Last Saturday saw the resumption of competition in the Ovens and Murray with Corowa Rutherglen hosting Wangaratta Rovers at John Foord Oval for round 8.
Despite the cold, overcast conditions a good crowd witnessed an interesting set of results. The senior football saw Wangaratta Rovers bring a disciplined and physical game that made it difficult for the Roos to break. Corowa Rutherglen went down 5.9.39 to Wangaratta Rovers 8.16.64.
On the netball court, the Corowa Rutherglen A-grade netballers continue to demonstrate why they are the undefeated top team in the competition with a dominant 64 - 31 victory over Wangaratta Rovers.
Seniors
After three weeks without competition football the season resumed last Saturday. The Roos took on a slightly different look without the Melbourne-based players and the return from injury of Matt Klemke, Kyle Docherty and Brent Rose, who played his first senior game for a number of years.
Early on the game was played in close with a lot of physical work from both teams. Consequently, scoring was difficult. The Roos went to quarter time with a 1.1.7 to Rovers 1.3.9.
The second quarter continued to be a close encounter with both defences exerting an influence on the contest. Rovers were setting up well behind the football and the Roos were playing into their hands in the way they were moving the ball into their forward line.
Kyle Docherty was having to battle against two opponents. At the long break it was still close on the scoreboard with the Roos 3.3.21 to the Rovers 3.8.24. The Roos defence led by Kade Kuschert, Angus Lingham and Joe Hansen were withstanding the Rovers forward moves.
As the third quarter unfolded the Rovers continued to apply pressure at the stoppages. The game at times resembling a rugby-like contest.
Frustration amongst some of the Roos saw 50-metre penalties that gifted the opposition easy goals. At three quarter-time it was the Rovers who had taken control with 6.15.51 to the Roos 4.4.28. The Roos were challenged at three quarter time to take the game on, use the ball more effectively going forward and win a greater share of the 50/50 contests.
The final quarter saw the Roos get busy with Darcy Melksham and Brent Rose having an influence on the contest. Unfortunately, the Corowa Rutherglen forward moves were not well-executed, and goals were proving difficult to score resulting in a 1.5 final quarter.
Meanwhile the Rovers were able to keep their structures in place to maintain their dominance around the ground. As a result, the Rovers ran out 25-point winners.
Final scores: Roos 5.9.39 to the Rovers 8.16.64.
Best players: Kade Kuschert, Darcy Melksham, Angus Lingham, Kyle Docherty (2 goals), Joe Hansen, and Brent Rose.
Reserves
In the Reserves Corowa Rutherglen broke through for their first win of the season.
After leading all day, the boys survived a late charge by a determined Wangaratta Rovers to record an 8-point victory 11.2.68 to 8.12.60. The Roos were buoyed by the inclusion of a number of Wahgunyah players when the Tallangatta FNL was postponed.
With a great team effort, the standout players were Bailey Pirnag, Will Seymour, Preston Pedron (3 goals), Kodee Low and Shannon Schultz. Jordi Lavis also kicked 3 goals.
The win has seen the Reserves team move up one place on the ladder to ninth!
Thirds
Wangaratta Rovers 17-9-105 df Corowa Rutherglen 10-5-65
The first game back after a big break was unfortunately not helpful for the young Roos.
The first quarter saw the coach telling the boys to go back to basics and man up on your opponent. It worked in the second quarter and the boys found the goals and matched it with the Rovers.
In the second half the boys tried their hearts out and never gave up, they kept their heads up and played out the game right to the end, in true Roos spirit.
The positives moving forward in the season is that they have Marcus Reid back after 8 weeks off with injury and bring some height back into the team. The boys will keep improving throughout the season and the wins will come.
The thirds players would like to take this opportunity to thank their sponsors for their support throughout the season so far.
GO ROOS!!
Goals: Ollie Struve 4, Ryan Beveridge 3, Matthew Bush 1, Jesse Johnstone 1, Tom Meerton 1
Awards: Sportspower – Jedd Longmire , Ricky D’s – Jesse Johnstone, Urban Graze – Ollie Struve, Canteen Award – Ryan Beveridge, Coach’s Award – Tom Meerton.
