IN a game with so much on the line, Barmera-Monash held its nerve to defeat Berri in round 11 of the Riverland Football League’s A grade competition.
Barmera-Monash entered the game hoping to close the gap on Renmark in top spot, having survived a scare in the previous outing against Loxton North.
Meanwhile, Berri hoped to further entrench itself inside the top four, with both North and Loxton breathing down its necks.
In overcast conditions at the Lakeside, it was a slow start to the day, which ultimately set the tone for the remainder of the afternoon.
With just under eight minutes gone, Roos coach Fraser Sampson kicked the first of the day, and ultimately the only one of the first term to put his side nine points ahead at the opening change.
Berri forward, and ex-SANFL league player Tyson Lindsay sprung his side to life in the second quarter with back-to-back goals in the first five minutes of the term.
Lindsay’s first goal proved one of the best of the RFL season so far, dribbling one through while hard up against the boundary line.
However, the Roos stole the lead back with a pair of goals into the half-time interval, with both Tony Drogemuller and Lucas Warnett slotting majors.
Missed opportunities proved to be the storyline of the third quarter for the visiting side, after Roo Mitch Wellington exchanged defence for attack to have the margin at 17 points.
The Demons failed to convert from five chances in a row prior to the three-quarter-time break, leaving the margin at 12 points at the last change.
Warnett put the result beyond doubt in the final quarter with a brilliant goal from the boundary, helping Barmera-Monash earn a hard-fought 19-point victory in scrappy conditions.
Warnett proved the only multiple goalkicker for the Roos, with the home side also missing several chances to put the game beyond doubt earlier on.
Justin Bonney was superb across half back for the home side, finding the ball at ease, and curbing the influence of dangerous Berri smalls for the third time this year.
Coach Sampson made little mistakes with ball in hand, as did skipper Sam Butterworth, while Jack Austin held his own in the ruck against Berri pair Brody Thompson and Ondre Hunyadi.
For the Demons, Brad Rosenzweig failed to give in across the whole afternoon, continuing his impressive campaign following his switch into the middle of the ground.
Captain Shay Hawkins cut off several attacking pieces of attacking play from the Roos, while an injury to forward Jake Egel also hurt the chances of the visitors.
Berri defender Jacob Grieger also took out the 2025 Stanley James Memorial Dudley Achee Medal for his valiant efforts in defeat.
This weekend sees Barmera-Monash make the trip to Renmark for the second time this season when it takes on the Rovers in a grand final rematch, hoping to close the gap for top spot in the process.
Meanwhile, the loss for Berri saw it fall out of the top four, and a massive clash with the Tigers at The Precinct awaits, as the fight to stay in the finals hunt ramps up.
