The Deniliquin Rams produced their best quarter of football in front of a booming home crowd on Saturday, to have the match all but over by the first break.
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Off the back of ruckman Hamish Shepheard dominating the centre bounce duels and hammering the ball forward, the Rams were able to get one-on-one contests in the forward 50 and they took full advantage.
Deni booted eight goals in the opening term while keeping Tongala scoreless, with former AFL player Sam Lloyd starring up forward for the home side.
Tongala playing coach Bill Barnes - himself a former Deni Rams junior - gave his players a serious bake at quarter-time, but the Rams showed no sympathy, piling on another five goals in the second stanza to have the match well and truly over at the main break.
The Rams had line breakers all over the field, and while the Blues were a lot more competitive in the second half, the likes of Rams midfielders Ricky Gittens, Charlie Hillier and Todd Gallagher ensured a comeback was unlikely by dominating the ground ball contests.
Lloyd finished the day with five majors in what was his best return for the year, while Gittens kicked two.
The Rams' defence - which has been its strength all year - didn't disappoint, keeping Tongala to just one solitary point for the first half.
Brayden Hall and Cable Fitzpatrick again led the way, with great support from runner Riley Hamilton who attacked the ball and continues to improve.
Speedster Lachie Osborne impressed once again from the wing, while young teenage ruckman Doug Billings did a couple of good things when he was injected as the under-17 sub in the second half.
In the end it was a decisive 62-point victory to the Rams, who also escaped injury-free which was possibly a first for the year in what has been an injury-riddled half a season.
Final score: Deni Rams 16.10 (102) def Tongala 06.09 (44).
Best players: Hamish Shepheard, Sam Lloyd, Ricky Gittens, Charlie Hillier, Riley Hamilton and Todd Gallagher.
Goals: Sam Lloyd (5), Ricky Gittens (2), Todd Gallagher (1), Liam Pitts (1), Riley Hamilton (1), Jayden Pitts (1), Cable Fitzpatrick (1), Mick Barnett (1), Jake Hobbs (1), Harry Hillier (1), Lachlan Osborne (1).
Awards: Purtill Group - Hamish Shepheard; Deni RSL- Sam Lloyd; Physiofit with Brit - Ricky Gittens; Barber & Threadz;- Charlie Hillier; Hardmans Intersport - Riley Hamilton; Rob Gittens Award;- Todd Gallagher.
Reserves:
It was all about Ben Nisbet for his 250 club games, and the boys got the job done for him knowing it was going to take four quarters of team footy.
As Tongala have been the team to beat for the last three years, it was a contest for the first three quarters with both teams playing good footy.
Knowing what was required to win, the Rams reserves were able to impose their style on the game, but not without some pushback from the Tongala group.
Although they were challenged at a point, the Rams were able to kick away and hold on for the win.
Congratulations to Ben Nisbet on this massive achievement, many years of service to the club and journey thus far, very well done.
Final score: Deni Rams 08.09 (57) def Tongala 05.08 (38).
Best players: Billy Michael, Luke Todd, Monte Barnes, Jake Cavallaro, Harry Dudley.
Goals: Ben Nisbet (2), Brock Redden (2), Luke White (1), Jonty Tubb (1), Tom McCallum (1), Monte Barnes (1).
Awards: Murray Constructions - Billy Michael; Deni Yamaha - Luke Todd; Wired Entertainment - Monte Barnes; Frank n Beans - Jake Cavallaro; That Pizza - Harry Dudley.
Thirds:
The Rams thirds were looking to carry on from last week’s good performance and make it two wins in a row.
They welcomed back some players, and were taking on a side ahead of them on the ladder in Tongala.
From the first bounce the Rams looked switched on, running and moving the ball quickly and by the first break had opened up a 15-point lead.
The second term saw the improving Rams raise their level again, holding Tongala scoreless and doubling the margin to 30 points at half-time.
The third quarter was a much tighter one, with Tongala lifting their work rate in the middle and this time holding the Rams scoreless but only scoring two points themselves.
In the final quarter the Rams gained control back again and looked impressive in the way they finished off the game, running away from Tongala to record a 41-point win.
It was another great team effort for the side who are improving week by week.
Final score: Deni Rams 07.08 (50) def Tongala 01.03 (9).
Best players: Charlie McCallum, Oscar Wren, Charlie Bull, Chase Bartlett, Doug Billings, Henry Robinson.
Goals: Jai Park (2), Ted Wren (2), Matt Pitt (1), Ben Crossley (1), Toby Grimwood (1).
Awards: Shaw Family - Charlie McCallum; Park Family - Oscar Wren; Deni Driver Training - Charlie Bull; Surdex Steel - Chase Bartlett; Club - Henry Robinson.
Fourths:
In order for the young Rams to even think about finals, the win against Tongala was a must.
With a number of players falling ill during the week, it was a young team that took to the field with five under-12 players joining the team this week.
It was a strong start by both teams, with Rams only trailing by one point at the first break.
With a lot of grit and determination, Rams were able to take the lead by half-time.
Going into the final quarter, Rams were leading Tongala by eight points.
With a last minute surge by Tongala, and Rams only in front by five points, the final minutes of the game were spent in Tongala’s forward line.
However the Rams weren't about to let the win go, they held on and fought to the final siren, defeating Tongala by 5 points.
Final score: Deni Rams 05.03 (33) def Tongala 03.10 (28).
Goals: Tynen Rothe, Rocky Sztejman, Logan Elphick, Talen Barnes, Zac Grimison.
Best players: Tynen Rothe, Darcy Finn, Tom Ives, Rocky Sztejman, Ari Strongman and Ollie Murray.
Awards: Armytage Family - Tynen Rothe; Deni Clothing Co - Darcy Finn; Wired Entertainment - Tom Ives; Surdex Steel - Rocky Sztejman; McDonald’s- Ari Strongman.
Under-12s:
Under-12s travelled to Victoria Park on Friday night to take on a strong Echuca Murray Bombers side.
It was a David and Goliath battle, with four injuries throughout the game, no bench and many of the top age group not available.
The boys never gave up, but were simply outclassed by a fast paced, highly skilled side.
A few highlights were Rupert Maslen having his best game of the year and a big work load from Gus Burge, Jono Moorse and Jaxon Rothe.
Final score: Echuca Murray Bombers 09.11 (65) def Deni Rams 0.01 (1).
Awards: Surdex Beanie - Rupert Maslen; Curly’z Café - Gus Burge; MacDonald – Lach Macdonald; Barber & Threadz - Spencer Hayes.
Under-10s:
The Lambs hit the bitumen to Kyabram on Sunday, searching for another cross-border win.
In what was a strong contest, both sides moved the ball well and kicked some brilliant goals, including a superb roving goal from Jasper Dellwo to ice the game in the final quarter.
The Rams had good players all over the field and a strong team effort was required and displayed on the day.
Jake Woolston was named best afield, claiming the That Pizza award for the visitors, showing plenty of pace and kicking two great goals.
Other top players were Jed Fitzmaurice who was seemingly everywhere on the field playing both centre half back and forward marking strongly.
Lenny Maher took a couple of strong grabs and laid some excellent tackles, Ned Hussey who made some strong leads from full forward, took a good mark and kicked truly in the first term, and Chase Dunn who laid some excellent tackles and was fierce at the contest, winning the ground ball.
Awards: That Pizza - Jake Woolston; McDonald’s - Jed Fitzmaurice; Surdex Steel - Lenny Maher; Club Hat - Ned Hussey; Curlyz Cafe - Chase Dunn.
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