Congupna and Cobram play out a Murray Football League classic

Aside from a draw, only one club could walk away from this match with a perfect record and announce itself as the team to beat in 2024.

The match remained closely contested all day as Cobram looked to steal a victory from Congupna on its home deck.

The Tigers led by four points at quarter-time and eight at the half before pushing their lead out to 13 with one quarter left.

Heading into the final term, Congupna coach Ben Bingham said his side was forced to move the magnets around as it tried to overrun a young, fit, accurate Cobram side.

“We threw a few magnets around,” Bingham said.

“A few things weren’t working and we were falling down around our half-forward line, so we threw caution to the wind and our message was to go all out.

“I’d rather lose by 10 goals trying to win the game than play safe and lose by a couple of points.

“Without the electric scoreboard and with the high amount of points we were kicking, it was pretty hard at times to know who was actually in front; it really challenged the maths skills of a lot of guys.”

The Road got what they wanted in the final term as their attacking play split the game open to give the home side a 15-point lead in what seemed an unassailable margin.

But two quick-fire goals to Cobram cut the lead back to three points as the two sides battled hard in a bid to secure the all important four points.

Congupna was eventually victorious after the final siren blared, 11.17 (83) to 13.2 (80), as Bingham said he was proud of how his side found another way to win.

“At the end of the day, we probably just ground out a win, which was pleasing because you just have to win those games,” he said.

“We were probably down in a few key areas that we have really prided ourselves on from previous weeks.

“Our disposal efficiency wasn’t as good as it has been and we probably put ourselves under pressure at times.

“You learn a bit more out of those wins rather than when you win your own way, so full credit to Cobram at the end of the day because they were very accurate in front of goals and made the most of it.”

While Bingham believes his side wasn’t at its best, a couple of key Congupna players stood up for the club when it mattered.

“Isiah Jones played a really good role on Jackson Trengove, keeping him to just a couple of goals,” he said.

“Billy Cooper and Jimmy Boyer were instrumental through the middle, and (Daniel) ‘Piggy’ Campbell (five goals) played one of his better games for the year as he really stood up in front of goals, with (Kyle) Mueller (five goals) as well.

In other round four games, Rumbalara secured its first win in more than two seasons with a thumping 81-point victory over Echuca United — 8.8 (56) to 21.11 (137).

Rumbalara started the match with a bang, kicking seven first-quarter goals and never looking back as it bounded away to victory.

Kydan Atkinson — four goals for Rumbalara — secured man-of-the-match honours for his efforts, while Jesse Garner, Levy Tejones, Desmond Tipuamantamurri and Jake Zerbato all booted three goals.

Moama flexed its muscles with a 64-point win over Finley as it continued to push its case for premiership contention.

The Magpies held a 17-point lead at half-time before bursting out of the blocks in the second half to win 6.10 (46) to 17.8 (110).

Forwards Danny Brewster and Mitch Lake kicked four goals apiece for Moama.

The second half of round four games will be played this weekend, with Barooga hosting Tongala, Mulwala travelling to Deniliquin and Numurkah taking on Nathalia at Numurkah Showgrounds.