Rochester Tigers will contest the Under-16 Bendigo Junior Football League grand final on Sunday against Maiden Gully.
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The Steven Joyce-coached team played Sandhurst at Eaglehawk on Sunday, the winner going through to the grand final of the split 10-team competition and the season over for the loser.
Rochester finished the home and away season third in Gold division and, after losing the opening week of the finals, had a second chance to earn a spot in the playoff.
The Tigers’ grand final opponent on Sunday — Maiden Gully — beat the side by 38 points three weeks ago, but the Tigers have since defeated Eaglehawk and Sandhurst.
In blustery conditions, goal kicking was going to be hard and the Tigers lost the toss and kicked against the wind.
In what was a hectic and intense opening, Sandhurst had more of the ball, but failed to make the most of opportunities.
They kicked the first goal but then squandered some gettable shots on goal.
At the other end, some great forward pressure from Jimmy Otto saw him rewarded with a holding the ball decision.
He got back off the mark quickly and found Bill Hipwell who was 15m out directly in front.
Hipwell calmly slotted the goal.
Some more great pressure from Lachie Joyce provided the Tigers second shot for goal, which unfortunately got pushed just wide in the wind.
At quarter-time, there was just four points in it.
The start of the second quarter saw some positional changes with Sam Seabrook starting on ball, Oli Williams moving to the flank, Cooper Harbour going to centre-half-forward and Trey White into the ruck. All these moves worked well.
White was able to jump over his taller opponent and Seabrook continuously got his hands on the ball in the middle of the ground and used the ball well.
Williams was able to get out in space and run and Harbour kicked the Tigers first of the second quarter when Keating found him with a clever chip kick.
Harbour also played a big part in the second shot on goal for the Tigers, when he took an intercept mark and then kicked to Joyce who marked.
He uncharacteristically missed the shot at goal, but the Tigers were beginning to get on top.
Another great forward mark from Joyce and another one from Oakley Tarrant gave the Tigers some more shots on goal, but both pushed the ball just wide of the goals.
Will Broucek took a mark 60m out from goal and wasted no time in bombing the ball long to the hot spot in front of goal.
A great contest saw the ball spill out the back where Bill Hipwell swooped on the loose ball to kick his second of the game. Sandhurst kicked a goal against the run of play and the difference was just five points at half-time.
The backline had held up brilliantly for the first half, keeping the opposition to just two goals.
Jordy Rasmussen positioned himself perfectly behind the ball and was able to cut off many attacks.
He was well supported by Matt Harrington and Angus Ferguson who linked up well and defended stoutly.
The third quarter would turn out to be the match-winning quarter for the Tigers.
Harrison Keating came right into the game and, with Tarrant, ignited the Tigers around the contest and provided the forward line with many opportunities.
Williams was the first to capitalise, swooping on a loose ball to kick truly and give the boys a 10-point lead.
Rasmussen was then able to take a courageous intercept mark, he played on quickly and kicked long to a contest at centre-half-forward.
The ball spilled out the back where White was able to use his pace to get free of his opponent and kick a nice goal on the run.
A clever knock on from Keating found White, who again was able to charge towards goal and kick truly, putting the Tigers 22 points in front.
Harbour, who was starting to have a real influence on the game, took a mark and was able to hit Tarrant who was charging out from full forward.
A great mark and an even better set shot kick resulted in another major and suddenly the Tigers were 28 points in front.
Williams had a great third quarter with his run and carry and White was again a terrific target forward of the ball and had many crucial touches.
At three-quarter-time, the team held a 22-point lead.
The final quarter would turn out to provide a nervous wait for the boys and the supporters, as Sandhurst had the better of the last quarter.
The Tigers defended hard, but Sandhurst continued to push and challenge and got to within 10 points with five minutes left.
That was as close as the game got though, as the Tigers ran out 10-point winners.
In what was a fantastic team effort, the Tigers had winners across all lines.
Down back, Rasmussen dominated with his marking and run, Harrington was hard in the contest and used the ball well.
The midfield got plenty of the footy. Joyce and Keating got their usual stack of the footy, Seabrook played a brilliant game, clearly his best for the year.
Harbour gave his onballers first look at the footy and Williams continued his good run of form.
In the forward line, White was again a key target and Jimmy Otto always looked dangerous.
Tarrant was influential both up forward and around the ball.
The side now plays Maiden Gully at Strathfieldsaye on Sunday.
Although the Gully has had the better of all the encounters so far this year, the boys are clearly playing their best footy for the year and will go in at full strength.
Score: Rochester 7.9 (51) to Sandhurst 5.11 (41)
Goalkickers: White, Hipwell 2, Williams, Harbour, Tarrant 1. Best: Sam Seabrook, Jordy Rasmussen, Oli Williams, Lachie Joyce, Matt Harrington, Oakley Tarrant. Rochester Football Netball Club One Percenter Award: Bill Hipwell
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