Volunteer of the Week
Last week’s Volunteer of the Week was Kirsty Taylor. Kirsty has been assisting with our netballers for a number of years now, including being the Primary Carer on match days and also assisting with the data entry of results on the computer. Thanks Kirsty for your work at our Club, your work is greatly appreciated!
This week
This Saturday the Roos play the Wodonga Bulldogs at Lavington Sports Oval in round 9 of the season. This round was scheduled for Martin Park, but in these bizarre covid times where spectator numbers are limited in Victoria the Bulldogs have chosen to play in NSW as part of a double-header at Lavington!
Game times are as follows:
Football – Reserves 9.45am, Seniors 11.45am, 3rds (Oval 2) 2.30pm
Netball – 17s 9.00am, C-grade 10.20am, B-grade 11.40am, A-grade 1.00pm
Upcoming social events
July 10 CRFNC Black Tie Ball Corowa RSL
July 22 CRFNC Sports Gala Night Corowa RSL
Under 12sThe Under 12 Roos hosted Wodonga on a cold foggy morning. The Roos again started well with good teamwork and an early forward entry resulting in Ajay snapping truly from the pocket.
The remainder of the quarter saw the ball rebounding from the halfback line through Brodie, Will and Levi, with Emmett and Eli in the thick of it as usual. The Roos couldn't hit their targets though with Wodonga's backline also standing tall. Quarter time score Roos 1. 0. 6 to Bulldogs 0. 0. 0.
In the second quarter, Wodonga turned up the pressure with the football in their forward 50 for the first 6 minutes. The backline was again superb, Cohen, Joe, Hudson Bilney and Hudson Kuschert's repeated efforts conceding only 1 behind.
When the Roos finally cleared the half back line, Hayden found himself running into an open goal, but the ball had other ideas with only a behind registered. Half time Roos 1. 1. 7 Bulldogs 0. 1. 1.
The halftime message from coach Patto to be first for the ball inspired Emmett, his attack on the football with second, third efforts got the boys going. Franklin sprung into life and was presenting hard across half forward. Cohen again rebounded from the backline to Austin, then to Joe and saw Rhylee running hard into the 50 and with a great shepherd from Rippon allowing Rhylee to kick a major.
The Roos poured on the pressure in the forward line but could only manage 3 more behinds for the quarter. Three quarter time Roos 2. 4. 16 to Bulldogs 0. 2. 2.
Wodonga got the first clearance and scored a goal to reduce the margin to 8 points. The best passage of play for the day saw Cohen (again) save the day in Wodonga's goalsquare, out to Austin on the half back flank, handball to Ajay who kicked to Emmett on the wing, on to Franklin and combined with Cooper who chipped a well weighted ball out in front of Franklin in an open 50 to kick a brilliant running goal got the crowd cheering.
Wodonga hit back with another goal and turned the pressure on with 2 more behinds and the margin was reduced to 6 points.
The next few minutes was tough, hard football from both sides, Toby, Eli and Lachie Ireland were again busy with plenty of support from the side-lines.
With only 90 seconds left in the game the Roos lead was still only 6 points, it was game on and survival of the fittest. Wodonga surged forward, but Brodie and Ajay thwarted their attack, teaming up well at half back to get the ball into the forward 50, Connagh put his head over the ball getting a handball out to Emmett who snapped a great goal to seal the game.
With 30 seconds to go, Emmett won the ruck, followed up with the clearance putting it out in front of Franklin with another great goal on the run. The Roos home by 18 points.
Final scores Roos 5. 4. 34 to Dogs 2. 4. 16.
A great win by the boys in a bruising encounter for the second week in a row, everyone standing up when the pressure was on, and the game was in the balance.
Awards: Cofield and Co Plumbing - Emmett; Corowa Sportspower - Ajay; O'Çonners - Hudson Kuschert; Boyer Automotive - Will; Corowa Whisky and Chocolate - Toby and Franklin; Ricky D's Pizza - Connagh.
