Deni Rovers slipped to a three-win, three-loss ratio when they were defeated by Mathoura on Saturday.
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The loss came about after a poor first half which resulted in Mathoura leading by 19 points at quarter time which blew out to 36 points at half-time.
Mathoura seemed harder at the ball and deserved their lead.
Following the half-time address, the Rovers came out and played much more competitively and looked far more like the team they are capable of. The injection of Baxter Cowley seemed to make a difference to the side and they kicked four quick goals for the third quarter including two by Cowley himself. However, Mathoura had the experience to steady and they found a way to respond and maintain a solid lead at the final break.
Rovers again mounted a challenge in the early stages of the last quarter but were unable to make the most of the opportunities.
The 19-point quarter-time advantage set the platform for the Cutters, who extended the lead to 36 by the major break.
The Rovers didn’t go away and won the second half 42-34, but the damage had been done by Mathoura, who claimed its third win of the year.
Along with Aron Burns’ eight-goal performance, Lachlan Carmody and Corey Farrell added two goals each for Mathoura, while Clinton Atkinson and Stuart Day each contributed one.
The Cutters are set up well for a much improved performance from last season when they managed just four wins.
The final margin of 28 points was a disappointing outcome, however, for the Rovers.
The side will be hoping to regain a significant number of important players who are currently injured, adding a layer of experience to the talented youngsters who are going through the learning processes of stepping up into senior football.
Coach Alex Hay was far and away best on Saturday, winning many kicks around the ground and kicking two goals. Cam Wills played well again on the ball, while Brendan Hope repelled many Mathoura attacks. Tyson Willis won plenty of the ball, while Allan Bond and Logan Ives also played well.
Final score: Rovers 9.11 (65) def by Mathoura 14.9 (93).
Deni Rovers Goal kickers: Joey Hay 2, Baxter Cowley 2, Cam Wills 2, Allan Bond, Harry Mcilwain, James Falcone.
Mathoura Goal kickers: Aron Burns 8, Lachlan Carmody 2, Corey Farrell 2, Clinton Atkinson, Stuart Day.
Deni Rovers Best Players: Joey Hay, Cam Wills, Brendan Hope, Tyson Willis, Allan Bond, Logan Ives.
Mathoura Best Players: Andrew Evans, John McGowan, Lachlan Carmody, Aron Burns, Sam McHale and David Hand.
Deni Rovers Awards: Deni RSL – Cam Wills, Barber & Threadz – Brendan Hope, Frank n Beans – Alex Hay, Wired Entertainment – Allan Bond, Myo on the Move – Baxter Cowley.
Reserves:
The Rovers reserves maintained their unbeaten record with a strong win over Mathoura.
Numerous opportunities were wasted in the first quarter and the one goal and 10 behinds scoreline at quarter time didn’t reflect well on the forward line.
Still, fortunately the side was able to straighten up to kick a further 14 goals and nine behinds for the game to secure a very good win.
The defence did very well all day to keep Mathoura to two goals which meant a final winning margin of 96 points.
Better players on Saturday were Tim McDonnell in the ruck, Bobby Hall at half back in his first game for the club, Dylan Mills returning from injury, co-coaches Ben McCalman and Matt Horne and the backline general Daniel Mison.
It should be a great game this Saturday when Rovers clash with another undefeated side in Strathmerton.
Final score: Rovers 15.19 (109) def Mathoura 2.1 (13).
Goal kickers: Matt Horne 3, Brodie Elphick 2, Cooper King 2, Ben Littmann 2, Scott Howard 2, Shannon Sampson, Matt Wade, Zack Thompson, Alex Rourke
Best Players: Tim McDonnell, Bobby Hall, Dylan Mills, Ben McCalman, Matt Horne, Daniel Mison.
Awards: Cin’s Remedial Massage – Daniel Mison, Deni RSL – Dylan Mills, Frank n Beans – Scott Howard, N8 Health – Tim McDonnell, Hardman’s Intersport – Bobby Hall, Pattison Pastoral – Alex Rourke and SmokoShak – Ben Littman.
