Under-12 Girls

Rochester’s under-12 girls hit the highway on Friday night, travelling to Harry Trott Oval to take on South Bendigo Red and from the first bounce the atmosphere was buzzing with energy.

Coach Trent Riordan set the tone early, reminding the girls to have each other’s backs, work as a team, be first to the ball and, most importantly, have fun.

The young Tigers took that message to heart.

Rochester stuck tight to their opponents from the outset.

Ella Mundie opened the scoring with the Tigers’ first goal, setting the tone for a confident and determined performance.

Abbie Griffiths made her presence known early, applying fierce pressure and getting her hands on the ball at every opportunity.

Across the ground, the tricky Tigers showed South Bendigo they were here to play.

Their determination, teamwork and brilliant shepherding were on display all night.

Ellie Riordan was a constant force, taking strong marks wherever she went and refusing to let the ball past her.

The standout of the night was Frankie Hay, who delivered another exceptional performance.

Her four goals, relentless pressure and remarkable ability to read the play made her a clear game-changer.

Ella Forde was once again rock-solid, intercepting South Bendigo’s kicks and finding space to drive the ball forward.

Spirits stayed high throughout the match, even cartwheels made an appearance on the field as the girls enjoyed every moment.

Scarlett Macfarlane showed off her speed and growing confidence, getting her hands dirty and becoming more involved in tackles.

Newcomer Sophie Godden impressed with her resilience and constant pressure.

Annemarie Smith showed great attack on the ball and willingness to throw herself into tackles.

She’s finding her feet quickly and will only grow more confident as the season continues.

Post‑game, Coach Riordan couldn’t have been prouder.

“South Bendigo are a good side, but we ran over the top of them with our second and third efforts and our consistent attack on the ball,” he said.

Rochester 5.8 38 d South Bendigo Red 1.0 6

Mundie Constructions Award: Ellie Riordan.

Rochester Sports Museum Award: Sophie Godden.

The Café Rochester Award: AnnieMarie Smith.

Under-12 Mixed

Sunday’s clash between the Rochester Tigers and the Echuca Bombers was always expected to be a wet one, but the weather had other plans.

In tough conditions, play was halted just five minutes into the first quarter due to lightning.

When play resumed, both sides battled hard in the slippery conditions, with the Tigers holding firm while the Bombers applied strong pressure and made the most of their opportunities.

However, with the weather refusing to ease, the game was called off just before half-time in the interest of player safety.

At the time of the stoppage, Rochester led 2.0 (12) to 1.2 (8) in a hard-fought contest.

Despite the early finish, the effort from both teams couldn’t be questioned.

It was tough, contested footy in trying conditions - the kind of game that builds resilience and character.

With parents rugged up along the boundary and players pushing through the elements, it may not have been a full game, but it was another reminder of the grit and spirit coming through the next generation of local footy.

Under-14 Mixed

Rochester’s Under-14 side delivered a dominant and disciplined performance in a fiery, wet home clash, defeating Sandhurst.

In slippery conditions, the contest quickly became physical, with both teams attacking the ball hard and refusing to give ground.

But it was Rochester who adapted best, combining toughness with composure to take control of the game from the outset.

A standout feature of Rochester’s performance was their excellent ball sharing and smart decision-making, particularly when faced with Sandhurst’s defensive flooding.

Time and again, the visitors packed numbers into Rochester’s forward line in an attempt to stem the scoring.

However, the home side showed impressive patience and vision.

Jaxon Wolfe, Nash Riordan, Archie Watson and Trey Hayes produced their first goals of the season, while Harrison Wilkins added more to his growing tally.

Through the midfield, Rochester dominated possession, winning contested ball and linking up cleanly despite the greasy surface.

Their forwards worked tirelessly to present options, while the defence remained resolute, shutting down Sandhurst’s limited forward entries and keeping them goalless for the match.

The physical nature of the game led to several heated moments, but Rochester maintained focus and structure, refusing to be drawn away from their game plan.

Ultimately, it was a complete team performance from Rochester built on strong fundamentals, smart ball use, and the ability to adapt to both the conditions and the opposition’s tactics.

