The Deniliquin Rams faced a tough challenge against a polished Tongala outfit on Saturday, eventually going down after a hard-fought contest.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The Murray League game began with plenty of intensity as both sides struggled to break through strong defensive structures early.
The Rams matched Tongala around the contest in the opening term, with pressure and discipline keeping the game tight.
Tongala began to take control in the second quarter, showcasing their hard-running brand of football and using the ball cleanly to open the game up.
Their ability to spread from stoppages and capitalise on opportunities saw them build momentum heading into the main break.
To the Rams’ credit, the response after halftime was full of effort and determination.
Deniliquin lifted its intensity around the ball and competed strongly, but couldn’t find a consistent avenue to goal, managing just three majors for the afternoon against a well-drilled defence.
Despite the result, there were several strong individual performances.
Andrew Smith worked tirelessly on the wing, providing important run and carry throughout the day.
Jake Herberte was composed down back, while the ever-reliable Cable Fitzpatrick and skipper Mick Barnett stood tall under constant pressure in defence.
Will Henderson, Matt MacDonald, Liam Pitts and Logan Leiper battled hard all afternoon and never stopped competing, but it proved a difficult day against a stronger Tongala side.
Final score: Deni Rams 3.5 (23) def by Tongala 15.17 (107).
Goals: Zac Free, Jonty Tubb, Cable Fitzpatrick.
Best: Andrew Smith, Jake Herberte, Logan Leiper, Will Henderson, Cable Fitzpatrick, Liam Pitts.
Reserves
The twos made the trek to Tongala four men down after illness and a call up to the ones for Kai Hillier and faced a huge task after losing Steve Dalzell to a groin injury and Tommy Bourke to a leg injury from a hard tackle.
Once again though, the spirit of the dream could not be faulted if, at times, our skills were in the windy conditions.
Two goals to Dean MacDonald shoots him straight to the top of the leading goal kicker competition while Brett Macdonald and Brodie Elphick, topping off a terrific game, were the other contributors.
Highly regarded English import, Greigan French, had an absolute cracker of a game before being struck down by that indicator of cooler weather and stringy legs, the hamstring injury.
Brodie Elphick was terrific and managed the step up in class really well in encouraging signs for a senior return.
Lachie Holloway continues to improve week by week and his tap work in the ruck and his agility around the field had onlookers making comparisons to the Galloping Gasometer himself, one of the North Melbourne greats.
The injury toll hit so hard that super coach Brian ‘Boco’ King, had to be held back from inserting himself into the action.
Brett Macdonald, George Fulton and Isaac Suckling rounded out the best in a really solid team performance against great adversity.
Final score: Deni Rams 4.2 (26) def by Tongala 19.12 (126).
Goals: Dean Macdonald 2, Brett Macdonald, Brodie Elphick.
Best: Lachie Hollaway, Isaac Suckling, Brett Macdonald, Brodie Elphick, Griegan French.
Under-17s
The Deniliquin Rams thirds produced a strong team performance to defeat Tongala.
The Deni Rams were efficient in front of goal and controlled the game with strong pressure, clean ball movement and teamwork across all four quarters.
Matt Pitt and Spencer Cowley worked hard around the goals, while Luke Moorse and Ollie Murray were influential in key moments.
Much better signs this week with the boy’s intensity around the ball which gives the Rams plenty of momentum as they face up to fourth-placed Moama next week.
Final score: Deni Rams 11.3 (69) def Tongala 5.9 (39).
Goals: Henry Robinson 2, Matthew Pitt 2, Luke Moorse 2, Angus Henderson, Spencer Cowley, Logan Elphick, Tynen Rothe, Max Burge.
Awards: Charlie McCallum, Matthew Pitt, Spencer Cowley, Luke Moorse, Bentley Hardman, Thomas Dudley.
Under-14s
In our first cold weekend of footy, the early‑morning dew made for slippery conditions right from the opening bounce.
The Rams hit the scoreboard early in the first quarter, and the boys controlled the forward 50 for most of the term, finishing with an impressive eight goals.
The second quarter was a little different from the first.
Some less disciplined play saw the boys register as many points as goals, prompting the coach to remind the under-14s of the structures and skills they’d been working on at training.
With far more talk on the field in the third quarter and a clear lift in discipline, the team produced a strong six goals and two points effort that shifted momentum firmly back their way.
In the final quarter, Chris O’Connor challenged the bottom age players to step up and take ownership of the game.
The backline positioned themselves beautifully, creating opportunities whenever the ball came their way, and the under-14s finished strongly with a five goals and three point final term to close out the match.
Final score: Deni Rams 26.16 (172) def Tongala 0.0 (0).
Goals: Jaxon Rothe 7, Lachie Tritton 7, Angus Henderson 4, Jonathon Moorse 2, Rocky Sztejman 2, Lachie Jeffrey 2, Jaxon Ives, Ned Wettenhall.
Awards: Lachie Tritton, Tom Marshall, Rocky Sztejman, Will Crossley, Ned Wettenhall, Kade Golds.
Goulburn Murray Juniors
Under-12s
The Deniliquin Rams under-12s delivered a fantastic team performance in round four, securing a tough win over Tongala Blues.
The Rams came out with great energy from the first bounce, but Tongala were not going to make it easy.
They brought plenty of pressure and made the Rams work for every possession.
The Rams showed disciplined defensive work and strong effort around the contest.
Their pressure kept Tongala scoreless in goals, with the defensive group working hard to limit opportunities and force rushed shots.
The boys’ effort, communication, and team-first attitude were on display all game.
Awards: Harrison Leetham, Jetta Macdonald, Leroy Fisicaro, Jake Woolston.
Final score: Deni Rams 7.13 (55) def Tongala 1.0 (6).
Under-10s
No report supplied.
Final score: Not scored.
Awards: William Eastman, George Smith, Arabella Hayes, Hugo Leech.