The Corowa U14 team have gone down in a hard-fought match in the first final against St Patricks. The first quarter commenced with both teams applying pressure to the ball, Corowa midfielders Ben Ocep, Josh Parker, Will Massey and Levi Arnold dominated the centre clearances and rucks.
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Backed up by solid defence from Harry Webb, Will Forest, Nate Jones, and Archie House. Ollie Mathews, Josh Hunter and Cooper Pattern covered ground to close down the opposite side and help re-bound the ball out of defence. The fierce exchanges were led by Nate Jones putting his body on the line and Jake Witherden standing his ground and took a huge hit while securing the ball.
The second quarter saw the Corowa Roo’s start to link up passages of play through Will Forest and Abe Spenser combining down the corridor to create a scoring opportunity. Other linked plays from the back line with Harry Webb bringing the ball out through Ben Ocep who linked Will Massey who passed to Josh Parker who hit the targeted Eli Bonnitcha who kicked a goal for the set shot.
Harry Webb was again involved in a critical mark which resulted in run of play through Massey and goal to Huson Bilney. The attacking play was supported by fierce tackling by Josh Hunter and clearances in defence from the reliable Archie House.
Blair Livingston-Laing ran off the bench and was immediately involved, running hard at the ball. The third quarter saw more fierce tackling and attacking of the ball by the Roo’s with contributions from all players on the ground. Ruckman Ben Ocep led from the front with a high clearance rate and tackle count, with interchange impact players Jagger Doody, Blair Livingston-Laing doing the hard physical work against bigger opponents.
Hudson Kuschert was strong in the air and broke away from St Pats biggest and strongest player numerous times. Nate Jones and Josh Parker, Will Forest, Copper Pattern, Levi Arnold and Will Massey continued to put their bodies on the line with Huson Kuschert and Josh Hunter leading the team with their hard attacking of the ball and smart disposals.
Despite the physical game that bigger bodied St Patricks brought, Leo Davis, Abe Spencer, Jagger Doody and Jax Johnstone all put their bodies on the line and stood up to the St Pats boys with strength, courage and were able to run the ball out of defence or rove the taller forwards and their second and third efforts mattered.
Strong tackles and well-placed kicks from Hudson Kuschert, Cooper Pattern, Ben Ocep, Will Forrest and Nate Jones helped the Roo’s take the lead with two goals to Will Massey, including a snap from 35m out in the pocket after breaking the tackle.
The final quarter saw Nate Jones and Josh Parker continue to put their body on the line, Jaxx, Hudson Bilney and Archie House continued to work hard. Despite some injuries, the Corowa Roo’s kept their heads up and despite going down to St Pats, played hard until the final siren, doing themselves proud.
Best Players; Joshua Parker, Ben Ocep, Will Forrest, Hudson Kuschert, Harry Webb, Will Massey Goals; Will Massey 2, Hudson Bilney 1, Eli Bonnitcha
Under 16s
Wodonga Raiders 6.9.45 defeated by Corowa 7.10.52
Best: Emmett Northey, Hunter Hall, Jordan Allan, Benji Hanrahan, Jack Ford, Jayden Forge.
