The Finley Cats have bragging rights and the Leo Barry/Tom Hawkins Trophy after an opening round win against the Deniliquin Rams.
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The traditional Murray League Good Friday clash was hosted under lights at Ramland in Deniliquin.
The rivalry between the two clubs is always healthy, and with a huge crowd in attendance, it was due to be another competitive game in hot autumn conditions.
The first quarter saw the Cats kick three early goals.
The Rams worked their way back into the quarter after being jumped - kicking two late goals.
Matt MacDonald and Lachie Small gave their all for the Rams, and there was only six points the difference at the first break.
The crowd was starting to get involved in the second term, anticipating a fierce contest.
However, the Cats had different ideas and kicked five goals to zero for the second term.
The Cats led by 35 points at the main break.
The third term saw both sides kick two goals each.
Deni pushed hard to try and claw back some of the lead.
However, Finley’s defence continued to stand tall and at the other end with Rams’ Brayden Hall and Finley’s Tom Lang having an enthralling battle.
By the end of the third quarter, the margin had not moved from 35 points.
The lights came on, and the temperature dropped as the teams went into the last stanza.
The arm wrestle continued, with neither side giving up any advantage.
However, when Paul Massingham put through his fourth goal, the Cats were home.
The Rams’ backline defended relentlessly all game, with Brayden Hall and Cable Fitzpatrick under extreme pressure as Finley dominated midfield with their relentless running.
Throughout the game, Lachie Small was solid in the backline.
Hamish Shepheard gave plenty of drive out of the ruck, giving the Rams first possession consistently, but this was negated by Finley’s pressure.
Up in the forward half, Angus Durnam and Todd Gallagher presented well but were often outnumbered in marking contests and at ground level.
A few positional changes at half time, namely Will Shaw moving to half forward, gave Deni an avenue to goal.
Final score: Finley 12.10 (82) def Deni Rams 5.10 (40).
Rams’ best players: Will Shaw, Lachie Small, Cable Fitzpatrick, Todd Gallagher, Brayden Hall and Hamish Shepheard.
Reserves:
It was a good start to the year for the Deni Rams’ side in front of a big crowd.
There’s no bigger rivalry than Finley, and being Good Friday it makes the win so much better.
Finley came out with a good side and ready to play.
The Rams’ first quarter was slow, but in the second quarter, the team kicked into gear with four quick goals late in the quarter to go into half time with a four-goal lead.
The third quarter in, which was probably the hottest part of the day, the boys were feeling it with plenty of rotations.
The extra person on the bench made a big difference, but the Rams let Finley have a sniff with two red-time goals.
At three-quarter time, the Rams coach told his charges he was owed those two goals, and Deni responses.
They kicked the first goal in the last and then finally kicked one to put the foot down, which was good to see.
Final score: Deni Rams 12.10 (82) def Finley 7.5 (47).
Best players: Cody Jordan, Jack Hay, Zac Free, Jayden Pitts, Tom McCallum and Reece Hussey.
Goals: Darcy McManus 3, Ben Nisbet 3, John Tubb 2, Zac Free 2, Ben East 1 and Brock Redden 1.
Thirds:
The new season and later start time gave the Rams thirds the opportunity to play in front of a huge home crowd.
The visiting Cats jumped the Rams in the first quarter with their midfield on top.
The Rams began to get their game going with the defence getting on top and their ball movement improving to take a seven-point lead into half time.
The hot conditions were beginning to take a toll on both sides, but coach Troy Bartlett reinforced to the team that the tough preseason had prepared them well and asked for a big third quarter.
The side responded well, running hard and putting together some great passages of play.
A three-goal lead at the last break could have been more if not for inaccurate kicking.
The fourth quarter began, and the visitors fought back, keeping the ball in their forward line and making the Rams defend for long periods.
The defence held up, with help from the midfielders and the Rams held on for a great win in front of the big home crowd.
Final score: Deni Rams 7.9 (51) def Finley 6.8 (44).
Best players: Charlie Bull, Sam Crossley, Doug Billings, Oscar Wren, Charlie McCallum and Josh Todd.
Goals: Jai Park 2, Chase Bartlett, Charlie McCallum, Josh Todd, Jake Herberte and Sam Crossley.
Fourths:
Season 2024 got off to a great start against arch-rivals Finley Cats.
After a long pre-season and lots of hard work, they went into their first match feeling strong and confident.
After a tight first quarter and with Finley keeping our 14s to just two goals, the Rams found their feet in the second term and began kicking away.
It was an amazing team effort from the back line, right through to the forward pocket.
The Rams won round one by 100 points.
Final score: Deni Rams 16.11 (107) def Finley 1.1 (7).
Best players: Oliver Ives, Logan Elphick, Max Burge, Ari Strongman, Harry Nolan, Tynen Rothe.
Goals: Logan Elphick 7, Oliver Ives 7, Corben Hayes, Ollie Murray.
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