The Deni Rovers hosted Dookie United at Memorial Park on Saturday in an important clash for both senior sides.

It was a cool, still and fairly overcast day with wet conditions under foot.

The Rovers got in front early, getting supply to forwards with deep wide entries.

Jacob Knight scored the majority of the Rovers’ two goals and four behinds for the quarter.

Dookie had some chances late in the quarter, but the Rovers defence held them to just three behinds.

In the second quarter, Dookie managed two straight goals in transition while the Rovers had more opportunities, but the match stayed tight due to the home side only converting four goals and four behinds on the scoreboard.

In the third quarter, honours were about split with one goal each.

Both teams struggled to move the ball from the trenches in muddy conditions to good looks on goal.

In the last quarter, while Dookie got two goals late, it was the Rovers who cut their opponents apart.

Kicking five goals and two behinds, the team made the most of their chances in the end to win by 49 points.

For the Rovers, midfielders Waylon Johncock, Tyson Willis and Cam Wills brought the required intensity throughout the game, getting plenty of first use.

Defensively Liam East did a stand-out job shutting down Dookie’s Chris Nield keeping their main avenue to goal quiet in direct one on ones.

Forward of the ball, Andrew Simpson provided a constant and relentless target.

Jacob Knight kicked most of the Rovers goals with six, while Willis kicked four. Wills and Nick Hay were the other contributors.

Final score: Deni Rovers 12.12 (84) def Dookie United 5.5 (35).

Goals: Jacob Knight 6, Tyson Willis 4, Nick Hay, Cam Wills.

Best: Waylon Johncock, Liam East, Tyson Willis, Andrew Simpson, Jacob Knight, Cam Wills.

Reserves

With some great milestones this round, the boys had extra incentive to have a big win.

Damian Hope played his 300th club game, and Daniel Mison broke the club games record with 422.

Dookie won the toss and went with the breeze in the first quarter, which was played at a finals pace.

Although Dookie had the scoring end, the Rovers went into the first break with a one point lead.

The balance of the game was tough footy, with the wet deck and heavy ball slowing play and making for plenty of hard contested footy.

There was less than a goal in it at each break.

Dookie kicked the first two goals in the last quarter and looked like they had got on top, but the Rovers boys lifted in front of the home crowd and got the job done.

The midfield worked hard all day, with Bobby Hall being named best on, Andy May having another blinder kicking three, Ben McCalman doing the hard stuff and Aden Bermingham covering every inch of the ground.

Bailey Caruso kicked two important goals, with Ben Littmann and Dylan Mills also hitting the scoreboard.

It was great to see Will and Zac Mills join their brother Dylan Mills, and Seth May running around with his uncles Andy and Dylan May.

Final score: Deni Rovers 7.7 (49) def Dookie United 7.2 (44).

Goals: Andy May 3, Bailey Caruso 2, Ben Littmann, Dylan Mills.

Best: Bobby Hall, Andy May, Ben McCalman, Dylan May, Aden Bermingham, Dylan Mills.

• Reports for other grades will appear in Friday’s edition.

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Wednesday, 18th April 2029

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