Young guns eye win but Tigers too good

Probably the major difference between the sides, and an area that Rovers need to keep working on, is their disposal into the forward line.

The side is getting plenty of the ball but needs to tidy up the final kick to their forwards so that they can post a winning score.

The third quarter was very costly for Rovers when Katamatite kicked 6.3 to Rovers’ inaccurate 0. 7 and showed that the side needs to play consistently for the entire four quarters, which will hopefully come with experience.

Adam Bodey was a welcome addition to the side on Saturday, dominating the ruck and around the ground with some strong marking.

Logan Ives continued his consistent form and did plenty of heavy work in the centre.

Bobby Hall played his best game for the year on a wing, produced several strong tackles, and won many possessions.

Youngsters Logan Leiper, Cam Wills and Kaiden Joss were other good contributors and continue to show plenty of promise.

Rovers play Blighty next weekend in what has become a vitally important game to maintain their position in the final eight.

Final score: Rovers 6.11 (47) def by Katamatite 13.13 (91).

Goals: Hayden Barker 2, Josh Flight 2, Adam Bodey, Tyson Willis.

Best players: Adam Bodey, Logan Ives, Bobby Hall, Logan Leiper, Cam Wills, Kaiden Joss.

Awards: Deni RSL – Adam Bodey, Frank n Beans – Liam East, Barber & Threadz – Logan Ives, Physiofit with Britt – Jackson Muldoon-Leetham, Wired Entertainment – Bobby Hall and Deniliquin Jewellers - Cameron Wills.

Reserves

Despite missing several regulars from their lineup, the reserves played very well to defeat Katamatite, who were in the top eight on the ladder before the game.

Rovers set up a good lead in the first half, leading by 31 points and maintained their position to win by 56 points, which was a pleasing effort in heavy conditions.

The better players were James Kirby, who dominated the ruck and kicked two goals and Aden Bermingham, Jaidyn Druitt, Ben Littmann, Scott Howard and Nick Stubbings.

Final score: Rovers 10.15 (75) def Katamatite 3.1 (19).

Goals: Scott Howard 2, James Kirby 2, Ben Littmann 2, Tristan Fitzsimmons 2, Shannon Sampson, Ben McCalman.

Best players: James Kirby, Aden Bermingham, Jaidyn Druitt, Ben Littmann, Scott Howard, Nick Stubbings.

Awards: Not available.

Thirds

On a foggy and wet morning, the Rovers headed to Katamatite to take on an in-form Katamatite team.

With the coach and assistant coach unavailable, last year’s premiership co-captains - Liam East and Cameron Wills - took the coaching duties for the day.

In a tight, scrappy first quarter, no team could take control of the game, with both sides only kicking one goal each for the quarter.

The second quarter was another even contest.

Both teams tried to break the game open, but with no-one able to take control, both teams managed to score only one goal each.

Nothing could separate the teams in the third quarter, as both could only manage one goal each for the quarter and were 22-all at three-quarter time.

The last quarter was a tight contest, with both teams contesting everything, but Katamatite was able to kick the only goal of the last quarter and hang for the win.

Final score: Rovers 3.6 (24) def by Katamatite 4.5 (29).

Goals: Spencer Cowley 2, Baxter Cowley.

Better players: Baxter Cowley, Isaac Behsman, Brody Wills, Andrew Smith, Alex Harvey, Jake Harvey.

Awards: Fanmac Ag – Alex Harvey and Isaac Behsman, BLT Fabrication – Baxter Cowley, That Pizza – Jake Harvey, Barber & Threadz - Andrew Smith, Hardman’s Intersport – Jesse Jervis, Subway – Spencer Cowley, Tom Way and Brody Wills.

Fourths

The fog was thick and visibility low as the young Roos took the field at Katamatite.

It wasn’t easy to see the play unfolding in front of us.

Dannon Leetham led the charge in the ruck, winning the tap and supplying the on-ballers with the run forward.

A five-goal first quarter put the young Roos in a commanding lead going into the first break.

In the second, they continued to show dominance all over the ground as they extended the lead by another four goals.

Sam Conallin was instrumental in the centre clearing the ball, allowing our forwards the best chance at scoring.

After the main break, the whole team took the field, giving all the kids the opportunity to get in on the action.

With the foggy conditions and wet Sherrin, the play eased and became congested.

Taj McCully and Callan Glenn continued to work hard around the ball, opening the congested play.

To open up the forward line, the young Roos were only allowed two players in the forward 50.

This gave first-gamer Carter Sartore the opportunity he needed with a snap from the boundary giving him his first goal.

Teammates and spectators erupted. In the last quarter, the young Roos put four majors on the board to dominate the game.

Final score: Rovers 16.17 (113) def Katamatite (0).

Goals: Callan Glenn 3, Sam Conallin 3, Dannon Leetham 3, Stuart Benger 2, Cormick Hardman 2, Lincoln Meharry, Michael Benger, Carter Sartore.

Best players: Sam Conallin, Taj McCully, Dannon Leetham, Kelsey Clark, Michael Benger, Callan Glenn.

Awards: Riverside Bookkeeping Services – Dannon Leetham, Wired Entertainment – Carter Sartore, Barber & Threadz – Taj McCully, BLT Fabrication – Sam Conallin, Nourish Deniliquin – Michael Benger, McDonald’s – Kelsey Clark and Cormick Hardman, Subway – Hayden Sampson and Callan Glenn.

Fifths

It was a cold morning for the fifths boys and girls on Saturday in Katamatite.

The fog was thick enough to disrupt the spectators’ vision.

The kids play so well together as a team.

Reading the play and sharing the ball with everyone was one of their best games to date this year and a pleasure to watch.

Awards: That Pizza - Asher Parsons, BLT Fabrication - Beau Jervis and Chloe Reid, McDonald’s - Zayden Jones, Lincoln Sartore and William Reid, Subway - Ollie Walker, Jett Boyer and Kayden Atley.