A full-strength Rochester team has a distinctive family flavour, three sets of brothers accounting for almost a third of the team when all fit and available.
The Harpers, Atleys and Evans brothers contribute to a strong theme within Goulburn Valley ranks and the 2022 season feats of the siblings compare favourably among their peers.
Jordan and Lachlan Harper have both played all 12 games with the Tigers this season, while Blake Evans has been much more of a constant than his brother — Broden — in 2022.
As for the Atleys, Rochester supporters will not see Joe again until the final couple of home and away rounds (he has played only two games), Shaun is due back for Mansfield after six weeks away on July 16 and middle brother Jacob has played nine of the 12 games this season.
Shaun and Joe turned it on for one match, against Shepparton Swans in round six, when they both had 30-plus possessions and combined for 12 inside 50s.
Joe did, however, raise the ire of the umpires as he gave away nine free kicks for the afternoon.
As for the Evans’, Blake is average 16 touches and has a 72 per cent kicking efficiency from the defensive end. He is Rochester’s leading rebound 50 player and 11th in the league.
Brother Broden has played just five games this season.
All seven players are high-performing members of the Tigers, as is the case with the likes of Mooroopna’s Betson brothers, the high energy Martinellos of Benalla, Seymour’s talented Scopel brothers, the Giobbis from Euroa and United’s Pigatto brothers.
Jordan Harper’s 289 disposals (seventh in the league), 67 marks (number one for Rochester, including 15 forward 50 marks, 35 inside 50s and 13.10 for the season (including two bags of three, third in the goalkicking behind Mitchell Cricelli and Steve Stroobants), make him among the best-performed Tigers of 2022.
He also has 29 tackles, including eight in that memorable round 11 Kyabram win (when he and Lachlan laid 17 tackles between them).
Ironically, in Rochester’s poor performance against Mooroopna Jordan Harper didn’t record a single mark and had his lowest possession count for the season.
His 144 handball receives is the most in the league, including a season-high 18 against Euroa
Lachlan Harper’s 200 touches (85 kicks and 115 handballs), 68 groundball gets (second for Rochester behind Chris Jansen) and 41 tackles (third behind Dan Russell and Adam McPhee) have him comparing favourably with his brother.
James and William Martinello, from Benalla, rank in the top handful of ball winners in the competition (averaging 32 and 27 touches respectively).
William Martinello ranked second in the GVL for average clearances a game (eight), while he and his brother are first and fourth respectively for contested possessions.
Seymour’s Scopel boys have a major influence on the fortunes of their team, so much so in fact that since returning from injury in round eight, Rory, has led a resurgence from the team.
He missed rounds three to seven, where the Lions lost four out of five, then his return from round eight has signalled five successive wins.
Dylan is averaging 24 possessions and eight marks a game from his 11games this season.
Mooroopna’s Betson brothers, Liam and Keelin, have been stars for the third-ranked Cats.
Liam features among the top three ruckmen in most categories, averaging 16 touches (10 contested), 30 hit outs, eight ground ball gets and five clearances every week.
His brother is averaging 18 possessions (10 contested), almost five tackles and occasionally gives his brother a “chop out’’ in the ruck — twice having double-figure hit-out games.
United’s Adam Pigatto is among the Goulburn Valley’s top tacklers, averaging almost eight a game.
He and brother Damien are strong defensive players, Adam the more prolific ballgetter with an average of 22 possessions and four clearances — compared to his brother’s 10 touches.
Ben and Adam Giobbi operate at opposite ends of the ground, but both have had an impact for the second-ranked Magpies.
Ben is averaging 22 possessions (11 contested), six marks, five inside 50s and four clearances. He also has 14 goals from his 10 games.
He kicked five goals in a 20-possession game against Mansfield in round nine, the same day his brother Adam took nine marks (six intercept marks) and had 21 possessions in defence.
Adam Giobbi, who hasn’t missed a game this season, is averaging 18 possessions and six marks.
2022 GVL BEST BROTHERS
1. William & James Martinello (Benalla)
2. Dylan & Rory Scopel (Seymour)
3. Lachlan & Jordan Harper (Rochester)
4. Liam & Keelin Betson (Mooroopna)
5. Ben & Adam Giobbi (Benalla)
6. Adam & Damian Pigatto (Shepp United)
7. Sean, Jacob & Joe Atley (Rochester)