Corowa Rutherglen Junior Football Club

Wahgunyah saw the third consecutive home game playing against Wodonga ‘Maroon’ Bulldogs on Mother’s Day in a great day of footy.

The Under 12s again had a great week on the track and coach Scott Parker initiated a few more complex drills into the mix to educate the boys.

The first quarter saw a slow start by the boys and then a goal late at the hands of Josh Parker saw the flick of the switch.

The pressure was on the magnet board managed by assistant coach Matt Witherden with a full bench of boys ready to go which ended a three-goal quarter, Ollie Matthew’s gut running was commendable providing many options up forward.

The second quarter saw Nate Fenn on the wing mark the ball after a kick out of the back line by Wodonga and then had a great two bounce run delivering the ball into the Roos’ forward line.

Cooper Gerhard was solid in the back line taking a couple of marks and moving the ball on. Again, Darcy Upton was instrumental in delivering the ball down the throats of the midfielders.

Franco Moolman had a breakout game with his hard running, tackling, and gaining yards. It was clear from the bench the boy’s connection was clean and affective. Blair Livingston-Laing also showed the coaching team that he can be a great contributor, even adding to the score board kicking a goal.

Roos full forward Lucas Tait’s ability to read the play coming in saw him Kick two goals for the match.

The third quarter saw a master stroke by assistant coach Matt Witherden which allowed the Roos adding eight further scoring shots with four goals and four points really kicking away against the Bulldogs.

The team effort with applying pressure and great solid tackles from Aidan Ractliffe, Finley Douglas, Ashton Powzyk and Kobe Widdison kept the ball moving forward.

The last quarter saw Ollie Mathews, Jake Witherden, Leo Davis, Abe Spencer rested for their week ahead playing Rep football in Batemans Bay. Jai Richie stepped straight into ruck, providing Jagger Doody and Eli Hales with some clean ball who were given an opportunity in the middle.

The boys work rate displayed throughout the whole game was again a testament to their fitness work from pre-season. The Roos are 5th on the ladder with three wins and three losses.

The Roos have a bye next week and play Wodonga White at Martin Park on May 28.

The best players this week were: Josh Parker, Darcy Upton, Blair Livingston-Laing, Franco Moolman, Copper Gerhard, Ollie Matthews, and Jake Witherden.

Under 14s

Corowa (3.1.19) def. by Wodonga (8.6.54)

The Wodonga Bulldogs came ready to play on Mother’s Day with plenty of pressure on the ball around the ground. The Roos boys were uncharacteristically continuously second to the footy and when they did get the footy their disposal was under great pressure. That being said minimal damage was done on the scoreboard as the Bulldogs weren’t converting the opportunities.

Wodonga continued their pressure on the ball for the rest of the game kicking goals in each of the 3 remaining quarters.

Roos backmen performed the best they could under the pressure they experienced. With so many repeated entries it was hard for them to keep their opposing forwards down and the goals started to flow.

The Roos were getting cut up in the middle with Wodonga setting up well in the middle and around the stoppages and the boys unable to counter them around the ball.

The highlight of the game for us came in the second quarter with a great snap at goal from the pocket on the run by Cohen Wilcox sailing through the big sticks.

Hayden Moore was relentless around the ground all game and was a clear standout.

The Roos back six players were awesome and if not for their repeated efforts and determination the scoreboard would have been much worse than the 54-19 loss we suffered.

Great lessons for the boys for the rest of the season as we look forward to competing again after the Interleague bye

Goals: 2 C Wilcox & 1 E Bonnitcha

Awards: H Moore (Painters Cafe), H Kuschert (Peter Ellis), W Forrest (TH Kitchens & Joinery), A Ross-Anderson (Little Oasis Beauty), B White (A&A Automotive), W Massey (Joel Bilney Builders) H Bilney (Ricky D’s Pizza)

Under 16s

Corowa (13.12.90) def. Wodonga (8.12.60)

Corowa U16 Roos faced a very determined Wodonga Bulldogs at Wahgunyah in a hard fought battle between two physical teams ready to lay their body on the line to win the ball.

Led from the front by the U16 leadership team, Captain Isaac Dickinson with 4 goals, supported by Vice Captains Angus Massey and Brodie Eyers who won the ball all day as the Roo’s relentlessly drove the ball forward.

Caile Duryea, ED Krutzberger, Tex Longmire, Benji Hanrahan and Jayden Forge were unstoppable with their speed and ability to take on the opposition leaving them flat footed.

Archer Coppolino was outstanding in defence, with strong courageous performances from Jordan Allan, Hunter Hall, Ethan Lane and Hamish Baker.

Lucas Taft and Oliver Collins were powerhouse players both in the ruck and across the field with the small men roving well including Lachlan Witt, Leroy Chester and an outstanding day for Jaxson Bolger who repeatedly charged into the forward line and goals.

The game was an outstanding example of a whole team working together utilising their running play, accurate handballing and kicking backed up by furious tackling which resulted in a fantastic win.

Goals: Jaxson Bolger (4), Isaac Dickinson (4), Tex Longmire (1), Oliver Collins (1), Jayden Forge (3)

Best: Jayden Forge, Caile Duryea, Archer Coppolino, Jaxson Bolger, Hunter Hall, Isaac Dickinson