Rostrevor Old Collegians cruises to its second division one premiership
ROSTREVOR Old Collegians cruised to its second division one Adelaide Footy League premiership - and first in four years - with a 37-point victory over an inaccurate Payneham Norwood Union at Thebarton Oval on Saturday.
ROSTREVOR Old Collegians cruised to its second division one Adelaide Footy League premiership - and first in four years - with a 37-point victory over an inaccurate Payneham Norwood Union at Thebarton Oval on Saturday.
ROC dominated from the outset as a result of its midfield ascendancy, intense physical pressure, threatening forward line and stingy defence, ultimately prevailing 10.8 (68) to 3.13 (31).
The Falcons were goalless until a Tom Langford major after the half-time siren, kicked their second at the 24-minute mark of the third term and slotted their only other goal nine minutes into the last quarter.
The flag was Rostrevor’s first since 2013, which was won via a grand final replay.
ROC coach Adrian Rocco said his side was keen to start well because the Falcons, mentored by Norwood champion Garry McIntosh, had jumped it in both clashes this year.
Rostrevor did just that, leading 3.1 to 0.2 at quarter-time then 7.3 to 1.7 by the main break before charging home.
“I’m exhilarated and over the moon,” Rocco said.
“I thought we controlled the game right from the start.
“It’s a fantastic football club and I love the guys - they’re so grounded and rounded.
“It’s been a lot of hard work since October, the start of pre-season, and it came to fruition today.”
The Falcons were not helped by their wayward goalkicking.
They had several opportunities to kick relatively simple goals but missed, none more notable than Langford’s behind from 20m just when he looked like slotting his side’s first goal midway through the second term.
Rostrevor’s backmen defended desperately, seemingly intent on keeping Payneham goalless before Langford finally got his team on the board with a set-shot major going into half-time.
“It was a great effort not just by our defenders but our pressure by the midfielders and all over the ground,” Rocco said.
It was a case of all played well for Rostrevor but hardworking Craig Holm received the medal for best on ground.
Oliver Wilkie, Luke Manuel, Charlie Jordan, Jack Nelligan (two goals) and ex-Redleg Tullio DeMatteis also impressed for ROC.
Ex-Sturt skipper Michael Coad and tall forward Heath Command booted two majors.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Holm said. “All credit to the guys, it was 18 blokes at them all day.”
Payneham’s best were Chase Bower, Nick Jolly and Tyler Brimacombe. Mathew Brunoli finished with two goals for the Falcons.
IN Southern Football League, Flagstaff Hill made it back-to-back flags when it proved too strong for Noarlunga in yesterday’s grand final at Hickinbotham Oval.
The Falcons controlled the game from start to finish to win 13.16 (94) to 8.9 (57).
And in Hills Division 1, Blackwood edged out Hahndorf in a four-point thriller, winning 8.6 (54) to 6.14 (50).