Deni Rover’s up and down season continued on Saturday when they were defeated by a polished Waaia side.
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The first quarter saw Waaia attack from the opening bounce and the goals flowed regularly throughout the quarter as a 55-point lead was established by quarter time.
To the Rovers’ credit, the second quarter was more even with a three goal to two goal scoreline.
Coach Alex Hay scored the first goal and this was followed up by a goal from the impressive skills of Cam Wills.
The Rovers side at least started to earn their share of possessions but couldn't match their opponents ball movement.
The side continued to try hard in the third quarter restricting Waaia to four goals, but the damage had been done and the opposition pressed on to the final siren to make the eventual margin 99 points.
The game was a real learning curve for the young side and hopefully they will benefit from watching the way the ball moved into the forward line, with Waaia's play-on style and ability to break from stoppages something to aim at.
Final score: Waaia 18.10 (118) def Rovers 2.7 (19).
Goal kickers: Cam Wills, Alex Hay.
Best players: Alex Hay, Cam Wills, Liam East, Brendan Hope, Logan Leiper, Tom Dowling.
Awards: Physiofit with Britt - Alex Hay; Deni RSL – Cam Wills; Frank n Beans – Liam East; Barber & Threadz – Brendan Hope; N8 Health – Logan Leiper; Myo on the Move – Jai Ezard.
Dylan Mills clears the ball under pressure from his Waaia opponent.
Reserves:
Rovers kicked with the breeze but wasted several opportunities to kick 1.3 for the quarter to lead by eight points at quarter time.
Rovers defended well in the second quarter but Waaia kicked two goals to lead by seven points at half-time.
Rovers struggled in the early part of the third quarter and Waaia kicked two goals against the wind to have a handy lead.
However, Rovers played their best football in a 10 minute burst to kick four goals and regain the lead at three quarter time.
A goal to Harry Mcilwain with 10 minutes to go gave Rovers a real hope of winning, but unfortunately Waaia kicked the last two goals to sneak home narrow winners.
Final score: Waaia 6.7 (43) Rovers 6.5 (41).
Goal kickers: Scott Howard 2, Kaiden Joss 2, Harry Mcilwain, Tristan Fitzsimmons.
Best players: Nick Stubbings, Harry Mcilwain, Kaiden Joss, Daniel Mison, James Kirby, Connor Didcock.
Awards: Cin’s Remedial Massage – James Kirby; Deni RSL – Harry Mcilwain; Frank n Beans – Nick Stubbings; Barber & Threadz – Connor Didcock; Myo on the Move – Kaiden Joss; Deniliquin Jewellers – Daniel Mison; Smoko Shak – Aden Bermingham.
Thirds
On a fresh morning at Waaia, the Rovers got off to a very slow start.
Waaia looked on top early and kicked the first goal of the game, but also kicked five goals to one for the quarter.
It was some great play from Baxter Cowley to Spencer Cowley that set up Rovers’ first goal of the game. The Rovers going in at quarter time down by four goals.
In the second quarter the Rovers needed to lift, and Jack Van Lieshout’s ruck work was getting his midfielders into the game when the Cowley boys stood up.
Playing a strong second quarter performance had them up by 11 points at the break.
The third quarter started off with another tight contest where no team was able to get on top.
It was an interception from Luke Holloway that lead to another goal from Baxter, soon followed by a great crumbing goal from Brody Wills. The Rovers kicking three goals to one for the quarter.
The last quarter saw both teams throwing everything at it. With a hot footy, no-one could get on top.
Waaia kicked the first goal for the quarter, but vice captain Alex Harvey stood up and kicked a long goal to get his team over the line.
The Rovers were able to hang on to win by 4 goals.
Final score: Rovers 11.12 (78) def Waaia 7.5 (47).
Better players: Jesse Jervis, Andrew Smith, Isaac Behsman, Ethan Connolly, Baxter Cowley, Ben Hayes.
Awards: Fanmac Ag – Jesse Jervis and Andrew Smith; BLT Fabrication – Isaac Behsman; Terry Blake Bar Services – Ethan Connolly; Barber & Threadz – Baxter Cowley; That Pizza – Ben Hayes; Wired Entertainment – Jack Van Lieshout; Subway – Spencer Cowley, Jack Hussey and Luke Holloway.
Jake Harvey looks for options against Waaia in the Fourths game.
Fourths:
The sun was shining brightly at Waaia as the fourths started off Saturday footy.
They controlled the play during the first quarter with many opportunities at goal.
Michael Benger was phenomenal in the forward 50 and kicked two majors for the quarter.
Waaia kicked it up a notch in the second and put pressure across the ground.
Dannon Leetham was instrumental in the ruck tapping it to onballers Sam Conallin and Bentley Hardman who drove it into the forward line.
Tom Way and Jake Harvey did their thing across half back flank, halting Waaia’s attempts into the forward 50.
Waaia’s pressure continued in the third term making it hard to score.
Lara Strong was dominant across half back flank taking contested marks and tackling the Waaia forwards.
The young Roos started to run out of steam in the last quarter and only managed one major for the quarter.
Youngsters in Ged O’Donnell and Cormick Hardman gained possessions in the midfield giving the forwards every opportunity they could.
Mikey capped a stellar goal notching up four goals.
Best players: Bentley Hardman, Dannon Leetham, Michael Benger, Lara Strong, Tom Way, Haydn Sampson.
Awards: BLT Fabrication – Mikey Benger; Barber n Threadz – Callan Glenn; Riverside Bookkeeping Services – Bentley Hardman; Wired Entertainment – Lara Strong; McDonald’s – Angus Knuckey and Cormick Hardman; Subway – Ged O’Donnell and Kayden Leech.
Fifths:
Rovers only had 14 players but still managed to hand over six players to Waaia to make it a fair game.
Once again Jett Boyer and Callan Leiper made good ground with the ball while Connor Sampson, Beau Jervis and Carter Sartore making their impressions for the Waaia side.
It was good to see a few of the younger boys like Logan Littmann, Jack Priest and Max Woolston get amongst the ball while Asher Parsons had a few good cracks at the goals too.
Awards: BLT Fabrication – Beau Jervis and Asher Parsons; That Pizza – Lincoln Sartore; McDonald’s – Carter Sartore, Jett Boyer and Mason Williams; Subway – Leo Herberte, Jye Benger and Connor Sampson.
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