We headed over to Tongala to face a side who had just come off a great win against Cobram, so we knew we were in for a tough game.
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The first quarter had us kicking poorly with six behinds, but we ended the term with two goals from Charlie Hillier and a nice snap from Chase Bartlett putting us in a 17-point lead.
We could only add one goal in the second quarter, while Tonnie had four behinds.
But the game was well and truly won in the third quarter, with Angus Durnan kicking three goals.
In the final quarter we started strong around the ground, with Tonnie kicking poorly, to finish the game with a 37-point victory.
Durnan was the best player for the day, with his consistent contested marks all day and three goals. The ball is in safe hands when his near the ball.
Charlie Hillier was strong in goals kicking five for the day, while Will Henderson was pivotal around the midfield contests.
Zac Free was tough as nails with his relentless tackling all game, and Todd Gallagher was instrumental in winning the ball out of the midfield.
Miller Fitzpatrick had his best game for the season and Darcy Cullenward and Mick Barnes were reliable in the backline.
We welcomed Dexter Hardman for his first senior game as the sub. He got his hands on the ball a few times and played well.
Final score: Deni Rams 11.7 (73) def Tongala 4.12 (36).
Boys will be training hard this week, before coming up an undefeated Congupna.
Best players: Angus Durnan, Charlie Hillier, Miller Fitzpatrick, Zac Free, Will Henderson, Todd Gallagher.
Goals: Charlie Hillier 5, Angus Durnan 3, Riley Hamilton, Chase Bartlett, Sam Willoughby.
Reserves:
We were up against it right from the start, but the boys battled hard with an undermanned side and early injuries.
Final score: Tongala 11.11 (143) def Deni Rams 1.3 (9).
Best players: Brad Poka, Mark Panton, Riley McLeod, Ben Nisbet, Lachlan Marshall, Lachie Cooke.
Goals: Lachlan Marshall.
Thirds:
It was a tightly contested first half in the clash between Deniliquin and Tongala.
Deni edged ahead at quarter time with a narrow two-point lead.
By half-time, Tongala had wrestled back control to hold a slender two-point advantage, setting up a big second half.
But it was our boys who responded best after the break.
Fired up from the half-time address and kicking with the wind, they dominated the third quarter, piling on 5.2 while holding Tongala to just a solitary behind.
That explosive term proved to be the difference.
Tongala had the wind in the final quarter and pressed hard, but Deni's defence stood firm.
Despite repeated forward entries, Tongala could only manage 1.4, falling short as Deni sealed a 19-point victory.
Final score: Deni Rams 8.5 (53) def Tongala 4.10 (34).
Best players: Luke Moorse, Chase Bartlett, Henry Robinson, Rory Smith, Jai Park, Andrew Smith.
Goals: Jai Park 3, Chase Bartlett, Chanze Egan, Andrew Smith, Logan Elphick, Henry Robinson.
Fourths:
No report supplied.
Final score: Deni Rams 14.16 (100) def Tongala 0.01 (01).
Best players: Jack McGrillen, Angus Henderson, Bentley Hardman, Rocky Sztejman, Oliver Ives, Jaxon Rothe.
Goals: Oliver Ives 4, Logan Elphick 2, Jack McGrillen, Ollie Murray, Bentley Hardman, Jaxon Ives, Oliver Christian, Rocky Sztejman, Seth Boyer, Max Burge.
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