Rovers shake away early-season Blues

A distinct breeze longways across the ground was a factor all game from the Picola clubrooms end.

Rovers won the toss and kicked with the wind in the first quarter.

It was a tussle early, with the Rovers getting a good start out of the centre as they completed a comprehensive display, kicking seven goals and two behinds in some of their best football for the year.

The Blues, however, were keen to prove they were better than the scoreline suggested and in for the fight, kicking two goals and one behind for the quarter against the wind.

The Rovers were ahead 7.2 (44) to Picola’s 2.1 (13) at quarter-time.

In the second quarter, Picola brought the challenge back at the Rovers, keeping the ball down their end with the wind, kicking four goals and one behind.

Three 50m penalties in the first half favoured Picola, limiting the Rovers’ transition, scoring two goals and one behind.

The Blues shortened the Rovers’ lead to 19 points at half-time, 9.3 (57) to Picola’s 6.2 (38).

The home side kicked the first goal after the main break, looking ominous.

However, from there it was all coming up Rovers for the rest of the quarter.

The away team kicked accurately with seven goals and one behind, stretching the lead out to 54 points at three-quarter time.

The Rovers were on 16.4 (100) to Picola’s 7.4 (46).

In the last quarter, Picola threw what they had against the Rovers early in the last, getting two goals in transition.

The Rovers’ substitute Brody Wills was lively in the forward line, including in the last quarter, leading his opponent to the ball. He was given a free kick after being pushed in the back in the forward pocket, in front of the crowd at the Picola clubrooms.

He had an opportunity to kick a goal from a 70-degree angle to goal with vocal support from the crowd.

The kick was straight but didn’t have the journey into the wind, but was ultimately a goal assist, with Tyson Willis again finding the ball near goals, this time jumping over a pack to take a mark on the goal line.

With this momentum, the Rovers made sure not to throw away all their hard work, kicking three goals and two behinds in the last quarter to finish with a 62-point win.

Waylon Johncock showed his experience and class, taking his game to another level this week, accumulating plenty of the ball, running through the midfield.

James Gilligan matched Johncock with toughness in the middle and took several huge marks to help the Rovers transition from the backline and intercept to re-enter the forward line.

In the ruck, James Kirby was dominant over his opponent all day, giving the Rovers midfielders first use of the ball to charge from the stoppage in an important display.

Another bigger body who worked hard around the contest was Tom Blake, who was key through centre half-forward, giving Kirby a chop-out in the ruck, forward of centre and defensively to keep the Rovers’ ball moving their way.

Tyson Willis was the standout forward, kicking seven goals, providing plenty of impact, and was deadly when given a sniff of the goals.

Rhys McCulloch was again instrumental with his bullocking runs, especially through the stoppage, kicking a goal himself.

Other than Willis’ seven, Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson returned to the side brilliantly with four goals, while Johncock added to his best-on-ground performance with two goals.

Cameron Wills continued his elite work with two goals, Hayden Barker provided an important presence again with one major, Allan Bond found the ball multiple times in the forward half, creating chances and one well-hit volley for a goal, and Jackson Muldoon-Leetham ran on to finish some of his handiwork with a goal himself.

It was a solid win for the Rovers, but they face a harder test next week against the undefeated three-time reigning premiers Waaia at Deniliquin’s Memorial Park next Saturday.

Final score: Picola United 9.4 (58) def by Deniliquin Rovers 19.6 (120).

Goals: Tyson Willis 7, Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson 4, Waylon Johncock 2, Cameron Wills 2, Hayden Barker, Allan Bond, Jackson Muldoon-Leetham, Rhys McCulloch.

Best players: Waylon Johncock, James Gilligan, James Kirby, Tom Blake, Tyson Willis, Rhys McCulloch.

Awards: Tyson Willis, Cameron Wills, James Gilligan, James Kirby, Tom Blake, Rhys McCulloch.

Junior reports will appear in Friday’s edition.

Reserves:

The seconds were up and about, with club legend Daniel ‘Mouse’ Mison set to take the field for the 400th time - a remarkable milestone.

Adding to the occasion, it was also Ben ‘Bam Bam’ McCalman's birthday.

Taking on Picola at Picola is never an easy task, and the home side came out firing, slotting the first three goals and holding the Rovers goalless at the first break.

The Rovers dug deep in the second quarter, clawing their way back to take the lead by half-time.

From there, they capitalised on their chances and maintained control for the rest of the match to come away with the win.

Despite the victory, the seconds could use some goal-kicking practice, finishing with 10 goals and 16 behinds.

Littmann led the way with three - or possibly four, if you count the one from the back pocket.

Tristan Fitzsimmons and Scott Howard also contributed multiple goals, while Damian Hope, Jack Pekin, and Bobby Hall added singles.

Bobby Hall had a standout game in the ruck and was named best on ground.

Mison showed his class once again, doing an excellent job on Cunningham and proving that even after 400 games, he’s still got it.

Final score: Picola United 6.0 (36) def by Deniliquin Rovers 10.16 (76).

Goals: Ben Littmann 3, Tristan Fitzsimmons 2, Scott Howard 2, Damian Hope, Jack Pekin, Bobby Hall.

Best players: Bobby Hall, Jordyn McCulloch, Harry Turner, Rylan Wade, Bailey Caruso, Ben Littmann.

Awards: Bobby Hall, Jordyn McCulloch, Harry Turner, Ben Littmann, Bailey Caruso, Daniel Mison, Rylan Wade, Tristan Fitzsimmons.