Rennie 3.0, 4.1, 5.3, 6.4 (40) def by Deni Rovers 6.8, 12.12, 16.18, 19.25 (139)
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Goals: Denver Bruce 2, Marcus Hargreaves 2, Lewis Taylor. 1, William Taylor 1.
Best: Marcus Hargreaves, Heath Smith, Ben Woodhouse, Josh Soutter, Denver Bruce, Conner Hargreaves.
It was a magic winter’s day at Bull Plain, where the Rennie Hoppers took on the Deniliquin Rovers.
The Hoppers’ seniors were able to match the intensity of the Rovers, who were looking to shore up their finals spot. However, three goals late in red time saw Deni take a 26-point lead into quarter time.
From there, the Hoppers remained competitive throughout but lacked a big marking target for the release kick out of the backline or to create something deep in attack, while Deni had multiple forward targets.
Bruce and Marcus Hargreaves kicked two goals each in a game where Josh Soutter was enormous, including launching a massive torpedo late in the contest.
Coach Hargreaves gathered a handful of possessions, Heath Smith played a great negating role, and Woodhouse was creative with his in-and-under work.
Jack Van Den Bosch played his first senior game and acquitted himself well with his marking and ball use.
However, Deni ultimately won by 99 points.
The best players were Marcus Hargreaves and Josh Soutter.
Awards: Mulwala Water Ski Club – Josh Soutter, Premix King – Heath Smith, Yarrawonga Hotel – Ben Woodhouse, Lake Mulwala Hotel – Jack Van Den Bosch.
Reserves
Rennie 2.0, 4.1, 5.2, 5.3 (33) defeated by Deni Rovers 6.2, 10.3, 12.5, 20.5 (125).
Goals: Dylan Chung 2, Thomas Ryan 1, Jake Stevenson 1, Cooper Jones 1.
Best: Jackson McErvale Busch, Tully Woodward, Rhys Ludbey, Damien Walker, Cooper Jones, Patrick Lyons.
The Hoppers’ reserves are starting to run out of numbers, but against the fourth-placed team they were able to show glimpses of good football before going down by 92 points.
Dylan Chung kicked a couple, Jackson McErvale Busch was impassable at half-back, and Tully Woodward continued his great form of the past four weeks, while Damo Walker was strong and attacking in defence and youngster Pat Lyons again stepped up and was prominent.
Awards: Premix King – Jackson McErvale Busch, Yarrawonga Bakery – Tully Woodward, Yarrawonga Hotel – Rhys Ludbey, Club Mulwala – Damien Walker, Lake Mulwala Hotel – Cooper Jones, Yarrawonga Skin Ski and Surf – Pat Lyons.
Under 17s
Rennie 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.1 (7) defeated by Deni Rovers 7.5, 12.13, 17.19, 20.25 (145).
Goal: Patrick Lyons 1.
Best: Zander Rhodes, Patrick Lyons, Eddie McQualter-Whyte, Lucas Pickering, Jordan Knight, Brody Guthrie.
Against the fourth-placed team, the Under 17 Hoppers showed great fight but lacked the depth and class of their opponent.
The Z factor, Zander Rhodes, showed the benefit of his exposure to senior football and looked classy, while Emw, Eddie McQualter-White, was relentless and quick.
Pat Lyons showed that his experience playing reserve-grade games was helping his football, with coach Pickles saying the team’s performance was as good as the previous week’s win, despite the larger difference on the scoreboard.
Awards: Woods Bus Lines – Zander Rhodes, Intersport Wingates – Pat Lyons, C & T Rhodes – Eddie McQualter-White, Red Ag – Lucas Pickering, Papalias – Jordan Knight.
Under 14s
Rennie 1.1, 2.1, 3.5, 4.5 (29) defeated Deni Rovers 2.2, 3.3, 3.6, 3.6 (24).
Goals: Banjo J True 3, Tom Hemphill.
Best: Finley Strawhorn, Hudson Crawford, Adam Cooper, Brax Ednie, Mason Santoro, Riley Wallace.
