Rovers recruits Jayden Pitts and Nick Hay with Rovers Seniors Football Coach Alex Hay.
The Deniliquin Rovers Football & Netball Club has announced some experienced local signings to the senior football squad for 2025.
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Deni Rovers senior football recruitment spokesperson Josh Bode said the club had some pretty clear aims as part of their recruiting strategy ahead of the 2025 Picola League season.
“First thing’s first, we were pretty selective about the positions where we needed to bolster, including our focus which has been size in the key back position and some midfield size and experience to support our younger midfielders.”
Bode said the first recruit the club announced is a key position player.
“The key back is Jayden Pitts who has played over 100 games at senior level.
“He is a big in for the club and he comes across from the Rams as that key defensive back to add extra support for our defence.”
For the midfield, Bode said the Rovers are bringing in a player with seniors Picola League experience.
“In the midfield, the other one we’ve brought in is Nick Hay.
“He has been playing footy with AFL Canberra, won a premiership and also played some footy with Blighty over the last couple years.
“He’s an ex-local returning to the club, which is really important and good to see former players coming back to the club and he will add some extra class and size to our midfield.”
The experienced Pitts has played more than 200 senior games in the Murray League and was a part of the Rams’ reserves 2024 grand final team.
Meanwhile, Hay has played consistent senior football between his time in Canberra, last playing for the Gungahlin Jets and for Blighty in 2024.
He played junior football with the Rovers.
“The two others returning, which are really huge, are James Gilligan and Rhys McCulloch.
“James is a previous Best and Fairest of the club.
“He missed much of last year due to family commitments but he’ll be starting in the midfield for us next year.
“Rhys is another previous Best and Fairest and a junior premiership winner at the club.
“He has been out due to a foot injury, but has been working back into it by doing plenty of running, including marathon running.
“He is really good mates with Jayden, so that will be great having them play together.”
The Rovers’ pre-season footy training starts Tuesday at Memorial Park, and will continue Thursdays and Tuesdays until Christmas.
In the meantime, Bode said recruiting momentum will continue.
“We feel like we’ve added some size and experience around our young guys, and hopefully can report other additions in the coming weeks.”
The Rovers seniors football side will be looking to improve on their 2024 season, which saw them finish ninth in the Picola League due to percentage.
The seniors are yet to win a premiership since the club’s formation in 1977.
Rovers Jayden Pitts, Seniors Coach Alex Hay and Nick Hay all smiles at Memorial Park.
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