Under-12 Girls
Rochester Junior Football Club’s big weekend of five home games began on Friday night with the Under-12 Girls braving wet, soggy and icy conditions, but you wouldn’t have known it from their smiles.
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The young Tigers ran out in high spirits, eager for another round of footy in the misty rain as they faced Golden Square.
Coach Trent Riordan’s message was simple and smart, “Play to the conditions, kick the ball off the ground and keep it moving.”
The girls took those words to heart, attacking the contest with energy, grit and genuine enjoyment.
Ella Forde was first to break through, slotting the opening goal and setting the tone.
Ava Rasmussen was fierce from the outset, determined to win every contest.
Her voice, encouragement and relentless tackling lifted her teammates and helped her win plenty of the ball.
Across the ground, Ella Forde and Frankie Hay were once again unstoppable, driving the ball forward and keeping Rochester in control.
By halftime, the Tigers had surged to a 35‑ point lead.
Rochester continued to move the ball quickly after the break.
Bec Duckworth was strong all game, while the team’s teamwork and constant encouragement echoed from the sidelines.
The girls never let up.
Small but mighty, Scarlett Macfarlane found her confidence, applying fierce pressure, laying strong tackles and diving into packs to push the ball toward the Tigers’ forward line.
Meanwhile, Abbie Griffiths delivered her best game of the season, ferocious at every contest, fearless in every tackle and right in the thick of every pack.
Post‑ game, Coach Riordan praised the group’ s camaraderie, teamwork, resilience and willingness to share the ball.
The Tigers’ effort was rewarded with a dominant win.
Rochester 9.5 59 defeated Golden Square 0.0 0
Mundie Constructions Award: Bec Duckworth.
Rochester Sports Museum Award: Izzy Brooks.
The Café Rochester Award: Abbie Griffiths.
Under 12 Mixed
Sunday morning footy at Rochester was a special occasion as the Tigers hosted the Kyabram Bombers Red for Spirit of Football/Netball Round.
With four Rochester teams enjoying home games across the weekend, there was plenty of excitement around the club, and the Tigers delivered a strong performance in front of their home crowd.
From the opening bounce, Rochester set the tone.
The Tigers took a 40-point advantage into half-time, with Seth Rasmussen leading the charge on the scoreboard, kicking four goals in a dominant first half.
The Tigers’ defensive pressure was outstanding, keeping Kyabram scoreless until three-quarter time and allowing Rochester to build a commanding lead.
The midfield was also a key contributor, with Cooper Fynch standing out in the ruck, providing the Tigers with plenty of opportunities and helping drive the team forward.
Rochester finished the match with a 67-point win, with goal contributions from Seth Rasmussen, Riley Nichol, Bobby Watson and Fletcher Hodson.
The recipient of the Spirit of Football medal for Rochester was Bobby Watson - a solid centre halfback for the Tigers who consistently leads by example and is a true leader within the team.
The day reflected what the round is all about, with both the Tigers and Ky Bombers showing great teamwork, commitment and respect throughout the contest.
A fantastic home game for the Rochester Tigers, celebrating not only a great win, but the values that make junior football such a special part of the community.
Rochester 9.13 67 defeated 1.3 9
Luke Ryan Real Estate Award: Cooper Fynch.
St Joseph’s Primary School Award: Riley Nichol.
Canteen awards: Seth Rasmussen and Orly Cuttriss.
Under 14 Mixed
Rochester Under 14s produced a determined performance despite the end score.
While the result did not fall Rochester's way, the young tigers showed plenty of encouraging signs throughout the contest.
From the opening bounce, Rochester's players held their own physically, tackling strongly and applying constant pressure around the ground.
Their willingness to hunt the ball and contest every possession kept them in the game for long periods.
Rochester worked hard at the stoppages and refused to allow Sandhurst easy opportunities, with several players putting their bodies on the line and chasing relentlessly.
The midfield group was particularly impressive, with Harrison Wilkins, Walt James and Seth Hunter leading the way through their work rate and determination.
The trio consistently put themselves in the right positions, worked hard both offensively and defensively, and continually created contests around the ball.
Their efforts helped Rochester remain competitive against a strong Sandhurst outfit.
Around the stoppages, Maddox Parker and Harrison Pangrazio were outstanding in their roles as roving players.
Both showed excellent anticipation at ground level, hunted the football relentlessly and applied strong defensive pressure when Sandhurst gained possession.
Their ability to win contested ball and drive the team forward provided Rochester with valuable energy throughout the match.