It was a great game between second and third, with the Hoppers snatching victory late by five points.
Deni led for the first three quarters after kicking a couple of early goals, which put pressure on the Hoppers, who took until the second half to kick into gear.
Wallace won the ball through the middle, but it was the Rennie defence that led the way. Strawhorn and Cooper were rock-like with their resistance and creativity, while Crawford shone in his role as the link-up forward.
The arm wrestle saw only two goals kicked in the second half, with Truey’s three of the Hoppers’ four goals proving pivotal, including the only goal of the final term.
The win locked in a top-two spot for the Hoppers.
Awards: Darren Lewis Fencing – Finley Strawhorn, Yarrawonga Skin Sun and Surf – Hudson Crawford, Yarrawonga Bakery – Adam Cooper, Border Concrete Plumbing – Brax Ednie, Crawford Family – Mason Santoro, Intium Energy – Riley Wallace.
Under 11s
Back after a week off, the young Hoppers were involved in a high-quality match that captured the crowd’s imagination once they had kicked the frost off the ground.
Awards: Purtle Electrical – Jack Farr, Red Ag – Abel Lewis, Freeman Glass and Aluminium – Xavier Dennison, T & R Marett – Addi Lewis, Rennie Catering Committee – Tyler Lewis.
The club thanks Paula Mifka and her team for their outstanding work with LMS last Sunday and congratulates all the winners.
Supporters should also look out for information about the grand final eve luncheon at the Mulwala Water Ski Club.
This week, the Hoppers take on the Tungamah Bears for what may be the final time, as the league looks to split into two competitions next year.
Go Hoppers.
Netball
A Grade
Rennie 25 defeated by Deni Rovers 61.
Rennie welcomed Deni Rovers to its home courts on Saturday, taking on one of the competition’s strongest sides.
While the scoreboard did not fall Rennie’s way, the team continued to show plenty of heart and determination throughout the match.
The group never stopped working, continuing to contest every ball and support one another from the first centre pass to the final whistle.
There were some pleasing passages of play as the connections through the midcourt improved, creating opportunities in attack, while Rennie’s defenders worked tirelessly against a well-drilled shooting combination.
One of the biggest positives was the team’s attitude.
Everyone remained encouraging and committed, continuing to implement what the team had been working on at training despite the pressure. Those moments of persistence and teamwork will continue to build confidence as the team heads towards the end of the season.
Every game is an opportunity to learn and grow, and this week was no different.
The effort and commitment shown by the entire side was something to be proud of, and the team will take those lessons into the final round.
Award winners: Rnc Incentive – Claire Dawson, Lake Mulwala Hotel – Jennika Parker, Club Mulwala – Chelsea Banfield, Showcase Jewellers – Demi Rhodes.
B Grade
Rennie 24 defeated by Deni Rovers 62.
It was an icy morning at Rennie, but the sun warmed things up just in time for the game.
It was goal for goal in the first quarter, with Deni edging ahead by just one point. In the second quarter, a few turnovers hurt Rennie, and Deni’s shooters were incredibly accurate.
Rennie’s defence was great, applying constant pressure and never letting up. The shooters worked hard, moving beautifully to find space and convert. Through the midcourt, the team moved the ball with purpose, creating clear pathways and delivering strong passes down the court.
The team could be proud of the way everyone played together.
Awards: Rnc Incentive – Bri Pye, Lake Mulwala Hotel – Lucy Bassett, Judd’s Yarrawonga – Indi Wheeler, Wingate’s Sports – Haylee Wilson.
C Grade
Rennie 26 defeated by Deni Rovers 52.
The match against Deni Rovers was always going to be the team’s biggest challenge, with Rennie coming up against the undefeated ladder leaders. Despite the tough opposition, the girls embraced the contest with determination and never stopped competing.
Kayla, Tegan and Tess combined beautifully in attack, moving the ball around the ring with confidence and intuition while making the most of every scoring opportunity that came their way.
