The Deni Rams faced up to the much-improved Rumbalara side at the Hardinge St oval on Saturday.
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After a very even first stanza, Deni took an eight-point lead into quarter time.
Darcy McManus, in the ruck, battled manfully against a big opponent.
Jake Hobbs and Rick Gittens were great around the stoppages and gave Charlie Hillier and Angus Durnan some good ball delivery into the forward line.
The second quarter was a fiercely contested affair where the Rams’ defence was put under pressure, and they responded well, repelling numerous attacking raids from Rumbalara.
Brayden Hall, Cable Fitzpatrick and Lachie Macdonald were great with countless spoils and intercept marks and were proving hard to get past.
Jack Hay suffered a shoulder injury and took no further part in the game.
Bailey Townsend suffered a concussion and was taken to hospital.
The Rams led by 13 points at half-time.
The third quarter became a real arm wrestle, with both sides running the ball and trying to gain an advantage.
Rumbalara’s speed and clever ball use made it hard for the Rams as both sides went goal for goal, setting up an exciting last quarter.
The last quarter developed into a dour battle, with the lead changing three times.
The Rams kicked three quick goals to gain a match-winning lead.
The Rams showed some real composure with the ball, holding possession and keeping the footy off Rumbalara.
Charlie Hillier was lively up forward, giving Deni a great target with five goals.
Jake Hobbs and Rick Gittens were consistent ball winners, continually winning the hard ball and using great foot skills.
Macdonald was good all day, continually repelling Rumbalara’s forward thrusts.
Fitzpatrick and Hall were solid contributors in the backline.
McManus battled manfully in the ruck with good support from Harry Hillier and Angus Durnan.
Todd Gallagher and Matt Macdonald started to show their best form in the latter part of the game.
Sub Jake Herberte had some important touches late in the contest.
Final score: Deni Rams 11.4 (70) def Rumbalara 8.5 (53).
Best players: Charlie Hillier, Jake Hobbs, Ricky Gittens, Lachie Macdonald, Darcy McManus and Matt Macdonald.
Goals: Charlie Hillier 5, Clay Howe 1, Angus Durnan 1, Jack Tyndall 1, Jake Hobbs 1, Darcy McManus 1 and Zac Free 1.
Reserves:
We knew it wouldn’t necessarily be a tough game on Saturday, but we also knew that Rumbalara would come to play.
They came out, kicked the first and were willing to run the ball.
We just thought it would happen for us, and I said this to the boys at quarter time.
We switched on to good movement across the ground, getting it long with Brett Macdonald, as it seemed his hands had glue on them as everything just stuck.
Brett was converting his chances, as was Ben Nisbet, who was good down forward.
The talk this week was about Luke White with a lazy five goals.
The back are doing their job week in and week out, and it’s really good to see them working as a unit, but another win is good.
We’ve had a few tough games, but as I told the team, if we take it four quarters at a time, the rest will take care of itself.
Final score: Deni Rams 19.10 (124) def Rumbalara 5.0 (30).
Best Players: Lachlan Osborne, Tom McCallum, Brett Macdonald, Miller Fitzpatrick, Dean Macdonald and Luke White.
Goals: Luke White 5, Brett Macdonald 5, Ben Nisbet 2, Miller Fitzpatrick 1, Luke Todd 1, Tom Nevinson 1, Brock Redden 1, Jake Cavallaro 1, Noah Bradley 1 and Monte Barnes 1.
• Reports for other grades will be in Friday’s edition.
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