The Rochester Under 12s capped off their perfect season with the result that they were chasing. The boys competed in the Division 1 Lightning Premiership in Kyabram on Sunday. Having been undefeated for the whole season, the pressure was on to finish their season in style. The first game saw the boys up against the ‘unknown’ team in St Augustine’s, having not clashed for the whole season due to St Aug’s playing in a different competition. The start of the game saw St Aug’s kick an early goal and get repeat stoppages in its forward half. The Tigers’ backline held firm, through great work from Zac Froon, Hugh Acocks and Jameson Watson. Walt James’s speed and run were crucial to get the Tigers going. The midfield was able to turn the game around and start to give the forwards a look at the ball. An opportunistic goal from Taylor Murray reduced the margin. A great smother and goal from Asher Rasmussen meant the boys went into half time seven points up. The second half saw a great goal from Noah Makepeace stretch the lead to 13 points. Jaxon Wolfe came on to the ground and had an immediate impact. A late goal to St Aug’s meant that the second half was a draw, but the Tigers had earned a well-fought and important win.
The second game saw the boys up against Deniliquin. A quick centre clearance found Noah Makepeace, who goaled to give the boys a dream start. Maddox Parker swooped on a loose ball and was able to steer through a goal and the Tigers were two goals up. The boys held an eight-point lead at half time. The boys fought out the second half, with Louis Frawley attacking the footy and Harrison Pangrazio using his pace to run down many loose balls. A great late goal from Harry Rasmussen meant the boys were able to win both halves. They again won the second half and the game, which set their day up with two wins from two games.
The third game saw the boys come up against Echuca. The young Tigers started slowly and let Echuca jump them. The boys were eight points down, before some brilliant team play saw Judd Cuttriss mark in the goal square and kick the team’s first goal right on the half-time siren. A strong mark from Judd Cuttriss and a clever kick found Mason Mundie. He kicked truly to reduce the deficit to two points. Echuca was a couple of players short for the day and were given two boys from the Tigers to fill in. Incredibly, Ryder Murray bobbed up with two goals playing for Echuca and threatened to ruin the Tigers’ unbeaten season. Max Lea was fantastic across half forward, bobbing up and being an option all day. The Tigers’ boys were able to fight their way back into the game and got scores level. The final siren went early, with Harrison Wilkins eyeing an open goal. The game ended in a draw.
This meant that the boys came into the last game needing to beat Moama to be crowned the Under 12 champions. Mac Dickinson was strong at full back and repeatedly stopped the Moama forward thrusts. Patrick O’Sullivan defended desperately to help the defensive end. However, the ball was living in the Moama forward line. The backs worked together really well and despite the Moama attacks, the boys were able to keep the opposition goalless. Harry Rasmussen and Judd Cuttriss started to take over the ball through the midfield and the Tigers were getting back into the game. A clearance from Asher Rasmussen found Harrison Wilkins, who was able to kick a clever goal. That meant the boys went to half time with a three-point lead. The game was set for a cracking finish. The second half saw the boys play the type of footy that had made them such a powerhouse for the year. Zac Howard looked dangerous up forward and fought hard to keep the ball in the forward line. Harrison Wilkins kicked two more in the second half and Mason Mundie added another as the boys ran all over Moama in the second half to run out 22-point winners and secure the premiership.
Best players for the team for the day were Asher Rasmussen, Harry Rasmussen, Hugh Acocks, Judd Cuttriss and Mason Mundie.
The boys are to be congratulated not only for their work on Sunday, but for their work for the entire season. They are a great bunch of boys, who listen, support and encourage each other and want to get better. Well done to coaches Toby Acocks and Leigh Mundie on how much they have been able to develop and improve every single player. Great work by all involved in the Rochester Junior Football Club.
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