The under 12s took on the top-of-the-ladder Tigers at Wahgunyah, showcasing their skills and determination despite a smaller playing list due to the winter flu affecting some players.
The boys practiced a game plan to address the Tigers talent and game plan.
The first quarter saw Albury kick 3 goals 7 in and Corowa scoreless. The backline had their work cut for them from the get-go and they held up to the onslaught by the Tigers with Darcy Upton, Joshua Parker, Jagger Doody and Jake Witherden battled in the midfield.
The second quarter saw Albury kick 4 goals 4 behinds again, leaving Corowa scoreless. But not for the hard running and defence of Franco Moolman, Jaxx Johnstone and Abe Spencer.
The constant messaging from the bench to the boys was to ensure they were to keep an arm on their opponent and to prevent the free space/running of Albury.
At half time coach Scott Parker encouraged the boys to keep the pressure on.
The third quarter saw the game open after Corowa’s pressure holding Albury to only 2 goals, also resulting in an excellent passage of player from Ollie Mathews linking up with Joshua Parker allowing Lucas Tait out the back to kick a great goal putting Corowa on the score board.
Special mention to Cooper Gerhard, Nate Kuschert holding up the back line with some solid pressure and tackling and clearing the ball out. Nate Kuschert had returned to the filed after receiving a hard tackle early in the game, showing great courage and resilience.
Franklin Murray-Wright takes a spectacular mark in the Under 14s game.
The last quarter showed that the boy’s effort and pressure could be matched against Albury holding them to only 2 final goals, a move from the coach saw Leo Davis come out of the backline allowing to kick a running goal and a behind.
The boys ran out the game with their heads held high, even though a disappointing result. Coach Parker explained to the group that if they persist and provide the effort there will be improvement.
The best players for the match were Joshua Parker, Jagger Doddy, Cooper Gerhard, Darcy Upton, Jaxx Johnstone and Jai Richey.
Under 14s
After a strong win last week, we were back home to take on the reigning Under 14s premiers Albury Tigers who were in some good form.
The boys started well with the first centre bounce of the game going forward and resulting in an early goal to Josh Hunter.
The boys followed it up shortly after with a forward 50 entry which Cooper Patten marked about 30m from goal. He spotted Ajay on his own and did the team thing kicking it to Rhylee Barber who made sure of the goal.
Albury got their game going in the 2nd half of the quarter hitting the scoreboard to take a 2-point lead into the break.
The 2nd quarter was begin fought in the middle with Albury able to outnumber the Roos at contests through their hard work.
Will Forrest had his best game of the year down back with his marking and rebound run a highlight. Margin 3 points at the main break to Albury after each team kicked 2 goals in the quarter.
The coach questioned how much the boys wanted the win with the boys responding well on the ground. The numbers evened up at the contests around the ground as the defenders toiled hard with Cohen Wilcox leading the way at full back. It would be the best quarter of the game outscoring Albury 3 goals to 2 to take a 2-point lead into the last break.
The last quarter went the Roos way early with two quick goals to stretch the lead out to 11 points with Albury peppering the goals at their end but missing.
The Roos lack of defensive pressure in the midfield was costly though the defenders were forced to work hard to keep Albury out. With about 5 minutes to go Albury scored a goal to cut the margin to 5 points and had the momentum.
With about 1 minute left on the clock Albury were able to get it forward and kick the winning goal. The boys fought hard all day however got pipped at the post.
Goals: 2 J Hunter, T Hanrahan & J Lavis 1 C Patten, R Barber & A Heagney
Awards: F Murray-Wright (Painters Cafe), W Forrest (Peter Ellis), J Hunter (TH Kitchens & Joinery), H Moore (Little Oasis Beauty), B White (A&A Automotive), W Massey (Joel Bilney Builders) & J Lavis (Ricky D’s Pizza)
Under 16s
Both teams started strongly and scored in the opening term. A hard fought and contested game with bodies put on the line ensued.
Goals from the start of the second quarter were hard to come by, with the game going end to end with all players on both teams contributing.
The Roos on ball players covered enormous ground in the heat, Captain Isaac Dickinson bagged two goals, Jay Lavis had a welcome return back to his best with domination in the air and three goals and players Jayden Forge and Benji Hanrahan showed why they have been recent picks in the NSW schools state team.
Angus Massey, Ethan Lane, Lucas Taft and Jordan Allen never gave up and pushed hard all day.
The Tigers outscored the Roos in the second quarter and went into half time with an 8-point lead.
The second half sure more aggressively contest ball from both sides with the Roo’s only scoring one goal in the third quarter and Albury remaining goalless.
The final quarter saw more end-to-end play with Tigers outscoring the Roos’s to win by 13 points in a wrestle that came down to the wire.
Final scores: Corowa Rutherglen Roo’s 7.6.48 to Albury Tigers 8.13.61.
Corowa Goals scorers: Jay Lavis 3, Isaac Dickinson 2, Jayden Forge 1 and Leroy Chester 1.
Corowa Best: Archer Coppolino, Brodie Eyers, Benji Hanrahan, Jayden Forge, Leroy Chester, Ashton Wynne.