This week the Rovers took on East Sandringham down at Peterson Oval in Highett. The team ran out looking focused and intense.
Quarter 1
The game started at a furious pace with both teams going hard at the ball. Sandy shot the ball into their forward line but Hannah was there waiting rock solid in defence firing the ball back to the middle straight away. In a sign of things to come Sandy shot it back again into their forward line but Hunter saved a certain goal with a great effort. Despite the Rovers strong defence Sandy managed an early goal. Before the dust settled Hudson V had launched a low projectile ball from Centre Half Forward and BANG through the goals it went like a missile! Tommy E grabbed the ball from centre bounce and booted it into the forward line but back it came and then Sandy ran it well down to their forward line where an awkward bounce gave them their second goal. Sandy’s small, pacey forwards kept peppering the goals but Poppy played a strong hand in keeping out the goals. The quarter finished with another goal to Sandy before Hudson V pushed it forward as the siren sounded.
Quarter 2
The quarter started with Jack surging out of the centre making his presence felt early. The ball came back from defence and was contested strongly in the middle by Owen and Josh for Hampton. Sandy pushed forward again but were stopped in their tracks by Tommy “The Bear” Beasley who laid a tackle that would have stopped the 8:04 Flinders St train, Tommy B then grabbed the ball and booted it forward. Josh beat two Sandy players to keep it in the forward and gave a stare that would have had Dusty Martin shaking in his boots. Jack was running rampant in the middle and the spectators couldn’t believe their eyes as he picked the Sandy players pockets like a thief in the night stealing the ball and banging it out of the middle for the biggest cheer of the day. Sandy continued to press and Owen tackled again like an over zealous octopus wrapping up the Sandy player. Sandy kept pushing but some solid work in the air from the Hampton big man Ernie kept them at bay. Siren sounded, half time.
Quarter 3
The quarter started and Sandy raced out of the middle and scored an early goal. Ernie continued to make his presence felt in the ruck and as the ball came into defence Poppy seemed to be in everything bringing huge cheers from the Hampton spectators. The struggle for territory in the midfield continued with Tommy B and Jack strutting round like a couple of army generals laying down the law. Tommy E was waiting out the back like a quarter back and fired the ball forward with Hunter getting on the end for a strong mark. Hunter performed his “Matthew Lloyd” routine, testing the air with the grass and sticking his mouthguard down his sock, the fans loved it. Hunter’s kick travelled a long way but just fell short but Owen ran like Usain Bolt bursting through the lines to run forward for a shot but no goal. The ball came out of the forward line with Jack throwing himself at everything grabbed another possession kicking it forward to Hunter for a goal. Toooooooooooooot. Three quarter time.
Quarter 4
The quarter started with Harvey laying a tackle that must have shaken the bones of the poor Sandy player, he then kept going for another effort then another effort, “that’s the sort of thing that will make the coach very happy” said someone in the crowd. The ball came to Tommy B who moved it to Jack who took a run then surged it forward to Archer who was unlucky to score a point. Moments later Archer found himself booting another penetrating kick forward where Owen swallowed it whole for a great mark before kicking truly for a Rover’s goal. Sandy moved it forward for a number of points in succession but no goal. Goal umpire Konrad’s arms were waving like a windmill in a hurricane. Good to have the big man back in goals where we can see the flags with no trouble! The ball came in and Tommy E grabbed it from the pack and kicked it round his body to a waiting Hudson V. As Sandy grabbed the ball and ran forward the siren sounded for the end of the game.
Post game
After the game Sam addressed the team highlighting the efforts of Poppy, Hannah, Ernie and Archer. And praised the efforts of his team who went in undermanned but fought like warriors.
