A stunning seven-goal haul from mercurial full forward Cooper Willoughby lifted the Deniliquin Rams to a stirring come-from-behind victory over Nathalia on Saturday.
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With the game well and truly in the balance at the final break - the Purples leading by three points - Cooper put on a masterclass in the final term, slotting five goals to prove the difference between the two teams.
The wiry forward showed lightning speed on the lead but was equally hard to stop when the ball hit the ground, his final-term heroics being talked about as one of the finest individual quarters of football seen at the Rams’ home ground for several years.
Cooper had plenty of help when the game was there to be won, with older brother Sam, vice-captain Cable Fitzpatrick and another young gun Charlie Hillier delivering the ball from the centre bounces.
Kicking to the Ochtertyre St end, Cooper marked and goaled twice on the lead from a similar tricky angle to open the last term, wrestling the lead for the home side who never looked back.
But it was arguably some key moments in the third term that set up the victory.
The Rams lifted their intensity after trailing by nine points at the main break, however it was Nathalia who came out firing kicking the opening two goals of the third term to take their lead beyond 20 points and looking the better side.
Then the Rams kicked into gear with their tackling pressure and their defenders - led by star captain Mick Barnett – pressing up the field which forced turnover after turnover.
Hillier slotted a fine goal from a free kick on the boundary, Todd Gallagher won a free kick and goaled from 30m directly in front and Cooper got a free kick and an ensuring 50m penalty took him to the goal line to kick his second major of the day.
The Rams slotted five goals which was enough to cut the margin to three points and keep them in touch with the visitors, who kicked four goals of their own for the quarter.
With the mercury surpassing 30°C, the heat and oval size seemed to get the better of Nathalia.
The Rams dominated the centre clearances and tackle count in the final term to run out victors in what transformed into an excellent game of football following a scrappy opening term.
Fitzpatrick was named best afield for the Rams, with his dash from defence and then his grunt when thrown onto the ball later in the match.
The two Willoughbys were outstanding when the game mattered, showing their elite skill and fitness, while Barnett was resolute in defence with his safe hands and sure feet alongside veteran and co-coach John Anstee who didn’t put a foot wrong when called on in the clinches.
Another key performance came from undersized ruckman Ben East who did a fine job to quell the influence of seasoned Nathalia giant Brodie Ross.
After the game, an emotional Rams coach Gary Parsons praised his players for their grit and determination.
“It’s been a tough pre-season as we were a bit low on numbers, but I’ve got every faith in the boys we put out on the park giving everything for the jumper, and their strong connection with each other showed today.”
Parsons also praised some of his ‘lesser-lights’ such as Bailey Townsend (back flank), Darcy Cullenward (back pocket) and Miller Fitzpatrick (wing).
“These guys were mostly reserve players last year, but they‘ve had big pre-seasons and all of them were excellent today when we needed them.
“They want to be out there in the senior team, and they’re certainly senior players in my eyes, you’ve just got to put some faith and time into them, and they did the job today.
“We basically didn’t have a bench after time (due to injury) and this was one of the best wins I’ve been involved with as a coach.”
Saturday’s win has the Rams 2-0 to start the season, with the traditional Good Friday match in Finley this weekend.
Final Score: Deni Rams 13.8 (86) def Nathalia 9.3 (57).
Goals: Cooper Willoughby (7), Todd Gallagher (2), Charlie Hillier (2), Will Henderson, Sam Willoughby.
Best Players: Cable Fitzpatrick, Cooper Willoughby, Sam Willoughby, Darcy Cullenward, Bailey Townsend, Ben East.
Reserves
The Rams piled on 24 goals for the afternoon to run out big winners against an understrength Nathalia team.
Full forward Luke Todd led from the front, marking strongly to kick nine goals, while hard runners Aiden Free and Brodie Elphick slotted five goals apiece.
Best on ground went to Brodie Park who was crucial in the contested work, busting open packs and penetrating the defence with his big boot.
Other good players were emerging ruckman Aydan Matthews and no-nonsense defender Billy Michael who’s getting better with every game.
The Rams twos are also 2-0 to start the year under new coach Colin Thompson.
Final score: Deni Rams 24.16 (160) def Nathalia 2.3 (15).
Goals: Luke Todd (9), Aiden Free (5), Brodie Elphick (5), Brodie Park, Dean Macdonald, Lachlan Marshall, Brock Redden, Brodie McQuie.
Best players: Brodie Park, Luke Todd, Aydan Mathews, Brodie Elphick, Billy Michael, Aiden Free.
Thirds
No report.
Final score: Deni Rams 16.12 (108) def Nathalia 4.3 (27).
Goals: Charlie Bull (3), Dexter Hardman (3), Chase Bartlett (2), Josh Todd (2), Tom Murray (2), Sam Crossley (2), Ted Wren, Patrick Billings.
Best players: Charlie Bull, Andrew Smith, Dexter Hardman, Chase Bartlett, Tom Murray, Charlie McCallum.
Fourths
Coming into Saturday’s match, Nathalia had beaten the Rams twice last season.
Both teams were coming off successful round one wins with the Rams looking to keep the momentum going.
The first quarter saw both teams going hard at the ball and matching each other well across the field.
The conditions were perfect for footy as the Rams converted three early goals to take the lead.
This saw some tremendous play from the young Rams, creating heaps of space and moving the ball quickly by hand and foot through the middle of the ground.
This resulted in the Rams relentless pressure, ball movement and teamwork seeing them push further in front going into the last quarter.
The Rams then put the foot down scoring three last quarter goals.
Final score: Deni 11.10 (76) def Nathalia 2.1 (13).
Goals: Oliver Ives (3), Max Burge (3), Logan Elphick (2), Jaxon Ives, Jonathan Moorse, Rocky Sztejman.
Best players: Logan Elphick, Oliver Ives, Bentley Hardman, Jack McGrillen, James Gatacre, Rocky Sztejman.
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