The Deni Rovers made their way to Barooga Recreation Reserve to take on the Hawks in round five of the Picola League.
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A feature of the senior games recently, there was a definite breeze towards the Barooga football clubrooms side of the ground, favouring the goals at that end.
Keen to bounce back after defeat last round, the Rovers started with a bang, kicking the first few goals of the match through Tyson Willis and elevated captain Cam Wills.
The Rovers kicked 4.4 (28) for the quarter and got out to a 13 point lead at quarter time.
Then against the breeze in the second quarter the Rovers competed well and kicked two goals which included a superb running goal from the boundary by Logan Ives.
Barooga found ways to get forward, but the Rovers stayed in front with a seven point game at half-time, 5.5 (35) to 6.6 (42).
With the breeze, the Rovers stretched out their lead again, but inaccuracy meant the Rovers couldn’t further cement their lead and capitalise on their good play out of the middle.
Barooga scored four goals and one behind for the quarter, to the Rovers’ three goals and six behinds.
The Rovers led by one straight kick heading into the last.
The away side were up and about, taking the lead to 13 points with just over 15 minutes left to play.
However, from there Barooga got momentum surging the ball into their attacking half and the Rovers couldn’t stem the flow with the home side kicking an unanswered five goals to win by 18 points.
Up forward for the Rovers, Cam Wills and Tyson Willis finished with three goals each, while Allan Bond, Brody Wills and Isaac Behsman all chipped in with goals of their own.
Andrew Simpson was an important contributor all day in his first game for the side in the ruck.
Connor Didcock was composed in defence on the halfback flank while along with a goal Logan Ives, Alex Hay and Jimmy Falcone did their best to lead the side over the line in a tough comeback defeat.
Final score: Barooga 14.7 (91) def Deni Rovers 10.13 (73).
Goals: Cameron Wills 3, Tyson Willis 3, Brody Wills, Isaac Behsman, Logan Ives.
Best: Andrew Simpson, Logan Ives, Alex Hay, Connor Didcock, James Falcone, Tyson Willis.
Reserves
The seconds were slow to get going against Barooga, and despite having their share of possession early, they found themselves four goals down at quarter time after being outworked around the ground.
The Rovers responded with greater intent in the second term, matching the Hawks with 2.1 apiece in a more even contest. However, Barooga made full use of the breeze in the third quarter, piling on four unanswered goals while keeping the Rovers scoreless to put the game beyond reach.
To their credit, the Rovers finished strongly and outscored Barooga in the final term, but the damage had already been done.
It was a tough day for the forwards, with Ben Littmann leading the way with two goals, while Bailey Caruso and brothers Andrew and Dylan May each added one.
Andrew May continued his strong form with another best-on-ground performance, working tirelessly through the midfield alongside Aden Bermingham. Dylan May was also among the better players, along with Darby Watson who impressed on the wing, and defenders Will Dudley and Daniel Mison who stood tall under pressure.
The boys will be keen to bounce back next week, with Coach Matt Horne sure to have them putting in the work on the track in preparation for a return to the winner's list.
Final score: Barooga 12.5 (77) def Rovers 5.3 (33).
Goals: Ben Littmann 2, Bailey Caruso, Andrew May, Dylan May.
Best: Andrew May, Dylan May, Darby Watson, Will Dudley, Aden Bermingham, Daniel Mison.
• Reports for other grades will run in Friday’s Pastoral Times.