The Roos bounced back well from an opening round loss, seeing off the Redeyes by 38 points in front of a bumper crowd at Blighty Recreation Reserve.
The Redeyes are left reeling at 0-2, with Waaia on the cards next round in another difficult task.
Ten of the Rovers’ 12 goals came from Terry Lumbar (four goals), Andrew May (three) and Djaran Whyman (three), with James Kirby, May and Ricky Waters the side’s best.
For Blighty, onballer Sam Singleton, young forward Darcy Morris (two goals) and key defender Louis Clarke looked good in a forgettable day.
May’s efforts onball and up forward saw him claim the coveted Warner Tasker medal for best on ground.
Final score, Deni Rovers 12.14 (86) to Blighty 7.6 (48).
The Rovers dominated general play from the get-go, but inaccuracy in front of goal looked as though it could cost them.
The visitors started the match with four behinds, before Blighty opened their scoring with a goal to playing-coach Jack Tyndall.
But the Roos continued their charge forward, managing to finish the first quarter 19 points in front after kicking 4.8 to 2.1.
The Redeyes fought back in the second, picking up their skills and getting first to the footy to peg the margin back to just eight points at the main break.
But the Rovers stormed away in the second half, booting seven goals while allowing just two to claim an important win.
Tyndall, who along with Deni’s Josh Flight was sent off the field by the umpire during an altercation between the two in the second quarter, said it was an embarrassing display.
‘‘I guess the most disappointing part of it is the fact that we harped on all week about discipline and I got sent off,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s a little bit embarrassing for me, but at the same time I didn’t think there was anything in it and don’t think either myself or Flighty should’ve been sent off as we didn’t really do anything.
‘‘It didn’t cost us the game or anything like that. It was our lack of fitness that showed.
‘‘We haven’t been getting enough of the reserves’ players at training and when you’re missing a couple of players that shows.
‘‘We’ve injected talented young blokes Darcy Morris, Liam Osborne and Dyl Maxwell and they’ve all played well the past two weeks, but the older blokes seem to just be going through the motions.
‘‘Darcy in particular showed some very good signs playing against Aaron Purcell. That’s one of few positives to take from the game.
‘‘The loss is in the past now and it’s definitely not panic stations just yet.
‘‘We have to focus on Waaia and just move on.’’
There was some joy for the Redeyes on the day with their reserves putting on an outstanding display to record a 48 point win against the Roos.
Blighty led from start to finish, with Ash Bain managing to kick four majors to outscore the Rovers on his own boot.
Final score, Blighty 10.11 (71) to Deni Rovers 3.5 (23).
Redeyes newcomer Paul Smith was a clear best on ground, with teammates Luke Charlton, Ben Littmann, Warwick Doolan and Tristan Wilson also performing well.
It was one-way traffic in the thirds, with the Roos relentless in a 121 point win.
Final score, Deni Rovers 20.15 (135) to Blighty 2.2 (14)
Blighty’s better players were Billy Michael, James Bradford, Jack Charlton, Hugh Atkinson, Tyler Williams and Jack Sides.
The Redeyes fourths put up a solid effort against the reigning premier, but couldn’t quite get the job done.
Final score, Deni Rovers 9.5 (59) to Blighty 4.2 (26).
Blighty were best served by Henry Michael, Will Bull, Dean Macdonald, Dustin Lawson, Seth Morris and Henry Knox.
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