The Deniliquin Rovers hosted the Mathoura Timbercutters at Memorial Park, in round 17 of the Picola League.
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It was beautiful conditions for football, with the sun out and not a cloud in the sky.
From the start of the match, the Rovers were keen to score at a quick pace, finding Hayden Barker, Jayden Pitts, and Tyson Willis scoring at a goal per minute early.
Mathoura did get into the contest, however, with their players showing resistance at the contest.
This led to a successful play getting over the back of the Rovers’ structure, with Kyle Magro kicking a running goal on the angle from the away change rooms and cricket nets pocket.
Not to be outdone, the Rovers then got back into gear with a Jackson Muldoon-Leetham effort, fending off multiple players and finishing with a snap that bounced through for a goal.
At quarter time, the Rovers were up 8.5 (53) to Mathoura’s one straight goal.
In the second quarter, Mathoura started well, getting two shots on goal in front but missed both for minor scores.
The Rovers then capitalised, kicking 10 goals and three behinds to be in front by 108 points at half-time.
There was a spread of four more individual goal kickers - including Logan Ives, who finished with a snap in front, Waylon Johncock, Isaac Behsman and Nick Hay.
In the third quarter, Mathoura again got the ball over the top, but only managed a behind with a rushed shot from Clint McNabb.
The Rovers kicked six goals and four behinds for the quarter, with Cameron Wills hitting the scoreboard with three goals for the day.
In the last quarter, points from Mathoura’s Jake Rawe and Mak Eddy couldn’t be taken advantage of despite the hard work in the midfield, with Mitch Worsnop doing a valiant job once he was put into the backline.
It was a closer quarter between the two sides, with the Rovers kicking three goals and six behinds, with the main highlight being Tyson Willis finishing with nine goals, as Jayden Pitts and Hayden Barker also finished with a bag of five goals each.
It was a 169-point win for the Rovers in their last home game of the home and away season.
Final score: Deniliquin Rovers 27.18 (180) def Mathoura 1.5 (11).
Goals: Tyson Willis 9, Jayden Pitts 5, Harry Barker 5, Cameron Wills 3, Waylon Johncock, Jackson Muldoon-Leetham, Isaac Behsman, Logan Ives, Nick Hay.
Best players: Tyson Willis, Waylon Johncock, Cameron Wills, Rivva Karpany, Jayden Pitts, Jackson Muldoon-Leetham.
Awards: Tyson Willis, Logan Ives, Jayden Pitts, Cameron Wills, Rhys McCulloch, Jackson Muldoon-Leetham.
Reserves:
It was classic finals weather on Saturday, and the seconds boys were looking sharp.
Though that might have had more to do with the fresh haircuts for the team photo than anything else.
Building on last week’s performance, the Rovers produced another strong game of football.
Mathoura’s pressure in the first half kept them contained, but after the break the Rovers found more space and time, opening the game up and running away with a big win.
The friendly goal-kicking rivalry between Tristan Fitzsimmons and Harry Turner continued, with both slotting four majors for the day.
Bailey Caruso dazzled again, turning opponents inside out on his way to three goals, while Hayden Gardiner’s pace and work rate also earned him a trio.
Ben Littmann and Jack Pekin stood tall in attack, kicking multiples, with Brett Rose, Allan Bond, the Wade brothers (Rylan and Matthew), and Joey Hay all chipping in to hit the scoreboard.
Ben McCalman’s relentless effort and ground coverage saw him named best on ground, alongside Harry Turner, who looks like he brings his own football to every game.
Allan Bond slotted seamlessly into the side, adding experience and class to earn a place among the best, joined by Jordyn McCulloch and Aden Bermingham, whose control of the midfield was outstanding.
Jack Pekin, fresh from a week at the snow, was rock solid up forward to round out the best.
Final score: Deniliquin Rovers 23.13 (151) def Mathoura 0.1 (1).
Goals: Tristan Fitzsimmons 4, Harry Turner 4, Bailey Caruso 3, Hayden Gardiner 3, Ben Littmann 2, Jack Pekin 2, Brett Rose, Allan Bond, Rylan Wade, Matthew Wade, Joey Hay.
Best players: Ben McCalman, Harry Turner, Allan Bond, Jordyn McCulloch, Aden Bermingham, Jack Pekin.
Awards: Harry Turner, Allan Bond, Jordyn McCulloch, Aden Bermingham, Jack Pekin, Ben Littmann, Joey Hay, Tom Blake.
• Junior reports will feature in Friday’s edition.
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