In round six of Picola League action, the Deni Rovers hosted the Berrigan Saints at Memorial Park.
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Coming off their second bye in three weeks, the Rovers were keen to put on a good show in front of the crowd gathered on Sponsor’s Day.
Under still, sunny conditions, the Rovers got off to a fast start, kicking the first three goals of the match.
However, after developing some early confidence, the Rovers gave away some easy deep forward 50 entries to let the Saints back into the contest.
The Saints got on a run, gaining the momentum as Berrigan kicked five goals for the quarter.
The Rovers steadied with two more of their own to also have five, with two points separating the teams at the first break.
In the second quarter, Berrigan managed to inflict early damage on the scoreboard to build a lead.
The Saints’ full forward recruit from the Ovens and Murray League, Keith Tallent, was getting out of hand kicking four goals in the first quarter and five in the half.
In response, the Rovers were creating chances of their own and improved to take three goals scoring opportunities to end the quarter.
Despite this, the two sides were only separated by seven points at half-time, with the Rovers 8.10 (58) to the Saints’ 8.3 (51).
In the third quarter, the Rovers capitalised on the tiring Saints, kicking three goals and five behinds with the defence holding Berrigan to three behinds.
Finishing the game, the Rovers ran over the top of the Saints in the last quarter, with repeat forward 50 entries helping them keep the ascendancy.
The Rovers finished with four goals and four behinds to the Saints’ one behind in the final quarter, to secure a 54-point victory for the home side.
The Rovers’ win was powered by their midfield and rotating forwards getting possession, pushing the ball forward and putting on plenty of pressure to keep it there.
Rhys McCulloch proved his experience and endeavour for the side with his run out of the centre and link in the Rovers’ chain to goals.
Another brilliant midfield option, Nick Hay again provided strong marking overhead and competed hard to win the ball when it was there to be won.
Giving the midfielders first use out of the centre was Adam Bodey, who was everywhere.
Jayden Pitts was another big body who dominated from the back in the second half.
The two had a head clash is defence, with plenty of claret and swelling, but returned to the oval to finish off their performances in the fourth quarter.
Cam Wills continued his stellar start to the season, showing how damaging he can be out of the midfield, kicking four goals, dangerous whenever heading into range.
Up forward, Hayden Barker took advantage of his opponent winning plenty of one on ones, leading the Rovers kicking seven goals for the day.
Tyson Willis was the other multiple goalkicker with two goals.
Damian Hope and Rhys McCulloch also both wound back the clock, kicking a goal each.
Adding to their depth, Waylon Johncock was immense, streaming across the ground, providing plenty of run and carry in his first Rovers Seniors game.
Ultimately, it was an important win to bank for the Rovers with more challenging games ahead.
Final score: Deniliquin Rovers 15.19 (109) def Berrigan 8.7 (55).
Goals: Hayden Barker 7, Cameron Wills 4, Tyson Willis 2, Damian Hope, Rhys McCulloch.
Best players: Rhys McCulloch, Nick Hay, Cameron Wills, Hayden Barker, Adam Bodey, Waylon Johncock.
Awards: Rhys McCulloch, Cameron Wills, Nick Hay, Adam Bodey, Hayden Barker, Jaiden Pitts.
Reserves:
After grabbing regional media headlines this week with a record-breaking percentage, all eyes were on the Deniliquin Rovers reserves to back it up against a hardened Berrigan outfit.
But despite the pressure, not even a new Pope could help the Saints on Saturday.
James Kirby was immense in the ruck, taking on a tough opponent but still giving our midfielders first use of the footy, setting the tone from the opening bounce.
It was great to see John Allitt escape the butcher shop for a couple of hours, but he still carved up the Berrigan defence to finish with five snags for the day.
And if there's a better goal this year than Hayden Gardiner's roost from the car park, we haven't seen it. Goal of the Year? Just hand it over now.
