The Numurkah dual-code gun starred with bat and ball for the Blues during summer’s Haisman Shield tilt, but in Saturday’s wintry climate, Arnel proved he’s just as comfortable with a Sherrin in his hands.
Arnel booted seven goals in Numurkah’s 14.11 (95) to 8.8 (56) victory over home side Barooga in Murray Football League, one which may have just breathed life into its finals hopes.
The Blues now lift to seventh following the Hawks’ scalp and, with games against ninth-placed Tongala and sixth-placed Deniliquin approaching, Saturday’s triumph spelled Numurkah’s third win on the spin — and Arnel’s best ever return.
He started the afternoon as he meant to carry on, wheeling away in celebration after kicking the game’s first major inside two minutes.
Numurkah shot out to a 17-point lead at quarter-time before a bumper second term had the Blues 61-21 ahead and, by the final change of ends, the visitors were nearly up by 50.
Barooga, to its credit, outscored Numurkah in the last, but it meant little in the grand scheme as Arnel tied up the Blues’ win in a neat bow with the final act of the match.
Arnel was rightly bestowed best-on-ground honours, while Braydon Sutton and Tom Buzza also impressed in the win for Numurkah.
Elsewhere, Congupna knocked down another of its challengers with consummate ease.
In a first versus third clash at Nathalia Recreation Reserve, the Purples kept pace with The Road for the opening half an hour before Ben Bingham’s boys were jarred to life by a stern address.
Congupna ripped the cord and motored to life after quarter-time, eventually kicking out to a 19.14 (128) to 7.8 (50) victory with Jak Trewin and Kyle Mueller claiming five goals each.
Tongala furthered Finley’s tailspin, consigning last year’s grand finalist to its eighth loss of the season following a 10.15 (75) to 6.10 (46) result.
In other games, Cobram trumped Rumbalara by 11 points, Moama consolidated its spot in second after beating the Rams 11.13 (79) to 9.8 (62), while Mulwala ousted Echuca United by nine goals.
