Under-12 Girls
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Rochester’s Under-12 girls returned to Moon Oval this week to take on a determined South Bendigo White outfit, and they did it on tired legs after a full day of school soccer and school camp for some.
Coach Trent Riordan kept the message simple, after taking a mark, try playing on and handballing. The girls took that instruction to heart.
It took the Tigers a few minutes to find their rhythm, but once they settled, they were away. Ella Forde broke the deadlock, finding the big sticks and lighting up the scoreboard. South Bendigo White responded with fierce pressure across the ground, proving early they weren’t a team to be pushed aside.
By quarter time, Rochester held a 2.1 13 to 0.0 0 lead. Trent reminded the girls he knew they were tired — but encouraged them to have fun, pick up the ball and back themselves. And that’s exactly what they did.
After the break, Ava Rasmussen lifted, tackling with the intensity of her brothers and refusing to let South Bendigo move the ball cleanly.
In the forward line, Macca Harvey battled through painful blisters but never stopped presenting, eventually slotting a well‑ earned goal and continually getting her hands on the ball.
The standout of the night was Ella Forde, who finished with four goals, found space beautifully and drove the ball forward with confidence.
Ella Mundie applied relentless pressure and willingness to get her hands dirty.
Abi Reid showed growing confidence, sticking tackles and extracting the ball from packs.
Annemarie Smith continued her upward trajectory, taking strong marks and refusing to let anything past her and as always, the ever‑ reliable Frankie Hay was in the thick of it, tackling, marking, applying pressure and adding two goals to the tally.
South Bendigo White deserve credit for being the first team this season to truly challenge the Tigers.
Their pressure forced Rochy to work for every possession, and the scoreboard doesn’t reflect how hard-fought the contest was.
But the Tigers held strong, running out winners on the night.
Post‑ game, Coach Riordan praised his team’ s grit.
“ The girls should be proud,” he said.
“They tackled well, handled South Bendigo’ s pressure and really dug in. It was a great arm wrestle tonight.”
After such a big week, and an even bigger effort on the field, the Tigers will no doubt sleep soundly, with plenty of tired legs and proud smiles tomorrow morning.
Rochester 8.8 56 defeated South Bendigo White 0
Mundie Constructions Award: Ella Mundie.
Rochester Sports Museum Award: Abi Reid.
The Café Rochester Award: Ella Forde.
Under-12 Mixed
A massive day at Moon Oval on Sunday saw a triple header of junior home games, with the Rochester Tigers taking on Echuca Green in another entertaining Under-12s clash.
Echuca Green came out firing early, controlling the contest in the first quarter and racing away to a 24-1 lead at the first break.
To their credit, the Tigers settled into the game well, responding with two goals in the second quarter to claw their way back into the contest before adding another goal in both the third and fourth terms.
Rochester’s second-half pressure and effort couldn’t be questioned, but the early margin proved too much to overcome, with Echuca Green holding on for a 10-point win.
It was another strong display of determination from the Tigers group, who kept competing right to the final siren in front of a great home crowd during a huge day of junior footy.
Rochester 4.1 25 lost to Echuca Green 5.5 35
Luke Ryan Real Estate Award: Bobby Watson and Orly Cuttriss.
St Joseph’s Primary School Award: Jaxon Scobe and Cooper Fynch.
Canteen awards: Jack Nichol, Mace Nuttall, Fletcher Hodson, Alex Robertson.
Under-14 Mixed
Coming off a couple of wins in the last two weeks, the Rochy Under-14 team knew that anything could happen in their grading match with Huntly.
From the first bounce Huntly let them know they had come to play, with Rochy unable to get the ball into their forward line for the first half of the first quarter.
However, strong defensive pressure from back men Aydin Betts and Jaxon Wolfe, combined with inaccurate kicking from the Hawks, meant Huntly were unable to easily convert possessions into goals.
It was almost six minutes in before anyone scored, and then Huntly got their first major on the board.
However, Rochy answered the call almost immediately with a turnover, quick break and Walt James had notched up the Tigers first goal in reply.
Rochy looked dangerous in the second quarter with several strong running passages of play, plenty of shared ball use, great marking and solid tackles.
George McFadzean seemed to be among all of it, and even though Huntly had a tall side on the park, Rochy were able to duck and weave their way through traffic.
Harrison Pangrazio was a welcome return to the team, dominating the ruck and bringing his trademark intensity to the game.
Majority of the quarter was spent in the centre but when the ball made it into Rochy’s forward 50 their accuracy was enough to keep them a head of the game.
