Rochester tried out some new combinations against the league struggler in its Goulburn Valley League round 15 senior fixture.

Heading to Tatura Park, the Tigers welcomed two senior debutants into their line-up, with Harrison Foster and Darby Martin seeing their first action in the top flight.

Rochy also shuffled things around positionally, the most notable move being defensive linchpin Ryan O’Keefe being given the green light to go forward and making the most of it, kicking four goals in the 38-point win.

The visitor started with plenty of forward pressure, piling on nine scoring shots in the opening term, although just three were converted into Tigers goals.

Leading 24-7 at the first change, Rochester continued to grow its lead in the second with another three goals, while the Bulldogs were held to three minor scores, leaving the Tigers in complete control 44-10 at half-time.

After the lead was extended by the first goal after the break, the Bulldogs showed some fight in the third period, managing to win the quarter four goals to three and narrow the lead slightly.

But it was to no avail, as Rochester, still well in front, closed out confidently in the final term to claim the points 13.12 (90) to 7.10 (52).

Rochester (8-7) is among a trio of sides in the lower half of the top six, on 32 competition points.

Kyabram’s upset victory over Echuca puts it also in that group, while Mooroopna was also successful to enter the finals spots.

Shepparton Swans sit half a game back, tumbling four spots at the weekend, while Shepparton United is a full game outside the six.

Those five sides and smoky Mansfield, one-and-a-half wins back from the finals, will be jockeying for three finals spots over the remaining three rounds of the regular season.

A split round is on the cards over the next fortnight, with the Tigers taking a week off before what could possibly be a must-win trip to Shepparton Swans on August 8.

Rochester concludes the year against Euroa and leader Shepparton.

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Saturday, 25th January 2031

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