The King’s Birthday weekend got off to a cracking start with bright sunshine welcoming the Under 12 Roos as they prepared to take on the challenge of a quality North Albury outfit.
The young Roos started sluggishly, and the Hoppers made them pay, knocking through four first-quarter goals to leave the boys reeling at the first break.
Coach Hooter asked for more output and defensive pressure in the second term, and the boys started to find their feet.
Abe Spencer was dominating the centre of the field and Josh Parker was making his presence felt on the ball.
Ollie Matthews and Darcy Upton started to get up high and create some contested balls, but, despite a goal to Jake Witherden, the boys still struggled to hold a surging North Albury side who kicked another 3 to take a 34-point lead into the big break.
Some positional changes in the second half saw the boys finding some ascendency in the game. Leo Davis started to work through the wing, showing his skills in both attack and defence, while Franko Moolman and Nate Fenn made sure the Hoppers had to work hard for possession.
Goals to Leo Davis and Jax Johnston helped to shift the momentum of the game and, going into the final term, the boys felt like they were in with a shot.
The final quarter saw a huge push from the boys on the attacking end. Jagger Doody and Finley Douglas started to show their skills, shifting the ball wide and hitting hard in defence. Tommy Bonnitcha started to find some space up front and Rydah Brown and Jai Richey continued to make their presence felt in the backfield.
One goal (against the run of play) helped to seal the win for the Hoppers nut, despite a slow first half, the Roos boys were able to walk off the field with heads held high.
Final scores North Albury (8.1.49) def. Corowa-Rutherglen (3.4.22)
Awards this week: Abe Spencer, Josh Parker, Jake Witherden, Ollie Matthews, Jai Richey, Jaxx Johnston
Under 14s
It was a beautiful day for footy and the boys ran out to do battle with the top of the table Hoppers. After being beaten by a fair margin last time our boys needed a strong start.
A strong start is what they achieved kicking 4 goals in the opening quarter with the highlight being a bouncing goal by Josh Hunter that went sideways on the last bounce to sneak through for a goal.
The boys were dominating the play in the first half of the quarter with the Hoppers scoring late in the quarter.
The second quarter started with another Hoppers goal with the margin now reduced to 11 points.
Mid way through the quarter Joe Lavis went down with injury and had to be taken to hospital with a suspected broken collarbone.
The Hoppers were able to take advantage of this structural change with another goal before the Roos hit back with a goal Franklin.
The Roo boys’ pressure around the ground was good however they knew the Hoppers were coming with their best play starting to put together some damaging parts of play to keep the Roos goalless in the third quarter.
The Hoppers scored two goals to take a 2-point lead into the final quarter.
Unfortunately, more injuries were to come for the Roos limiting their ability to rotate players. However, the Roo boys fought out the last quarter losing it 3 goals to 2 and the game by 9 points. Big improvement on the last time they met and a confidence booster for the next time they face them.
Final Score: Corowa Rutherglen (7.2.44) def by North Albury (8.5.53)
Goals: 2 F Murray-Wright & 1 T Hanrahan, C Patten, E Northey & R Barber & J Hunter
Awards: F Murray-Wright (Painters Cafe), B White (Peter Ellis), E Northey (TH Kitchens & Joinery), T Hanrahan (Little Oasis Beauty), A Ross-Anderson (A&A Automotive), W Massey (Joel Bilney Builders) H Moore (Ricky D’s Pizza)
Under 16s
Final Score: Corowa Rutherglen (14.14.86) def North Albury (5.10.40)
Awards: Edward Kreutzberger, Jay Lavis, Hunter Hall, Ashton Wynne, Caile Duryea, Jarvis Moloney
No report.