The Deni Rovers started the Picola season on a positive note with a 73-point win over Tocumwal on Saturday.
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The win was achieved despite being undermanned with several players unavailable.
Rovers were able to win each of the quarters, although inaccuracy in front of goal kept the scores reasonably close early in the game.
This was evident in the first quarter when they started off with four straight points before Allan Bond kicked their first goal after a mark.
Quick goals to Logan Leiper and Ray Murphy meant that the scoreboard was a truer reflection of the game when Rovers were 14 points up at the first break.
This trend continued in the second quarter when Rovers continued to dominate but kicked inaccurately with four goals and six for the quarter to Tocumwal’s two straight goals, which meant that they went in at half-time leading by 32 points.
Josh Flight, in his return match for the club, took several strong marks in the third quarter and kicked three of his team’s five for the quarter as they slammed on five goals and three behinds to Tocumwal’s 2.3 to establish a match-winning lead of 50 points at the final break.
The last quarter was a bit of a slog, with several patches of the ground being quite boggy.
Rovers continued their dominance kicking three goals five and keeping the opposition scoreless.
Several graduates from last year’s premiership thirds side were prominent in the win.
Cameron Wills, Logan Leiper, Jackson Muldoon-Leetham, Harry Way, Liam East and Harry McIlwain were all good contributors.
Tom Blake was strong off the half-back flank, James Gilligan was a great player in the centre all day, as was Cam Robinson on the ball, Josh Flight was a real focal point up forward, kicking five goals seven, and recruit Rowan Frazer was very consistent in a promising first game for the club.
Overall, a very satisfactory result, with quite a few players due to return against Rennie this weekend but still several areas for improvement.
Final score: Deni Rovers 15.18 (108) def Tocumwal 5.5 (55).
Best players: Logan Leiper, Tom Blake, James Gilligan, Josh Flight, Harry Way and Cam Robinson.
Goals: Ray Murphy 5, Josh Flight 5, Jai Ezard 2, Allan Bond 1, Ben McCalman 1, Cameron Wills 1.
Awards: Cin’s Massage – Logan Leiper, Deni RSL – Tom Blake, Frank n Beans – James Gilligan and Subway – Harry Way.
Reserves:
The Rovers reserves had a good win over Tocumwal in their opening game on Saturday.
It was a good four-quarter effort, with Rovers outscoring their opponents in each of the four quarters to record a 47-point victory in heavy conditions.
The most pleasing part of the win for co-coaches Matt Horne and Ben McCalman was the even contribution from all players, with veterans such as Daniel Mison, John Glowrey, Alex Rourke and Tim McDonnell combined with several younger players like Brodie Elphick, Darby Watson, and Hayden Doncon to get a good first up win.
The side is likely to get much stronger over the next few weeks, with several players returning.
Best players: Tyson Willis, John Glowrey, Alex Rourke, Daniel Mison, Darby Watson and Max Caruso.
Awards: Cin’s Massage – John Glowrey, Deni RSL – Alex Rourke, Frank n Beans – Daniel Mison, Deniliquin Jewellers – Tyson Willis and Subway – Darby Watson
Thirds:
In a thrilling encounter for the first game of the season, the Rovers thirds faced off against the Tocumwal under-17s at the Tocumwal Recreation Reserves on Saturday.
The game was intense, with both teams giving their all.
Despite their efforts, Rovers couldn’t overcome Tocumwal’s lead.
Final score: Tocumwal 7.6 (48) def Deni Rovers 2.10 (22).
Despite the loss, the Rovers showed determination and resilience throughout the game.
Awards: BLT Fabrication – Ethan Connolly, Fanmac Ag – Austin Armytage, Fanmac Logistics – Baxter Cowley, Rovers Canteen – Jack Van Lieshout, Rovers Dinner – Dexter Hardman, Subway – Andrew Smith.
Fourths:
Footy is back, and with it, footy weather, but this didn’t stop the run of the young Roos.
It was a great start with Bentley Hardman controlling the ball from the centre bounce and driving it into Stuart Benger at full forward who managed to score two majors for the quarter.
First-timer at the club, Dannon Leetham, didn’t look out of place as he asserted his dominance all over the ground.
The run continued in the second quarter, with Cormick Hardman and Kelsey Clark scoring one a piece. Defensive action from Jake Harvey and Lincoln Meharry kept Tocumwal goalless going into the main break.
Although the ground was wet and slippery, it didn’t affect the skill of Sam Conallin as he flawlessly contested the ground ball and found his targets.
New recruits Lara, Xander and Sam Strong combined well across the midfield to deliver the ball into the forward 50.
The last quarter was no different, with Rovers continuing their dominance to the final siren.
A great first game for a newly formed team.
Promising signs for the season ahead.
A special mention to Bentley ‘Biscuit’ Hardman, who played his 50th game for the club.
Congratulations on a stellar performance in such a monumental game.
Goalkickers: Stuart Benger 3, Dannon Leetham 2, Cormick Hardman 1, Kelsey Clark 1, Bentley Hardman 1, Reece King 1.
Awards: BLT Fabrication – Bentley Hardman, Riverside Bookkeeping Services – Callan Glenn, Rovers Canteen – Sam Conallin, Rovers Dinner – Haydn Sampson and Lara Strong and Subway – Tom Way, Ryan Bulmer and Angus Knuckey.
Fifths:
The fifths team started the season with a great game on a wet ground at Toc. With a lot of new faces, the team gelled well together.
The kids had been working on their handballing skills and sharing the ball with their teammates at training, and it really showed on the field in the wet and slippery conditions on Saturday.
The top-age kids really stepped up and helped all our newcomers get involved, which was great to see.
Awards: BLT Fabrication – Asher Parsons and Connor Sampson, Rovers Canteen – Oliver Walker, Rovers Dinner – Jake Horne and Bella Leetham and Subway – Braith Leiper, Ryder Boyer and Arley Bulmer
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