The Roosters have prevailed by 15 points in last nights trial game on another warm night at Coopers Stadium. Experienced players James Gallagher, Nick Jackman and Nick Duigan returned for their first outing for the year, new recruit Ziggie Alwan has his first taste of senior football while Josh Donohue and Paul Puopolo were rewarded for their efforts last week.

The team lost playmakers David Trotter (ankle) and Heath Culpitt (groin) early in the game, both would be unlikely to play in 6 days time, they were replaced by young guns Benjamin Speight and Patrick Keain who had earlier played full games of reserves football. Taylor walker started the game in the back pocket with renouned inside 50 specialist Paul Puopolo on the other side of Nick Jackman at full back. Ken Tyrell and Hugh Minson were given ruck responsibilities, Jamie Vlatko, Ed McDonnell, Stuart Bown and Adam Cockshell rotating through the key forward posts.

Paul Puopolo was the team best player throughout the night, playing a disciplined yet pacy rebounding game from defence, Matt Davis had plenty of the ball and used it with surety from half-back, Aaron Kite played with great purpose, enthusiasm and maturity from his half-back flank. With the early losses of Trotter and Culpitt, Josh donohue was given a senior role in the midfield and took the opportunity with both hands, an exceptional workrate, hard fast running, crisp skills and managed to collect three goals beside his name. Crow Luke Jericho was much improved from last week, carrying and delivering the ball well from centre-wing and was on the end of a few movements to kick three goals of his own.

Like last week, the Reserves side started slow but played with more rhythm, cohesion and skill as the game went on. Ryan Schoenmakers, this week in defence read the play well and disposed of the ball with great accuracy, fellow State under 18 squad mate Benjamin Speight was the dominant onballer attacking each contest hard, using the ball well and finished with 4 goals. Ryan Holm and Patrick Keain in the midfield and Andrew Kirwan in defence were also major contributors to the teams win.

Overall it was a step forward against quality, yet not full strength opposition, our team game and execution better for longer periods but still not where it needs to be. With just one more outing before premiership points are at stake, it becomes important now to settle the side, on field relationships and effectiveness can only be built by time playing together, this offcoure is not always within the control of coaches. To that extent, Matthew Dawes, Bradley deVries, Luke Nitschke, Brendan Littler, Matthew Brunoli and Brett Zorzi are likely to return for Thursday nights final trial against Port Magpies at Coopers Stadium.

David J Bean
League Team Manager