In the back line, Archie Watson was among Rochester's best performers.
Watson played an outstanding defensive game, reading the play well, intercepting opposition attacks and showing composure under pressure.
Despite facing constant challenges throughout the match, he competed strongly in every contest and never stopped working for his team.
His determination, courage and willingness to put his body on the line were highlights of Rochester's performance.
Despite what the scoreboard read, Rochester never stopped competing.
The defensive group stood firm under pressure, while the midfield continued to battle hard and create opportunities going forward.
Rochester U14 0.0.0 lost to Sandhurst 21.23.149
Best players: Cooper Rasmussen, Walt James, Harrison Wilkins, Maddox Parker, Trey Hayes, Archie Watson.
Mayreef Pty Ltd Award: Walt James.
Glenavon Farms Award: Harrison Wilkins.
Canteen Awards: Cooper Rasmussen and Harrison Pangrazio.
Under 15 Girls
The Rochester under-15 girls returned to home soil on Sunday, taking on White Hills with determination, spirit and a genuine desire to compete.
Coach Nic Duckworth set the tone pre‑ game, reminding the girls to have fun, try hard, and focus on doing their best, win or lose, and that’ s exactly what they delivered.
From the opening bounce, Rochester applied strong pressure, forcing White Hills to earn every possession.
The backline worked tirelessly, contesting every ball, staying low, and refusing to give the visitors clean entries.
The team also welcomed back Macey Macfarlane after seven weeks on the sidelines, along with exciting newcomer Chelsea Braithwaite, who immediately impressed with her speed, agility and willingness to get in and get dirty.
Her versatility saw her rotate through multiple positions across the day. By quarter time, only three points separated the sides, a testament to Rochester’s intensity and belief.
Gracie Cox was ferocious around the contest, laying strong tackles, taking clean grabs and bursting from packs to drive the ball forward.
At half time, White Hills had edged ahead by 10 points, but Coach Duckworth urged the girls to keep talking, lift their encouragement, get their arms up to avoid being pinned, and find space rather than being drawn into the congestion.
The Weeks sisters once again delivered a full‑ effort performance, showing grit, sportsmanship and relentless pressure.
Despite Rochester’ s work rate, White Hills found momentum late, using long, powerful kicks to break the game open and eventually claim a 30‑ point win.
Post‑ game, Coach Duckworth praised the group, noting how much spirit and fight they showed— a performance full of growth, effort and pride.
Rochester 1.4.10 lost to White Hills 6.4.40
Best on Ground: Gracie Cox, Aliza Beer, Zyra Weeks, Kaylee Saunders, Alida Beer, Tilly Ryan.
Goal Kickers: Alida Beer.
Mawsons Concrete and Quarries Award: Macey Macfarlane.
Darling Irrigation Award: Chelsea Braithwaite.
Iddles Lane Emporium Award: Gracie Cox.
Under 16 Boys
Rochester's under-16 footballers suffered a heartbreaking one-goal defeat to White Hills after an entertaining and hard-fought contest.
The Tigers came out firing in a dominant opening quarter, with Asher Rasmussen proving unstoppable up forward, booting four first-quarter goals.
Ollie Seamer also provided a strong target inside 50, adding a major of his own as Rochester surged to an 18-point lead at the first break through relentless pressure and clean ball movement.
White Hills responded strongly through the second and third quarters to claw their way back into the game and eventually edge in front.
Despite the momentum swinging against them, Rochester refused to give in and produced a determined final-quarter fightback.
Hugh Acocks competed fiercely all day, while Mason Mundie was enormous in the final term, leading the charge as the Tigers searched for a match-winning goal.
Harry Rasmussen's relentless tackling kept the pressure on, Charlie Holmberg won several crucial possessions late to keep Rochester in the contest, and Charlie Watson battled tirelessly on the wing.
Reno Mountjoy was one of Rochester's most consistent performers across all four quarters, providing drive and composure throughout the match.
Although the result didn't fall Rochester's way, the team's resilience, effort and determination until the final siren were a credit to the entire group.
Rochester 8.10 58 lost to White Hills 9.10 64
Best players: Asher Rasmussen, Reno Mountjoy, Mason Mundie, Mac Dickinson, Harry Rasmussen, Jag Tarrant.
Goal Kickers: A. Rasmussen (4), O. Seamer, Heath Kyne, Hugh Acocks.
Rochester Football Netball Club Awards: Jag Tarrant and Heath Kyne.
Glenavon Farms Award: Taylor Murray.
Canteen Award: Jackson Goldstraw.