Kaiden Joss continued his standout season with another best-on-ground performance, ably supported by Kirby, Allitt, Bobby Hall, Bailey Caruso and Nick Stubbings, all named among the best.
The boys are firing, the media’s watching, and the Rovers reserves are rolling.
Final score: Deniliquin Rovers 16.18 (114) def Berrigan 0.0 (0).
Goals: John Allitt 5, Tristan Fitzsimmons 2, Hayden Gardiner 2, Scott Howard 2, Damian Hope, Kaiden Joss, Taj Payne, Matthew Wade, Max Caruso.
Best players: Kaiden Joss, James Kirby, John Allitt, Bobby Hall, Bailey Caruso, Nick Stubbings.
Awards: James Kirby, Kaiden Joss, Bobby Hall, John Allitt, Bailey Caruso, Nick Stubbings, Hayden Gardiner, Andrew Croker.
Thirds:
After a slow start, the Rovers Thirds took control and never looked back.
Some sharp tactical moves from co-coach Liam East - including shifting first year players Lincoln Meharry forward and Dannon Leetham into the ruck - proved decisive, with both players dominating their new roles.
Brody Wills was everywhere, controlling the midfield and causing damage up forward, while Sam Conallin and Jake Harvey held the backline strong and kept Berrigan’s forwards quiet all game.
It was a solid showing against an undermanned opposition, but fading fitness late in the match showed there’s still work to be done.
Final score: Deniliquin Rovers 11.12 (78) def Berrigan 7.11 (53).
Goals: Brody Wills 2, Lincoln Meharry 2, Max Watson 2, Noah Dunn, Isaac Behsman, Stuart Benger, Tom Way, Dannon Leetham.
Best players: Dannon Leetham, Jesse Jervis, Xander Strong, Brody Wills, Ben Hayes.
Awards: Ben Hayes, Lincoln Meharry, Xander Strong, Stuart Benger, Jett Lynch, Charlie Connor-Hetherington, Fletcher Campion, Nut Goodsell.
Fourths:
Berrigan got off to a flyer with three goals and one point to nothing in the first quarter.
The young Roos lifted in the second quarter, scoring one goal two and keeping Berrigan scoreless.
The backline of Sam Strong, Reece King, Angus Knuckey and Carter Sartore repelled many Berrigan forward 50 advances.
Meanwhile, Ryan Bulmer, Cormick Hardman, Taj McCully, Haydn Sampson and first-gamer Jed Fitzmaurice were playing well around the ground.
Up forward, Michael Benger played a lone hand, kicking all of Rovers’ three goals.
Rovers matched it with a much bigger Berrigan side but couldn’t make up the difference of the three first-quarter goals, going down by 22 points in a good overall team effort.
Final score: Deniliquin Rovers 3.5 (23) def by Berrigan 7.3 (45).
Goals: Michael Benger 3.
Best players: Sam Strong, Ryan Bulmer, Michael Benger, Haydn Sampson, Cormick Hardman, Taj McCully.
Awards: Sam Strong, Angus Knuckey, Cormick Hardman, Mikey Benger, Jed Fitzmaurice, Taj McCully, Ryan Bulmer and Reece King.
Fifths:
In just their second game of the season and in front of a big crowd, the Fifths embraced the spirit of junior footy. After evening up the numbers by sharing a few players with Berrigan, the kids took to our freshly lined fifths ground and put on a great show.
With strong positional play opening the field for a flowing game, Zac Germano provided spark through the middle while Nixon Sartore cleared the ball with purpose from defence.
There were plenty of clean tackles, great passages of play, and most importantly — lots of smiles.
It’s clear that at Roverland, we’re building strong foundations, offering more structure and understanding for all the club’s little up-and-coming stars.
Awards: Hardman’s Intersport- Max Wilson, Wired Entertainment - Zac Germano, McDonalds - Lincoln Sartore, Lykien Byers and Nixon Sartore, Rovers - Logan Littman and Braith Leiper, Lick It Quick - Max Horton and Ryder Boyer.
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