MFL | Tongala gets the job done over Finley

By Josh Huntly

May 24, 2022

Down to the footy: Tongala midfielder Nick Jamieson looks for a quick option against Finley. Photo: Steve Huntley Photo by Steve Huntley

Tongala notched up its 20th consecutive Murray Football League victory on Saturday courtesy of a big win over Finley.

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The Blues romped to a 20.17 (137) to 3.5 (23) win at Tongala in the round seven clash to secure their unbeaten status for another week, and move up to second on the MFL ladder in the process.

Fly-in forward Darren Ewing marked his return to Tongala with a five-goal haul, but he wasn’t alone in front of the sticks with Makenzie Ryan and Mackenzie Cowley booting four and three goals respectively.

Ewing, in his first game for Tongala since round one, now has 56 goals in eight games since joining the Blues.

Tongala’s on-ball brigade ran rampant, with Jack Hammond rated the best Blue on the day, while Coby McCarthy and Brock McLean were also prominent.

The Blues conceded just three goals for the match, and one for the entire second half, in a dominant performance.

Cats trio Matt Jackson, Harrison Kerr and Lachlan Kerr were their club’s sole goal-kickers, with Isaac Corvo and Benji Neal in Finley’s best.

While the Cats continue to seek their first win of the season, Tongala rolls on.

Tongala coach Jordan Souter praised his side’s “team-first attitude”, but said the Blues would not rest on their laurels.

“We had a really good win and a good team spread,” Souter said.

“We were in control most of the game.

“We have still got plenty to work on, we’re still turning the ball over heading into our forward line.”

Tongala is one of three unbeaten sides remaining in the Murray Football League, with Cobram and Mulwala the other two.

Tongala travels to Scott Oval next week in a first-versus-second match-up against the pace-setting Cobram, a side that has blitzed all-comers in 2022.

Up high: Tongala's Kyle Fitzgerald gets a hand on the ball. Photo by Steve Huntley

Congupna’s 36-point defeat in round two is the closest any club has got to the Tigers this season, and Souter admits he’s looking forward to the game.

“It’s been in the back of my head for a couple of weeks,” he said.

“We try to play it week by week, but we obviously look forward to these games.

“We know they’re flying at the moment, and we’re going to have to be at our best to stay with them.

“We’ll have to swing a few things around with the game plan, and see if we can out-think and outplay them.”

Within reach: Tongala's Abbey Nexhip takes possession during the A-grade clash with Finley. Photo by Steve Huntley

In the netball, Tongala has narrowly avoided falling victim to a major Murray League A-grade netball upset, besting a gallant Finley 48-46 on Saturday.

The victory cemented their spot in the top four after seven rounds, but the Blues had to fight for the entire four quarters after Finley came out of the blocks with a scintillating opening half.

Without star shooter Milly Brock, Tongala would rely on youngster Meg Brennan to take the attacking reins, coming up from the under-17s and starring to take best-on-court honours.

It was the Blues’ fifth victory of the 2022 season, and coach Paige Wade said it was a huge relief to get over the line.

“We were very happy with the win after what was an incredibly exciting game,” Wade said.

“They came out in the first quarter and played really well to be five goals up, and it took a while for us to get the game back on our terms.

“After half-time we just started playing better, it was a whole team effort; not much changed tactically, we just took our opportunities and grinded out the victory.”