In round 15 of the Picola League, the Deniliquin Rovers travelled to play away against Katunga.
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In an important match for both senior football sides, the Rovers were kicking with the wind in the first quarter.
Despite this, Katunga got the upper hand early, kicking the first three goals of the match in the first ten minutes of the game.
The Rovers then wrestled back possession.
They had the ball for most of the rest of the first quarter but were unable to get effective shots on goal, kicking just three behinds.
In the second quarter, the Rovers tried to turn the possession into goals but remained unsuccessful with their conversion, kicking three more behinds in a row.
Then, against the run of play, Katunga kicked a goal in transition.
The Rovers finally goaled twice at the end of the second quarter, but each time Katunga responded with goals immediately after.
At the halfway mark of the game, the Rovers had had plenty of the ball but were a long way off on the scoreboard, trailing 2.7 (19) to 6.6 (42).
The trend of the game continued into the third quarter, Katunga pushing the lead out to 29 points.
However, just over 10 minutes into the third quarter, Jackson Muldoon-Leetham provided the game-changing moment.
Receiving the ball on a switch at the defensive edge of the centre square, he took at least three bounces running down the wing before kicking the goal from just inside the arc.
The individual moment of brilliance was a turning point for the Rovers, who kicked four goals for the quarter, finished off by a Hayden Barker goal after the three-quarter time siren to reduce the margin to 11 points.
In the final quarter, the Rovers got on top quickly, kicking two goals to surpass Katunga for the first time in the game.
From there, the result was in the balance, with Katunga kicking two goals and four behinds.
They were held by the entire Rovers defence, led by Liam East, who rose to the occasion, thwarting Katunga’s last-gasp efforts multiple times.
With the momentum, the Rovers kicked four more goals and five behinds in the last quarter to find a way to win the hard way and hold on by 14 points.
Both Jackson Muldoon-Leetham and Cam Wills were crucial in turning the game for the Rovers, leading their side to victory, both getting a goal each to add to their work.
Another young leader, Liam East, was everywhere across the Rovers’ backline, standing up when he was needed most.
Waylon Johncock and Harry McIlwain were two of the most reliable players for the away team and were the exceptions in their side’s poor start.
Having a big presence up forward and kicking truly to get the Rovers ahead, Hayden Barker and Rivva Karpany kicked three goals, while Allan Bond kicked two important goals — one long-range set shot and the other by getting in the right position to finish in the goal square.
Brad Taylor kicked his first goal for the club, and Isaac Behsman was unlucky to only have one goal to his name.
The selflessness of the forwards late in the game helped the Rovers get back in the contest and clinch the win.
Final Score: Deni Rovers 12.13-85 def Katunga 10.11-71
Goal Kickers: Hayden Barker 3, Rivva Karpany 3, Allan Bond 2, Brad Taylor, Jackson Muldoon-Leetham, Isaac Behsman, Cameron Wills.
Best Players: Cameron Wills, Liam East, Jackson Muldoon-Leetham, Waylon Johncock, Hayden Barker, Harry Mcilwain
Reserves
After a week off, the Rovers Reserves returned looking refreshed and ready to play. The coaches’ message was simple: play good football and enjoy it.
Bobby Hall once again stepped up to ruck duties and thrived in the role, giving the midfield first use of the ball. His efforts saw him named best on ground for the Rovers.
It was fantastic to welcome back Bailey Caruso after several weeks sidelined with an ankle injury. Clearly back to full fitness, he twisted and turned his opponents inside out, kicking six goals for the day and earning a spot among the best players.
Down back, Jordyn McCulloch, Connor Didcock and the defensive unit were outstanding, continually rebounding the ball into attack and holding the opposition scoreless for the match.
Up forward, Tristan Fitzsimmons dominated inside 50 with five majors, while Damian Hope, Bobby Hall, Kaiden Joss, Taj Payne, Matthew Wade and Scott Howard all hit the scoreboard.
Harry Turner once again showed his class, joining McCulloch, Fitzsimmons, Hope and Caruso among the Rovers’ best performers.
Final Score: Deniliquin Rovers 20.17-137 def Katunga 0.0-0
Goal Kickers: Bailey Caruso 6, Tristan Fitzsimmons 5, Damian Hope 3, Bobby Hall 2, Kaiden Joss, Taj Payne, Matthew Wade, Scott Howard.
Best Players: Bobby Hall, Harry Turner, Bailey Caruso, Jordyn McCulloch, Tristan Fitzsimmons, Damian Hope.
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