Tenacious Tigers sent home

The Tigers maxed out their 40 player points as five-pointer Cooper Hamilton returned to the line-up for the first time since June, when he took on an opportunity with Southport Sharks in the VFL.

But with the Sharks missing the finals, Hamilton was free to rejoin the Tigers for the final round, and a potential finals run, as he took to the field alongside fellow AFL alumni and six-player point recruit Marty Hore for the first time.

It was a formidable line-up and one that looked like it may have the measure of the league-leading Bears early in the game, away at Deakin Reserve.

The Tigers kicked the first four goals to burst out to a 27-2 lead, a reeling Bears clinging to life with a late goal to go into the sheds down 10-28.

Rochester continued to dominate early in the second, kicking two more majors to open up a five-goal lead.

Shepparton clawed its way back to level out the second term, but the Tigers were still ahead by almost three goals at the half-time break, 7.6 (48) to 4.7 (31).

As things stood at the main break, Rochester would be a finals side.

Echuca was leading Mooroopna and even Euroa had a one-point edge on Kyabram.

If either result held and the Tigers picked up the four points, they would find their way into the top six.

However, Shepparton had shown its title credentials time and time again this year and the Bears did so once more in the second half.

Rochy pushed even further ahead to begin the third, finding the first goal after the break, and for most of the term held firm.

But with five minutes plus stoppages to play, the Bears began their run, reeling off five majors to one at the end of the quarter to find their way into the lead for the first time since 1-0.

It was all to play for in the fourth, too close to call with Shepparton leading by two points, 65-63.

The momentum was with the Bears and, after the sides traded a goal each early in the last term, it was the minor premiers who kicked clear late, slotting the final three majors to run out 21-point winners and end Rochester’s season, 13.15 (93) to 10.12 (72).

Although Kyabram finished off Euroa in the second half, Echuca handled Mooroopna comfortably, meaning a Tigers win would have seen the locals snatch sixth from the Cats on percentage.

Having missed out by one win, Rochester (9-9) can be forgiven for feeling it had more to offer this year, player unavailability a major factor, particularly early in the year.

Key players, including Hore, Mitch Cricelli and Cooper and Hugh Hamilton all missed big chunks of the season and last year’s co-captain and 45-goal contributor Wil Hamilton missed the entire year with a knee complaint.

The game also marks Ash Watson’s last in charge at the club, as he steps away from the role, handing the reins over to Hore in 2027.

Watson masterminded a strong era for the club, bringing the team from four wins in 2023 in his first season, to a preliminary final appearance in 2024 and grand final in 2025.

Overall, the Tigers were (including finals) 44-1-34 over the four years of Watson’s stewardship.

The league’s finals series will now be held over four weeks, with Shepparton to battle Echuca in the 1 v 2 qualifying semi-final in week one.

Third-ranked Seymour will take on sixth-placed Mooroopna, while Shepparton Swans and Kyabram will battle, both in elimination finals.