Tongala has tasted defeat at the hands of fellow Blues Numurkah in round 14 of Murray League football, being well beaten at Numurkah Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
It was a sluggish start from Tonny, who couldn’t find a major in the opening term, while the home side kicked four to open up a 27-point advantage by quarter-time.
The visitor kicked its first goal in the second, but Numurkah also accelerated to lead by more than 40 at the half.
The teams evenly shared four majors in both the third and fourth periods, but Tongala couldn’t do anything to close the gap, eventually going down 7.4 (46) to 14.14 (98).
Dominic Watt had his shooting boots on kicking three goals to lead Tonny, while Sam Cipriani, Brodie Easton, Andrew Hummerston, and Levi Taylor chipped in a goal each.
Defender Hudson Kellett earned best-on-ground honours, with Jordan Souter, Alex Williams, Riley Clarke, Charlie Angley and Easton also in Tongala’s best.
The game was a disappointing turnaround for Tongala, who defeated Numurkah by 40 points in round three.
The Blues did have the benefit of Brett Deledio on that occasion, as well as a number of key players who missed this week’s encounter.
After one win in eight, Tonny is out of the finals race, but needs just one more win to improve on its 2023 total.
An upcoming fixture against Barooga next Saturday and a final-round encounter with Rumbalara, both of whom the Blues defeated in previous meetings, are the most promising of Tongala’s final four fixtures.
The Game
Scores
Tongala: 0.1, 3.2, 5.3, 7.4 (46)
Numurkah: 4.4, 10.6, 12.11, 14.14 (98)
Goals
Tongala: Dominic Watt 3, Sam Cipriani, Brodie Easton, Andrew Hummerston, Levi Taylor
Numurkah: Tim Arnel 3, Jamason Daniels 2, Nathan Hicks 2, Jarrod Holmes 2, Kade O’Dwyer 2, Judah Moody, Jordan O’Dwyer
Best
Tongala: Hudson Kellett, Jordan Souter, Alex Williams, Riley Clarke, Brodie Easton, Charlie Angley
Numurkah: Braydon Sutton, Jamason Daniels, Jordan O’Dwyer, Tom Scott, Travis Down, Kade Odwyer