Big day at Blighty marks resurgent seasons for Redeyes and Rovers

This weekend’s match carried added significance for both sides.

The Blighty boys had two significant senior footballing milestones in their final hit out for the year against a strong Rovers side.

They celebrated club legend Sam Singleton’s 200th senior game and Aaron Litchfield’s final game for the club.

For the Rovers, a win would be essential to secure fifth position on the ladder, while a loss would leave their finals position dependent on other results.

The conditions were great for football, with only a breeze blowing across the ground to the main Blighty clubrooms to potentially affect the gameplay.

Blighty got the immediate start to the game through Jack Charlton who burst from the centre stoppage, alongside milestone man Sam Singleton getting the ball into the Redeyes forward line first out of both teams.

The early entries of the ball went to the in-form Jordyn Priestley at full forward.

However, an errant Priestley decision to play on from 15m out on a slight angle wasn’t the desired outcome for the Redeyes giving them their first behind of the game.

Priestly made amends, getting a goal later in the quarter, giving Blighty some early optimism.

Despite the early test for the Rovers, the team got their ball movement across the ground going, hitting Hayden Barker and Tyson Willis on the lead for multiple set shots goals.

The Rovers had the lead at the first quarter break, leading 5.4 (34) to Blighty’s 1.1 (7).

In the second quarter the Rovers had a majority of possession but were unable to get effective entries into a congested forward line with the away side’s players trying to get on the scoreboard themselves.

It was also a credit to the Blighty defence who held the Rovers strongly led by Kyel Bain down back.

In total, the Rovers kicked six goals and nine behinds in the second quarter while keeping Blighty scoreless.

Blighty started the third quarter as they did the first, kicking towards the netball court end but missed at least four chances on goal.

Redeyes playing coach Dane Leyden eventually put a set shot through to kick Blighty’s second goal for the day.

Later in the quarter, the match was stopped due to two Blighty Redeyes players injured, with the medical stretcher called upon to carefully remove the affected Redeyes players from the field.

Following the medical delay, the Rovers played much more selflessly, finishing the quarter strongly with five goals and three behinds.

In the last quarter, the Rovers put together their most complete quarter of the day forward of centre, including some safe hands and accurate snapping from the pocket by Jayden Pitts.

There was a comedy of errors in the play from both sides in Blighty’s front half in the last quarter, with Zac Thomson ultimately kicking Blighty’s only goal for the quarter amidst their two behinds.

In the end the Rovers came away 138 point winners but are now up against Jerilderie in the first elimination final of the senior football finals series at Strathmerton this Saturday.

For Blighty, Litchfield and Singleton performed extremely well, along with Jack Charlton and Rusty Milward, but unfortunately the team went down after a few horror injuries.

There was definitely improvement this season, and the journey will continue next year.

Jackson Muldoon-Leetham, on the wing, and Logan Ives, with his contested work in the centre, were outstanding for the Rovers.

Leading the way for the Rovers up forward were Jayden Pitts, Hayden Barker and Tyson Willis, again kicking bags of four, eight and three goals respectively.

Showing their poise as goalscorers from the midfield were Waylon Johncock and Nick Hay getting two majors each.

Isaac Behsman again covered the half forward flank superbly all game, kicking a running goal as did Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson who used his explosive Hollywood skills to impact the game from the centre playing his role for the team well.

Also getting a goal in the first half was Cameron Wills, who in another highlight showcased his athleticism with a spectacular leaping mark off a short pass.

Running all the way from the defensive end of the ground to finish a goal was both Alex Hay and Jai Ezard capping the win for the Rovers ahead of an elimination finals berth this week.

Final score: Blighty 3.7 (25) def by Deniliquin Rovers 24.19 (163).

Rovers goals: Hayden Barker 8, Jayden Pitts 4, Tyson Willis 3, Waylon Johncock 2, Nick Hay 2, Isaac Behsman, Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson, Cameron Wills, Alex Hay, Jai Ezard.

Rovers best players: Jackson Muldoon-Leetham, Logan Ives, Jayden Pitts, Hayden Barker, Tyson Willis, Isaac Behsman.

Rovers awards: Logan Ives, Rhys McCulloch, Jackson Muldoon-Leetham, Jayden Pitts, Hayden Barker, Rowan Frazer, Liam East.

Reserves

With a touch of sunshine, the seconds boys were eager to finish the home-and-away season strong, delivering some excellent football.

It was also the last game of the season for the Blighty side.

The rivalry against Blighty for Rovers always brings intensity, and the pressure showed early when Ben Littmann narrowly missed a set shot right in the square.

Despite this, the seconds quickly took control and dominated throughout the day.

Tristan Fitzsimmons was a late exclusion, and despite battling a bad case of food poisoning, Harry Turner was determined to don the white shorts and get ahead in their goal-kicking duel.

Dylan Mills was outstanding in the ruck all day, earning best-on-ground honours by providing our midfield with crucial first use of the ball around the ground.

The midfield looked the strongest it’s been all year, with Jordyn McCulloch and Aden Bermingham dominating possessions and both named among the best players.

Hayden Gardiner put on a remarkable display, kicking six goals, while Scott Howard also continued his fine form with six goals of his own - both earning best-on-ground recognition.

Damien Hope contributed four goals from the midfield, with Bailey Caruso, Ben Littmann, and Joey Hay all adding multiple goals.

Harry Turner played another solid game but was held to a single goal, while Andrew Croker and Rylan Wade each chipped in with one.

In defence, Sam Richardson impressed once again, doing the hard work to repel attacks and pushing up the ground to win plenty of contested ball, earning him a well-deserved spot among the best players.

For Blighty, although the scoreboard didn’t go their way, the coaches couldn’t be prouder of the determination and fight the team showed right until the final siren.

Every player gave it their all, finishing the season with great spirit and teamwork.

Best on ground went to Will McCallum, followed closely by Jacob Wawrzycki and Callum Campbell for their outstanding efforts.

The Captain’s Award was proudly presented to Dion Winter, who also managed to slot a great goal.

A big thank you to all the players, supporters, and volunteers who’ve been there all season - Blighty look forward to coming back even stronger next year.

Final score: Blighty: 1.1 (7) def by Deniliquin Rovers 26.17 (173).

Rovers goals: Hayden Gardiner 6, Scott Howard 6, Damian Hope 4, Bailey Caruso 3, Ben Littmann 2, Joey Hay 2, Harry Turner, Andrew Croker, Rylan Wade.

Rovers best players: Dylan Mills, Jordyn McCulloch, Scott Howard, Hayden Gardiner, Sam Richardson, Aden Bermingham.

Awards: Dylan Mills, Hayden Gardiner, Scott Howard, Aden Bermingham, Jordyn McCulloch, Harry McIlwain, Sam Richardson, Allan Bond.