MFL | Tongala keeps top-two aspirations alive with big Rumba win

By Josh Huntly

Jul 31, 2022

Eyes on the ball: Tongala’s Mackenzie Cowley and Rumbalara’s Josh Baginski hunt the football. Photo by Megan Fisher

Tongala was forced to weather a fierce first-half challenge from the winless Rumbalara, but a seven-goal haul from Blues’ forward Makenzie Ryan ensured his side ran away with a comfortable 86-point win in round 16 Murray Football League action.

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Rumbalara showed early fight to carry a one-point lead into the first break, before Tongala rallied to snatch back an 11-point buffer at half-time.

Rumbalara’s promising first-half resistance was short-lived as Tongala ran away with the game in the third quarter, slamming home eight goals to one in a scintillating display.

The Blues put another five goals on the board against a tiring Rumbalara in the fourth quarter to notch win number 13 for the year and go level with Cobram atop the Murray Football League ladder.

Tough tackle: Tongala’s Brock McLean tackles Rumbalara’s Rivua Karpany. Photo by Megan Fisher

Ryan’s seven goals were telling, while Nicholas Jamieson ran riot through the midfield to continue his stellar season. Michael Pryde, Corey Nexhip and Brayden Nevett also played well for the Blues.

Andrew Hummerston added three majors to Tongala’s 22 goals as the Blues ended the day with 10 individual goal-kickers. Rumbalara forwards Eric Edwards and Josh Patmore had three each for the day.

Meanwhile, the efforts of Steve Stallion, Anthony Miller and Kane Atkinson failed to see Rumbalara avoid its 16th straight defeat. With just two games to go in the season, its chances at victory are narrowing with games against Echuca United and Nathalia to come.

Tongala now has a bye before a highly-anticipated rematch against Cobram in round 17 that will see the Blues look to make amends for their early-season defeat to the Tigers.

The Game

Tongala: 3.2, 9.5, 17.10, 22.17 (149)

Rumbalara: 3.3, 7.6, 8.7, 9.9 (63)

Goals

Tongala: Makenzie Ryan 7, Andrew Hummerston 3, Matthew Daniel, Nick Woods, Malcolm Hedges, Michael Pryde 2, Jack Hammond, Mark Watson, Bailey Cox, Todd Van Roy

Rumbalara: Eric Edwards, Josh Patmore 3, Rivua Karpany, Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson, Arend Naden

Best

Tongala: Nicholas Jamieson, Makenzie Ryan, Michael Pryde, Corey Nexhip, Brayden Nevett, Matthew Daniel

Rumbalara: Steven Stallion, Anthony Miller, Kane Atkinson, Joshua Patmore, Rivua Karpany

By Josh Huntly