Sport

Sunday clash between Roos and Dees

By Rowan Frazer

Apr 23, 2026

(Back, from left) Josh Bode from Deni Rovers, Brad Todd from Deni Rhinos and Anthony O'Donnell from Deni Rams; (front) Sharon Crouch from the Deniliquin Rodeo Committee, Shannon Bulmer from Deni Rovers, RSL director Bob Crampton, Colin McMahon from the Deni Racing Club, and RSL CEO Peter Duncan.

An already huge weekend of Anzac Day long weekend sport will be extended with the Deni Rovers playing on Sunday, instead of Saturday, this weekend.

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The move will allow people to commemorate Anzac Day and participate in other Anzac Day activities.

This includes the Deniliquin Anzac Day Races, which is supported by Deniliquin Rovers sponsor the Deniliquin RSL Club.

The Rovers will host the Jerilderie Demons at Memorial Park, with game times the same as they would be on a Saturday.

Even with the unusual Sunday fixture, Rovers coach Alex Hay said preparation in the lead up to the game will be similar to any other week.

“Preparation might be a little different for the individuals playing a Sunday game, which I can’t actually remember an alternate game since I've returned to the club.

“Training will be business as usual, and I'd say there won't be a great deal of variation, moreso just another day to recover and prepare.

“Everyone is in the same situation though, so I don't expect that it will influence much either way.”

The Rovers are heading into the clash after claiming the Warner Tasker Cup against Blighty last week, despite a sluggish start.

“Last week was a great game, and very pleasing that we were able to retain the Warner Tasker Cup - which means a lot to the club.

“Blighty showed us how to play in the first quarter and certainly set the tone for intensity around the ball, so it was pleasing that we were able to adjust to that after quarter time.

“We knew that they would look to move the ball quickly off the mark, and we just made some fundamental errors in dangerous parts of the ground that put our defence under pressure.

“Addressing the slow start is something that we will certainly focus on coming into this week's game against Jerilderie.”

Hay said the Rovers will not take Jerilderie lightly.

“The expectation of playing Jerilderie is that they will play the contest. That's been their trademark for a long period of time and to be honest, it's probably something that we have struggled with in the past.

“We made that area of our game a major focus over the off season for games and teams like Jerilderie so it's going to be a great test to see where we are at in that regard.

“I know that they have added some locals back to the club that bring some class. We are certainly well aware of what they are capable of.”