Under-12 Girls
On a foggy, freezing night at Ewing Park, the Rochester Under-12 girls showed exactly what heart looks like.
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Facing a determined St Therese’s outfit in Round 11, the girls embraced Coach Trent Riordan’s message "Stay one kick off the ball, work together, back each other in and use your voice."
St Therese’s came out firing, blocking Rochester’s early attempts, but the Tigers didn’t panic.
Frankie Hay steadied the ship with a brilliant goal, sparking energy across the ground.
Macca Harvey dominated the ruck, Zoe Mangan tackled like a rocket, and the Tigers began to find their rhythm.
The game was tough, fast and physical, but the Tigers rose to it.
Billie Watson launched huge kicks down the field, while Sophie Gooden stood tall in defence, earning her nickname as the “general” with her strong marks and cool decision‑making.
At half‑time, Riordan encouraged the girls to keep talking and keep tackling, and they responded beautifully.
Anne Marie Smith’s smart play and quick bursts away from contests lifted the team, while Ava Rasmussen’s fierce tackling and hunger for the ball inspired those around her.
Despite the icy conditions, the Tigers’ resilience, teamwork and pressure never wavered the Tigers proudly claimed the win.
Rochester 4.7 (31) defeated St Therese’s 2.2 (14)
Mundie Constructions Award: Anne Marie Smith.
Rochester Sports Museum Award: Sophie Godden.
The Café Rochester Award: Ava Rasmussen.
Under-12 Mixed
Rochester’s Under 12s faced a tough challenge in Round 12, taking on a strong Moama Black side on a freezing Friday night under lights.
Despite a spirited effort from the Tigers, Moama ran out 15 point winners.
The Tigers couldn’t have asked for a better start, kicking both of their goals in the opening quarter while restricting Moama to just a single behind.
Moama responded and took control of the game after quarter time, but Rochester never stopped competing, matching the intensity and pressure of one of the competition’s strongest sides.
Even as the scoreboard swung against them, the boys continued to work hard for each other and showed plenty of grit right to the final siren.
Riley Nichol and Archie Keating were Rochester’s goal kickers in a performance that reflected the group’s determination and resilience.
Rochester 2.3 (5) lost to Moama Black 4.6 (30)
Luke Ryan Real Estate Award: Charlie Acocks.
St Joseph’s Primary School Award: Jack Nichol.
Canteen awards: Emmett Sceney and Jacob Turri.
Under-14 Mixed
Rochester Under-14s showed determination despite going down to a strong Huntly outfit on Sunday.
While Huntly controlled large periods of the contest with clean ball movement and blistering speed, Rochester refused to back down.
The Tigers continued to attack the contest with intensity and worked hard for one another from the opening bounce until the final siren.
The Rochester defensive line had its hands full all game, working tirelessly to keep pace with Huntly's quick and skilful forwards.
Despite the constant pressure, the backline stood tall, repeatedly spoiling contests, applying strong defensive pressure and refusing to make life easy for the opposition.
A turning point for the Tigers came at quarter time when Coach Tim reminded the players to celebrate their wins, no matter how small.
The message had an immediate impact, with the team's spirit lifting noticeably.
Encouragement flowed freely, teammates celebrated each other's efforts, and the positive energy was evident as Rochester continued to compete with determination and pride.
The Tigers finished with an even spread of contributors on the scoreboard.
Harrison Wilkins led the way with three goals, while Max Seabrook's first goal of the season was joined by majors from George McFadzean, Luke Drust and Seth Hunter.
Rochester 7.2 (44) lost to Huntly 16.17 (113)
Best players: Harrison Wilkins, Seth Hunter, Trey Hayes, Walt James, Harrison Pangrazio, Max Seabrook.
Mayreef Pty Ltd Award: Seth Hunter.
Glenavon Farms Award: Max Seabrook.
Canteen Awards: Harrison Wilkins and Trey Hayes.
Under-15 Girls
Rochester’s Under-15 Girls produced their best performance of the season in Round 11, powering to a dominant win over South Bendigo despite heavy fog, cold mist and miserable conditions.
