A five-goal third term was the impetus behind the Deniliquin Rams posting their third win of the Murray League season on Saturday.
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The Rams downed the visiting Echuca United by 17 points on Saturday in front of another strong home crowd.
Star onballers Sam Willoughby and Todd Gallagher were instrumental, winning the ball out of the midfield when the game was on the line in the all-important third quarter.
The Rams had led by just two points at the main break, and it was crucial that they hit the scoreboard kicking with the strong wind in the third term to give themselves enough of a lead to defend in the last quarter.
The Rams didn’t kick a goal on the last quarter but had built a 25-point buffer by the final change of ends which was enough to see them home.
It was a tense battle up until half-time, Willoughby kicking the first of the Rams’ two goals in the opening term, while teenager Jai Park kicking the second was a livewire up forward both in the air and at ground level.
Rams skipper Mick Barnett went forward and kicked a crucial goal into the wind in the second stanza however the Eagles wouldn’t go away with onballer Matt Lias winning a lot of footy.
Cable Fitzpatrick and Riley Hamilton led the Rams’ defence with some good shutdown roles and helped keep United to just one goal kicking with the wind in the second term.
After half-time the Rams sent onballer Will Henderson to quell Lias’ influence, and this move helped free up Gallagher and Willoughby to do their best work.
The Rams kicked 5.5 for the third term, including a mark and his first senior goal to teenager Brodie Elphick as his teammates came from all parts of the oval to celebrate with him.
Another under-17s footballer Andrew Smith was inserted into the game as the sub after half-time and he had an impact as well.
By the last term the sting had gone out of the match as the home team had done enough to clinch their third win from six matches.
Arguably Deni’s most influential player was emerging ruckman Ben East, with his leap helping him win the lion’s share of ruck contests and allowing first use for Willoughby and company.
East is getting better each week and looking more and more at home at senior level.
Other good contributors were Darcy Cullenward in a back pocket and Luke Todd offering a marking target on the wing.
Final score: Deni Rams 8.14. (62) def Echuca United 6.9. (45).
Best players: Sam Willoughby, Todd Gallagher, Riley Hamilton, Ben East, Cable Fitzpatrick, Andrew Smith.
Goals: Sam Willoughby 2, Jai Park 2, Charlie Hillier, Mick Barnett, Angus Durnan, Brodie Elphick.
Reserves:
It was great to have some old faces back in the line-up for the game against Echuca United, with Brad Poka and Reece Hussey bolstering the defence and Jakey McManus flying back from Western Australia to play full back.
Deni had a slow start kicking against a strong breeze, and the Eagles kept the home side to no score for the first term while kicking three goals.
The Rams muscled up in the second term, with Dylan May leading the way from a back flank, Riley McLeod giving lots of run on the wing and Brock Redden providing a strong marking target up forward.
Aydan ‘Snowy’ Matthews got on top in the ruck work and veterans Ben Nisbet and Brett Macdonald hit the scoreboard as the home side took the lead with an impressive five-goal quarter.
The Rams never looked back and kicked two goals against the wind to maintain their lead and another two majors in the final term, with Nisbet marking and goaling to put the game beyond reach.
The Rams are now three wins and three losses and are sixth on the ladder.
Final score: Deni Rams 9.4.(58) def Echuca United 6.5.(41).
Best players: Dylan May, Brad Poka, Reece Hussey, Riley McLeod, Aydan Matthews, Jake McManus.
Goals: Brock Redden 2, Ben Nisbet 2, Brett Macdonald 2, Dean Macdonald, Lachlan Marshall, Brodie Elphick.
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