Under-12 Girls
Rochester’s Under 12 girls delivered one of their most determined performances of the season on Friday night, showing exactly what Tigers football is all about.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The girls arrived at Moon Oval full of excitement for their final home game, the late‑ afternoon sun giving them a bright start before the evening chill settled in.
Even as the temperature dropped, they kept their heads up and their effort high.
Coach Trent Riordan set the tone early, reminding the team to “Keep doing what we’ve done all season, tackle hard and have fun.” And that’s exactly what they did.
Eaglehawk came out strong from the first bounce, applying pressure from every angle and making Rochester work for every possession.
But the young Tigers stayed composed, fighting for every contest and refusing to be rattled.
Bec Duckworth stepped up in the ruck and was outstanding, tapping cleanly to her teammates and holding her ground all night.
Annemarie Smith was electric around the ball, always one step from the contest, tackling hard and attacking every play.
Paired with the ferocious Ava Rasmussen, the Tigers had a midfield duo that refused to give an inch.
Ava may be small, but she never shies away from a tackle, showing resilience and determination that made Eaglehawk earn every possession.
Eaglehawk’s forward line was strong and kept the ball locked in their attacking half for much of the night.
Mackenzie Harvey showed great hands and smart play throughout the game, even after taking a knee to the stomach, but later wasn’t feeling well and took no further part in the match.
Her absence changed the Tigers’ structure, but Charlotte Wolfe stepped into ruck and immediately showed she was more than capable, refusing to be pushed around and giving her team every chance.
At three‑quarter time, Riordan urged the girls to trust their training, move the ball quickly, and keep applying pressure.
The Tigers fought hard all night, tackling fiercely and making Eaglehawk work for every contest.
But Eaglehawk’ s strong forward line and well-connected backline proved tough to break through, and Rochester had to battle for every opportunity to score.
After the match, Riordan told the girls they should be proud of themselves, reminding them that everyone got their hands on the ball and had a good, hard crack.
It wasn’t the result they wanted, but it was a performance full of heart, grit, and team spirit.
Rochester 1.1 (7) lost to Eaglehawk Eagles 3.4 (22)
Rochester Sports Museum Award: Annemarie Smith.
Mundie Constructions Award: Charlotte Wolfe.
The Café Rochester Award: Ellie Riordan.
Under-14 Mixed
It was a dreary day for football on Sunday, with the Tigers matching up against White Hills for the second time this season.
At their last encounter, the Tigers suffered a 28-point loss and came home disappointed, knowing they could do better against the Demons.
So this time they came out hungry to redeem themselves on home soil.
Seth Hunter started strongly and continue to excel all game – desperate for the footy and providing a commanding presence across the ground.
George McFadzean was a great target up forward and managed to convert with a kick around the body, getting the Tigers' first major of the day on the board.
At the first break, the Tigers had kept the Demons in check and only trailed by two points.
The Rochy boys continued to be hard at the ball in the second quarter, looking like their old selves after some tough losses this season.
Wet conditions ensured the game was mostly played on the ground, with numerous stoppages the entire day.
The ball spent a lot of time in Rochy’s forward half, but the Tigers were unable to convert.
River Powles, Nash Riordan and Patrick O’Sullivan presented and put pressure on at every contest.
The backmen were kept busy with Jack Martin contesting ground balls in the slippery conditions, and Archie Watson intercepting passages of play frequently.
Trey Hayes and Harrison Pangrazio shared ruck duties, finding their targets when it mattered most.
However, at the main break the Tigers hadn’t added to their score, but the Demons had stretched the lead to 11 points.
There were some great passages of play in the third; with midfielders Harrison Wilkins, Luke Drust, Maddox Parker and Walt James working tirelessly to transition the ball out of the midfield and across the ground.
Cooper Rasmussen showed his versatility, playing both defensively and then moving forward, kicking the Tigers' second goal of the day.
The tables turned and Rochy had kept the Demons to just two points in the third quarter, clawing the difference back to five points.
Going into the fourth, the Tigers continued to compete.
With the free kick tally strongly in White Hills corner for the day, the Tigers kept cool heads in what was a challenging and physical encounter.
The Demons managed to get on top though, kicking away in the last few minutes of the game to finish up winners by 23 points.
Although the scoreline wasn’t much different to Round 9, the Tigers were much more competitive the second time round and played like the Tigers of old.
Rochester 2.4 (16) lost to White Hills 5.9 (39)
Best players: Seth Hunter, Walt James, Harrison Wilkins, Cooper Rasmussen, Archie Watson, Trey Hayes.
Goal Kickers: G. McFadzean, C. Rasmussen.
Mayreef Pty Ltd Award: George McFadzean.
Glenavon Farms Award: Archie Watson.
Canteen Awards: Seth Hunter and Cooper Rasmussen.
