Not often does a Murray League football team get thrown a Thursday night curveball, learning 350-game AFL legend Eddie Betts would be lining up for the opposition.
But for Deniliquin Rams coach Ash Morris that was the situation that presented his team as it travelled to Rumbalara with hopes of making it four straight wins to begin season 2022.
And while the occasion might have proved too much for many local football sides, the Rams handled it with absolute class, dominating Rumba from start to finish to come away with a 16.13 (109) to 7.8 (50) win at Mercury Drive.
“I thought we handled it really well, coming into the game we knew the way Rumbalara wanted to play, so we placed a big emphasis on limiting their strengths and just playing the style of football we wanted to,” Morris said after the win.
“Then you throw on top of that having to plan for Eddie Betts, it definitely threw a bit of a spanner in the works, but to be honest the boys were really excited to play against him.
“To have him take a hanger on a few of our boys in the goal square, we all got a kick out of it and I felt the occasion brought the best out of our group.”
When informed Betts would be lining up for Rumba on Thursday night, Morris made the quick decision to give 16-year-old Charlie Hillier the tough job — and the youngster didn’t let his team down — keeping the AFL legend to just two goals.
“I thought he was fantastic, the first few weeks we have played him in a midfield/forward role, but I called him on Friday and asked how he’d feel about playing on Eddie and he just said excited,” Morris said.
“I know Eddie kicked a couple on him, but I thought Charlie was just awesome in his one-on-ones and going to win some of his own footy, I was really proud of how he went about it.”
After dominating the first half, Deniliquin was challenged in the third term, with the likes of Malachi Atkinson, Justin Terlich and Dylan Kerr taking control through the midfield and providing Betts with silver service.
But to the Rams’ credit, they stamped their authority on the contest in the last, piling on five goals to two to run away with the 59-point win.
“I thought it was a professional performance, we certainly have another level to go, but I think the way that we pressured the ball carrier, shared the ball and got the ball to our tall forwards was a real highlight,” he said.
“We talked about being composed and taking the options that were given to us and being accountable — and at times I don’t think we were with Rumba getting us on the outside a few times — overall I am proud of the boys in getting the job done but there are definitely things we need to work on.”
Elsewhere, Congupna gave competition pace-setter Tongala an almighty scare, falling 12.14 (86) to 9.9 (63) at Congupna Recreation Reserve.
The Road started the game in scintillating fashion, kicking three quick goals to have the Blues on the back foot.
But as all champion teams do, Tongala bounced back hard, with a five-goal third quarter enough to see them to a 23-point victory.
Blues coach Jordan Souter said it was pleasing to see his team respond to the fierce Congupna challenge.
“We did play some good footy in patches but I still don’t think we have played our best yet; I still think it’s coming,” Souter told the Riverine Herald.
“We’re definitely happy with the result we got yesterday, Congupna gave us a good challenge and it was good to see us rise to it.”
Mulwala did what it had to do in its trip to Barooga, coming away with a 14.11 (95) to 3.13 (31) win over the Hawks.
Jackson Gash was at his prominent best through the midfield for the Lions, while Jack Sutherland was the main man up forward, kicking four majors.
Cobram continued its sparkling start to the season, destroying cellar dweller Echuca United 27.16 (158) to 4.3 (27) at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
Sparked by a nine-goal-to-nil opening term, the Tigers were at their brutal best from start to finish, with Darcy Pridham-McCormack (five), Adam De Cicco (four) and Ben Ryan (four) combining for 13 majors up forward.
Moama maintained its position atop the Murray League ladder with a clinical 12.13 (85) to 5.4 (34) win on the road against Finley.
Mitchell Lake, Joshua Vick and Brock Kennedy were the prime movers for the Magpies, while William Robertson was gallant in defeat for the Cats.
Murray League action concluded on Sunday afternoon, with a winless Nathalia desperate to get back on the winners’ list as it made the trek to Numurkah.