The Deniliquin Rams started the Murray League game in super fashion on Saturday, running the ball through the hands and getting an overlap to goal.
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With the sun shining and a big Sponsors Day crowd on hand, the Rams slotted five majors in the opening term against the visiting Numurkah - both sides coming in with five wins and the victor to go a game clear in sixth spot, so plenty on the line.
Veteran forward Todd Gallagher could not put a foot wrong, taking three grabs for three goals, while 15-year-old young gun Jai Park slotted one from a sharp angle and teenager Brodie Elphick marked and goaled from 35m out, and the blue and gold were on the march.
Charlie Hillier was electric out of the midfield, and the ever-reliable Will Henderson was never far from the contest.
But the Blues slotted a goal right on the quarter-time siren - their third for the term - to keep within striking distance.
The Rams continued their running game into the second stanza, but the bigger-bodied Numurkah on ballers started putting their physicality to work around the contest, the Rams struggling to contain Jordan O'Dwyer and Jamason Daniels.
The visitors piled on five goals for the term and took the lead and control of the match.
The Rams scrambled a goal through Jai Park's good work rate, but after half-time it was all Numurkah.
Harry Hillier and Darcy Cullenward battled manfully in the last line of defence, and Gallagher never stopped trying as he injected himself into the midfield.
The third term was a dour contest and the Blues managed two goals to Deni's one, which came from a magnificent snap from Park who was deep in the pocket after following up from his tackle pressure.
That was the teenager's third goal of the game and was probably the highlight of the second half for the home side, who did not kick a goal in the last term as the visitors ran away with the match.
Once again, the young Rams could hold their heads high for their bravery, but the more experienced Numurkah always looked comfortable in the second half, finishing with five goals in the final term for a 47-point win.
Henderson and Charlie Hillier were the standouts for Deni, along with Park and Gallagher.
Final score: Numurkah 15.5 (95) def Deni 7.6 (48).
Best players: Charlie Hillier, Will Henderson, Darcy Cullenward, Todd Gallagher, Jai Park, Harry Hillier.
Goals: Jai Park 3, Todd Gallagher 3, Brodie Elphick.
Reserves
Brodie park competes in the air.
The Rams’ reserves were on fire early, slotting four goals in the first quarter to take an 11-point lead into the break.
It's a position the boys have not found themselves in for a few weeks, and with a strong home crowd behind them, they were able to hold a two-point buffer at the main break.
Numurkah's superior fitness kicked in as the visitors middled five goals in the last term to run away with the game.
But it was a much better showing from the Rams, with big Joel Park leading the way at centre-half forward and the evergreen Andrew Panton resolute in the last line of defence.
Other good players were youngsters Charlie Paton and Tom Murray, who tackled hard and had plenty of kicks from respective forward flanks.
Brodie McQuie gave his all in the contest, pushing up through the centre corridor from the flank and Charlie Martin made a welcome appearance in our midfield, and hopefully, we see a few more games from him.
The veterans Ben Nisbet and Brett Macdonald kicked two goals each and were up and about early, while Brodie Park was brilliant in the air and finished with a goal as well.
Final score: Numurkah 11.9 (75) def Deni 5.4 (34).
Best players: Joel Park, Charlie Paton, Charles Martin, Tom Murray, Brodie McQuie.
Goals: Brett MacDonald 2, Ben Nisbet 2, Brodie Park.
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