Yarroweyah was always outsiders going into the final round of the Picola and District Football League season and, with Mathoura beating Katunga, a Hoppers win would have only been a consolation.
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Final score: Deni Rovers 20.14 (134) d Yarroweyah 5.3 (33)
In the end, Yarroweyah, with key forward Andy Jones, was no match for the Rovers, who ran out 101-point winners.
The Hoppers finish the year in ninth place and coach Geoff Benson said after a tough few years, there were more positives than negatives to take out of the season.
‘‘I would have loved to have made the finals, but in some ways it is good that we didn’t, because I don’t think we would have been able to give a good enough account of ourselves,’’ he said.
‘‘It has been a successful year, we came from way back where we were getting beaten by 200 points to a point where we have been competitive, our target was six wins and we got five.’’
Benson, who holds the record for most matches played for the club, revealed he is stepping aside from the coaching the senior side and admitted his playing days might be over.
‘‘The club is already in talks with coaches for next season. I won’t going anywhere, I will still help around the club with recruitment and a few other things,’’ Benson said.
‘‘I have thrown the boots in the bin, the body didn’t handle things very well this year. I will have a run around Christmas and see how I feel.’’
Katamatite
Katamatite secured fourth spot on the league ladder with a resounding 73-point win against strugglers Blighty.
Final score: Blighty 1.6 (12) lost to Katamatite 11.19 (85)
The Tigers led by 37 points at the main break and restricted its opponent to a single point in the second half in wet and windy conditions.
‘‘It was really pleasing to kick away and get the win in pretty ordinary conditions,’’ Tigers coach Jedd Wright said.
‘‘Our aim at the start of the season with the list we had was to make the top four and get that double chance.’’
Katamatite has a week off before facing minor premier Waaia at Waaia in a qualifying final.
The Bombers battered an injury-depleted Tigers by 103 points in round 10, but Wright believes his side will be ready to turn the tables.
‘‘We are really looking forward to giving Waaia a good crack,’’ he said.
‘‘We are a completely different team (to the one which last played Waaia).
‘‘The finals are wide open and, if you are off a bit, you will get rolled, so we are really going to back ourselves and take it up to Waaia.’’
Strathmerton
Strathmerton only needed to kick six majors in a low-scoring win at home to Rennie.
Final score: Strathmerton 6.10 (46) d Rennie 4.4 (28)
The four points ensured the Bulldogs finished the home and away season in second spot.
The Bulldogs take on Berrigan at Picola in a qualifying final in the second week of the finals.
While Strathmerton finished above the Saints, Berrigan was the only side to beat the Bulldogs this season, doing so on two occasions — in round four and round 17.
