Sport

Rovers retain Warner Tasker Cup

By Contributed

Jul 23, 2024

Tyson Willis (right) was awarded the Warner Tasker medal with coach Alex Hay (left) accepting the trophy after the Rovers' victory. Photo by Rowan Frazer

Deni Rovers kept their season alive when they defeated the Blighty Redeyes on Saturday.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

In the process, the Rovers retained the Warner Tasker Cup for the sixth consecutive time.

Conditions were very tough with a gale blowing across the ground which made playing good football very difficult.

To Blighty’s credit they tried very hard and kept plenty of pressure on Rovers, but probably lacked the ability to convert their forward opportunities.

With the Redeyes not having access to its Melbourne players and still plagued with injuries, a half dozen up and coming players came into the side and played two for the day.

They hit the park with an all local team and played admirably against a finals contender in Deni.

Rovers were able to kick four goals in the first quarter to establish a lead, but it was really the second quarter they were able to kick away with 7.7 to Blighty’s solitary goal.

It was not a day for high marking, so Rovers such as Joe Hay, Tyson Willis, Cam Wills and Baxter Cowley controlled the ball at ground level and created plenty of scoring opportunities.

Deni continued to work hard in the second half, with Adam Bodey dominating in the ruck and they managed five goals in the third quarter and four goals in the last to record a convincing win.

The Redeyes got plenty of the football, but unfortunately could not use it as well.

It was only the last 12 minutes that made the scoreboard a little untidy.

With some thumping long kicks from Kyel Bain out of defence and some serious running from the smaller players, Blighty set up a number of attacks going forward only see them broken down at half forward and repelled by a tight Deniliquin defence.

Allan Gardiner, Nick Hay and Daniel Smits all played well for Blighty.

George Reid and Billy Lawes teamed together ferociously to tag opposition coach Alex Hay.

It was a very even team effort in tough conditions for the Rovers with Joe Hay, Tyson Willis, Adam Bodey, Baxter Cowley, Josh Flight and Brady Trotman all having good games.

Willis and Flight kicked five goals each to lead the goal kickers.

Willis was awarded the Warner Tasker medal for best on ground for his five goals on a tough goal kicking day.

Final score: Deni Rovers 20.16 (136) def Blighty 1.3. (9).

Blighty goals: Daniel Smits.

Rovers goals: Josh Flight 5, Tyson Willis 5, Hayden Barker 2, Joe Hay 2, Jackson Muldoon-Leetham 2, Cameron Wills 2, Baxter Cowley, Allan Bond.

Blighty’s best players: George Reid, Nick Hay, Rusty Milward, Isaac Suckling, Kyel Bain and Billy Lawes.

Rovers’ best players: Joe Hay, Tyson Willis, Adam Bodey, Baxter Cowley, Josh Flight, Brady Trotman

Rovers’ awards: Physiofit with Britt – Joey Hay; Deni RSL – Tyson Willis; Frank n Beans – Rowan Frazer; Barber & Threadz – Jackson Muldoon-Leetham; Wired Entertainment – Baxter Cowley and Smoko Shak – Logan Ives.