The Deni Rovers hosted the Jerilderie Demons on Sunday for their Anzac Day weekend match at Memorial Park.
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The Rovers started with a breeze headed to the End St end of the ground.
The home side got off to a good start after keeping the Dees quiet, with the Rovers kicking 6.1 (37) in the first quarter to 2.4 (16).
In the second quarter the Dees continued their momentum, kicking 4.2 with Jerilderie players streaming forward while the Rovers kicked 2.1 going into half-time.
At the end of the quarter the Rovers were reduced to 17 players for 10 minutes with Liam East going off for umpire dissent.
In the third quarter, both teams kicked counter attacking goals, but a goal after the siren by Chris Marshall put Jerilderie in front by five points with one quarter to go.
In the final term, the Rovers got the ball forward but couldn’t put any real damage on the scoreboard as Jerilderie kicked two more goals to run away with the win by 18 points, getting payback for their elimination final defeat against the Rovers last year.
For the Rovers, Harry Mcilwain was strong all day from the backline.
In the ruck, Jack Pekin provided a great work rate and kicked a goal.
The midfielders competed well with Cam Wills, one of the Rovers’ best in his return which included taking a spectacular mark in the third quarter, getting upright on a set of shoulders.
Logan Ives got plenty of contested ball kicking one while Tyson Willis had a hard-tag all game but still kicked four goals.
Hayden Barker with two goals and Dannon Leetham with one again provided good targets forward of the ball.
Relentless spark and leading was given by Jimmy Falcone and Joey Hay, with Alex Hay also running hard and kicking one goal for the match.
Final score: Deni Rovers 10.4 (64) def by Jerilderie 12.10 (82).
Goals: Tyson Willis 4, Hayden Barker 2, Jack Pekin, Logan Ives, Alex Hay, Dannon Leetham.
Best players: Harry Mcilwain, Alex Hay, Jack Pekin, Jimmy Falcone, Joey Hay, Cameron Wills.
Reserves
Jerilderie are always a tough competitor and Sunday was no different with the bigger bodied opposition making the Rovers players earn every possession.
But the Rovers’ link up and running game allowed them to get on top early and out run Jerilderie.
Damien Hope had another great game kicking five, assisted by Harry Turner with four, Dylan Mills with a couple and young Stuart Benger also kicking two.
The Rovers were unselfish, always looking for the best option and allowing Aden Bermingham, Johnny Mitchell, Ben Littmann and Lyam Taylor to also kick goals for the team.
It was great to see the thirds boys Fletcher Campion, Lyam Taylor and Stuart Benger put their hands up all having a positive influence in the game and the win.
Aden Bermingham fitness stood out as he was at every contest and was deservedly named best on with Harry Turner, Dylan Mills, Damian Hope, Rylan Wade and the old back line general Daniel Mison whose backline allowed their opponents only one goal and two points for the day.
Final score: Deni Rovers 17.11 (113) def Jerilderie 1.2 (8).
Goals: Damian Hope 5, Harry Turner 4, Dylan Mills 2, Stuart Benger 2, John Mitchell, Lyam Taylor, Ben Littmann, Aden Bermingham.
Best players: Aden Bermingham, Dylan Mills, Harry Turner, Damian Hope, Daniel Mison, Rylan Wade.
Thirds
Yet another absolutely sensational day at Roverland with perfect conditions for footy.
Although the conditions were perfect, it took a moment for the lads to ‘warm up’ into the game.
Jerilderie got the jump on the rovers boys who may have underestimated their opponents desire and grit giving up two quick goals to get the game started.
Some strong gut running for the backline and midfield and the tackling pressure from Jacob Holton, Noah Dunn and Archer Moodie got the lads back into he game.
With a goalless second quarter and Jerilderie kicking two of their own gave the Demons the lead at half-time.
This had Coach Wally fired up and asked the boys for more.
Not to disappoint, Rovers found much more in the third kicking five goals in this quarter with two from Dannon Leetham, one each from Noah Dunn, Liam Taylor and a long range, end-over-end rolling goal from Reagan MacDonald.
Going into the last, the boys were asked to maintain their pressure and gut running and did not disappoint.
With a team total of 10 tackles for the quarter and gut running from Jobe Unwin, Ryan Squires and Archer Moodie, just to name a few, allowed the Rovers boys to hold off the Jerilderie lads for a very well fought win in what was a very challenging game.
Best players were Thomas Ives (voted Players Player), Callan Glenn, Ryan Squires, Jacob Holton, Archer Moodie and Noah Dunn taking out the Most Tackle Award.
Final score: Deni Rovers 11.12 (78) def Jerilderie 10.6 (66).
Goals: Dannon Leetham 3, Thomas Ives 2, Noah Dunn 2, Lyam Taylor 2, Reagan Macdonald, Archer Moodie.
Best players: Thomas Ives, Archer Moodie, Noah Dunn, Callan Glenn, Jacob Holton, Ryan Squires.
Fourths
The Rovers started strongly, kicking seven goals to nil in the opening quarter.
Taj McCully, Ryan Bulmer and Sam Strong controlled the midfield, providing plenty of drive forward.
Up front, Michael Benger, Callan Leiper and Cormick Hardman proved dangerous targets.
As the match progressed, Jerilderie managed several forward 50 entries, but they were repeatedly repelled by a tight-knit defence led by Angus Knuckey, Beau Jervis and Jack Brown.
Jed Fitzmaurice was everywhere, gathering numerous possessions around the ground and setting up plenty of scoring opportunities.
The Rovers ran out comfortable winners by 145 points, with Benger, Leiper and Hardman each finishing with five goals.
Credit must go to a young Jerilderie side that tried hard all game and never gave up.
Final score: Deni Rovers 22.13 (145) def Jerilderie 0.0 (0).
Goals: Michael Benger 5, Callan Leiper 5, Cormick Hardman 5, Lucas Braybon 2, Jett Boyer 2, Braxton Leetham, Taj McCully, Jed Fitzmaurice.
Best players: Ryan Bulmer, Taj McCully, Jed Fitzmaurice, Michael Benger, Callan Leiper, Cormick Hardman.
Fifths
Ryder Boyer was dominant at full back, consistently clearing the ball from defence and covering well for teammates.
Fast ball movement from Lenny Parker and Leo Herberte ensured the forwards had first use.
Strong tackling pressure from Tate Parlato and Bertie Landale again made it difficult for the opposition to gain clean possession.
Bentley Hill marked strongly and kicked the sealer after the final siren.
Final score: Not scored.