This win makes it seven games in a row for the Tigers, who have firmly cemented themselves in the big three of the GVL for 2024, behind Shepparton Bears and reigning premiers Echuca.
So, a win against ninth-placed Shepparton Swans seemed likely, but a 50-point blowout? That came as a surprise.
Here are some of the main reasons the Tigers outdid the Swans in round 11 and what this could mean for Rochester for the rest of the season.
Firstly, Rochester consistently won the football in the middle, notching 15 centre clearances to the Shepparton Swans’ 11, allowing them to dictate play.
The Swans led in total clearances for the game with 38, one better than the Tigers, but their clearance percentage (47) was down compared to Rochester’s (62 per cent).
This meant the Tigers could create attacking momentum more effectively than the Swans, leading to Rochester scoring more frequently.
That made it easier for their midfielders to facilitate up the field, optimising player positioning to score goals.
The Tigers also overwhelmed up-front, notching 25 marks inside 50, giving them the best chance to convert.
Conversely, Rochester’s defensive end could limit the Swans’ attacking set pieces, as Shepparton could only manage nine marks inside 50 for the match.
This is surprising, considering Rochester’s spoil and back 50 tackle numbers were down, only lodging 11 and five for the game, respectively.
Rochester had a field day on the offensive end, which proved to be the difference, kicking 16 goals for the match, with 54 per cent scoring efficiency and 61 per cent goal accuracy.
Shepparton scored the ball most effectively from Tiger turnovers (78 per cent), generating much of their offence through Rochester’s mistakes.
Rochester managed to convert 73 per cent of their points from marks inside 50, vindicating their promising work in the middle.
While Rochester may look almost unstoppable at the moment, they will face a Kyabram outfit next week which defeated them 10 rounds earlier by the slimmest of margins.
A round two rematch will indicate just how far Rochester has come and how much further they have to go to claim their first title in 16 years.
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