well
- playing to the whistle. The players learned from previous weeks that the umpires may sometimes swallow their whistles, and let the game go. This week the players were switched-on, not stopping their efforts until the whistle blew.
- running-out the game. Despite being behind on the scoreboard, the Rovers played to the final siren, running hard despite weary legs.
Room for Improvement (RFI’s)
- defense against big guys. Although it’s hard to play against larger players, we need to continue to develop our ability to spoil in marking situations.
- sharking the opposition ruck. This is an RFI for the coaches to help the players to develop strategies to stop the opposing ruckman and set-plays by the opposition at stoppages.
- defensive proximity. When the opposition has the ball, all our players must be responsible for their man, and need remain in close proximity, especially as the opposition push forward.