Under 15 Girls
Rochester’s Under-15 girls proved their toughness and teamwork on Sunday morning, battling through wet, icy conditions to claim a brilliant 19-point victory over Mount Pleasant.
What unfolded was a four-quarter arm wrestle full of determination, resilience, and genuine Tiger spirit.
Coach Nic Duckworth set the tone early, rallying her team with a powerful message, “It’s our last home game. It’s going to be tough, so let’s show everyone how good we are and how much we’ve improved. Work hard and tackle hard.”
Mount Pleasant came out firing, winning early contests and locking the ball inside their forward line.
Rochester refused to back down, matching Mount Pleasant’s intensity and physicality. Despite the pressure, the Tigers held strong, conceding just one goal and scoring two points of their own.
Key early standouts included Isabella Russell in the ruck, whose reliable taps fed Alida Beer, driving the ball forward to Ash Duckworth.
This trio was a force across the ground, while Macey Macfarlane won contest after contest with trademark ferocity.
At the first break, Duckworth praised her team’s grit but urged them to rise even higher, “Yes, they’re tough, but so are we. Make them work hard. We are the better side.”
The girls responded instantly.
They switched on, attacked every contest, and hunted the footy with purpose.
Gracie Cox was superb at ground level, standing strong in packs and sending long kicks down the line.
Chelsea Braithwaite, small in stature but enormous in heart, was tenacious all game, fast, fearless, and relentless.
By three-quarter time, the Tigers’ camp buzzed with belief.
Duckworth’s voice carried passion and conviction, “Backs, build a wall. Hold strong. Put your body on the line and protect your mates. Mounts are playing rough, so play harder. Keep moving, keep talking, and run out the last 15 minutes.”
And didn’t the girls respond. Rochester dominated the final term, winning contests, putting their heads over the ball, and refusing to be pushed aside.
Ash Duckworth was electric in the forward line, kicking two crucial goals.
Zahli Young stood tall in defence, creating roadblocks and tackling fiercely, while Macey Macfarlane continued her ferocious pressure, driving the ball away from danger time and time again.
The young Tigers dug deep, fought hard, and showed exactly what they’re made of, securing an exciting, well-earned win in front of their home crowd.
Rochester 5.4 (34) won against Mount Pleasant 2.3 (15)
Best players: Gracie Cox, Isabella Russell, Alida Beer, Chelsea Braithwaite, Macey Macfarlane, Ash Duckworth.
Goal kickers: A. Duckworth (2), R. Ettershank, A. Beer, C. Braithwaite.
Mawsons Concrete and Quarries Award: Chelsea Braithwaite.
Darling Irrigation Award: Ruby Ettershank.
Iddles Lane Emporium Award: Chelsea Griffiths.
Under 16s
On Sunday, August 9, Rochester welcomed Sandhurst for a challenging contest in windy and wet conditions.
With the rain coming down and the wind making clean possession difficult, Coach Rasmussen was clear in his instructions from the outset: “We don’t want any cute possessions, we want territory.”
The boys embraced the message, continually fighting for the loose ball and looking to move the football forward at every opportunity.
With injuries ruling out a number of players before the game, it was always going to be a tough assignment, but the boys showed tremendous commitment and competed fiercely from the opening bounce.
The conditions continued to deteriorate as the game progressed, but Rochester’s effort never wavered.
Every contest was hard fought, with players putting their bodies on the line and working tirelessly for their teammates.
Despite the difficult circumstances and a strong Sandhurst outfit, the boys refused to concede an inch and produced a terrific contest that remained competitive throughout.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t quite get the result they deserved, going down in an admirable performance that demonstrated plenty of character, resilience and team spirit.
The final quarter was delayed in truly bizarre circumstances, with the rain and wind showing no signs of letting up and the Rochester goal umpire seemingly disappearing into the adjacent wilderness.
When he finally emerged, he was greeted by a huge cheer from the small but vocal Rochester crowd.
Not to be outdone, the Sandhurst goal umpire soon provided his own moment of theatre, producing a spectacular slip and ending up flat on his back and thoroughly saturated—yet somehow still managing to signal the goal.
It was a fittingly chaotic end to a tough afternoon, but one that the boys can be proud of for their relentless effort and willingness to compete until the very end.
Rochester 4.4 (28) lost to Sandhurst 7.12 (54)
Best players: Mac Dickinson, Asher Rasmussen, Reno Mountjoy, Mason Mundie, Hugh Acocks, Oliver Seamer.
Goalkickers: A. Rasmussen, M. Mundie (2).
Rochester Football Netball Club Awards: Mac Dickinson and Asher Rasmussen.
Glenavon Farms Award: Reno Mountjoy.
Canteen Awards: Mason Mundie, Hugh Acocks and Oliver Seamer.