Deniliquin Rams 0.1, 1.3, 3.3, 5.5.35.
Mulwala 2.5, 6.10, 8.15, 10.18.78.
Goals: Deniliquin Rams: L. MacDonald 1, B. Hall 1, Z. Lauritsen 1, J. Dick-O'Flaherty 1, D. Pogue 1,
Mulwala: R. Middleton 2, J. Sutherland 2, A. Rouel 2, J. Meade 2, C. McKenna 1, J. House 1.
Best: Deniliquin Rams: M. MacDonald, A. Durnan, B. Hall, R. MacDonald, D. Cullenward, Z. Lauritsen,
Mulwala: O. Conway, A. Rouel, Z. Scott, M. Gorman, T. Dow, D. McNamara.
What was going to be a tough challenge for the reigning premiers facing Deni at Deni did not appear to be the case in the first half.
Owen Conway controlled the ruck contests giving onballers Matt Gorman and Jackson Gash first usage of the ball which would punish the Deni backline as Harley Middleton and Jack Sutherland got off the chain early.
Zach Scott was proving the bigger the opposition, the harder he tackles as his ferocity around the packs was setting up the likes of Tom Dow and Adam Rouel to use their silk around goals punishing Deni at every opportunity.
If not for some inaccurate kicking Mulwala would have been further in front at half-time.
The second half started much the same as the first as Mul continued to run and carry from the backline as Dylan McNamara and James Wilson were their usual stringent selves.
Mulwala continued to dominate and came away with another handy victory against a possible finals aspirant.
Mulwala will host Nathalia at home this week looking to continue the great start to season 2023.
Reserves
Deniliquin Rams 9.4.58 defeated by Mulwala 12.10.82.
The Reserves have started getting some strong names back into their line-up and it showed coming up against a determined Deni side.
Austin Frauenfelder was thrown into the ruck where he was able to influence the game from the start providing options for onballers Bodhi Butts, Joseph Bland and the Psaltaris boys.
Mulwala through some accurate kicking in the second quarter by Cam Nye were keeping the lead on the scoreboard although the contest was a lot closer than the score suggested.
Isaac Pitches was brilliant all day in defense and his rebound running was a highlight opening up the game to allow runners like Connor Phibbs and Josh Eder space.
Both teams were going goal for goal in the second half and the class of Bodhi Butts and Dan Psaltaris around goals would be the difference between the two teams as Mulwala stretched the lead for a great win.
Goals: C. Nye 4, D. Psaltiras 3, B. Butts 2, C. Phibbs 1, N. Beasley 1, R. Bartlett 1.
Best: I. Pitches, A. Frauenfelder, B. Butts, C. Nye, J. Bland, C. Phibbs.
Thirds
Deniliquin Rams 3.2.20 defeated by Mulwala 10.15.75.
After a couple of stirring victories in recent weeks the Under 17s were confident going into the clash against Deni.
Captain Josh Eder took charge of the game from the onset and played arguably his best game of the season so far utilizing his run and carry through the middle of the ground and putting in some huge efforts getting back in defense.
Brock Johnson was again prolific in the ruck and the run through the centre provided by Beau Sissons, Oliver Watson and Jai Sneddon allowed forwards Baxter Donovan and Jaxen Wheeler plenty of opportunities.
The boys controlled the game throughout and when tested physically at times by Deni were able to concentrate on the ball and put the writing on the scoreboard where it mattered most.
Goals: Z. Wheeler 2, M. Appleby 2, J. Wheeler 2, J. Eder 1, O. Watson 1, L. Saunders 1, B. Donovan 1.
Best: J. Eder, B. Johnson, B. Donovan, N. Williams, B. Sissons, R. Burgess.
Fourths
Deniliquin Rams 5.7.37 defeated by Mulwala 14.3.87
The long trip to Deni and the early start is always a challenge for the young cubs but they showed no signs of this in the first quarter as they went to work piling goals on the scoreboard through some very accurate kicking.
Sam Tayler and Henry Donovan controlled the forward line and with help from Tige Sanderson were allowing the younger brigade of Tyce Woodhead, Alex Richardson and Ben Ferguson to all kick goals as Mulwala steamed away.
Maiko Leith was dominant in the ruck and all over the ground exerting his physical presence on each contest.
Sonny O’Bryan, Nash McNamara and Archie Purtle won their own contested ball all day as Mulwala ran away with a convincing victory.
Goals: H. Donovan 4, S. Tayler 3, V. Kreeck 1, B. Ferguson 1, T. Taylor 1, S. Sneddon 1, T. Woodhead 1, A. Richardson 1, N. Leith 1.
Best: M. Leith, S. O’Bryan, N. McNamara, T. Sanderson, S. Tayler, A. Purtle.