The Ovens and Murray home and away season concluded last Saturday when the Corowa Rutherglen Roos hosted the Myrtleford Saints at John Foord Oval.
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The Saints came with a steely determination; a win would ensure they were going to make the finals. The Roos were determined to finish the season with a win that would spoil the Saints bid to make the 2022 finals.
The Roos went in undermanned as they had been for many weeks now. Long term injuries to key players made each game a big challenge, but the boys were up for the fight. They welcomed back Jarryd Hatton, Mak Lavis and Jamie Seymour who was playing his first senior game for the season.
The early spring weather provided the setting for a quality game. The Roos began full of fire, taking the game right up to the Saints.
Tom Goodwin began where he left off the previous week to hold sway at the stoppages.
Mid-fielders Cameron and Damien Wilson were winning plenty of football and up forward Charlie Nastasi and Hayden Filliponi were looking dangerous.
The Roos were able to capitalise on this good work to finish with accurate shots on goal. The Saints were finding it difficult to win possession around the ground, but they did steady to eventually get on the scoreboard later in the quarter.
At quarter time the Roos were in a commanding position leading 5.2 to the Saints 2.3.
The second quarter started with a quick Myrtleford goal. From this point onwards the Saints controlled much of the quarter as they scored multiple forward 50 entries.
Their wayward shots saw the behinds mount. However, as the quarter wore on the Saints forwards took strong marks and managed to find their radar to score multiple goals take charge of the game.
The Roos ball movement was limited as the Saints pressure game gained momentum. Later in the quarter the Roos managed to get a forward entry and kick their only major for the quarter. At half time it was the Saints leading by 26 points, 9.11 to 6.3.
Half time provided the Roos with an opportunity to regroup. The third quarter saw the Roos mount some resistance with Darcy Melksham running hard to win valuable possessions and Cameron Barrett, who was again solid coming off half back and getting some penetrating kicking into the forward line.
George Sandral was winning the ball, kicking a vital goal, and Kaelan Bradtke was starting to take important marks.
The Saints tall forwards were again proving difficult to match up on as they scored a string of goals. At three-quarter time the Saints had added 5 straight goals to extend their lead. The Roos trailed by 40 points.
The last quarter was more of the same with the Saints dominating the stoppages to win the football and gain many forward 50 entries. The Roos backline battled hard, but the size and strength of the opposition got them in the end.
At the final siren it was the Saints 20.13.133 to the Roos 10.10.70.
Best Players and Award Winners: Corowa Golf Club – Cameron Barrett, Aussie Hotel – Darcy Melksham, Newmarket Hotel – Jarryd Hatten, Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Factory – Jack Schilg, Origin Clothing – Cameron Wilson and Damien Wilson.
Multiple goalkickers were Kaelan Bradtke, George Sandral and Jarred Lane with 2 goals each.
Reserves
Once again, the Reserves faced the challenge of getting numbers to put a full team on the park for the final game of the season against Myrtleford.
The Roos were able to obtain the services of players from district clubs as well as being able to borrow two boys from the Myrtleford Saints to get a team together.
The Saints got their game going early in the first quarter and were able to pretty much control proceedings as the match progressed. At half time the Roos trailed by 29 points.
The second half was a continuation of the first half as the Saints made multiple scoring moves into their forward line. In the end the Saints ran out comfortable winners 16.13 to 2.1.
Thanks to coach Dave Melksham, team manager Robyn Beveridge, and all the boys for their efforts during the season. Five wins for the season is the best result for the seconds in a number of years!
Best players and Award Winners: Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Factory – Deakin Clancy, Aussie Hotel – B. Smith, Sodens Hotel – Matt Gould, Club Award – Luke Backhouse and James Svarc, Ricky Ds – Jordi Lavis.
Under 18s
The scene was set for the final game of the year, in what was a perfect day for football in bright sunshine.
The winner would be going on to play in the finals, with the loser to wonder what could have been.
The Roos got off to a flyer and looked like they had the game under control early, but the Saints clawed their way back nearing quarter time, to be only three points down going into the first break.
After that, it was a close encounter all day, with the Roo's keeping their noses in front by less than a goal at every break.
In what was a must win, high pressure game, the Roos held on in the last quarter to notch up a three-point win to book their spot against the Raiders in the elimination final next week.
Final score Corowa / Rutherglen 8.11.59 to Myrtleford 8.8.56
Goals - P. Lavis 3, R. Beveridge 2, M. Halton, F. Osborne, J. Moloney 1
Best/Awards - Sportspower - P. Lavis, Doc's - Z. Nash, Urban Graze - R. Allen, Ladies Committee - J. Coonan, Corowa Takeaway - J. Moloney
Finals
The Roos thirds have made it through to the finals with their great win against the Saints last Saturday. They play Wodonga Raiders at the Albury Sportsgound on Sunday, September 4 starting at 9.30am.
After-match on Saturday night will be in our rooms where the Roos will welcome the Raiders and present their awards.
This will be followed with a social function starting at 7.00pm to celebrate the achievements of all the Roo teams in 2022 and wish those teams that have qualified for finals a big dose of good luck!
OMFNL Final – September 10
Corowa-Rutherglen FNC have been allocated an OMFNL final. The Roos will be hosting the Second semi-final on Saturday, 10 September. This football will feature Wangaratta Magpies and the winner of Albury Tigers and the Yarrawonga Pigeons. In the netball, we expect our A and B-grade teams to feature strongly on this day.
Hosting a final is a big opportunity for our club to raise some significant funds. We need a range of volunteers on the day. Please consider offering your assistance to help make the day a success.
Presentation Night
The Roos Presentation Night will be held at the Corowa RSL Club on Thursday, October 6. Tickets can be purchased on the Corowa-Rutherglen FNC website, or from the club.