Rovers battle Barooga

Barooga have started their Picola League season strongly, including in the senior football with wins over Tocumwal and Jerilderie.

Deniliquin will also want to have a good day of football and netball before the Rovers ball, which is on tomorrow from 7pm at Memorial Park.

The Rovers senior football side is out to rebound after their 18 point loss to Jerilderie on Sunday, which coach Alex Hay said the team can learn from ahead of tomorrow.

“It was definitely a disappointing result last week, especially after a positive start.

“In the first quarter we moved the ball with real method, clean and just looked sharp.

“To then produce the football that we did in the next three quarters certainly wasn’t ideal.

“We have had games infrequently over the last couple of years, where we see the best and worst of our footy.

“But it identified a few things that we can get quickly moving into the next phase of the season.”

The Hawks run out in this season under new co-coach Craig Ednie, a three-time Yarrawonga premiership player in the O&M following a seven-game career at AFL level with Richmond.

Ednie and Jeremy O’Brien built up the Hawks pack over the summer, including the likes of Alex Krause and Harvey Sneddon from Cobram.

Hay said he is aware of the challenge Barooga present.

“Barooga is going to be a huge test. In the Murray league they were a strong club for a long period of time.

“They had a down period for a little while there, but that won’t dictate how we prepare for the weekend.

“They have recruited really well, brought some highly talented locals back, and they are coached very well.

“If we have lapses like we did last week, then it might be a long day at the office.

“But I’m confident that we can find our best football on their wide ground, which will suit our style.”

Consistency is key for the Rovers, Hay said.

He is wary of the team straying too far from what has worked for them.

“We will go in with the same attitude and prepare in the same manner that we have every week.

“While we didn’t perform how we wanted to last week, it’s important to understand what’s made us a good team and focus on executing that for longer.”