Thirds:
Travelling to Mathoura is always a tough challenge, but even with wet conditions the Rovers got off to a good start.
Alex Harvey continued his good form getting plenty of the footy, and Spencer Cowley was looking dangerous up forward kicking a couple of early goals.
The Rovers kicked eight goals for the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Rovers got their running game going and kicked 10 goals for the quarter.
Luke Holloway and Ethan Connolly were running hard from the midfield, and Reagan Macdonald and Andrew Smith dominated up forward. All of Reagan’s tireless efforts paid off with him kicking his first goal for the club.
The third quarter was another good quarter for the Rovers, and it was the ruck work from Cayden Hawley that set the tone for the quarter.
Ethan moved forward and kicked a couple of goals, with Alex, Andrew Croker and Dexter Hardman also hitting the scoreboard.
The Rovers finished the quarter with another five goals.
In the last quarter, the Rovers had the game under control and there were plenty of rotations.
Ben Hayes and Nick Fanning finished off another strong game.
Noah Dunn who had worked hard all day kicked his first goal in the thirds.
Henry Learmonth snuck forward from the backline and took a mark about 50m out deep in the forward pocket, he went back and put it straight through the middle for his first goal in the thirds as well.
Final score: Rovers 29.17 (191) def Mathoura 1.0 (6).
Goal Kickers: Spencer Cowley 9, Alex Harvey 4, Baxter Cowley 3, Ethan Connolly 2, Brody Wills 2, Luke Holloway 2, Andrew Smith 2, Reagan Macdonald 2, Noah Dunn, Henry Learmonth, Dexter Hardman, Andrew Croker.
Better players – Alex Harvey, Spencer Cowley, Reagan Macdonald, Nick Fanning, Luke Holloway and Ben Hayes
Awards: BLT Fabrication – Alex Harvey, Fanmac Ag – Spencer Cowley and Reagan Macdonald, Barber & Threadz – Nick Fanning, That Pizza – Luke Holloway, Subway – Ben Hayes, Ethan Connolly and Fletcher Campion.
Fourths:
It was truly wet weather footy in Mathoura for the fourths on Saturday morning with the rain drizzling down for most of the game.
The young Roos adjusted well from the first bounce scoring six majors for the quarter.
Xander Strong started strong notching up two goals as did Dannon Leetham.
The dominance continued into the second term with all players contributing on the field.
Jacob was powerful through the midfield in his first game this season after injury.
Harvey as always charged at the ball and belted it forward for the smalls to run onto. Kelsey’s second and third efforts at the ball assisted the goal kickers this quarter.
The now heavy footy didn’t stop the charge of the young Roos midfielders with Haydn leading the way through the centre.
With their smooth clearances and ground ball pickups Taj McCully, Callan Glenn and Sam Conallin made it look easy in the wet.
As the rain started to ease the young Roos picked it up another level and drilled it home with a seven-goal last quarter.
They shook up the play moving some defensive players up forward.
Tommy Way took every advantage of being up forward and had a couple of shots at goal, with one going straight through the middle.
In his first game of the season, Blayde Lines’ determination for the footy helped his teammates contribute to the scoreline.
It was a solid team effort by all players this week in some very wet conditions.
Final score: Rovers 20.18 (138) def by Mathoura 0.0 (0).
Goal kickers: Dannon Leetham 7, Stuart Benger 5, Xander Strong 4, Jett Conn Lynch 2, Jacob Holton, Tom Way, Sam Conallin.
Best Players: Bentley Hardman, Haydn Sampson, Callan Glenn, Dannon Leetham, Jacob Holton, Stuart Benger
Awards: Riverside Bookkeeping Services – Dannon Leetham, That Pizza – Callan Glenn, BLT Fabrication – Haydn Sampson, Cruizin* Diner – Jacob Holton, Intersport Deniliquin – Taj McCully, McDonald’s – Harley Benger and Blayde Lines, Subway – Mark Godfrey.
Fifths:
No game, as Mathoura does not have a fifths side.
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