Thirds
The start of the Victorian school holidays saw an injection of numbers into the Deniliquin Rams team, and an early meeting soon got our boys on the same page and ready to fire against Numurkah.
We jumped out of the blocks with eight first quarter goals, and the Rams never looked back from there.
The boys kept their intensity high for the entire game and ran away with a 133-point victory, and consolidating their fourth position on the ladder.
Final scores: Deni 20.13 (133) to Numurkah 0.0 (0).
Best players: Oscar Wren, Tom Murray, Andrew Smith, Sam Crossley, Charlie Bull, Ryder Perrin.
Goals: Tom Murray 5, Ted Wren 2, Charlie McCallum 2, Andrew Smith 2, Josh Todd 2, Rory Smith 2, Oscar Wren, Luke Moorse, Tom Ives, Sam Crossley, Henry Robinson.
Fourths
Coming into round 12, the Rams were back at home after two away games and faced the Numurkah Blues.
In a very important game for both teams, and played in magical conditions.
The first half saw Max Burge and Bentley Hartman provide big efforts in the contest to link up, break lines and work together.
Logan Elphick provided a strong presence in the forward line, flying for marks, dominating at ground level, and controlling possession.
Rocky Szjetman and Jack McGrillen were rock solid on the wing, playing a crucial role in creating, setting up most of our offensive play.
The Rams got over the line, winning comfortably by 127 points.
Final score: Deni 19.13 (27) def Numurkah 0.0 (0).
Best players: Logan Elphick, Bentley Hardman, Rocky Szjetman, Jack McGrillen, and Max Burge.
Goals: Logan Elphick 6, Max Burge 2, Bentley Hardman 2, Oliver Ives 2, Jack McGrillen, Ari Strongman, Chanze Egan, James Armytage, Rocky Sztejman, Kade Golds.
Under-12s
The under-12s hosted Runnymede at home on Friday night, for round 8 of the Goulburn Murray Junior League.
Runnymede got off to a flying start, winning the centre clearance with their almost 6ft high ruck and quickly scored the first goal.
The Rams finally matched them late in the quarter, after a strong mark taken by Will Crossley in the middle of the goal square.
It was a low scoring match, with the Rams on 10 to Runnymede eight at half-time.
Central umpire Jonas Elphick commented that he thought Runnymede might have run over the top of the young Rams in the second half.
But then there was some great busting through the pack by the midfield, a brilliant dribbling goal by Edward Bliss in the third quarter, and then a sealer in the fourth by Nate Fitzpatrick.
The ball rarely entered the defensive 50 in the last quarter.
The Rams were commended by coach Rob Wettnehall for their accurate link-up and strong finish to the game.
Final score: Rams 4.5 (29) def Runnymede 2.2 (14).
Goals: Edward Bliss, Nate Fitzpatrick, Jimmy OConnor, Will Crossley.
Awards: James Massingham, Ollie Bull, Charlie Murray, Jimmy O’Connor.
Under-11s
The Lambs were treated to a surprise, with Hawks premiership ruck man Ben McEvoy taking the umpiring duties for opponent Runnymede Rebels on Friday night under lights at the Rams oval.
Our boys put on another good performance against the visitors in this GMJL round, moving the ball well by foot and hand and showing the improvement that comes with consistent training together.
Bill Doherty was named best on ground for his strong leads up forward.
Reggie Seignior showed plenty of dash, like his dad did in his playing days.
Gideon van der Berg showed strength around the ball, and Ned Hussey took some strong pack marks.
Bailey Cabral, George Pisasale and Willy Eastman kicked two goals each, and Gus McGrillen, Jed Chadderton, Oli Hall and Jetta Macdonald middled one apiece.