The Deniliquin Rams have secured a finals appearance after a solid display against home side Tongala, downing the Blues by a whisker under 10 goals.
The Rams were the dominant side all day, their defence resolute and their midfielders giving plenty of supply to the forwards for a 59-point victory.
Deniliquin, with 44 premiership points, is now a game clear in fourth position.
And with Mulwala and Cobram (both on 40 points) to play each other this weekend in the final home and away round, a finals berth looms highly likely for the gold and the blue.
With class onballers Sam Lloyd and Ricky Gittens dominating and wonderful support from rising young wingman Noah Bradley, the Rams kicked 4.3 in the opening term and never looked back.
The Blues - coached by former Rams junior Billy Barnes – threw their bodies at the contest and made the Rams earn their kicks.
However, the class of the visitors was too much.
Deni added more goals in the remaining quarters, and held Tongala to just 5.6 for the day.
Deni defenders Cable Fitzpatrick, skipper John Anstee, Lachy Small and Lach MacDonald, returning from injury, were fantastic in the aerial duels and equally as neat when the ball hit the turf.
Mick Barnett went forward and showed them how it’s done with two goals.
Rams vice captain Gus Durnan continued his top form at centre-half forward with several strong marks and slotted three majors, including a clever soccer goal off the ground.
Ruckman Bryce Scoullar also pushed forward and gave a good account of himself in the air and at one stage found himself all alone about 20m out to mark and run into an open goal.
All-in-all, it was a solid team performance with only a home game against Barooga remaining.
Final score: Deni Rams 13.17 (95) def Tongala 5.6 (36).
Deni’s best players were Gittens, Lloyd, Bradley, Fitzpatrick, Barnett, Durnan and utility Jack Tyndall, who was strong at the ball and played mostly forward.
Goals: Angus Durnan 3, Mick Barnett 2, Jake Hobbs 2, Bryce Scoullar, Cable Fitzpatrick, Riley Hamilton, Todd Gallagher, Ricky Gittens, Sam Lloyd.
Reserves
What a win at Tongala on Saturday.
The Blues are a bit of a fortress, so to have a win like that is a credit to the 22. They really turned up to play footy.
From the backline to the forward line, to the blokes on the bench, everybody contributed.
Although Tongala were good in patches, we just responded every time they did and that’s what wins football games.
It was a really good effort from all.
Final score: Deni Rams 14.12 (96) def Tongala 3.3 (21).
Best players: Aiden Free, Darcy Cullenward, Bailey Townsend, Zac Free, Brock Redden, Monte Barnes.
Goals: Ben Nisbet 2, Dean Macdonald 2, Darcy McManus 2, Miller Fitzpatrick 2, Aiden Free 2, Clay Howe, Darcy Cullenward, Luke Todd, Jack Hay.
Thirds
The thirds went into the game against Tongala needing a win to secure a finals berth.
With the game starting in wet conditions, the Rams knew it was going to be a tough contest.
The first quarter started with both sides having chances, but as the quarter went on, Tongala began to get on top.
The players were asked for a stronger effort at the first break, and although the Rams showed glimpses, Tongala was first to the ball and looked the better side in the conditions.
With a finals spot on the line for both sides, the third quarter was going to decide the game.
The Rams lifted but were matched by a determined opposition, and the margin stayed at two goals at the last break.
The final quarter was another closely fought battle, and while the Rams had their chances, they failed to hit the scorecard when it mattered and eventually went down by 16 points.
Next week’s final-round home game against Barooga is now an elimination final for both sides.
The Rams will look to have a big week on the training track before finishing the home and away season with a win.
Final score: Deni Rams 1.5 (11) def by Tongala 4.3 (27).
Best players: Charlie McCallum, Charlie Bull, Sam Crossley, Nash Suckling, Tom Murray.
Goals: Charlie Paton (1) Charlie Bull (1).
Fourths
With just two rounds left in the home and away season and the Rams u14s team sitting in seventh position, the Round 16 match against Tongala was a must-win in order for the Rams to be in the mix for the finals.
The young Rams started the first quarter strong, although both teams struggled to make an impact on the scoreboard, having to get accustomed to the wet conditions.
Tongala came out firing in the second quarter, scoring two quick goals.
However, this was quickly responded to by Logan Elphick kicking two goals before the half-time break.
With both teams getting frustrated in the slippery conditions, the game was proving difficult for either side to take control of.
However, Tongala managed to score a goal in both the third and fourth term, where the Rams were not so lucky.
It was a hard-fought battle, but it was Tongala’s turn to take the win.
Final score: Deni Rams 2.2 (14) def by Tongala 4.4 (28).
Goals: Logan Elphick 2.
Awards: Talen Barnes, Tynen Rothe, Harry Nolan, Ollie Ives, Tom Marshall.