Sport
7 July, 2022
Rovers get early jump on Demons
LISMORE Derrinallum found themselves on the back foot after a slow first quarter against SMW Rovers last weekend.
LISMORE Derrinallum found themselves on the back foot after a slow first quarter against SMW Rovers last weekend.
Playing at Lismore on Saturday, Rovers got an early jump over the home side, going into the first break with a handy 17-point lead.
Coach Alec Wiltshire said his side was forced to play catch-up footy in the second term – a challenge they took with both hands.
“Rovers really did get on top of us early in the first quarter which just goes to show it doesn’t matter where teams are sitting, they should never be underestimated,” Wiltshire said.
“And I don’t know what was in the air…a few blokes seemed a bit hot under the collar and there were a few melees which just fired up Rovers."
“To their credit they played a good brand of footy and caught us off guard.”
Holding on to a slim four point lead going into the final term, the Demons added three goals, two behinds while the Rovers managed three goals, one.
“It was certainly a battle for us throughout the day but to the boys’ credit they fought and hung on,” Wiltshire said.
“We’ve found this year that not many can run with us in the last quarter but on Saturday we definitely had a few players dead in the legs."
“It has definitely given us some things to work on, which is always a positive.”
Final scores: Lismore Derrinallum 12.13.85 to SMW Rovers 12.8.80
Best for the Demons were Jack Pitts, Lachlan Isbister, Beau Ketchen, Jack Atkins and Michael Lockyer.
Goal scorers: Michael Lockyer (3), William Beever (2), Lachlan Isbister (2), Beau Ketchen (2), Jack Atkins and Riley Browne.
In the reserves, the Demons enjoyed a 15-point win.
Final scores: Lismore Derrinallum 5.8.38 to SMW Rovers 3.5.23.
Best for the Demons were Jayden Brewer, Shannon Berriman, Jayden Molloy, Ryan Elliot, Clint Dudman and James Sanders-Brown.
Goal scorers: Ryan Elliot (3), Clint Dudman and James Sanders-Brown.
The Demons will travel to Penshurst tomorrow to take on the fifth-placed Bombers in a game that will once again test the Demons’ endurance.
“Penshurst will be our next challenge but I think we’re up for it. It’ll be a good match up and we’ll be looking for improvements across the ground.”
After this weekend, the run to the finals will see the Demons take on Woorndoo Mortlake, Moyston Willaura, Hawkesdale Macarthur, Ararat and Great Western.