Roos down Dogs

Wodonga Bulldogs 5.8.38

There was spring in the air and spring in the Roos step as they sealed an impressive victory against the determined Wodonga Bulldogs.

 It was an important win for the team, not just to claim the four points, but also to restore confidence that they are capable of playing good footy when fielding a near full strength outfit. 

Jack Bates, Alex Wallis, Cameron Dunne and Tim Brook all returned, the latter being named best afield after his bold attack on the footy, his booming left foot and a three goal haul.

The Roos dominated forward entries early in the game posting the first two goals before the Dogs hit back with one of their own. In a fast flowing game Joe Hansen, Jarred Lane, Andrew Pretto and Tyson Logie were getting plenty of the ball to set up a handy four-goal to two lead by the end of the first quarter.

Hansen marked next to the post and snapped truly for his second goal before a stalemate set in for the next fifty minutes when both teams only added one goal apiece up to the three-quarter break. The Roos with a seventeen point advantage.

So the stage was set for an exciting final quarter, especially when the Dogs booted the first two goals. 

An eerie silence fell over the local crowd until the breakthrough came with an opportunistic goal through Alex Wallis who was providing a lively target up forward. 

The supporters found their voice again as the scent of victory again wafted back over John Foord Oval.

Jamie Seymour and Jimmy O’Connell were miserly in defence all day while Dylan Cook and Jack Schilg provided plenty of run through the midfield. Brook and Schilg sealed the win with the final two goals of an entertaining game.

The Roos take on the Lavington Panthers in their away game next week to wrap up their footy season. Not so for the A, B & C netballers who will be seriously challenging for a premiership. Go girls. The U12 and U14 football teams also have an opportunity to bring home a premiership pennant when they head to Martin Park to face off in the grand final next Sunday. A great season for the U16 also, but unfortunately bowed out in the preliminary final.

Goals: T. Brook 3, J. Hansen 2, A. Wallis, J. Schilg, A. Pretto, J. Lane.Awards: J. Schilg, J. Lane, T. Logie, D. Cook, J. O’Connell.

Reserves

The Roos celebrated a heart-warming victory by sixteen points with its first victory since round one 2015. Dominating from the very first bounce, the Roos had multiple chances to hit the scoreboard but without any success until Max Taylor snagged the first goal and his first for the Roos.

With scores all tied up at quarter time, a ding-dong battle ensued in the second with two goals apiece, but the Roos went to the rooms with a four-point advantage.

The Roos opened the second half in fine style with the first two goals against a slight breeze until the game tightened up once again with just ten points separating the teams at three-quarter time after the Dogs scored right on the siren.

Courtesy of a fifty-metre penalty the Dogs narrowed the gap to just four points early in the last before goals to Matt Tanner and Shane Manning sealed the deal with no further scores with seven minutes still to play.

Multiple goal kickers Taylor and Matt Tanner along with four-quarter efforts from Sam Haigh, Pete Whyte, Matt Wilson, Cody Kuschert and James Tanner were instrumental in the win but every player contributed on the day. It was just reward also for co-coaches Gus Lingham and Beau Schilg who have stuck true through trying circumstances throughout the season.

The Reserves benefited from the trickle on effect of the return of four players to the senior squad and took to the track with seven players that have played senior footy this season. That in itself sends a strong message that the club has built on its depth over the past twelve months.

Corowa Rutherglen 9.8.62 v Wodonga Bulldogs 7.4.46Goals: M. Taylor 3, M. Tanner 2, S. Haigh, P. Whyte, C. Kuschert, B. Schilg.Awards: C. Kuschert, S. Haigh, M. Taylor, M. Tanner, P. Whyte.

Thirds

The Dogs got off to a blistering start with a seven goal to one first quarter with their smaller brigade doing most of the damage with their running goals and sharp shooting with snaps across their bodies. The Roos only major coming from smooth transition to set up a set shot from forty meters for Bailey Pirnag.

Despite a more even contest in the second, the Roos weren’t able to add to their tally while the Dogs continued to score thanks to their slick handball and elite kicking. The improvement came mainly from the likes of Darcy Melksham, Kaelen Bradtke, Nathan McDonald, Braden McLean, Jordan Eyers, Will Seymour, Thomas Robinson, Hayden Weller and Luke Backhouse.

After more of the same in the third quarter, and with two players out of the game, things weren’t looking too bright for the Roos at the last break. But to the boys credit, the under-manned Roos re-grouped and played some really good footy to kick the next four majors before the Dogs finished off with a goal in the last twenty seconds.

Corowa Rutherglen 5.4.34 v Wodonga Bulldogs 16.9.105Goals: N. McDonald 2, W. Seymour, B. Pirnag, B. McLeanAwards: T. Robinson, D. Melksham, H. Weller, J. Eyers, K. Bradtke, L. Backhouse (Coach’s Award)

Awards’ Sponsors: Corowa Golf Club, Hotel Australia, Newmarket Hotel, Border Natural Therapies, Corowa Whiskey and Chocolate Factory, Soden’s Hotel, Origin Clothing, Doc Yarrum, Urban Graze, Sportspower, The Hub Automotive and the Canteen Committee. 

Thank you to these local business’s that bring valuable support to the club.

Roos News

It was a jam-packed house for the OP Shop Prom held post-match on Saturday night. Players and supporters reveled in the event after all open-aged teams in both football and netball had wins on the same day for many years. It was party time!

It was also a historic day for the club when the dilapidated wood carving at the entrance to the ground was unveiled having been restored beyond its former glory. Lots of hard work by the club’s past players and led by former club president John Elmore should be well proud of their efforts in providing a striking reminder of the club’s history and affiliations with the Corowa Cluster.

The club was pleased to announce Jordan Lavis as this week’s Hub Automotive Volunteer Award for his valuable off-field assistance with the Reserves.

Prior to the sides being announced last Thursday night, young Abe Spencer took on Scott Montgomery in a trivia quiz to name the jumper numbers of senior footballers. After beating Scotty hands down he was then invited by the senior coach to read out the side to take on the Bulldogs. Abe looks to set to have a career in coaching in the years to come, who has already bought his own portable whiteboard to challenge himself at picking the team each week. Well done Abe.

This year’s Vote Count and Presentation Night will be held at the clubrooms commencing 6pm on Friday 27th August. It sure to be a close count across all grades of footy and netball and promises to be a great night to finish off the season. Entry fee, which includes a meal, is $30 per individual or $25 per person for a family of three or more.

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