Gallery | Rochester continues GVFL surge with dismantling of Mooroopna

In the round six match-up, Rochester started the game in ripping form as it kicked 23-1 in the opening exchange, with goals to Mitch Cricelli, Adam McPhee and Dillon Williams.

However, the Cats were not willing to roll over and have their belly rubbed, as Mooroopna fought back in the second term, booting four of the next six goals.

Tigers key forward Sean Williams was up to his usual tricks, kicking five goals for the match to take his season tally up to 17, while Cats ruckman Keelin Betson kicked the most for his side with two majors.

With the match evening up after quarter time, Rochester was still able to keep a hungry Mooroopna side at arm's length, maintaining a three to four-goal lead across the next two terms.

At three-quarter time the Tigers led their feline counterparts 80-57 with a spot in third-place on the ladder up for grabs.

Rochester then took control of the contest as the Tigers booted six unanswered final-quarter goals to claim a dominant 57-point win at home against the Cats.

The score finished up 18.11 (119) to 9.8 (62) in Rochester’s favour.

Mooroopna coach John Lamont was clear on his frustration with how the Cats started the match and their overall skill use throughout.

“I was annoyed,” he said.

“We dropped a few marks and made a few mistakes, so I was annoyed with that.

“You end the quarter, young group, bit annoyed but then they hung in there and didn’t shrink.

“I thought it was even and we would get a little bit of momentum and then Rochester would capitalise again and they got two late goals before three-quarter time to skip back out to 23 or 24 points.

“In the end, they were just too consistent for us and they are playing good footy Rochester, and they were way too strong in the last quarter... (they) ran right away with it and they thoroughly deserved it.”

In a shining light for Mooroopna, the Cats blooded three debutants during Saturday’s match, with Kade James, Rhys Osborne and Oscar Emanuelli playing their first senior match.

For James, it was also his first opportunity to play with his older brother, Mooroopna gun Coby James.

Although at times the young trio struggled to make a serious impact on the game, Lamont was happy with the green shoots of talent he saw emerge on Saturday.

“They (the three debutants) all did little positive things and I said that to the playing group at the end of the game,” he said.

“You probably don’t expect them to come out and when their senior teammates aren’t dominating.

“They had some positive pieces of play and that’s what you want. You want them to walk away from the game (with positives) and particularly if the team hasn’t won.

“It was a step forward which was good.”

Down by 23 points at three-quarter time, Mooroopna were still in the game and capable of a final-term comeback, but Lamont said that once Rochester seized momentum it became an uphill battle for the Cats.

“They got on top around the stoppages and in transition, as they outworked us I felt,” he said.

“They took their chances and then all of a sudden they are up and about with extra spirit and took the game away from us.

“It wasn’t one specific thing (that cost the Cats), we still had some chances early in the final term but we couldn’t take them and we would drop a mark or miss a kick.

“Flip of the coin, Rochester took theirs and all credit to them they were obviously coming off a really good win up in Echuca and they are a much improved team without a doubt.”

Heading into next weekend’s round seven match against Seymour, Lamont said his side’s main focus during the week would be on skill execution and game plan.

“We just got beaten in the contest a bit so we will have a look at that just from a technical craft work (point of view), in terms of body use to win the ball and positioning,” he said.

“That will be a focus for the week too I think.”

Rochester’s round seven match will be at home against Euroa.