Young defender Jordy Rogers reviews last weekend’s elimination final win over Casey, reflects on his own season and looks ahead to Saturday’s clash against Williamstown.
“We knew if we maintained what we’d done in the last three games against them then the win would sort of take care of itself,” Rogers says of the Lions’ 43-point win over Casey last Sunday – an opponent they’ve now beaten in all four meetings this season.
“We wanted to maintain that pressure, which has been winning us games lately. We’ve been starting to click.”
The Burgers are one of the in-form teams in the AFL Victoria Development League finals and were able to beat the Scorpions without reaching their full potential. Putting together four quarters of consistent football is one of Coburg’s main focuses this week.
“In our last five wins I don’t think we’ve played four good quarters of footy,” Rogers says, “it’s been a bit patchy.”
“But to still come out and be eight goals in front [against Casey] was a good sign. Some guys weren’t firing up but we’re still coming out on top.
“I know Williamstown have lost four of their last five and seem to be in a bit of a hole but to beat them we have to play four quarters, especially in a final, which ups the ante too. We need to keep focused on a quarter at a time – there’s been a lot of talk about that at huddles and from Hasto [Development coach Marcus Hastings].”
The Lions faced the Seagulls just once this season – a disappointing 61-point loss at Burbank Oval in round 6 – and Rogers sees this weekend’s rematch as a valuable test of how far the Burgers have come.
“Williamstown move the ball so well. They’re all on the same page, they trust each other and they know three or four kicks ahead of the play,’ he says.
“For us it’s all about relentless pressure and our ability to close space. Their skills can be as good as they like, but if we’re closing space that’s going to put them under pressure, cause turnovers and hopefully we can turn them into goals.”
After a promising end to last season – which saw him play five senior games – the 21-year-old defender from EDFL club Essendon Doutta Stars endured a tough start to 2015. He was concussed in an after-the-whistle sling tackle in round one and then missed games due to niggling injuries and poor form. But Rogers worked hard, simplified things and reclaimed his spot as a key figure inside Coburg’s defensive 50.
“Once I got dropped and got over my injuries I came back and started doing those basics right and all of a sudden the ball starts falling in your hands and things start to go your way,” he says.
“Because of the injuries early on I wasn’t able to string games together. In the last 10 weeks of the season I was able to string some games together and play some better footy.”
Rogers, who is often tasked with kicking in and switching play in back half, is one of the club’s standout on-field communicators and plays a vital role in setting up Coburg’s defensive structures.
“I think that’s come naturally,” Rogers admits.
“Even since under-10s and 12s I’ve always been the loudest on the ground and the loudest at training. At the start [of my time at Coburg] it’s hard to demand things and tell guys what to do because I wasn’t too sure myself.
“But it’s a confidence thing – I’m now able to set up structures behind play. That’s my role and that’s one reason I think Hasto’s got me in the side. I don’t get a heap of the ball but my voice is one of my best assets and helps the team.”
Coburg’s senior leadership group has been on hand this week to assist when needed but has otherwise taken a back seat. Rogers says the Development Lions have been allowed to do their own thing, which has only increased the younger Burgers’ trust and confidence in each other.
“They really are backing us in, the whole club,” Rogers says proudly. “We’re the face of the club for the next two weeks so hopefully we can do it well.”
“We’re bringing players back, everyone’s fit and ready to go and we’re really starting to gel as a team. I’m not overconfident but I think we’re going to win and a lot of the guys do too.”
