A disappointing last quarter resulted in the Deni Rovers going down to Jerilderie by 40 points on Saturday.
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Jerilderie had jumped out of the blocks quickly, and got out to a four goal lead midway through the first quarter.
The Rovers then steadied, and youngster Jai Ezard kicked two quick goals.
It meant the Rovers went into quarter time 13 points down.
The second quarter was reasonably even with both sides kicking two goals apiece.
Once again Jerilderie seemed in control early in the quarter, but the Rovers fought back.
A good pass from Terry Lumbar to Ezard resulted in his third goal for the half, and reduced the deficit to 11 points at half time.
The third quarter has been a strong point for Rovers performances this year, and the pattern continued again on Saturday.
Raymond Murphy was winning plenty of the ball out of the centre and provided the forward line with plenty of opportunities.
The Jerilderie defence was strong and took several marks to stop the Rovers’ attacks, but the weight of opportunities meant Deni was able to kick three for the quarter.
A shot and point after the siren to Joey Hay meant that Rovers went into the final break one point up.
But the last quarter was very disappointing for the visitors.
Jack O’Callaghan had been dominant in the back line all day for Rovers, but the ball was coming down so quickly and so often in the last quarter that the defence was overwhelmed.
Jerilderie was able to kick seven for the quarter and win comfortably in the end.
Final score: Jerilderie 15.12 (102) def Rovers 9.8 (62).
The loss of Nick Sheldon and James Gilligan to injuries in the first quarter certainly didn’t help, as their experience was greatly missed.
However, the lack of being able to finish off games when being in a winning position has cost the side dearly this year and will probably cost the chance of playing finals.
Leading goalkickers were Jai Ezard and Brock Ezard, who each kicked three, are both in their first year of senior footy and a reminder of the talent existing within the playing group.
Better players were Jack O’Callaghan, Raymond Murphy, Alex Hay and Jai Ezard, as well as John Allitt who has got better each week and is now playing consistently and Jack Bartlett who attacked the ball hard all day and has stepped up well into senior footy.
The Rovers’ reserves wanted to cement a finals spot on Saturday, and needed a win to do so.
Jerilderie was sitting just outside the eight, however had beaten some better sides this year so the Rovers were unsure what to expect.
Jerilderie won the toss and decided to go against the breeze, perhaps because the Rovers have been slow starters this year.
The captain asked his side to make them pay, and they did with a six goal first quarter.
The Rovers didn't look back after the great start, kicking five goals against the breeze in the second and restricting Jerilderie to just one.
Deni had taken control by half time and went on to win the game convincingly.
Final score: Jerilderie 2.3 (15) def by Rovers 20.15 (135).
Matt Horne started like a man possessed playing at centre half forward and kicking seven for the day.
Chris Maher played his first game for the year and started with a bang, kicking what he has described as the goal of the year from the boundry. He had three by game’s end.
Brock Thomson, Caleb Weir and Brody Flight each kicked two.
And it seems Chris Maher's talent has n't rubbed of on his young nephew with Pat Wescott only managing to kick one for the day.
Nick Stubbings, Dom Reid and Malaki Lake were all solid again running in straight lines out of the backline.
Jamie Thorpe, Caleb Weir and Ben McCalman worked hard in the middle and James Kirby the ultimate utility was also in the best.