The Tigers took down Shepparton United, a theoretical rival in the mid-table, in comprehensive fashion at Moon Oval, the Tigers’ defence back to its stifling best in wet conditions.
“I think it probably has suited us over the last little bit when the conditions have been (wet),” Rochester coach Ash Watson said.
“It's a strength of United how quick they are on the outside and they use the ball very well as well.
“We knew our on-ballers around the footy had to get to work in the contest and we thought we did that pretty well.”
Rochester ground out the result, holding the Demons to 4.12 (36) while posting 12.11 (83).
The defensive work was on full display in the opening term, United forced to settle for four behinds as Rochy got out to a 15-4 lead.
The Tigers really turned the screws in the second and goals followed, six to one sailing through as the host broke clear by 38 points at the half.
After a dismal 1.9 scoring performance, the Demons showed a little more in the second half, but Rochester completed the four-quarter performance, winning each of the remaining periods to secure the four points.
Matt Kellett was the milestone man on this occasion, notching his 100th appearance, Watson praising the defender’s tireless efforts.
“We love him,” he said.
“He's a local boy, no frills, just plays on the best forward most weeks and does a job for us.
“He’s internally very highly regarded and one of the first picked.
“Really pleased that we could get a win for him in the milestone game because he's a rippin' fella.”
Having now won three of its past four, Rochester is well in the finals race, now level on points with last year’s grand final opponent Kyabram in sixth spot.
Watson heralded that his side is in the midst of an important stretch of games among teams competing for the lower finals spots.
“It's been a bit of a slower start for us and we've been a little bit frustrated at times with how we've played, but at the same time, we think we've got our game in pretty good shape at the moment,” he said.
“We've got this block of four games, we played Mooroopna and United the last two weeks, and then we play Mansfield and Ky over the next two weeks.
“They're the teams all around the same vicinity as us, so a really important phase and (after that) we have got a pretty tough draw, we'll play a few of the top sides towards the back end of the year.”
The Tigers will look to make it three in a row when they take the long drive to Mansfield this Saturday.
The game
Rochester: 2.3, 8.5, 11.9, 12.11 (83)
Shepparton United: 0.4, 1.9, 3.11, 4.12 (36)
Goals
Rochester: Felix Fogarty 3, Hugh Hamilton 2, Andy Henderson 2, Hamish Hooppell, Kyle Waters, Bailey Wileman, Darby Wileman, Hunter Wileman
Shepparton United: Michael Barlow, Timothy Looby, Liam Serra, Mitchell Serra
Best
Rochester: Bailey Wileman, Ryley Ferguson, Andy Henderson, Nate Rasmussen, Mitchell Trewhella
Shepparton United: Jordan Haynes, Brodie Newman, Sheldon Bogdan, Kaedyn Napier, Jensen Dowling
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