Next week the boys take on St Pats at Xavier High School.
Under 14s
Both sides started well and had a lot of the ball in the first quarter at home for Corowa Rutherglen.
Wodonga broke through first with a goal and then Isaac Dickinson scored to even the ledger.
The ball went back and forth for the rest of the quarter before a handball from Ashton Wynne to Hunter Hall and then Isaac goaled to go into the end of the quarter Corowa Rutherglen 2 goals to Wodonga 1.
Corowa had a lot of the ball in the second quarter with Jaxson Bolger, Hunter Hall, Jay Lavis , Jordan Allen and Jayden Forge getting plenty of the footy.
Archer Coppolino put on a great shepherd for Hunter allowing the handball to Jervis Maloney back to Hunter to Tex Longmire and giving Isaac another goal.
Another good play followed with Leroy Chester to Tex for another. Two further goals before the end of the quarter from Isaac and then Lucas Tafft giving the boys a handy lead going into half time.
Corowa Rutherglen 6 straight to Wodonga 1.
The third quarter saw both sides fighting hard with a goal from Wodonga and then a point. Lucas Tafft making a great tackle and Jaxson Bolger having a great game across half back. Isaac kicking a late goal to end the quarter with Corowa Rutherglen 7 straight 42 to Wodonga 3. 2 20.
The last quarter started well with Benji Hanrahan, Lucas, Isaac, Brodie and Jaxson playing good footy. The boys finishing with a hard-fought win. A great team effort boys!!!
Corowa Rutherglen 7. 2. 44 to Wodonga 5. 6. 36.
Awards: Thanks to all our sponsors. Corowa Truck and Trailer: Jaxson Bolger, Cofields Plumbing: Isaac Dickinson, JJ O’Connors and Sons: Benji Hanrahan, Sportspower: Jordan Allen, Sultans Turkish Kebab Café: Jay Lavis, Ricky D’s: Archer Coppolino, Chocolate Factory: Angus Massey.
Under 16s
Another cold winters day greeted the players and spectators as they descended on John Foord oval in another strange weekend of football with the Covid Safe rules across many leagues on both sides of the river still impacting the way the game is played, viewed and attended.
Luckily for us, the AWJFL games were going ahead with the opponent for this week’s game being the Wodonga Bulldogs.
A very big thank you and commendation to all officials, supporters and team volunteers who continual adopt and adapt to keep the games running
The pre-game address by Chalky was taken in good spirit by the team with the Roos coming out with a first quarter intensity which has been unmatched this year.
With a centre clearance and inside 50 count showing the Roos ahead in the stats and more importantly the Quarter time score of 8 vs 9 showing the Roos only point off. Justin Lewis being the Roos Goal kicker looking dangerous with strong well-timed leads.
Chalky impressed with the finding of the smother at the Roos with many successfully completed at most contests.
The second quarter seen the Roos match their first quarter intensity which had the spectators involved in what was turning into a very even hard-fought contest.
Justin again scoring truly, Taj Smith looking quick and lively chipping in for a major and U14s player Jay Lavis looking right at home in the grade above also scoring a major.
With a dead even stat sheet between the two teams the score board showed the Roos only a goal down at the main break.
Wodonga came out hard attacking with a renewed ferocity putting the back line under immense pressure but valiantly the held Wodonga to 1goal despite multiple inside 50s.
Unfortunately for the Roos, this quarter was one of defending but again Taj Smith was rewarded for his hard forward line running with a late major keeping the Roos in touch.
The last quarter again seen a very even affair but the surer ball handling the of Bulldogs in the end was the difference despite another late goal to Ethan Hanrahan a just reward for an outstanding Captains game.
Whilst the boys didn’t get the win it was by far their best sustained 4Quarter effort for the year.
Ethan Hanrahan, Riley Allen, Justin Lewis, Angus Smith and Harry Kay were all strong throughout the day in what was a great team effort.
Final Scores: Wodonga 7g 15b- Corowa 6g 4b