BY DAVID BURTON
The Rovers boys were in great spirits as they burst out of the rooms to take on Port Melbourne/South Melbourne.
It was clear from the first bounce our boys were in for a challenge with PMSM getting early clearances and trapping the ball in their forward line for the majority of the first quarter.
At the first break we outlined that our choices on the field were not in line with the plan and that we had more time to use the ball than we were giving ourselves.
In the second quarter it was an excellent total team commitment that set the trend for the remainder of the game!
The boys were first to the ball on most occasions and when they weren’t, the tackling and pressure was first class.
Our midfield of Orlando, Dion, Camdyn & Taro backed themselves and gave us first use of the ball in the second quarter, The wings of Tom & Anastasi worked hard in attack and defence and did not stop all day.
The Rovers defence has become a season highlight! With so many new players to the club and some being brand new to footy, the boys in the backline are becoming contested ball sensations.
This week it was Marco, Christian, Luca, Mitch, Kai & Zain who did the tough stuff down back, continually repelling the ball and pushing PMSM wide not giving them easy shots at goal.
Forward work was strong particularly in the second quarter where team work was of the order. Nathaniel moved the ball brilliantly from the edge of the centre square to Charlie who took a strong mark to bang through our first goal followed by a goal to our very own Patrick Cripps, Camdyn and a final second half goal to Charlie who again booted truly.
With a few injuries and unavailable players Nico White filled in from the U12s and presented as a target, while Freddie worked hard all day in the goal square. A match highlight was provided by Malcom Blight aka Angus who kicked a blinding goal in the last from near the 50m line!
In the end PMSM who were a well drilled team ran the game out very well to get the points.
The Rovers boys are fine young men and are developing into a genuine team. They have stepped up every week, and if the level of improvement continues the boys will deservedly play finals.
More importantly while they are learning the game they are having FUN!!!
Well done boys!
Rovers 4.1.25
PMSM 6.15.51
David Burton
Go Rovers!
