Footy was back at its spiritual home, Rennie Rec Reserve as the Hoppers took on Jerilderie on a lovely autumnal afternoon.
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Before the under 14 match, 2019 premiership vice-captain Dom McInness and coach Matt Stephens finally got to unfurl the 2019 flag.
Then before the senior game it was brilliant to see club legend Gavin Nagle present his grandson Ben Kennedy his jumper before his first senior match.
Ben (14), joined his older brothers Jack (20) and Tom (17) in the senior team.
The Nagle connection with the club goes back to Rennie’s inaugural season in 1934 when Gavin’s dad Claude played. 87 years of family connection still going strong.
The Hoppers were slow out of the blocks kicking with a slight breeze as Jerilderie were able to get the ball to the outside of the contest then create space whereas the Hoppers seemed too sedate in the build-up.
Late goals to Mason and Strawhorn saw the visitors up.
The Demons again kicked clear in term 2 as they created space in the forward line. Strawhorn took it upon himself to drag the Hoppers back into the game snaring 3 for the quarter, while the ruck contest between Connell and his opponent was enthralling all day. Jerilderie by 11 at the long break. Kicking 2 goals 6 behinds hurt Rennie’s chances in term 3 as they just could not close the gap.
Ben Kennedy kicked truly after receiving a kick in the forward 50 but the break was now 13.
The final term saw Rennie persist but they were unable to stem the Demon flow going down by 22 points.
Strawhorn ended up with 5 goals.
Best players were Lonergan and Strawhorn, with the awards going to Connell and Chung.
Reserves
Rennie 11.11.77 defeated Jerilderie 3.1.19.
The two’s found their mojo and were able to run out 58-point victors. They won the game early with 5 first term goals and had forward targets throughout the day in Lach Elliott with 4 goals and Dan Boulton 2.
That complemented the work of Hugh Fisher in the ruck, Beau Hornidge at half forward and Brody Benjamin.
Corey Mcintosh was excellent for the second week and coach Dykes showed he has lost none of his class.
Awards went to Beau Hornidge, Adam Nish, Tully Woodward, Brody Benjamin and Corey McIntosh.
Under 17s
Rennie 11.4.70 defeated Jerilderie 5.5.35.
Numbers were again low but effort high as the Hoppers were able to turn a 6 point deficit at quarter time into a solid 20 point break eventually winning by 35.
The defence lead by Brogan and Clarke set the standard for the day supporting Van Maanen who rucked all day, and this gave the Hoppers forward opportunities which were taken by Kennedy 3, Cope 2, Caleb Bruce 2, and DeOleveira 2.
Good connection from back to forward was the key here.
Award winners were Jesse Brogan, Jack Bassett, Ollie Cope, Marcus Van Maanen and Noah Clarke.
Under 14s
Rennie 1.0.6 defeated by Jerilderie 11.7.73.
The under 14’s kept with their Demon opposition throughout but again an inability to score was the difference.
Great work again by Nelly Bruce and Cam Stephens around ground, Demi Rhodes shone out and Brad Burrows was very creative.
Awards went to Cam Stephens, Loch Burrows, Brad Burrows, Penelope Bruce, Finley Strawhorn and Demi Rhodes.
Next week the Hoppers are off to Katunga with the awards at the Ski Club.
Please put into your diaries flight night on May 1 and premiership reunion day on May 15.
As the tap beer again flowed at Rennie, the club pondered the great Chase Strawhorn who has played in flags at both clubs, the many seasons of competition in the Coreen league, and how the AFL should supply every club with nets behind the goals.
Rennie 2.3, 5.5, 7.11, 9.12.66.
Jerilderie 3.0, 7.4, 10.6, 13.10.88.
Goals: Rennie: C. Strawhorn 5, D. Chung, B. Kennedy, D. Bruce, T. Mason.
Jerilderie: D. Gregory 5, M. Conlan 4, H. Stonnill, J. Gregory, B. Neessen, C. Marshall.
Best: Rennie: C. Strawhorn, L. Connell, C. Ednie, M. Lonergan, J. Fountain.
Jerilderie: D. Gregory, B. Aylett, B. Henery, M. Conlan, L. Leeds, J. Holcombe.