PDL | Toc downs Deni in under-14 thriller

A mammoth come-from-behind win, the Bloods did enough at the end of the game to pick up a 6.5 (41) to 5.8 (38) victory.

Getting under way bright and early at Katunga Recreation Reserve, the Rovers held a tight grip on the contest early, running out to a 20-point lead at quarter-time.

Yet, after a rousing speech from coach Dennis Sutton, the Bloods turned the contest on its head, using the wind to their advantage to slot the first three majors of the second term.

Leading by a point at the main break, the Rovers rebuilt their lead in the third quarter. However, a spirited Tocumwal equalised in the final term.

This led to added time in each direction, with the Bloods doing enough to pick up a thrilling three-point win.

Speaking after the game, Tocumwal coach Dennis Sutton said he was extremely proud of his team.

“As much as a coach likes to think that he’s the reason the boys win and lose a game it’s not,” Sutton said.

“They’ve got the core belief that they’re the better side and sometimes you just have to tweak what you say to them and allow them to realise that.

“And I think that’s what happened today, they really focused on what they had to do to get themselves back in the game.”

The victory showed a lot of character for the red and white side and Sutton said that trait was hard to coach.

“The Bloods belief is always there and it just showed in extra time, even though they (Deniliquin) had a shot for goal right at the end we just kept believing and came home with the goods,” he said.

Sutton’s son Liam Sutton was named best-on-ground for his performance. However, the Bloods mentor said he did not like pointing out an individual effort.

“I think all our on-ballers, our backline, everyone played superbly well,” he said.

“He (Liam) might have got a medal for it, but I know he’s the same, he’d believe that the team deserved it and it’s just a great effort by them all.”

Named in the best alongside Sutton were teammates Chace Brunskill and Cody Palmer, while Baxter Cowley, Dexter Hardman and Bentley Hardman stood out for the Rovers.

Knocking out Tungamah in the preliminary final, Sutton praised the opposition for its efforts across the year.

“I spoke to Deni after the game and I think for them it’s just a tough way to end a season,” he said.

“You’ve got to have a winner or loser and for them they can take away from the game.

“They beat the undefeated Tungamah and that’s something no-one else in the league has done, not even us, so that’s a good thing for them even though it’s a hard time that they’ve lost the grand final.”

Full of praise for Tocumwal’s juniors, Sutton was excited for where the club can go in the future.

“I think part of the reason for our success is just the club,” he said.

“The club’s turned around in the last four years and we’ve got a real belief in the juniors and that’ll pay dividends going forward in the next five, 10 years.”