The Deniliquin Rovers made the trip to Dookie for round nine of the Picola League on Saturday.
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The grounds presented a picturesque facility for watching sport but a distinct quirk for playing on it, with the football oval itself on a lean and the Dookie clubrooms wing slightly uphill and higher than the opposing wing.
It was a little disorientating for the Rovers players, with many not having played at the ground and others not since 2008.
Regardless, the home side started out on top, kicking the first two goals of the match.
The Rovers got back in it, but were a bit rushed, getting chances to kick 1.2 to Dookie’s 2.1 by the first break.
In the second quarter, Dookie continued where they left off in the first, with the Rovers inaccuracy again showing.
Timely goals from Alex Hay, Hayden Barker and Tyson Willis in the first half kept the Rovers in the game.
At half-time, Dookie led by nine points.
The Rovers felt they were close but were being brought into a physical and unclean style of game that suited Dookie.
However, the home side continued their brand of football, kicking four goals in the third quarter, including multiple from direct kickouts from Rovers’ behinds that got over the top and resulted in a goal.
Keen to turn the game around before it rolled out of reach, the Rovers tried to close the gap, kicking three goals themselves.
A huge set shot goal by James Gilligan, off a mark from a squaring ball before three-quarter time, halted any Dookie momentum and kept the Rovers within two goals touching distance.
The Rovers were 6.11 (47) to Dookie’s 9.5 (59) at the third quarter break.
In the last quarter, the Rovers midfielders got on top early, with Waylon Johncock and Gilligan getting the ball forward again and Cam Wills kicking a long-range goal.
Dookie didn’t stop attacking, but the pressure and composure behind the ball for the Rovers kept them out in a see-sawing last quarter.
Adam Bodey made an important play in the last quarter as he streamed back on a Dookie counter-attack to intercept a pass in front of goal.
Liam East was also heroic for the Rovers with his defensive efforts in front of the parochial Dookie crowd, preventing any big marks late from the Dooks.
The Rovers levelled the score five minutes into the last quarter, and withheld the Dookie assault to two points before kicking three more goals of their own to hold on for a win.
It was an important, gritty comeback win for the side, which was trailing at every major break.
Final score: Dookie United 9.7 (61) def by Deniliquin Rovers 11.13 (79).
Goals: Alex Hay 4, Hayden Barker 3, Tyson Willis 2, James Gilligan, Cameron Wills.
Best players: James Gilligan, Adam Bodey, Liam East, Waylon Johncock, Tyson Willis.
Awards: James Gilligan, Adam Bodey, Liam East, Tyson Willis, Cameron Wills, Hayden Barker.
Reserves:
With both teams level on points and Rovers ahead only on percentage, the seconds made the trip to Dookie to face an unknown challenge.
Rovers capitalised on their chances early, making the most of the first and second quarters.
The return of James Kirby in the ruck gave the midfield a clear edge, providing plenty of first use of the ball.
Dookie's defence proved resolute, restricting the Rovers’ forward entries and rebounding effectively to apply pressure at the other end.
Despite this, Rovers took a four-goal lead into half-time, though the match still felt within reach for the home side.
Rovers came out after half-time and really opened the game up, linking up well and hitting their targets.
Bailey Caruso put on a show, getting to the feet of Tristan Fitzsimmons and Blake Norris, then turning his Dookie opponents inside out - at one point even kicking a goal over his head - to finish with five for the match.
Fitzsimmons was a strong presence deep forward, finishing with three goals, while Brett Rose, Hayden Gardiner and Harry Turner all contributed multiple goals from the midfield.
Caruso was named best afield, closely followed by the in-form Harry Turner, who continues to impress.
Final score: Dookie United 1.5 (11) def by Deniliquin Rovers 16.8 (104).
Goals: Bailey Caruso 5, Tristan Fitzsimmons 3, Brett Rose 2, Hayden Gardiner 2, Harry Turner 2, Ben Littmann, Taj Payne.
Best players: Bailey Caruso, Harry Turner, Connor Didcock, James Kirby, Tristan Fitzsimmons, Jordyn McCulloch.
Awards: James Kirby, Bailey Caruso, Harry Turner, Connor Didcock, Tristan Fitzsimmons, Jordyn McCulloch, Taj Payne, Brett Rose.
Thirds:
No report supplied.
Final score: Dookie United 6.7 (43) def by Deniliquin Rovers 11.8 (74).
Goals: Lincoln Meharry 4, Spencer Cowley 3, Callan Glenn, Brody Wills, Stuart Benger, Jacob Holton.
Best players: Callan Glenn, Brody Wills, Fletcher Campion, Zachary Grimison, Ethan Connolly, Lincoln Meharry.
Awards: Reagan Macdonald, Callan Glenn, Brody Wills, Jesse Jervis, Ethan Connolly, Jacob Holton, Isaac Behsman, Nick Fanning.
Fourths:
Dookie started strongly, kicking the first three goals of the game and dominating across all areas of the ground.
Their tall forwards were proving a real challenge for the Rovers' defence.
In the second half, Rovers began to lift.
Haydn Sampson was dominant in the ruck, while Ryan Bulmer and Sam Strong made solid contributions around the ground.
In defence, Carter Sartore, Mikey Benger, and Beau Jervis stood out with strong efforts.
Rovers outscored Dookie in the second half, with Braxton Leetham and Reece King hitting the scoreboard.
However, the three-goal-to-none opening quarter proved too much to overcome for the young Rovers side, who battled it out to the final siren.
Final score: Dookie United 5.6 (36) def Deniliquin Rovers 2.0 (12).
Goals: Reece King, Braxton Leetham.
Best players: Haydn Sampson, Sam Strong, Michael Benger, Ryan Bulmer, Carter Sartore, Beau Jervis.
Awards: Haydn Sampson, Sam Strong, Michael Benger, Beau Jervis, Ryan Bulmer, Carter Sartore, Braxton Leetham, Hunter Dunn.
Fifths:
With an early start and a few dirt roads along the way, we made it out to Dookie.
The teams were evenly matched, and Dookie made it tough for us to break through, but our kids gave it their all.
It was great to see their persistence and determination as everyone worked hard to get their hands on the ball.
Awards: Zac Germano, Nixon Sartore, Lenny Parker, Carter Parsons, Leo Herberte, Braith Leiper, Ollie Walker, Kayden Atley.
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