A brave Deniliquin Rams were eventually out-muscled by home team Cobram on Saturday.
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The Rams went down by four goals after keeping pace with the higher-placed Tigers for two-and-a-half quarters.
After trailing by four points at the main break, the Rams took the lead early in the third quarter after Liam Pitts went forward and nailed back-to-back goals – firstly from a mark 50m out and then a free kick 20m out.
The Rams’ spirits lifted, and a victory looked possible, but the Tigers lifted too off the back of former AFL player Jackson Trengove who took control of the ruck contests to give his running players and forwards first use of the ball.
Deni’s key midfielder Todd Gallagher exited the game with a knee injury part-way through the term, and Cobram kicked their running game into gear to take back the lead and slot four consecutive goals.
By the final break the home side had built a four-goal lead, and to Deni’s credit they never threw in the towel.
The Rams rallied to within 14 points after half forward Lachie Cooke slotted back-to-back goals, but the Tigers finished full of running to close out the contest and their crafty small forward Koby Withers finishing with four goals.
Final score: Cobram 12.11 (83) def Deniliquin Rams 9.5 (59).
The Rams could take plenty of positives from the round 11 match, mostly the improvement of the younger and less experienced players.
Talented teenager Chase Bartlett came on as the sub in the second half and gave the visitors some pace and tackling pressure, while Miller Fitzpatrick had a very good first half roaming from half forward through the midfield and finding plenty of the ball.
Experienced heads Will Henderson and Gus Durnan were Deni’s best players on the day.
Henderson fierce at the contested footy and winning several crucial one-on-one battles, while Durnan battled manfully in the ruck against Trengove and did a fine job with his strong overhead marking around the ground and linking defence to attack.
Pitts, Cooke, and brothers Charlie and Kai Hillier all slotted two goals each.
Charlie looked dangerous when playing from the goal square – he kicked the opening goal of the game and also missed two set shots in the first term.
The Rams are seventh on the ladder and host sixth-placed Numurkah this Saturday in what is potentially a season-defining match for both clubs.
Best players: Will Henderson, Angus Durnan, Riley Hamilton, Chase Bartlett, Liam Pitts, Miller Fitzpatrick.
Goals: Charlie Hillier 2, Liam Pitts 2, Lachie Cooke 2, Kai Hillier 2, Ben East.
Reserves:
It was a very tough day at the office for the Rams Magoos against the might of ladder leader Cobram, who piled on 26 goals while holding Deni to two points.
Hard-nosed defenders Mark Panton and Billy Michael were Deni’s best players, contending with an avalanche of Sherrin supply from the Tigers midfielders.
Forward-onballer Lach Marshall battled away all day for the visitors, as did ruckman Cam Robinson, onballer Tom McCallum and half forward Oli Fagan.
Final score: Cobram 26.17 (173) def Deniliquin 0.2 (2).
Best players: Mark Paton, Billy Michael, Lachie Marshall, Cam Robinson, Tom McCallum.
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