In defence, Gaby’s speed, agility and relentless pressure continually challenged her opponents.
Georgie and Lacey provided strong drive out of defence, worked tirelessly to transition the ball down the court, and never gave up on chasing loose balls or creating turnovers.
While the scoreboard did not fall Rennie’s way, the team’s attitude was outstanding.
The girls remained positive, supportive and encouraging of one another from the first whistle to the last. Their resilience and willingness to keep fighting against quality opposition was something to be proud of, and there were plenty of positives to take from the performance as the team continued to build towards the remainder of the season.
Awards: Lake Mulwala Hotel – Kayla Johnson, North East Campers – Tegan Lee, Miss Dolly – Georgina Thomas, Mulwala Water Ski Club Players’ Player – Lacey Stiles.
C Reserve
Rennie 24 defeated by Deni Rovers 38.
The sun was shining and spirits were high after three wins on the trot as Rennie took on Deni at home. While the final score saw Deni come away with a 38–24 win, it was a much tighter contest than the scoreboard suggested, and the girls fought hard until the final whistle.
Rennie’s defensive duo of Trudz and Fern was outstanding. Trudz came away with plenty of intercepts and rebounds, while Fern applied relentless pressure, making every Deni possession hard-earned.
At the other end, shooting superstars Shez and Ez put on a classy display. Their movement in the ring created fantastic space, and they confidently converted from all over the circle.
The midcourt brigade of Edz, Loz, Dani, Han and Jasi worked tirelessly all day, running hard, creating plenty of options through the court and never giving up on the contest.
Deni proved the stronger side on the day, but the determination and effort from the Rennie girls never wavered. They chased every loose ball, stayed in the fight and continued to show huge improvement every week. There were plenty of positives to take into the final round against Tungamah.
Awards: Loz, Ez, Edz and Trudz; Players’ Player – Trudz.
Under 17s
Rennie 40 defeated by Deni Rovers 60.
Deni came out firing, as always, and showed exactly why the team sits on top of the ladder.
Defenders Jazzy and Liv had their work cut out for them against Deni’s talented shooting duo, who demonstrated why they are among the best in the league.
As the game wore on, Jazzy and Liv’s communication and teamwork came to the fore, creating turnovers and winning back possession with some strong rebounding.
Lily and Mia also showcased their talents against Deni’s hardworking midcourt, moving the ball well through the court and applying relentless defensive pressure to force turnovers.
While the result was not what the girls had hoped for, there were plenty of positives to take from the match.
The team thanked Deni for a clean and competitive game, with the Rovers setting the benchmark for the rest of the competition. The girls now turn their attention to taking on club rivals and friends, Tungamah. Go Hoppers.
Under 15s
Rennie 17 defeated by Deni Rovers 31.
With the sun shining, it was a beautiful day for the girls to play their final home game.
They took the court with confidence and determination, and it showed on the scoreboard, with Rennie trailing Deni by only four goals at half-time.
The girls produced a hard-fought performance before going down 31–17 at the final siren. Everyone played their role and implemented the structures and techniques they had practised at training. The team now looks ahead to the final game against Tungamah to finish a wonderful 2026 season before finals begin.
Awards: Dakota True, Chelsea Freestone, Maisie Cope and Sienna Blick.
Under 13s
Rennie 10 defeated by Deni Rovers 25.
Under 11s
Team Emerald
The littlest Hoppers had a tough contest with Deni, but the girls held their own, moving the ball down the court and scoring a few goals. The girls shared the ball around, moved positions and enjoyed a great final home game.
Awards: Yarrawonga Bakery – Bowie, Belle’s Cafe – Frankie, T & R Marett – Nat, Rhodes Family – Millie.
Team Green
It has been amazing to see the development of the team’s netball skills.
The girls are playing as a team, looking forward and remaining aware of where their teammates are.
It has also been great to see each girl playing every position to a high level.
Awards: Ricki D’s – Maddi, Nick Davis Plastering – Lizzie, Jacyee’s – Isla, Paula Mifka Award – Liliana.