Under-12 Girls
Despite being five players down, the Rochester Under-12 girls took to their home ground with determination and spirit as they faced Golden Square in a challenging match.
Coach Trent Riordan's message was simple but effective: “Go out there, have fun, tackle hard and follow the game plan.”
The girls started quietly in the first half, but their determination never wavered.
At the break, Trent encouraged the team to be louder on the field and pick up the ball more cleanly, and that’s exactly what they did.
The Tigers lifted their intensity, keeping the ball in front and showing off their fierce tackling skills.
A special highlight of the evening was a cameo from Remi Rasmussen, whose first kick of the game resulted in the Tigers’ opening score.
Her sneaky goal boosted her confidence, and she went on to make her presence felt for the rest of the match.
Willow Brooks was another standout, getting stronger as the game progressed and slotting through Rochester’s second goal.
She's proving herself to be a formidable player as the season unfolds.
Not to be outdone, young Ava Rasmussen tackled with the force of a freight train.
Her size might be small, but her impact was massive, letting nothing slip past her.
Meanwhile, Ellie Riordan’s strong marking once again impressed the crowd, showing just how much her confidence has grown with each outing.
Holding down the backline with poise and power, Macca Harvey stood tall all game.
Her relentless pressure made it tough for Golden Square to find the goals, forcing them to earn every scoring chance.
Macca’s leadership in defence was a key reason the Tigers stayed in the fight.
While the scoreboard may not have reflected the Tigers' immense effort, the team can be incredibly proud.
They didn’t give up for a second and played their hearts out.
With a well-earned break next week, fans are looking forward to seeing the full team return, rested, recharged, and ready to roar.
Rochester 2.0 (12) lost to Golden Square 9.7 (61)
A & L Holmberg One Percenter Award: Ava Rasmussen.
Milkshake Lane Award: Willow Brooks.
The Café Rochester Award: Ellie Riordan.
The Drovers Arms Goornong Awards: Mackenzie Harvey and Remi Rasmussen.
Under-12 Mixed
Our Tigers were way too strong Friday night in Echuca against an undermanned Eagles team.
Great sportsmanship was shown, with three Tigers players rotating each quarter, playing for the opposing team.
Jason Scoble and Emmett Sceney had plenty of the ball throughout the game, and Bobby Watson set up multiple goals.
Rochester had ten multiple goal kickers in a dominant showing before the school holiday break.
Rochester Tigers 15.10 (100) defeated Echuca United Eagles 0
A & L Holmberg One Percenter Award - Jaxon Scoble.
Canteen Awards - Bobby Watson, Emmett Sceney, Noah Broucek.
GEM Hair Design Award - Rhylee Chandler.
Under-15 Girls
Proving that football is a winter sport, Strathfieldsaye turned on the wet weather and cold conditions.
The Storm got the lead in the first quarter, and Rochy spent the next two quarters catching up to be even at three-quarter time.
A hard-fought last quarter saw Strathfieldsaye get up by just one point.
Congratulations to Gracie Cox on her debut and having a great game.
Rochester 4.4 (28) lost to Strathfieldsaye 4.5 (29)
Best Players: Evie Riordan, Abby Ryan, Macey Ryan, Ella Treacy, Alida Beer, Ash Duckworth.
Goal kickers: Alida Beer, A. Duckworth, O. Mundie, M. Ryan.
Mayreef Pty Ltd One Percenter Award: Gracie Cox.
Canteen Awards: Abby Ryan, Liv Mundie, Ella Treacy.
Under-14 Mixed
The Rochester Under-14 Tigers gave everything in soggy conditions on Sunday morning, taking it right to top-of-the-ladder Castlemaine before falling 17 points short in a gutsy performance.
The Tigers burst out of the gates with a brilliant first quarter, keeping the ball well contested and showing no fear despite the driving rain.
Mac Dickinson kicked truly to open the scoring, and the home side looked right at home in the mud.
Rochester continued their strong form into the second term, with Dickinson adding his second and Maddox Parker chiming in with a clever goal of his own.
The sopping wet Tigers were relentless at ground level, tackling hard and keeping Castlemaine under real pressure.
Castlemaine, however, dominated in the second half.
The ladder-leaders cleaned up their ball movement and started to find space, gradually taking control of the game.
Their forward efficiency proved the difference, with two late goals in the final quarter sealing the win.
Still, the Tigers didn’t go quietly.
Zac Howard provided a late spark with two impressive goals in the last term, capping off a strong individual performance and keeping Rochester in the contest until the final siren.
Despite the result, the Tigers can hold their heads high.
They played a strong, clean game in tough conditions and showed real discipline and team spirit from start to finish.
Rochester 5.2 (32) lost to Castlemaine 7.7 (49)
Best players: Hugh Acocks, Harry Rasmussen, Mac Dickinson, Mason Mundie, Harrison Wilkins, Archie Watson.
Goal kickers: Mac Dickinson, Zac Howard (2), Maddox Parker.
Rochester Spreading Services One Percenter Award: Archie Watson.
Canteen Awards: Hugh Acocks, Maddox Parker, Zac Howard.
Under-16 Boys
Real winter conditions met the boys in Huntly on Sunday morning, with the heavy rain and a cool breeze making for a very difficult encounter against The Hawks.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the day to be going in undermanned, with the team missing several players due to injury and school holidays.
However, the lack of players opened up a spot for Under-14 leader, Asher Rasmussen to join the boys for a run.
During the first quarter, the ball was in Rochy’s forward 50 quite often, however the team were unable to convert, only managing two points for the entire quarter.
At the first break, Rochy were already 25 points down, despite the best efforts of Jake Munro and Cal Giffin across the backline.
The rain continued into the second quarter, resulting in it being largely a ground ball game.
Reno Mountjoy contested the ground balls well, however Huntly showed they were more hungry for the footy, leaving Rochy to be second to the contest too often.
The Hawks charged ahead, piling on another four goals, to Rochy’s single point.
With more rain in the third, the ball was now well and truly waterlogged and heavy, along with many of the players.
The game continued to be a scrappy affair, but Rochy began to acclimatise and managed to kick three majors, outscoring Huntly for the quarter.
Tom Drust marked well in trying conditions, and Corey Pangrazio was solid in the ruck.
Unfortunately though, at three-quarter time Rochy were 37 points down, and without a bench due to further injuries.
The rain held off in the fourth and the Tigers started to show glimmers of their usual selves, but it was too late.
Mitch Munro was consistent all day, slogging it out under tough conditions.
Huntly continued their physical style of football, and although Rochy had reigned in the Hawks' scoring ability, the Tigers were also unable to score.
It certainly wasn’t a day for skilful footy, with the majority of the play as messy as the conditions.
Rochester 3.5 (23) lost to Huntly 10.9 (69)
Best Players: Tom Drust, Cal Giffin, Mitch Munro, Corey Pangrazio, Cale James, Kaelan Connor.
Goal kickers: C. James, C. Pangrazio, A. Rasmussen.
Rochester Football Netball Club One Percenter Award: Tom Drust.
Canteen Awards: Asher Rasmussen, Nate Macfarlane, Cale James.
GEM Hair Design Award: Corey Pangrazio.