Footy’s Back! Roos forward Charlie Nastasi drops it to the boot in a thrilling opener against the Panthers on Saturday.
Corowa Rutherglen footballers have set the tone for the 2022 season with a thrilling win over the Panthers at the Lavington Sportsground in the Ovens and Murray season opener.
The win was made sweeter with grandsons of Corowa Spiders “gun” players teaming together to help defeat Lavington.
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Jarrod Lane, Jy Lane and Kaelan Bradtke are all grandsons of John Lane who played in the 1966 Premiership team.
Jack Schilg is the grandson of Kevin Witherden and Hayden Filliponi, Cam Wilson and Damien Wilson are all grandsons of Robert Longmire.
The Roos welcomed Daniel Saunders in his first game at the club, and welcomed back Callum Spencer, Will Robinson, Jy Lane, Jarryd Hatton, and Adam Romey who all returned after a number of years away from the club.
With the squad working through a solid pre-season and an almost full list to choose from the expectations of the team were high in the lead up to the opening game of 2022.
After a tight tussle for three quarters of the game, the Roos came from behind to clinch a three-point win over Lavington.
Early in the game it was Lavington’s intensity that put the Roos under sustained pressure. Part way through the first quarter the Panthers had three goals on the board before the Roos were able to regroup and kick two steadying goals leading into the quarter time break. Injuries to Jack Schilg and Ollie Struve limited rotations early in the game.
The physicality of the game stepped up as the rain came down. The slippery ball spent a lot of time on the ground where Cameron and Damien Wilson were getting busy at the stoppages to keep the ball moving.
Kaelan Bradtke was working hard in the ruck and was well supported by Jarred Lane and Jy Lane who were providing run through the middle.
Goals were hard to get as the Roos and Panthers went goal for goal. Great work in defence saw Joe Hansen, supported by Bailey Pirnag, repelled much of Lavington’s movement into their forward line. At half time the Roos trailed by 6 points.
Coach Peter German reminded players of the importance of each moment in contests such as this and to play to the demands of the conditions.
After half time the game continued to ebb and flow, but the Roos appeared to be forging their way back into the contest as Will Robinson provided a target with Hayden Filliponi and Charlie Nastasi became important crumbing forwards.
The Roos still trailed by 9 points at three quarter time, but there was a sense amongst the playing group that they were still a very real chance in the game.
The last quarter saw the Roos find another gear. Their strength over the footy and their use of the ball when it got out was starting to have an impact. The play was predominantly in the Roos forward line, but goals were proving elusive until Darcy Melksham weaved his magic to kick a vital goal late in the final quarter. This was followed by two more goals.
The Panthers late charge with two goals caused some concern, but the Roos were three points ahead at the siren to record a win that was full of merit.
After the game, coach Peter German, was full of praise for the way in which the players responded to the challenges that were thrown at them and the work-rate of the younger players in the team.
Final Scores: Corowa Rutherglen 10.19.79 defeated Lavington 11.10.76
Best players were: Joe Hansen, Damien Wilson, Darcy Melksham, Jarred Lane, Cody Howard, and Cameron Wilson.
Reserves
Corowa Rutherglen fielded a relatively strong team on the park for the season opener in the reserves.
Plenty of senior experience was seen with the likes of Jamie Seymour, Matthew Wilson, and Jordie Eyers lining up.
With the addition of Bill Hansen, coming back from injury, and new players Matt Gould and Josh Coonan the team was starting to look like a competitive outfit.
Unfortunately, they were unable to get the job done against the Lavington Panthers, going down by 25 points.
Coach Dave Melksham was encouraged by the number of players making themselves available for the game and the way the players approached the contest.
Final Scores: Lavington 10.13.73 defeated Corowa Rutherglen 7.5.47. The Roos were best served by Bill Hansen, Mak Lavis, Jamie Seymour, Matt Wilson and Josh Coonan.
Thirds
After a long preseason, the boys finally got to start the 2022 season, and what a start it was.
Bill Hansen was a welcome addition to the Reserves side.
After dominating the first quarter, the Roos struggled to convert their shots on goal and it was easy to see it was going to be a scrappy game early after a long layoff.
Big Ryan Beveridge had a lot of the ball early, and looked like he was going to have an impact, once he got his eye in.
Lavington were a little more accurate early and started to gain a little more momentum as the game progressed, but to the Roo's credit, with the help of Matt Halton and Ethan Hanrahan working hard across the half back line, managed to stop a lot of forward entries for Lavi.
After the half time break, the Roo's showed what they were capable of, and started to gel as a team, and after two explosive sixty metre goals on the run by Finn Osborne, the boy's kicked into top gear and held a handy lead approaching the last break.
Jesse Johnstone, Matt Bush and first gamer Ethan Palmer all contributing well.
The last quarter ended up being a tight tussle between two determined sides, who were keen to get their first win of the year, but after a great team effort from all the group, the Roo's were triumphant in a tight one and held on for a well fought, one point win.
Goals- Ryan Beveridge 3, Finn Osborne 2, Jesse Johnstone 1, Mitch Parker 1, Caleb Black 1.
Best players: Ethan Hanrahan, Matt Halton, Matt Bush and Finn Osborne
Final scores: Corowa- 8.9.57 Lavington - 8.8.56
Roos News
On Saturday, April 9, the Roos meet the North Albury Hoppers at Bunton Park. Action starts at 9.30am with 17 and Under Netball, followed by Under 18s football at 10.00am.
Following the game, the Roos will get together at Sodens Hotel, one of their 2022 sponsors, to share a meal and drinks. The function will include the presentation of awards to our netballers and footballers. Everyone is welcome!
