It was some great crumbing from Brody Wills that set up Alex Harvey for the Rovers first goal of the game.
Austin Armytage was running hard on the wing and set up Spencer Cowley for the Rovers’ second goal for the quarter, and only three points down at quarter time.
The second quarter was a good one for the Rovers, kicking 3-1.
The forwards were working hard, with Spencer Cowley kicking a great goal deep in the pocket.
Alex kicked a 50m bomb for the Rovers, and a slick Max Watson hand pass set up Spencer for his second goal for the quarter.
The third quarter was another tight contest.
Alex kicked another long goal early and Landon Flisher took a great contested mark, and with a quick kick to Saxon Wellard he finished it off with his first goal for the club.
Saxon laid a super tackle which led to Austin Armytage’s first goal, soon followed by another superb crumbing goal by Austin, his second for the quarter.
in the fourth, the footy was going end-to-end.
Nick Fanning and Reagan Macdonald continued to throw themselves at every contest, and when Spencer kicked his third for the game the Rovers looked like taking it home.
But Katunga got on a late run and kicked the last two goals of the game to hang on and win by three points.
Final score: Rovers 9.9 (63) def by Katunga 10.6 (66).
Goal kickers: Alex Harvey 3, Spencer Cowley 3, Austin Armytage 2, Saxon Wellard.
Better players – Saxon Wellard, Austin Armytage, Jack Van Lieshout, Jesse Jervis, Brody Wills, Alex Harvey.
Awards: BLT Fabrication - Saxon Wellard; Fanmac Ag - Austin Armytage and Jack Van Lieshout; Barber & Threadz - Brody Wills; That Pizza - Jesse Jervis; Wired Entertainment - Alex Harvey, Subway - Landon Flisher, Spencer Cowley and Max Watson.
Fourths
On a frosty morning, the third placed Rovers took on sixth placed Katunga in an interesting match up.
Rovers were down a few players, missing Bentley and Cormick Hardman who were away, Jacob Holton injured, and Xander Strong away playing rep rugby in Dubbo.
Katunga started well in the slippery conditions to lead at quarter time.
If it had not been for the efforts of backline players Haydn Sampson, Lara Strong, Jake Harvey and Alex Ledwidge, they would have led by more.
As the game progressed, the young Rovers got on top in the midfield through Dannon Leetham, Callan Glenn and Sam Conallin.
Jobe Unwin and Tom Way also provided plenty of drive off the wing and half forward.
It was also an opportunity to give some younger players a run in the second half. They all performed their roles well.
In a tough and scrappy game Rovers held Katunga goalless in the last three quarters to run out winners by 22 points.
Final score: Rovers 4.10 (34) def Katunga 1.6 (12).
Goal kickers: Callan Glenn, Dannon Leetham, Sam Conallin, Lincoln Meharry.
Best players: Callan Glenn, Dannon Leetham, Sam Conallin, Haydn Sampson, Tom Way, Lara Strong.
Awards: BLT Fabrication - Sam Conallin; That Pizza - Dannon Leetham; Riverside Bookkeeping - Haydn Sampson; Nourish Deniliquin - Tom Way; Intersport Deniliquin - Callan Glenn; McDonald’s - Sam Strong and Henry Campion; Subway - Jake Harvey and Lara Strong.
Fifths
To even the sides up, Rovers handed a few players to Katunga and we made a start playing four 12-minute quarters to wear them out.
Both sides gave it their all with Deni’s little fellas Logan Littman, William Kirby, Jock Gordon and Lenny Parker getting in there with the bigger kids, making their way around the ball.
Some really impressive work is coming from Braxton Leetham, Carter Sartore, William Reid and Jett Boyer.
Awards: BLT Fabrication - William Reid and Enzo Craig; Intersport Deniliquin - Jake Horne; Cruizin* Diner - Charlie Druitt; McDonald’s - Zayden Jones, Mannix Taylor and Jack Gordon; Lick It Quick - William Kirby and Xavier Collihole.
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