Elimination Final
Rennie 2.3, 5.5, 11.9, 16.12.108.
Jerilderie 1.2, 2.2, 2.2, 6.3.39.
Goals: Rennie: D. Bruce 5, B. James 3, M. Wilson 3, R. Trinder James 2, D. Chung 2, H. Long.
Jerilderie: H. Curtin 2, A. Doherty, D. Hercus, L. Jeffery, J. McRae.
Best: Rennie: D. Bruce, J. Hayes, A. Donovan, B. James, G. McBurnie, M. Wilson.
Jerilderie: H. Curtin, G. Smith, K. Moran, B. Beckett, A. Neessen, R. Belling.
The Hoppers took on Jerilderie in the cut-throat elimination final. The match was tight early with Trinder- James breaking the deadlock, but Jerilderie hit back following an undisciplined 50m penalty against the Hoppers.
The game ebbed and flowed between half forward lines, with Hayes and Donovan holding the Hopper defence together.
A late goal to James saw Rennie lead by 7 at the first break.
Term 2 saw an early Demons goal as the Hoppers looked flat but inspired by Van Maanen in the ruck, Wilson and Ball then forward with 2 goals and Chung firing up the crowd with a great running goal, Rennie had stretched their lead to 21.
Coach Nish asked his team to run and spread to make the Demons chase and the plan worked beautifully in term 3 as Bruce let loose kicking 3 goals for the term.
Woodward was impassable at half back, James found his kicking boots with 2 goals, with Brogan leading by example on his wing and Oughton and McBurnie worked their way into the match.
An unanswered 6 goals saw the Hoppers break the game apart and lead by 61.
The final term saw the Hoppers release the pressure valve with the Hoppers kicking 5 goals and the Demons 4 resulting in a 69-point victory.
Bruce ended with 5 goals, Wilson and James 3 each in a comfortable win set up by a rock-solid defence when the game was on the line.
Rennie now has the week off.
Awards: Cellarbrations - Denver Bruce, Lake Mulwala Bakery - Jeremy Hayes, Yarrawonga Hotel - Tully Woodward, ClubMulwala - Alex Donovan and Shayne Stiles Roofing - George McBurnie.
Fourths
Yarroweyah 12.9.81 def Rennie 2.3.15.
The battle of the Hoppers resulted in the end of the Rennie Hoppers season, going down by 66 points to a much bigger Yarroweyah opponent.
Rennie were competitive throughout, the difference being their opposition could get the ball through half forward and give their deep forwards a chance whereas Rennie stagnated at half forward.
Charlie Bourke was super all day and kicked the Rennie Hoppers only 2 goals. Connor Strawhorn was in every contest, Judd Long super out wide and Ben Coffey was strong in the air.
Not Rennie’s day but the Rennie team had a red hot go and got to learn finals are a different game.
Well done to coaches Lawless and Briffa for getting their squad this far.
Awards: I and P Ferguson - Charlie Bourke, Kennedy Builders - Connor Strawhorn, STF Engineering - Nixon Nunn, Border City Pumping - Judd Long, Red Ag - Ben Coffey and Lake Mulwala Bakery - Blair Strawhorn.
Please remember to get your raffle tickets back to your team manager or out to Rennie on Thursday night.
Junior presentation at ClubMulwala on Sunday, September 9 and senior presentation on September 15 also at ClubMulwala.
Lock these dates in.
Make sure you get to Blighty on Saturday or Jerilderie on Sunday to support the netball teams.