The Deniliquin Rovers reserves are the last of the club’s footballers standing in the hunt for Picola League glory this weekend.

All four of the Rovers football teams played in preliminary finals at Katamatitie on Sunday, with the sides unfortunately eliminated after losses.

Six netball teams are also through to the grand final (see page 14), which will be hosted at the home of the Rovers at Deniliquin Memorial Park this Saturday.

Football match reports from the preliminary finals are as follows:

Seniors

The Deni Rovers senior footballers travelled to play Katamatite at their home ground, taking on the second placed side from the home and away season.

Katty came in with a week off after a qualifying final win against Katandra, while the Rovers were looking to continue their finals form after a semi final win last week against Berrigan.

It was an overcast day, with passing rain and a breeze to the far southwest end.

The Rovers kicked with the wind first, holding well in a good start.

Rovers were first on the scoreboard, on the counter attack to an open Damien Hope, who put through the first goal.

For the rest of the quarter, it was a tight contest, with the Rovers unable to finish their scoring shots until an incredible goal from Tyson Willis from outside the forward 50.

Katty got the final goal of the quarter to take the score to 1.2 (8) to 2.5 (17).

The second quarter started as the first quarter ended.

With the breeze, Katamatite got on a roll, getting the ball deep near their goal line and using relentless pressure to push the Rovers back.

They kicked six goals and five behinds to the Rovers’ one, straight Hayden Barker set shot goal.

At half-time, the margin for the Rovers to chase was 26 points.

The Rovers went for it at the start of the third quarter; however, Katamatite held with goals of their own, kicking two goals and two behinds.

The away side got their one goal through Jayden Pitts.

In the last quarter, the Rovers were looking to produce a legendary comeback from a 36-point deficit into the wind.

It was not to be, as Katamatite piled on the goals in the last quarter.

They were led by Mitch Ward, who kicked three set shot goals to end a disappointing match for the Rovers.

Despite the result, some Rovers players performed well to the end of the match, including Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson and Waylon Johncock, who got plenty of the ball.

Other players that put in a full four quarter effort included Rhys McCulloch, Adam Bodey, Alex Hay and Tyson Willis.

They worked hard to try and will their team over the line in a preliminary, final opportunity.

Final score: Deniliquin Rovers 4.5 (29) def by Katamatite 14.14 (98).

Goals: Jayden Pitts, Hayden Barker, Damian Hope, Tyson Willis.

Best players: Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson, Waylon Johncock, Rhys McCulloch, Adam Bodey, Tyson Willis, Alex Hay.

Reserves

It definitely wasn’t the finals weather the seconds were expecting, but Ben McCalman still had a smile on his face.

The boys had spent the week preparing for the powerhouse of Waaia, who were undefeated in the home and away season.

It was true wet weather football - nothing fancy, just hard at it and getting the ball forward.

Both sides were even through the first three quarters, with the defensive ends working overtime.

Rovers held a narrow lead at each break.

Kaiden Joss was named best on ground, providing the crucial link between forward and defensive ends and covering a huge amount of territory.

Logan Leiper and Ben McCalman did the tough work, busting through packs and pushing the ball forward at all costs.

John Allitt’s presence was as big as the man himself, dominating in the ruck and in marking contests.

Dylan Mills, together with Jordyn McCulloch, controlled the backline, both also earning a place among the best.

The coaches had made it clear before the game that the first team to settle would win.

The Rovers did just that in the last, taking control and slotting five goals to book themselves a spot in the grand final.

Final score: Deniliquin Rovers 7.7 (49) def Waaia 1.2 (8).

Goals: Tristan Fitzsimmons 2, Tom Blake 2, Bailey Caruso, Jack Pekin, Logan Leiper.

Best players: Kaiden Joss, Logan Leiper, Ben McCalman, Dylan Mills, Jordyn McCulloch, John Allitt.

Thirds

Deniliquin Rovers’ thirds season came to a close on Sunday in the preliminary final, against a strong Tungamah side.

Despite a brave effort, the Rovers were overpowered, going down 32 to 114.

The Rovers showed plenty of fight, with goals to Stuart Benger, Xander Strong, Ethan Connolly, Max Watson, and Spencer Cowley.

Brody Wills led from the midfield alongside Ethan Connolly and Dannon Leetham, while Spencer Cowley provided a strong presence up forward.

Other standout performances came from Ben Hayes and Lincoln Meharry, who were solid in defence.

Starting positions saw Nick Fanning at fullback, backed by Jake Harvey and Jacob Holton in the back pockets.

Xander Strong and Ben Hayes held down the back flanks, with Lincoln Meharry at centre halfback.

The midfield combination featured Callan Glenn and Jesse Jervis on the wings, Ethan Connolly at centre, and Fletcher Campion rucking alongside Sam Conallin and Brody Wills.

Up forward, Dannon Leetham took centre half-forward, flanked by Stuart Benger and Jett Conn-Lynch, with Spencer Cowley at full forward supported by Reagan Macdonald and Noah Dunn.

Interchange players Max Watson, Alex Ledwidge, Liam Knuckey, Henry Learmonth, and Tom Way rotated through.

The Rovers will look to take the lessons from this season forward, proud of their efforts and resilience throughout a challenging finals campaign.

Isaac Behsman was unfortunately sidelined with injury.

Final score: Deniliquin Rovers 5.2 (32) def by Tungamah 16.18 (114).

Goals: Stuart Benger, Xander Strong, Ethan Connolly, Max Watson, Spencer Cowley.

Best layers: Brody Wills, Ethan Connolly, Spencer Cowley, Ben Hayes, Dannon Leetham, Lincoln Meharry.

Fourths

The Rovers fourths faced Berrigan in a preliminary final at Katamatite oval.

The boys started strongly, holding Berrigan in check despite a tough breeze.

Ryan Squires and Ryan Bulmer were lively through the midfield, while Angus Knuckey and Reece King provided a solid presence in the back 50.

Michael Benger celebrated his 50th fourths game for the club, gathering possessions all over the ground.

In the second quarter, Rovers hit back with two goals to reduce the margin to 15 points at half-time.

The third quarter saw Berrigan take control, with their bigger players kicking four goals with the wind and putting the game out of reach.

To their credit, the boys never gave up and outscored Berrigan in the final quarter.

It was a disappointing way to end the season, but there is plenty of promise with so many bottom-age players in the side.

Final score: Deniliquin Rovers 3.3 (21) def by Berrigan 9.6 (60).

Goals: Callan Leiper, Ged O’Donnell, Ryan Bulmer.

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Friday, 3rd February 2023

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