The Deniliquin Rams got one back on arch rival Finley on Saturday, posting an eight goal victory in cold blustery conditions in front of a big home crowd.

The win was made even more special with stalwart Todd ‘Gags’ Gallagher celebrating his 200th senior game, and key defender John Anstee marking his 100th senior appearance.

The players and his family and friends lined the field to cheer Gallagher on to the arena, and did likewise chairing him off at the victorious conclusion.

It was an impressive five goal opening term that set the tone of the match, with the Rams dominating the contests and using some run and carry to break open the Cats’ defence.

By the first break the Rams were 27 points clear and never looked like getting run down.

Star onballer Sam Willoughby was a clear best on ground, a class above all others at ground level and finishing with 3 goals including a clever snap from the pocket in the opening term.

Big man Angus Durnan continued his rich vein of form, starting the match in the ruck and swapping forward to kick two goals for the home team.

The Rams made seven positional changes this week that all seemed to work.

Bailey Townsend shifted to a wing and found plenty of the Sherrin and kicked a nice goal on the run from 40m in the third term, while skipper Mick Barnett once again relished his move forward to mark strongly and kick three goals.

Other good players for the Rams were running defender Darcy Cullenward who donned the helmet for the first time and was rock solid all day, Ben East shifted to the defensive end and was rarely beaten in the aerial duels, and Riley Hamilton kicked two clever goals and applied good forward half pressure as a roving forward.

The win was enough to hold Deni in sixth position on the Murray League table, a game clear of Rumbalara.

Final score: Deni Rams 16.10 (106) def Finley 9.4 (58).

Best players: Sam Willoughby, Angus Durnan, Mick Barnett, Bailey Townsend, Ben East, Darcy Cullenward.

Goals: Sam Willoughby 3, Mick Barnett 3, Riley Hamilton 2, Angus Durnan, Charlie Hillier, Todd Gallagher, Kai Hillier, Bailey Townsend, Ryder Perrin, Brodie Elphick.

Reserves

The Rams reserves suffered an agonising three-point loss to Finley on Saturday.

The Rams closed in during the last term and had their chances, but couldn’t nail the win in cold and blustery conditions at the Hardinge St oval.

It was a low scoring contest, Deni kicking 6.6 to Finley’s 7.3.

Veteran Mark ‘Cub’ Panton was Deni’s best player holding down the key defensive post with strength, while Brock Redden was equally impressive at the opposite end kicking three goals.

Other good players for the Rams were Rory Smith, who stepped up from the thirds and showed poise around the ball, and Stephen Todd, while Kane Hall had another strong running game and Kobi Baxter bobbed up with two goals.

The loss has the Rams a game behind Finley on the ladder in eighth position.

Final score: Deni Rams 6.6 (42) def by Finley 7.3 (45).

Best players: Mark Panton, Brock Redden, Kobi Baxter, Rory Smith, Kane Hall, Stephen Todd.

Goals: Brock Redden 3, Kobi Baxter 2, Brett Macdonald.

Thirds

Cold and windy conditions met the boys for their match against the Finley Cats this week.

The team were a little slow to get going and the first half proved to be a tough slog with our boys not able to get their own game flowing.

The team kept scrapping away and managed to head to the main break with a one goal lead.

The second half saw the Rams kick their running game into action and the scoreboard started ticking over as a result.

The boys started to use their hands to link up and improve their ball movement which gave our forwards a better look at the footy coming in.

A hard-fought win in the end.

Final score: Deni Rams 9.3 (57) def Finley 3.6 (24).

Best players: Oscar Wren, Tom Ives, Rory Smith, Ted Wren, Tom Murray, Charlie Bull.

Goals: Charlie Bull 3, Sam Crossley, Tom Murray, Ted Wren, Oscar Wren, Tynen Rothe, Blake Marshall.

Fourths

Coming into round nine the Rams came up against the Finley Cats.

The first half saw Max Burge and Bentley Hardman provide big efforts in the contest to link up, run and carry the ball.

Ari Strongman provided a strong presence in the backline flying for marks and created damaging run off half back.

This saw Rocky get involved in several link plays and transition of moving the ball forward.

Logan was a big presence up forward as a target providing strong marks, sharing of the ball and kicking crucial goals.

Each player was given a chance to shine and showcase their skills in different positions.

Final score: Deniliquin 17.17 (119) def Finley 0.0 (0).

Best players: Max Burge, Ari Strongman, Logan Elphick, Bentley Hardman, Rocky Sztejman, Jono Moorse.

Goals: Logan Elphick 8, Jonathon Moorse 3, Seth Boyer 3, Thomas Marshall 2, Bentley Hardman.

Deniliquin Pastoral Times Google News Panels

Saturday, 1st November 2025

Your Afternoon Headlines

Select Stories

Publish Panels