Katandra keep out of Rovers’ reach

On top of the enjoyable day for the ladies, funds and awareness were being raised for breast cancer, with players wearing pink socks and pink match balls being used for the occasion.

In the seniors' football, the Rovers in ninth on the ladder took on this season’s unbeaten ladder-leaders.

They also had the added milestone of Brendan Hope playing his 250th senior game for the club and were keen to take it to Katandra from the start of the match.

Both sides got themselves into the contest, with the Rovers holding sternly in defence and getting a good number of attacks forward.

At quarter time the Rovers were in the match, only trailing by four points 2.2 (14) to Katandra’s three straight goals.

It was the second quarter where the Rovers’ opposition created most of the differential for the rest of the match.

While the Rovers affected the Kats’ ball movement, Katandra edged ahead, flooding forward in waves.

This left the Rovers trailing 7.4 (46) to 3.3 (21) at half-time.

The Rovers came back after half-time with better pressure, contest and ball movement around the ground.

The home side won the third quarter by five points to have the score at 6.6 (42) to 9.8 (62) to be down by 20 points at three-quarter time.

In the last quarter the Rovers kicked three goals to test the Kats’ nerves but once again were left chasing a top side with Katandra kicking four of their own in the last to hold on to a 26 point win.

For the Rovers Alex Hay took home the pink football for best on ground leading from the front with his display.

Tyson Willis gave a big effort around the ball kicking three goals while Rivva Karpany didn’t miss a beat on his return, kicking a sharp goal and showing his polish.

Up forward kicking another four goals was Hayden Barker while Brody Wills converted a good team passage of play.

Lifting in the face of team injuries, Jayden Pitts stepped up into the ruck for much of the second half and turned the game the Rovers way several times.

Constantly shutting down Katandra attacks and providing energy of their own were Liam East and Joey Hay, who both gave the Rovers plenty down back despite the loss.

Final score: Deni Rovers 9.9 (63) def by Katandra 13.11 (89).

Goals: Hayden Barker 4, Tyson Willis 3, Brody Wills, Rivva Karpany.

Best: Alex Hay, Tyson Willis, Liam East, Joey Hay, Rivva Karpany, Jayden Pitt.

Reserves

The Reserves knew the importance of knocking off an undefeated Katandra outfit to strengthen their push for a top-four finish.

The focus was evident from the warm-up, with not even Ladies Day able to distract the group.

The tone was set early in a hard-fought, physical contest, with neither side taking a backward step.

Rovers gained the early advantage, taking a two-goal lead into quarter time.

Katandra reduced the margin by a goal in the second term before both teams were restricted to just two behinds each in a tight third quarter.

Neither side gave an inch in the final term, with both kicking a goal, but Rovers held on for a vital victory.

Both teams moved the ball well, with the low-scoring affair highlighting the outstanding work of each defence.

Bailey Caruso was a constant threat up forward, finishing with two goals and earning a place among the best players. Bobby Hall kicked the other major from the midfield.

Shifted to centre half-back this week, Dylan Mills led by example with countless intercept marks and powerful run out of defence.

James Gilligan and Alex Rourke were also outstanding across the backline, while Ben McCalman and Brad Taylor worked tirelessly through the midfield to round out the best players.

Final score: Deni Rovers 3.6 (24) def Katandra 2.3 (15).

Goals: Bailey Caruso 2, Bobby Hall.

Best: Dylan Mills, James Gilligan, Alex Rourke, Bailey Caruso, Ben McCalman, Brad Taylor.

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