Rochester 17.17 125 defeated Sandhurst 0.3 3

Best players: Cooper Rasmussen, Harrison Wilkins, Walt James, Seth Hunter, Maddox Parker, Trey Hayes.

Goal kickers: Ha. Wilkins (4), C. Rasmussen (3), N. Riordan, He. Wilkins, S. Hunter, T. Hayes (2), A. Watson, J. Wolfe, L. Drust.

Mayreef Pty Ltd Award: Walt James.

Glenavon Farms Award: Cooper Rasmussen.

Canteen Awards: Jack Holmberg, Aydin Betts.

Under-15 Girls

In wet and soggy conditions on home soil at Windridge Oval, the Rochester Under-15 girls took on Kangaroo Flat with grit, determination and plenty of heart.

Newcomer Isabella Russell put on a wonderful display of footy, refusing to be beaten in the ruck.

Her rucking, tackling and clean kicking around the ground impressed the crowd and set the tone early.

Zoe Squires has truly found her feet, growing in confidence each week. Her attack on the ball and burst of speed is impressive.

Alida Beer was unstoppable, slotting five goals for the day and proving to be a genuine ball magnet.

Her teammates joked she must have “rubber poisoning” with how often the footy stuck to her hands.

Gracie Cox showed strong hands all game and delivered some beautiful kicks under pressure.

The Weeks sisters stood tall in defence, showing resilience and determination as they repeatedly shut down Kangaroo Flat’s forward entries.

Ash Duckworth continued her steady rise, showing fantastic leadership skills and a growing understanding of the game, guiding her teammates and making smart decisions across the ground.

Coach Nic Duckworth was very impressed with how much the girls have improved already, and she complimented them on their sportsmanship and discipline, especially as Kangaroo Flat began to collapse under pressure.

Despite the challenging conditions, the Rochy girls played with spirit and teamwork.

Their growth is clear, their confidence is building, and performances like this show they’re heading in the right direction as a group.

Rochester 8.4 52 defeated Kangaroo Flat 1.0 6

Best Players: Isabella Russell, Zoe Squires, Gracie Cox, Alida Beer, Arlia Weeks, Ash Duckworth

Goal kickers: A. Beer (5), A. Duckworth (2), E. Clancy.

Mawsons Concrete & Quarries Award: Gracie Cox.

Darling Irrigation Award: Zoe Squires.

Iddles Lane Emporium Award: Alida Beer.

Under-16 Boys

In damp and slippery conditions, the boys knew it would be a tough contest from the outset against a noticeably taller and stronger opposition.

Despite the size disadvantage, they came out switched on, applying strong pressure around the contest and moving the ball with purpose.

Their effort was rewarded early, as they capitalised on opportunities going forward to take a well-earned lead into quarter time.

The second and third quarters tested the group’s resilience, with the opposition beginning to use their height and physicality to gain momentum.

However, the boys refused to take a backward step.

Their tackling pressure remained relentless, and their willingness to support each other in tough conditions kept them right in the fight.

There were numerous passages of play that highlighted their determination, with repeat efforts and second contests proving a real strength throughout the middle stages of the game.

In a tight final quarter, the contest could have gone either way.

The boys continued to give everything, chasing, harassing, and competing until the final siren.

Unfortunately, they were just edged out at the end of the day, but the result didn’t reflect the outstanding effort shown across four quarters.

It was a performance full of grit, teamwork, and commitment—one the group can be proud of moving forward.

Rochester 73 lost to White Hills Black 93

Best Players: Mason Mundie, Asher Rasmussen, Archie Jennings, Judd Cuttriss, Mac Dickinson, Harry Rasmussen.

Goal kickers: A. Rasmussen, M. Mundie, M. Dickinson (3), H. Acocks, A. Harbour.

Rochester Football Netball Club Awards: Mac Dickinson and Archie Jennings.

Glenavon Farms Award: Judd Cuttriss.

Canteen Award: Hugh Acocks.

Campaspe News Google News Panels

Thursday, 4th February 2027

Your Afternoon Headlines

Select Stories

Publish Panels