The youngest Roos trekked to Yarrawonga with the intent of continuing last week’s form. On paper, it was a winnable match. However, a sluggish start in sluggish conditions put the boys on the back foot early.
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Yarra used their pace and intent to start strongly. Despite some torrid defence in the last line from Benji and Will, Yarra were able to put four goals and five behinds on the board in a difficult opening term.
Coach Wiz asked the boys to lift their effort in the second term and they looked to respond. Billy was tackling anything that moved (twice if it dared move again), and Finny started to find his legs, moving the ball efficiently up the wing, providing Max with his best chance on the year, sending the ball tumbling towards goal, pulling up just short of a major.
However, Yarra had smelt blood in the water and were looking to punish the Roos for any sloppy play, slotting another 4 goals to extend their lead to 52 points at the big break.
Coach Wiz demanded more effort for the boys in the second half and the response was obvious. Jagger started to inject himself on the game, and George sought to use his size and speed to pressure the Yarra on-ballers.
Finding some space, Finny had a shot on goal that missed to the right, putting a shot across the bow of the Yarra defence. Tommy, Jack and Sonny sought to harass the defenders and Ollie was throwing himself around in the centre of the field.
The final quarter was a difficult one for the young Roos as Yarra sought to hammer home their advantage. Despite some increased effort from Browny and Samuel in the half back line, Yarra were able to slot 5 majors to really put the stamp on a tough morning of footy for the boys.
Final score Yarrawonga (13.8.86) defeated Corowa (0.4.4)
Awards: Rydah Brown (Dickens Engineering), Benji Casey (TH Kitchens), Billy Hunter (Projectura), Finley Douglas (Gyles Newsagency), Jagger Doody (Maloney Real Estate), Will Torney (Corowa Meats).
Under 14s
Having perhaps taken last week’s matchup a little too lightly, the Under 14s Roos sought to show the threat that they pose to the rest of the competition.
Some really solid work in the middle from Roy and Levi set the tone early and some excellent leading from Eli in the forward 50 created the Roos’ first chance, which Eli sent through the big sticks without too much fuss. However, Yarra were able to reply soon after, taking a one-point lead into the first break.
The second term saw the Roos come to life. Will Massey was at his devastating best through the centre of the field, bullocking his way through the Yarra defence.
The ball movement was crisp as Cooper, Josh Hunter and Will Forrest demonstrated their ability to rebound the ball from the half back line. Huddo Kuschert was making a menace of himself inside the Yarra 50 and created a ton of chances, converting one himself and creating additional goals for Roy and Leo. The boys went to the half-time creak with a 19-point advantage.
A call to persist from the coaches’ saw the boys take the field full of confidence in the third term. Ollie Matthews was covering a lot of ground and Abe was demonstrating his value at the front. Some crisp play at the back from Dougy and Harry made sure that any forward play from Yarra was quickly snuffed out. Jaxx and Huddo Bilney were typically industrious in midfield and Nate showed some deft skill as the Roos continued to send the ball forward, allowing Jake and Roy to capitalise before Huddo Kuschert kicked his second.
The final quarter offered up more of the same. Will, having worn down the Yarra defenders all over the park, took complete control of the midfield, taking the opportunity to slot a goal for himself from a distance.
Darcy and Ben scrapped hard to keep the ball in the forward half, while Harry Webb ensured nothing got past him, keeping a clean sheet at fullback for quarters 2,3 and 4. A final goal to Leo put the game to bed, giving the boys great confidence heading into the pointy end of the season.
This was the boys' strongest team performance all season, and it comes at exactly the right time!
Final scores: Corowa (9.5.59) defeated Yarrawonga (1.2.8)
Awards: Will Massey, Hudson Kuschert, Josh Hunter, Harry Webb, Ollie Matthews, Will Forrest
Under 16s
In cool conditions, the Roos had the upper hand over Yarra and once again showed why they are a formidable team.
Early in the first term, the game was tight, and Yarra looked to be holding strong. Midway through the quarter, the class of the Roos midfield and the center clearances got the better of Yarra, and the Roos finished the quarter on top, scoring 4.4 to 2.0.
The second quarter had the Roos come out on fire, Archer at opposite ends of the ground to his normal position, proving to be a handful in front of gaols as much as in defence, while at the same time Zach and Eli and the backs held tight pushed hard out of the defensive half. Roos 4.3, Yarra 1.3.
The third term saw the Roo boys taper off a little, and the coaching team asked for more in the final term, as the scoring and drive into the forward line dried up and the intensity around the contest dropped off. Roos 1.2, Yarra 0.2.
The Roos responded when asked: Benji, Emmett, Hunter, Jayden, all working hard in the midfield to win the contest and move the ball forward. The pressure around the contest and the ball had to be better, as Yarra also came out hard last term. Another strong team performance from the Roos all over the ground: Roos 3.3, Yarra 2.3.
