Senior football:
The Deni Rovers seniors headed to Tocumwal to play in the first elimination final in the Picola League against Strathmerton Bulldogs.
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The eighth placed Rovers were confident ahead of taking on the fifth placed Bulldogs.
It was warm footy finals weather at Tocumwal with a slight southerly breeze across the ground.
The match started with plenty of finals intensity and pressure, leading to skill errors on both sides.
The Rovers conceded a few behinds early before both teams got their game plans into action.
Strathmerton got two goals from getting the ball to their deep forwards through both free kicks and a one-on-one mark.
The Rovers fought back, kicking goals of their own through Hayden Barker and Alex Hay, but the Bulldogs got a goal from a turnover and had three goals and two behinds for the quarter.
The Rovers generated several forward 50 re-entries before a slower build-up play.
This led to a Taj Payne goal from a tight angle after the quarter time siren.
The Rovers had momentum despite trailing by two points at quarter time.
Deniliquin continued their momentum in the second quarter, getting a run of goals through Barker, Hay, Rivva Karpany and a fend off long-range goal from Jackson Muldoon-Leetham.
While this had the Rovers up and about, the Dogs answered back through their two goals.
Then with two minutes left in the first half Cam Wills laid a lunging chase down tackle, earning a holding the ball free kick but was injured while making the tackle, ruling him out for the rest of the game.
The Rovers missed one long-distance chance for the quarter, while Strathmerton missed two.
As a result, Deni were ahead by nine points at half time.
The third quarter was cagey with the Rovers getting at least two early shots on goal, but both going through for behinds.
Strathmerton got one goal and one behind for the quarter against the run of play but the Rovers held a four point lead at three quarter time.
The last quarter saw the Bulldogs get territory, with the Rovers’ defence holding firm but unable to transition the ball forward successfully.
As had been the case for much of the second half, the Rovers tried to hold defensively and weren’t able to keep attacking fluidly.
With 15 minutes remaining in the match, it proved too long to hold on for the Rovers.
Multiple free kicks and momentum went the Bulldogs’ way, and they got a run of four goals.
Tempers flared, with scuffles breaking out around the ground, with a Rovers goal credited to Brody Wills.
But the Deni side finished 16 point behind, unable to get over the line despite the work put in from the club.
Final score: Deni Rovers 8.3 (51) def by Strathmerton 10.7 (67).
The match was the end of the Rovers’ season, with injuries and momentum piling against the Rovers.
Liam East led the way for Deni with multiple outstanding defensive wins.
Jackson Muldoon-Leetham and Tyson Willis gave the Rovers plenty of spark throughout the match, as did captain Hayden Barker with his goals and presence forward.
In the ruck, Jayden Pitts and Bobby Hall both set the tone for the Rovers, never taking a backward step.
C-reserve netball:
Finals are always nerve-wracking, and a reminder that the season starts again regardless of ladder position.
The girls played valiantly in a goal-for-goal elimination final against Picola.
It went right down to the wire, but unfortunately, at the final whistle, Deni Rovers’ season came to an end.
Final score: Deni Rovers 19 def by Picola United 20.
The club is proud of the effort, commitment and fight shown by the girls all season.
A huge thank you to coach Em East and team manager Ellie Fishlock for everything they’ve done for the team, and for a fantastic season.
• All other Rovers teams start their finals campaigns this weekend.