With six changes in its senior side this week, the Deni Rams knew coming up against one of the Murray League’s in form teams was going to be a challenge on Saturday.
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Nathalia jumped us, taking a four goal lead at the first change.
The next two quarters provided an even contest, with teams going goal-for-goal.
Lachlan Small and Brayden Hall held firm down back, and Todd Gallagher and Angus Durnan worked hard up forward.
Harry Hillier and Ryan MacDonald ran all day through the midfield.
The last quarter was all Nathalia, piling on six goals to the Rams’ nil.
It allowed Nathalia to finish the game in convincing fashion.
Final score: Nathalia 17.6 (108) def Deni Rams 5.3 (33).
In what was a very up and down season for the Rams this year, a real sense of excitement is already building for next season.
Well done to Ash Morris and his team for blooding plenty of youngsters this season.
The club can’t wait to see what 2024 can bring.
Good luck to all the remaining football and netball teams playing finals over the next few weeks.
Goals: Todd Gallagher 2, Angus Durnan 1, Jack Tyndall, Harry Hillier.
Best: Lachlan Small, Brayden Hall, Harry Hillier, Todd Gallagher, Ryan MacDonald, Thomas Dowling.
Awards: Club Award - Lachlan Small; Club Award - Brayden Hall; White Lion Hotel - Harry Hillier; White Lion Hotel - Todd Gallagher; Globe Hotel - Ryan MacDonald; Rob Gittens Award - Ben Nisbet.
The reserves were hoping for a win to celebrate Aiden Free’s 200th club game and Lachlan Marshall’s 100th club game.
Unfortunately they lost in the last 30 seconds of the game, which was riddled with controversy from the first quarter.
Inaccuracy at goal also cost the side in a tight game.
While the Rams had a loss on Saturday, they have done enough throughout the season to make finals.
Final score: Nathalia 5.3 (33) def Deni Rams 4.6 (30).
Best: James Bradford, Brock Redden, Lachlan Osborne, Jake Cavallaro, Aiden Free, Tomas Bradley.
Awards: Echuca Kia - James Bradford; Deni Yamaha - Brock Redden; Decentralised Demountables - Lachie Osborne; Globe Hotel - Jake Cavallaro; White Lion Hotel - Aiden Free.
Nathalisa was also the stronger dside in the under-17s match.
Final score: Nathalia 13.9 (87) def Rams 3.3 (21).
Goals: Noah Bradley 2, Toby Grimwwod 1.
Best: Jake Herberte, Josh Todd, Brodie Park, Bryce Lea, Ben Crossley, Andrew Croker.
Awards: Shaw Family - Jake Herberte; Ritchies IGA - Josh Todd; Globe Hotel - Brodie Park; Club Polo - Bryce Lea; Club Cap - Ben Crossley; Player’s Player - Andrew Croker.
The fourths played their final round of the home and away season when the Rams hosted Nathalia.
The side welcomed the under-12s and under-10s for the pre-game, and were keen to take some winning form into finals.
The team came out full of run and with the midfield taking control and the forward line working well.
They took a seven goal lead in to the first break.
The Rams’ run and ball movement was impressive with all players getting involved.
By the main break, the young Rams had opened up an 85 point lead.
The team was asked for a big effort in the second half to maintain their high level of play with some position changes, and they responded well.
The backline were rarely put under pressure but remained focused and provided plenty of run and carry.
They linked up through the middle and drove the ball forward.
Up forward, Jai Park had a day out.
With his teammates helping him, he ended the season as the league’s leading goal kicker after a bag of 15 goals for the day.
The team was shuffled a little in the final quarter to give players a run and the team managed to finish the game off well with a big win.
Final score: Nathalia 0.0 (0) def by Deni Rams 23.17 (155).
Best: Jai Park, Chase Bartlett, Oscar Wren, Matthew Pitt, Ted Wren, Tomas Murray.
Goals: Jai Park 15, Matthew Pitt 3, Thomas Ives 1, Oscar Wren, Rory Smith, Chase Bartlett, Charlie Connor-Hetherington.
Awards: Infrabuild - Jai Park; Club Polo - Luke Moorse; Club Beanie - Tom Murray; Intersport Deniliquin; Ted Wren; Club Cap - Charlie McCallum; Club Award - Jed Fitzmaurice.
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