Ray Murphy moves the ball forward after intercepting his opponent.
Deni Rovers faced the toughest task in Picola League football when they hosted league leaders Waaia on Saturday.
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Waaia showed that they meant business with a nine goal to two first quarter.
The Bombers’ ability to move the ball and their disposal into the forward line was very impressive and they looked every inch the premiership favourite coming into the PDFNL finals series.
Despite the scoreboard, Rovers were able to score well and they kicked five goals themselves in the second quarter, but Waaia continued to be very slick and extended their lead at half-time.
One impressive feature of Rovers performance was their efficiency up forward and they had kicked 10.1 at three quarter time.
Hayden Barker continued his impressive season at full forward and had kicked six goals at the final break.
The last quarter was a continuation with Rovers fighting hard but unable to match the maturity, experience and skills of Waaia.
Rovers currently occupy seventh spot on the ladder.
A win over fourth placed Katandra will ensure their place in the finals, and it would need Picola to defeat Tungamah at Tungamah to miss out on a finals spot which would reflect a very good effort with such a young side.
Better players on Saturday included Hayden Barker, who finished with seven goals and was a great target up forward despite tough opposition.
Brady Trotman continued on with his great season and blanketed Charley Burrowes who is one of Waaia’s leading players and is normally a big goal kicker.
Ray Murphy battled well on ball, whilst James Gilligan was very strong at the ball.
James Kirby competed well in the ruck and at centre half forward whilst Liam East continues to show good form in the backline.
Final score: Waaia 35.16 (226) def Rovers 11.2 (68).
Awards: Deni Clothing Co - Hayden Barker; Cin’s Remedial Massage - Brady Trotman; Frank n Beans - Ray Murphy; Barber & Threadz - James Gilligan; Globe Hotel - James Kirby; Keet’s Hair - Liam East.
Best: Hayden Barker, Brady Trotman, Ray Murphy, James Gilligan, James Kirby, Liam East.
The reserves also had a tough one against the undefeated Waaia.
The first half was very tight with Rovers kicking four goals in the second quarter to trail by eight points at half-time.
The Bombers gradually got on top and ended up winning by five goals.
Rovers should maintain their spot in the top four and should have several players back leading into finals so would remain hopeful of playing a major part in the finals.
Final score: Waaia 90.10 (64) def Rovers 4.3 (27).
Awards: Frank n Beans - Lachie Trotman; Globe Hotel - Lachie Holschier and Matt Dowling; Myo on the Move - Caleb Weir; Keet’s Hair - Cam Robinson; Deniliquin Jewellers - Daniel Mison.
Goals: Bailey Caruso 2, Max Caruso, Cam Robinson.
Best: Lachie Trotman, Lachie Holschier, Matt Dowling, Caleb Weir, Daniel Mison, Cam Robinson.
The thirds got off to a pretty slow start. In what has been described as one of the worst first quarters we’ve seen this season, there was very little talk and no pep in their step.
It looked like they were just going through the motions, and after coach Chris Maher revving at quarter time they started to play good team footy.
The usual suspects in Connor Didcock, Tyson Willis, Cam Wills and Harry McIlwain linked up well and the young boys stepped up roving in the packs to see an eight goal lead at half-time.
The third quarter saw the game open up, and the Rovers were running them off their feet.
With our fitness and constant rotations, Tyson again made goals look easy and Cam’s accuracy in front of goals is second to none.
Dexter Hardman and Brody Wills proved size doesn’t matter and slotted a couple of goals each. Andrew Smith was playing like a man possessed.
Final score: Deni Rovers 15.12 (102) Def Waaia 1.0 (6).
Awards: Deni Driver Training - Liam East; T McCully Construction - Cam Wills; Barber & Threadz - Andrew Smith; Fanmac Ag - Dexter Hardman; Rovers - Cooper King, Tyson Willis and Luke Holloway; Subway - Brody Wills.
Goals: Tyson Willis 8, Cameron Wills 4, Cooper King 2, Dexter Hardman.
This week two of the fourths boys notched up the 50 game milestone for the fourths.
A huge congratulations to Isaac Behsman and Connor Wilson on this achievement.
The pre-game speech inspired and pumped up the kids as they ran out into the thick fog to start the game.
Spencer Cowley and Stuart Benger lead the way both kicking majors in the opening term.
The determination from all the kids continued in the second term with another four individual goal scorers. Shake ‘n’ bake 2.0 ( aka Bentley Hardman and Logan Elphick) were in blistering form creating numerous passages of play through the centre of the ground.
As the third quarter started, the fog was still thick and made it hard to see the play at the far end of the ground. But this didn’t deter the team from making the most of each possession.
Fifty game veterans Connor and Isaac controlled the ruck and executed their deliveries with precision.
The momentum from the game continued into the fourth term with all players giving 110 per cent on the ground.
Stuart continued to aid in the forward line helping Spencer and Logan notch up another goal each to finish the game. A solid team effort this week.
Final score: Deni Rover 11.10 (76) def Waaia 3.3 (21).
Awards: That Pizza – Oliver Dunmore; Fanmac Ag - Bentley Hardman and Connor Wilson; Barber & Threadz - Logan Elphick; Rovers - Zach Grimison and Isaac Behsman; Maccas - Jobe Unwin; Subway - Fletcher Campion; Wilson Family - Nick Fanning; Intersport Deniliquin - Henry Campion.
Goals: Spencer Cowley 4, Isaac Behsman 2, Stuart Benger, Liam Knuckey 1, Connor Wilson, Logan Elphick.
Best: Bentley Hardman, Isaac Behsman, Stuart Benger, Nick Fanning, Logan Elphick, Connor Wilson.
With coach Shayne Knuckey away, assistant Davey Leetham took the reigns of the fifths.
With plenty of Rovers kids and a shortage in the Waaia team, it was great to see some of our Joeys more than happy to play for the opposition for an even game. Some even played their best game yet.
Lots of great play showing off the skills they have been learning at training.
BLT Fabrication awarded every single player a voucher from the canteen.
Awards: Fanmac Ag - Ryan Bulmer; Nourish Deniliquin - Angus Knuckey; Rovers - Taj McCully and Mason Williams; McDonald’s - Carter Sartore, Kayden Atley and Callan Leiper; Subway - Xavier Collihole.
Fourths player Fletcher Campion jumping for the ball in the heavy fog.
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