Sean Robinson kicked four goals in the 50-point win.
Mulwala 4.2, 8.3, 10.5, 15.7.97
Deniliquin Rams 3.2, 3.6, 4.8, 6.11.47
Goals: Mulwala: S. Robinson 4, W. Gorman 3, J. Meade 2, M. Hemphill 1, K. Rowe 1, B. Seymour 1, H. Haley 1, T. Dow 1, J. Sutherland 1. Deniliquin Rams: S. Lloyd 4, J. Hobbs 1, A. Durnan 1.
Best: Mulwala: W. Gorman, C. Griffiths, D. McNamara, B. Tyson, O. Elliott, M. Hemphill. Deniliquin Rams: C. Fitzpatrick, A. Durnan, J. Hobbs, B. Hall, S. Lloyd, M. Barnett,
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The long road trip to Deniliqiun is always a challenge for Mulwala but none more so than coming into the game on the wrong side of the win-loss ledger so far in 2024.
Deni got off to a quick start before the Mulwala engine room of Connor Griffiths, Will Gorman and ruckman Brodie Tyson started to combine brilliantly through the middle of the ground to set up forwards Sean Robinson and Jackson Meade.
As Mulwala gained ascendancy in the match, a slight lapse in concentration allowed two quick goals to Deni in the last minutes of the quarter to have the Lions go into quarter-time with only a slender one-goal lead.
The second quarter was dominated by Mulwala with Max Hemphill and Oscar Elliott who started using their explosive speed to put Deni to the sword.
A huge elation for Beau Seymour kicking his first goal in the Lions’ colours as the whole team got around him to celebrate.
A tighter tussle ensued in the second half but it was Mulwala’s accuracy in front of goal and pressure in the backline, led by Dylan McNamara and Nathan McNair, that set the teams apart.
The large ground suited Mulwala as the run of Joey Bland, Oscar and Charley McKenna would prove the difference.
Will Gorman played his best game for the club as the side ran away with a convincing victory to keep in touch with the top teams.
Reserves
Mulwala 2.2.14 lost to Deni Rams 10.9.69
Goalkickers: Austin Frauenfelder, Lachlan Wood.
Best: Tim Cooper, Josh Eder, Austin Frauenfelder, Josh Ednie, Matthew McLachlan, Riley Mitchell.
Under 17s
Giant strides for Mulwala boys: Four young promising footballers, Maiko Leith, Sonny O’Bryan, Van Kreeck and Archie Purtle represented the club in the 2024 Giants Academy and Development SNSW Regional Challenge at Narrandera on April 24.
Mulwala 18.16.124 defeated Deni Rams 0.0.0
The thirds started brilliantly in what was expected to be a reasonably tough game for the boys. Oliver Watson got a lucky bounce to reward his hard work with the first goal, and from there, a procession of goals to Baxter Donovan, Max O’Bryan and Beau Sissons had Mulwala take a good lead into quarter time.
Brock Johnson, Ollie and Archie Purtle were smashing the Deni onballers out of the middle and forwards Jai Sneddon and Baxter were making the most of the forward entries.
Young Harley Cooper was elusive in the forward pocket with a couple of quick-step moves that made his opponents look silly, and he finished with a couple of great goals.
Jordan Ibbott was continually stifling any of the Deni advances back into Mul’s forward half where Charlie Drake and Hunter Lonergan were great around the forward flanks, finishing with a couple of goals themselves.
This was a brilliant win setting up a huge top of the ladder clash next week.
Under 14s
Mulwala 6.5.41 defeated Deni Rams 0.1.1
The large Deniliquin ground took many by surprise for the fourths match, none more than the scheduled club umpire who quickly realised that the ground was too big for him at his age and duly appointed young Xavier Watson for his first crack at umpiring duties. Xav did a fantastic job however umpiring wasn’t that big an issue as the Mulwala team hit the ground running.
The great midfield work of Axel Saunders and Tom Taylor and the speed of the Woodhead brothers Fletcher and Tyce was slicing apart the immaculate ground.
Henry Donovan was electric up forward finishing the day with four goals and young superstar Levi Purtle was brilliant all over the ground in a BOG performance.
Benji Watson and Jackson Smith hit the scoreboard and provided great forward options as another strong team performance gave the lads a great eight-goal win leading into another tough game next week against Echuca.