The weather didn’t dampen their spirits for a moment.
The girls arrived energised, smiling and ready to play, carrying Coach Nic Duckworth’s message with them, lots of talk, teamwork, trust, and above all, enjoy the game.
She reminded them that although it has been a tough year, they’ve never dropped their heads.
They’ve kept fighting, kept learning, and this was their chance to let all that hard work shine.
The Tigers burst out strongly, with Ash Duckworth kicking the first goal of the match and setting the tone early.
Rochester was briefly drawn into the contest, but quickly settled, lifted their eyes and began to find space.
In the ruck, Isabella Russell was outstanding.
Her leap, timing and clean taps repeatedly gave Rochester first use of the ball, proving she was a dominant ruck presence and a genuine force around stoppages.
South Bendigo played a rough, physical brand of football, but Duckworth’s instructions were clear, get your head over the ball, balance yourself, and lock it forward.
Rochester responded beautifully and their teamwork and voice were the strongest they’ve shown all season, lifting confidence across the field.
Alida Beer displayed brilliant composure, trusting her teammates and linking up with clean, continuous play.
She kicked forward, kept running, took the handball receive, and pushed the ball deeper again.
Her work rate and skills were exceptional.
In defence, Zahli Young stood tall and read the play superbly.
She held the backline almost single‑handedly at times, refusing to let South Bendigo past her and showing tremendous strength under pressure.
As the game went on, Rochester’s confidence grew.
Duckworth encouraged more talk and reminded the girls to pin arms, and their strong tackling earned them valuable free kicks.
Up forward, Sienna Week found her rhythm, kicking three goals with clean hands, smart positioning and explosive run away from the pack, while Zoe Squires was electric all game.
South Bendigo was on her like a rash, but she never backed down, showing resilience, endurance and determination from siren to siren.
Rochester finished with a commanding 67-point victory, a result the girls absolutely thrived on.
After the match, Duckworth was ecstatic.
She told the team she was proud of every single one of them and that it was incredible to see everything come together, teamwork, trust, voice, resilience and genuine enjoyment.
She called it their best game ever, and the smiles on the girls’ faces said it all.
Rochester 11.2 (68) defeated South Bendigo 0.1 (1)
Best Players: Isabella Russell, Alida Beer, Ash Duckworth, Sienna Weeks, Aliza Beer, Zahli Young.
Goal kickers: A. Duckworth (4), S. Weeks (3), A. Beer, I. Russell (2).
Mawsons Concrete & Quarries Award: Ash Duckworth.
Darling Irrigation Award: Sienna Weeks .
Iddles Lane Emporium Award: Ruby Ettershank.
Under-16s
On a foggy and freezing day at Rochester, the Under-16s took on Maiden Gully in a match where tough conditions made clean football difficult.
From the opening bounce, both sides were forced to earn every possession in what became a tight, scrappy contest.
The ball spent plenty of time in dispute, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage as the game developed into a hard-fought battle.
The boys showed terrific resilience throughout the day, matching Maiden Gully’s intensity around the contest and refusing to give an inch.
The midfield worked tirelessly to keep the ball moving forward, while the defence stood tall under pressure with several crucial intercepts and repeat efforts.
Across the ground, Rochester’s willingness to compete, tackle, and support one another ensured they remained in the contest despite the difficult conditions.
With the game hanging in the balance late in the final quarter, it took a moment of brilliance to separate the sides.
Hugh Acocks produced exactly that, launching a superb long-range goal that sailed through to put Rochester in front in thrilling fashion.
The boys held their nerve in the closing moments to secure a memorable victory, celebrating a hard-earned win built on determination, teamwork, and never giving up until the final siren.
Rochester 6.7 (43) defeated Maiden Gully 6.6 (42)
Best players: Asher Rasmussen, Hugh Acocks, Reno Mountjoy, Harry Rasmussen, Nate Macfarlane, Oliver Seamer.
Rochester Football Netball Club Awards: Asher Rasmussen and Hugh Acocks
Glenavon Farms Award: Reno Mountjoy.
Canteen Awards: Harry Rasmussen, Nate Macfarlane and Jag Tarrant.