In round 10 of the Picola League on Saturday, the Deni Rovers hosted the Tungamah Bears at Memorial Park.
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In the windy and blustery conditions, the Bears got on top early, scoring with efficiency when getting the ball forward.
Tungamah forward Sean Johns was clinical as he got on the end of four goals to put Tungamah ahead from the start.
The Rovers fought back, kicking 3.1 (19) to the Bears 5.1 (31) for the quarter.
The Bear hunt continued in the second quarter for the Rovers.
The home side managed to score goals in transition, but the Bears were equally decisive when going forward.
It was an even second term, with both sides scoring three goals and two behinds for the quarter.
The margin remained at 12 points.
With two kicks in the game, the Rovers were hoping that a slow start to the game wouldn’t hurt them.
However, in the third quarter the Bears created more chances, kicking three goals to the Rovers’ one goal to increase the margin out to 24 points.
Ned McKeown caused the most damage, kicking five goals for the match for Tungamah out of full forward due to clean service from midfield.
The Bears were pleased to build a lead heading into the last quarter before the oncoming inclement conditions.
The rain set in at the start of the last quarter along with cold sidewind making conditions difficult for a Rovers comeback.
Ultimately, the Bears held on to win by 39 points, keeping the Rovers goalless in the last quarter while kicking three goals of their own.
For the Rovers, in the face of defeat, Alex Hay showed leadership and bravery with his ball use and effort.
Liam East again put his head over the football repeatedly in defence, taking some classic marks and keeping Sean Johns quiet after the first quarter.
Again, James Gilligan was strong out of the midfield all day, spilling blood on hands and knees to get the Rovers over the line kicking a pair of goals.
The Rover proteges Cameron Wills looked a class above running out of the stoppages, as did Tyson Willis, providing an important link between the backline and forward line with ball movement.
Willis added plenty when on the ball due to adjustments, with both players also kicking two goals each.
Waylon Johncock was elite again with the team giving him plenty of difficult ball, looking to switch the play and relying on him in big moments.
Isaac Behsman showed flair as a sub in his senior Rovers debut as a potential option up forward with two shots on goal that went just wide in wet conditions.
The Rovers must regroup this week before travelling to Tocumwal to play a new-look Bloods side.
Final score: Deni Rovers 7.10 (52) def by Tungamah 14.7 (91).
Goals: James Gilligan 2, Cameron Wills 2, Tyson Willis 2, Hayden Barker.
Best Players: Alex Hay, Liam East, James Gilligan, Tyson Willis, Cameron Wills, Waylon Johncock.
Awards: Awards list not provided.
Reserves:
With Tungamah sitting a game above the boys on the ladder, the seconds had prepared themselves to take a scalp.
The first quarter was hard fought, but the Rovers were able to kick a couple and take a small lead into the first break.
The pressure in the second quarter applied by both teams was immense, and although Mitch Jefferies (AKA the Ferrari) was garaged before half-time, Dylan Mills and Matt Horne led the backline by example, rebounding the ball out countless times.
Rovers were able to get control of the game in the second half, linking up and hitting targets.
The rib eye of full forwards John Allitt kicked three for the game with the usual suspects, Bailey Caruso, Jack Pekin, Taj Payne and Hayden Gardiner finding the middle.
Jordyn McCulloch and Ben McCalman stood strong in the middle, with Matty Horne and Dyl Mills impressive in defence.
Jack Pekin was everywhere, and Rylan Wade played an absolute cracker on the wing, earning his spot in the best.
Final score: Deni Rovers 10.8 (68) def Tungamah 0.4 (4).
Goals: John Allitt 3, Bailey Caruso 2, Jack Pekin 2, Taj Payne 2, Hayden Gardiner.
Best Players: Jordyn McCulloch, Dylan Mills, Ben McCalman, Rylan Wade, Jack Pekin, Matthew Horne.
Awards: Dylan Mills, Jack Pekin, Aden Bermingham, John Allitt, Taj Payne, Jordyn McCulloch, Rylan Wade, Cooper King.
Thirds:
An accurate Tungamah side proved too strong for the Rovers thirds - though not from lack of effort.
After a 1-goal-to-4 opening term, the Rovers fought back to win the second quarter and get themselves back in the game.
This came through the hard work of the on-ball brigade, with Brody Wills and Ethan Connolly breaking tags and driving the ball forward, while Isaac Behsman capitalised with two inspiring goals.
From half-time, Tungamah were able to control the game and came away with the win.
Callan Glenn continued his great form with a solid four-quarter effort, becoming a real problem for the opposition wingman.
Jesse Jervis also impressed with his hard running and attack on the ball.
The Rovers will continue to improve through positive ball movement and a team-first attitude.
We look forward to taking on Tocumwal next week in what should be another challenging contest.
Final score: Deni Rovers 5.6 (36) def by Tungamah 14.1 (85).
Goals: Isaac Behsman 3, Spencer Cowley 2.
Best Players: Callan Glenn, Dannon Leetham, Isaac Behsman, Fletcher Campion, Jesse Jervis, Xander Strong.
Awards: Isaac Behsman, Xander Strong, Fletcher Campion, Alex Ledwidge, Sam Conallin, Callan Glenn, Ben Hayes, Tom Way.
Fourths:
On a cold and windy morning, Rovers fourths took on second place Tungamah in the round 10 clash at Memorial Park.
Rovers started well, kicking two goals two to nothing with the wind in the first quarter.
Haydn Sampson was dominating the ruck, Taj McCully and Ryan Bulmer were playing well in the middle.
Sam Strong was dominating in the back.
Rovers then held Tungamah goalless in the second quarter, through some tough, hard contested footy.
Jed Fitzmaurice was dominating on the wing, and Ged O’Donnell playing well at centre-half forward.
The third quarter was a slog in the blustery conditions.
Tungamah held Rovers goalless with the wind.
The Rovers boys knew they had a fight on their hands in the last quarter.
Tungamah kicked the first three goals to hit the lead, kicking with the wind. They had a run on and looked like they were going to go on with a win.
Rovers rallied through Taj McCully, who had an outstanding last quarter with many clearances and some courageous marking, stemmed the flow.
Lucas Braybon marked and goaled with minutes left, sealing a thrilling one point win.
Final score: Deni Rovers 3.5 (23) def Tungamah 3.4 (22).
Goals: Lucas Braybon, Callan Leiper, Jed Fitzmaurice
Best Players: Taj McCully, Haydn Sampson, Sam Strong, Ryan Bulmer, Jed Fitzmaurice, Ged O'Donnell.
Awards: Taj McCully, Sam Strong, Ryan Bulmer, Lucas Braybon, Beau Jervis, Lennix Leetham, Ged O’Donnell, Jed Fitzmaurice.
Fifths
With nearly a full team, we were able to even up the sides.
Both teams braved the cold, and Tungamah came out of the gates strong in the first quarter.
We shuffled a few players around to make it work for the Rovers.
Newcomer Frankie Lees made an impact out of the midfield, while William Kirby and Kayden Atley held strong in the backline during the first half.
All our kids who played for Tungamah showed great sportsmanship, playing hard against their teammates.
Final score: Not scored.
Awards: Intersport footy - Frankie Lees, Wired Entertainment - Harper Simpson, McDonald’s - Jack Priest, Ollie Barling, William Kirby, Cruz Sartore, Knox Sartore, Lick It Quick - Arley Bulmer and Ryder Boyer.
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