Rovers maul rattled Tigers at Loxton Oval

RENMARK brought the Tigerland bandwagon to a grinding halt with a 75-point win against Loxton in Saturday’s RFL A grade clash at Loxton Oval.

It was the Tigers’ first loss for the season and their day began badly when playing coach Dillon Millard was sidelined with an ankle injury during the team’s warm-up.

For the first time in 2021, Loxton looked rattled, with Renmark piling on the pressure across half-forward, leading to a dominant inside 50 count (45-26) for the match.

The Rovers lead at every change, kicking 4-4 in the second quarter to 1-2, and were able to keep the home side at arm’s length for the match.

It was a measured effort this time around from the reining premiers, after their surprise loss to the Tigers in round one.

Renmark playing coach Josh Vater said the win was a “step in the right direction”.

“That’s how we want to play, really high-pressure and high-tempo footy,” he said.

“There has been a lot of things we’ve been constantly working on.

“We’ve played some good footy throughout the year but it’s been patchy.

We’ve got a lot of belief in our group, but we haven’t got the best out of them.”

Vater noted the extra scoring opportunities generated by his midfield.

“We created as many chances forward as we possibly could,” he said.

Fraser Sampson (18 possessions) slotted in nicely for Jack Agostino, missing from a concussion sustained last week, adding punch alongside Matt Woolford (31 possessions) and Tim Woolford in Renmark’s back half. Tom Charlton was in seasonbest form for the Rovers with four goals for the match. The forward was silky smooth with the ball, accumulating 32 possessions.

An early goal by Lachlan Evans (27 possessions) was unable to establish the Tigers’ regular rhythm.

Renmark soon put the Tigers on the back foot with goals to Charlton, Alex Haynes, and Lachlan Lellmann, to lead by 12 points at quarter time.

Loxton almost found its groove with several skilful passages in the second quarter, with the home side matching the Rovers with inside 50 entries (10 each). However, the Tigers burnt their chances to apply scoreboard pressure, with just one goal to Talyn Eagle before half time.

Loxton was plagued by defensive turnovers.

An uncontested tap from Renmark ruckman Zach Gartery set up Charlton for a classy snap, adding to the Rovers’ three unanswered goals in the third term.

At the other end of the ground, Loxton’s day bottomed out, when Brad Yeomans misjudged the play in an open goal square, slotting a point.

Staring down the barrel of 49-point deficit at the last change, the Tigers battled on, with Nathan Flight kicking two goals in the last term.

A final-quarter goal to coach Vater (17 possessions), on his return from an ankle injury, was a nail in the Tigers’ coffin, as the Rovers kicked 5-5 in the last term.

Renmark faces Barmera-Monash after the bye.

Meanwhile the Tigers lose their spot atop the RFL A grade ladder, and will face new ladder leader Waikerie next.