Recap

Players double up for opening loss against Royals

By CHRIS GORDON

It was shades of 2017 when multiple players had to back up for a season opener at Royals on Saturday. In 2017, Goulburn showed up at Phillip Oval with just 16 players to play both matches, and this year 13 players played either all of part of both matches.

After losing 8 regular first graders in the off season, Goulburn is very much in the rebuilding phase and need to keep competing while the rebuilding is taking place. This is particularly felt in first grade where so many players already had a game under their belts before taking the field. So it was a tough gig. 

Having said that, this was a very well drilled Royals side. They barely dropped a ball or committed an error and made good intentional use of almost every opportunity they were presented with. Their discipline, however, could do with a bit of work, with three Royals players shown a yellow card (and one Goulburn player as well).

Goulburn rallied well in the second half and after conceding five tries in the first half stemmed the tide to allow only two in the second half, and no scoring at all in the last 25 minutes.

As with the reserve graders, the attitude and resolve of the players was impressive for a side on the other end of a lopsided scoreline and their discipline gives a good platform to build on.

Royals 47 bt Goulburn 0.

Best & Fairest points

3 – Jayde Coggan
2 – Cooper camden-Smith
1 – Connor Minehan

Players Player

Jayde Coggan

By the clock

7 mins – Royals converted try (0-7)
18 mins – Royals conv. try (0-14
20 mins – Royals conv. try (0-21)
30 mins – Royals conv. try (0-28)
32 mins – Royals conv. try (0-35)

41 mins – Royals conv. try (0-40)
45 mins – Royals conv. try (0-47)