In what was a beautiful day for football, everyone one was excited for a close contest in the Murray League.
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The Rams were determined to put up a more competitive fight after the Numurkah Blues beat the side comfortably the first time they met this season.
The Blues jumped Deni in the first half, holding a four goal advantage at half-time.
A different looking Rams side come out to play in the second half-slamming on five goals to one in the third quarter.
With the margin only two points in the Rams’ favour at the last break, it was anyone’s game.
The lead changed hands four times during the last quarter and the Rams had a couple of late chances to take the win.
Unfortunately when the siren sounded, Deni were just four points down.
Final score: Numurkah 10.9 (69) def Deni Rams 9.11 (65).
Tom McCallum, Jack O’Flaherty and Marcus Moorse had great games, as did Ryan MacDonald, Lachlan MacDonald and Angus Durnan booting five goals.
It will be another massive test this weekend against Moama, but after an impressive four weeks of footy the Rams are a chance if they keep playing the way they have been.
Awards: Club Award - Tom McCallum and Ryan MacDonald; Globe Hotel - Angus Durnan and Jack O’Flaherty; White Lion Hotel - Lachlan MacDonald; Rob Gittens Awards - Marcus Moorse.
Coming off a close loss last week, the Rams reserves flew out the box kicking six goals in the first quarter against Numurkah on Saturday.
Benny Nisbet kicked three, prompting the question ‘how many will he kick today?’. He added another three by the end of the game.
The second quarter started slow and was a bit scrappy, with the Rams finishing the quarter with four goals.
The second half was a hard slog with the structure falling down and a bit of overuse of the footy.
At the end of the day, Deni ran out 16 goal winners.
Final score: Deni Rams 16.7 (103) def Numurkah 2.2 (14).
Ben East was great in the ruck for the second week in a row, but unfortunately injured his arm on Saturday.
Lachlan Osborne great on the wing. Brett MacDonald, at centre half back, and Brock Reddan off half back were solid.
The under-17s side came up against a strong Blues outfit on Saturday.
On a beautiful day there was excitement in the air with some fourths players being promoted for the day.
Despite having a slow start, the group responded and some of the younger members showed that the club is in great hands.
Charlie Bull was again a standout with Toby Grimwood making an impact all day.
Will Dudley battled hard and showed some great skill during his efforts later during the senior’s game.
Andrew Crocker and Bryce Lea were key performers in keeping the score line in check.
But it was a day where Chase Bartlett and Matt Pitt led the junior crew in a celebration of the club’s future.
Final score: Numurkah 15.12 (102) def Deni Rams 1.0 (6).
Awards: Shaw Family Award - Charlie Bull; Jamie and Faye Park award - Will Dudley; Club Award - Toby Grimwood; Barber & Threadz - Andrew Croker; Club Beanie - Chase Bartlett; Players’ Player - Matt Pitt.
A home game against Numurkah was another game of mixing up positions for the fourths, and lending players to the opposition as they were a few short.
With the assistant coach away this week, Harry Hillier stepped in to assist Troy Bartlett.
The boys hung off every word Hillier had to say at quarter time.
Final score: Deni Rams 20.14 (134) def Numurkah 0.0 (0).
Awards: Infrabuild - Luke Moorse; That Pizza - Charlie McCallum; Cruizin* Diner - Ted Wren; Canteen - Harry Raper and Ollie Fuess.
The Rams under-12s took on Echuca White under lights on Friday night.
Deni’s players knew they needed to give their absolute best to take the win, and that they did.
The Rams’ quick style of game and tenacity was too much for the Echuca team, which is not officially scored.
Goals: Jack McGrillen, Gus Burge, Lachie Tritton, Tom Bull and Oliver Ives.
Awards: Canteen Award - Oliver Ives and Enzo Sztejman; McDonald’s - Ollie Murray and Jaxon Rothe; Rams Beanie - Aansh Patel; Club Award - Tom Marshall.
The under-10s also took on Echuca White on a brisky Sunday morning at Victoria Park, for round ten of the Goulburn Murray Junior League.
Deni got off to a blistering start and Rob Wettenhall set the boys a target at quarter time for Aadi Patel to score his first goal of the season.
A great passage of play saw Edward Bliss kick the ball to Aadi on the lead.
He took a fabulous mark and was soon surrounded by all his teammates after he slotted it through the middle.
Awards: Club Beanie - Rupert Maslen; McDonald’s - Ned Wettenhall and Alby Bull; Club Award - Lachlan Jeffrey and Ollie Bull.