The footy Gods were looking down on Moon Oval on Saturday with Rochester capping its 2023 Goulburn Valley League campaign on a high.
Rochester coach Ash Watson and his players gave supporters one final smile for the year with a stirring 14.11 (95) to 10.13 (73) triumph over Shepparton United in round 18 action.
Led by star tall Mitch Cricelli, who booted a game-high four majors, the Tigers dominated the second quarter ― with four goals to zip ― to enter the main break with a match-winning 32-point buffer.
United had great service from homegrown VFL talent Jye Chalcraft and defenders Kyle Clarke and Mitch Trevaskis, however, the Dees were unable to replicate the previous round win and finished the year in 11th spot.
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Quick kick: Rochester's Lachie Watson gets a kick away despite the tackle from United's Mitch Black. Photo by Bruce PoveyImage 2 of 7
Wrapped up: Shepparton United's Jye Chalcraft tackles Rochester's Grant Fuller. Photo by Bruce PoveyImage 3 of 7
Winding up: Rochester's Dylan Gordon gets a kick away. Photo by Bruce PoveyImage 4 of 7
Blinded: Rochester's Hamish Hooppell attempts to take a mark. Photo by Bruce PoveyImage 5 of 7
Get it forward: Rochester's Blake Evans gets boot to ball despite the tackle. Photo by Bruce PoveyImage 6 of 7
Nowhere to run: Rochester's Dylan Gordon lays a tackle on United's Jye Chalcraft. Photo by Bruce PoveyImage 7 of 7
Bit high: Rochester's Dylan Cuttriss tries to evade a tackle from United's Mitch Roche. Photo by Bruce PoveyAnd, while it might have been disappointment in the away rooms on the other side of the roller door, it was memorable scenes as the Rochy community came together for one final time this season.
“Absolutely (great way to end the year), it’s been a tough year for the town and the community. I’ve been proud of the local fellas, they haven’t always got the results we wanted, but yesterday was awesome,” Watson said.
“More about how proud I am of them; especially after a tough 12 months. I’m really proud of their efforts.
“We know we’ve got a long way to go, but I just want them to enjoy the moment.
“It gives us a bit of momentum to go into next year and I was really pleased with the performance.”
Watson revealed preparations for next year had ramped up.
The Tigers mentor is returning, along with star talents Cricelli, Joe Atley and Dylan Gordon.
Cricelli capped an impressive campaign with an influential performance in attack, while Atley was a “standout” through the midfield.
Grant Fuller had “his best game” of the year in an afternoon where the on-baller was tasked to negate United’s gun midfielder Chalcraft.
Watson praised his leading performers and the return of smooth mover Adam McPhee after missing more than two months with a broken thumb.
“In that second term we won the clearance battle and got the ball into Mitch up forward and he clunked a few for us,” he said.
“I’m happy with way we played (in that quarter). Joe was a standout, Grant had his best game and he won a heap of contested footy. He did a few accountable roles in the midfield on some of their better players. Adam McPhee came back into the side after missing 10 or so weeks and gave us a lot of run and ball-use.”