Netball
A Grade
Mulwala 50 lost to Deni 60
We didn’t get the result we were looking for in a very contested game but we are proud of the way our girls conducted themselves.
Georgie Hemphill was relentless, her stats in defence were incredible.
Playing-coach Steph Hammond was amazing to watch as always, no one can say she isn't willing to do anything she asks of her team.
And Tess McNamara sacrificed not only her body but a shoelace as she literally put her body on the line more times than we can count.
Awards: Squires Winery- Steph Hammond; Club Award - Georgie Hemphill; Hicks Butchery - Tess McNamara.
B Grade
Mulwala 39 lost to Deni 50
Not our day, however, the girls went out with a never-say-die attitude.
Saturday gave us an opportunity to trial new combinations of our team with rolling subs.
This really showed us the diversity we have available to us. Our awards went to our defence and midcourt who were consistently leveling up all day today.
Club Award - Shani Dickins; Jaycees - Ge Glass; Waterside - Nat Ferg.
C Grade
Mulwala 37 lost to Deni 43
Off to a slow start this week, with Mel getting injured in first quarter, putting on the pressure for the girls to dig deep in the warm weather.
Being seven goals down after the first quarter, and Deni increasing their lead early in second, the use of the rolling sub saw the girls fight back.
Eliza and Kealy worked hard in defence, claiming several intercepts and rebounds which saw the Lions outscore Deni by 10 goals in the third.
Brooke showing her versatility in switching from defence to goals, combining strongly with Piper, seeing us bring the gap back to five at some stages.
Tahlia stepped up and did exactly what was asked of her in WD, while Catherine and Abbey ran all day in our midcourt creating opportunities all over.
Mia stepped up from U17s, played with maturity and strength and helped settle the team no matter what position she played. Thanks Mia.
Club Award - Eliza Robillard; Jaycee’s - Kealy House; Hicks Butchery - Brooke Bigger.
C Reserve
Mulwala 61 defeated Deni 28
All roads (even the dirt ones) lead to Deni this week and after a week off Payne-Dog’s pups were ready to play.
The girls got a strong start with Kat setting the tone making it rain goals, even on the clear sunny day.
The speedy silver fox Addy and the Riches sister duo were running amok in the midcourt, putting the pressure on all day and creating plenty of drive up and down the court.
Laura was out running again feeding into the ring like a chef and, after years of careful planning, finally pulled off the sneaky postie to add to her goal total.
Toota McGavin rolled into the goals hoping to sink some shots but was able to tee up plenty of assists to Kat.
Charlie brought her dancing footwork to the court and was able to get hands on multiple turnovers, sending them back up the court.
Nat Mel and Charlie D kept the pressure on all game in the defensive end, making Deni work hard for each goal.
A great team effort, the girls are starting to really gel and work so well with each other.
Yarra Hotel Award- Charlie Hargraves; Club award - Kat Jameison; One Zach - Hannah Riches.
Under 17s
Mulwala 34 lost to Deni 56
The Under 17s had a real crack this week and continually fought hard in each and every quarter.
Iris attacked the ball consistently, while Jemmah was strong in defence, fighting hard for intercepts and rebounds.
Alannah was exceptional, providing defensive pressure all round. Special mention to all girls for their fantastic sportsmanship, it did not go unnoticed.
One Zach award - Iris Elliott; Club award - Jemmah Riches; Zambrero - Alannah Smith.
Under 13s
Mulwala 30 lost to Deni 17
It was a slow start for this talented bunch of girls. With some clever position changes at quarter time, the team demonstrated its versatility. From then on the girls looked hungry for the ball with many defensive intercepts resulting in accurate shooting and goals.
The team is gelling well. With so much potential for improvement, and three wins from three, the girls are certainly looking dangerous this early in the season.
The girls made the long trek across to Deniliquin this week and applied themselves right from the first whistle.
Passing and movement to support teammates was a real feature of the game against a taller Deniliquin side.
The girls utilised the rolling sub and incorporated this well into the game. Although a great team performance, special mention to Harper for her strong work in defence, Pippa for her work rate up and down the court and Brydie for her determination and effort in attack. Club Dinner - Harper Matheson; Mulwala socks - Brydie Pearce; Zambrero - Pippa Ibbott.