At the main break Rochy were 5.1 31 to Huntly’s 2.6 18.
Huntly came out firing in the third, getting a quick goal on the board to open the quarter.
Luke Drust continued his solid form impacting the game across the half back line.
Not to be underestimated for their size, River Powles and Nash Riordan provided great depth to the Rochy backline.
Rochy played desperate footy with strong tackles and smother attempts, however as the quarter wore on the Tigers began to wear out.
Fatigue and heat caught up with the young Tigers and Hunty took full advantage, getting themselves on top by 14 points at three-quarter time.
A pep talk at the break did the trick, as Rochy were having none of that in the final quarter.
They opened with a quick goal and never looked back.
The ball was in Rochy’s forward 50 for most of the quarter as their intensity and passion lifted, and the Tigers piled on six goals in the final term.
Cooper Rasmussen, who had an impact in the backline early, was then moved to the forward line where he continued to mark strongly throughout the game and converted to goals when it mattered.
Max Seabrook provided plenty of run off the wing.
It was a hard fought battle, but a tremendous team effort saw the boys bring home the chocolates.
Rochester 12.8 80 defeated Huntly 9.6 60
Best players: Walt James, Harrison Wilkins, Cooper Rasmussen, Harrison Pangrazio, Archie Watson, Maddox Parker.
Goal kickers: C. Rasmussen (3), G. McFadzean, H. Pangrazio (2), W. James, H. Weeks, Ha. Wilkins, L. Drust, T. Hayes.
Mayreef Pty Ltd Award: Hayden Weeks.
Glenavon Farms Award: George McFadzean.
Canteen Awards: Jaxon Wolfe, Heath Wilkins.
Under 15 Girls
The Rochester Under-15 Girls made an early trip to Toolleen on Sunday to take on Mt Pleasant in Round three action.
Mt Pleasant opened the scoring with the first two behinds of the game, but Rochester responded quickly through Alida Beer, who kicked the side’s first goal to keep the girls within reach early.
Despite showing plenty of determination and grit throughout the second term, Rochester was unable to fully capitalise on the scoreboard and went into the halftime break trailing by just three points.
The third quarter continued to highlight the team’s strong sportsmanship and commitment.
A standout moment came from Zyrah Weeks, whose tough tackle was immediately followed by a check on her opposition player and a helping hand back to her feet, a great display of respect and character.
Rochester maintained pressure right through to the final siren, but unfortunately fell short against a strong Mt Pleasant outfit.
Rochester 2.2 14 lost to Mount Pleasant 3.8 26
Best Players: Isabella Russell, Gracie Cox, Alida Beer, Zahli Young, Arlia Weeks, Zyrah Weeks.
Goal kickers: Alida Beer, Aliza Beer.
Mawsons Concrete and Quarries Award: Alida Beer.
Darling Irrigation Award: Heidi Woodfine.
Iddles Lane Emporium Award: Sophie Kyne.
Under 16 Boys
Under beautiful sunshine at Rochester on Mother’s Day, the boys took on Eaglehawk in what began as a fierce and hard-fought contest.
Both sides attacked the ball with intensity from the opening bounce, and neither team was able to gain a clear advantage early.
Rochester matched Eaglehawk’s physicality around the contest, with strong pressure and disciplined team defence ensuring scores remained tight at quarter time.
After the first break, Rochester’s midfield began to take control of the game.
Their work rate around stoppages and ability to spread from the contest gave the side real momentum, while confidence grew with every passage of play.
Clean ball movement and strong teamwork across the ground allowed the boys to capitalise on opportunities going forward, turning a tight battle into a game played largely on Rochester’s terms.
By the second half, the side was playing with great energy and belief, running in waves and continuing to pressure Eaglehawk all over the ground.
Every player contributed to the team performance, with the boys showing excellent composure and unselfish football as the game opened up.
What started as an even and physical contest finished with Rochester running away to a comfortable and well-deserved victory in front of a supportive home crowd on a perfect Mother’s Day afternoon.
Rochester 19.17 131 defeated Eaglehawk 4.8 32
Best Players: Mason Mundie, Asher Rasmussen, Archie Jennings, Harry Rasmussen, Hugh Acocks, Charles Watson.
Goal kickers: M.Mundie (6), A. Rasmussen (4), J. Cuttriss, C. Watson, M. Dickinson (2), A. Harbour, A. Jennings, H. Wilkins.
Rochester Football Netball Club Awards: Aaron Harbour and Ollie Seamer.
Glenavon Farms Award: Harry Rasmussen.
Canteen Award: Mason Mundie.