A Tigers’ tale: GVL Rounds 1-12

Rochester has a 7-5 record, equal with sixth ranked Seymour, 18 per cent separating it from the top six before the opening week of the GVL’s two split rounds of the season.

The Tigers will tackle Mansfield on Saturday week (July 16) at Moon oval, their only top six opponent of the final six weeks.

There are three matches this Saturday and the following weekend (July 16) the remaining six clubs — including the Tigers — will complete round 13.

On August 6 the Tigers will tackle Shepparton United, which is one of three matches on that weekend before the remaining three games are contested on August 13.

In the final five weeks the Tigers have Benalla, Tatura, United, Shepparton Swans and, finally, Shepparton.

Against those five teams the first time round averaged 124.2 points, which flies in the face of the team’s overall average of 82 points.

Rochester’s scoring power has it ranked third (12.5 goals), in relation to average goals per game, behind Echuca (16.1 goals) and Euroa.

Those 12.5 goals come from an average of 48 inside 50 entries a game, fourth in the league (Echuca is leading with 58).

The Tigers standing in regard to free kicks is also at the pointy end, averaging 27.9 free kicks a game — second only to Shepparton Swans 28.

In comparison the Tigers give away, on average, only 23.3 free kicks a game. That is eighth on the list, which is topped by Kyabram (30.4).

Rochester maintains its top six ranking in regard to total disposals, but averages 45 less than ladder leader Echuca.

The Tigers are seventh on the total marks list and eighth in regard to tackles this season.

Here is how the Tigers’ season has gone so far, statistically speaking:

Round one (54 point loss to Echuca, overturned by the GVL due to player ineligibility): Ruory Kirkby’s five goals (he now has 43 and sits second on the goalkicking ladder) was the difference in the match as Rochester won the tackle and free kick counts. Echuca had 27 scoring shots to the Tigers 18 in a match with a comparatively low disposal count (considering season averages).

Round two (57 point loss to Kyabram): Twenty one forward 50 marks to Kyabram, 12 of those to Kyle Mueller and Cooper Vick (10 goals between them), from 57 entries allowed the Bombers an abundance of scoring opportunities. Steve Stroobants’ eight kicks resulted in five goals. The Tigers never gave up, laying 78 tackles to Kyabram’s 49 in the defeat.

Round three (132 point win against Tatura): Early season high totals of 371 possessions, 119 marks and 75 inside 50s set up the win as 14 players kicked goals in the win. Nathan McCarty took 11 marks and had 24 possessions in the win, while Charlie Ward put the ball inside 50 on nine occasions with his 17 touches.

Round four (42 point win against Shepparton United): Chris Jansen’s 40 possession/three goal/11 clearance game coincided with Mitch Cricelli’s breakout game. Cricelli took eight marks, had 15 possessions and kicked 6.2 in the victory. Ruckman Dan Russell had 25 touches, 31 hit outs and eight clearances in the game.

Round five (130 point win against Benalla): Andy Henderson stood up in the absence of Dan Russell and his 22 possession (18 contested) 31 hit out game, along with eight tackles, earned him best afield honours. Shaun Atley had his third 30 plus game of the season and an off target Cricelli kicked 4.4 from 10 towering marks.

Round six (38 point win against Shepparton Swans): Shaun, Joe and Jacob Atley put the family name up in lights as the Tigers made it four wins in a row. Shaun had 35 possessions, Joe 32 and Jacob defended strongly, a +18 inside 50 count ensuring the Tigers had enough scoring opportunities. Cricelli bagged another four goals, while Jordan Harper had 25 touches and kicked three goals from a wing.

Round seven (49 point win against Shepparton): Mitch Bright’s 31 possessions and 10 marks set a tone for the victory as Nathan Kay had 23 touches, nine clearances and nine inside 50s. Jordan and Lachlan Harper had 53 touches between them and Grant Fuller’s nine tackles was a game high.

Round eight (45 point loss to Echuca): Facing the top team for a second time the Tigers managed only 30 inside 50s for just five goals. Eleven tackles from Adam McPhee, among a +35 return for the Tigers, failed to impact the Echuca scoring. Rochester did win the free kick count, 33-17, McPhee earning six of those. Cricelli was the only multiple goalkicker with two.

Round nine (31 point loss to Seymour): With 63 less disposals for the match, Rochester had only 36 inside 50s and 35 less marks. In defence Jacob Atley took 13 marks and had 26 possessions, working with fellow defender Blake Evans (24 touches and 10 rebound 50s) to attempt to stem the tide. Cricelli kicked four of the team’s nine goals.

Round 10 (82 point loss to Euroa): Rochester’s third successive loss came as it managed just four goals from a season low 24 entries inside 50. A 65 to 37 final quarter disposal count was indicative of Euroa’s domination as Jordan Harper and Adam McPhee (24 possessions) topped the disposal count.

Round 11 (three point win against Kyabram): Wet conditions suited the Tigers as they laid 80 tackles, 10 more clearances and 29 more free kicks in the team’s closest result of the season. Rochester only had one more inside 50 as ruckman Dan Russell laid 12 tackles and had nine inside 50s in opposition to Kyabram’s rucking duo. Chris Jansen kicked two goals and had 28 disposals.

Round 12 (56 point loss to Mooroopna): The Tigers fell out of the top six for the first time this season with their defeat against the Goulburn Valley league Cats. Eight goals to the league’s leading goalkicker, Chris Nield, was the difference as Hugh Hamilton debuted for the Tigers and the team limped into the split round bye with a long list of injured players.