Golden Blues: Tongala are premiers of the Murray Football League reserves after pipping Moama by a goal. Photo: Steve Huntley
Photo by
Steve Huntley
Zane Johnstone’s three final-quarter goals and a maiden foray forward for a Blues star propelled Tongala to back-to-back reserve-grade flags after Moama threatened to derail their unbeaten run in the grand final.
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Trailing by two goals at the final break, it seemed the Pies were destined to unseat the Blues, but Johnstone’s burst and the sealer from Jayden Tucker saw Tongala become the first reserves side in 64 years at the club to win back-to-back flags.
Tongala claimed the premiership 9.5 (59) to 7.11 (53), navigating the 2022 season undefeated.
Ruck tussle: Nick Woods and Kyle Baker fly. Photo: Steve Huntley
Photo by
Steve Huntley
“Moama played well,” Blues’ coach Steve Hammond said.
“But in the last quarter the boys had nothing to lose. We were down and we had to win.
“The three-quarter-time message was simply: This is it, we’ve been challenged for the first time this year and now it’s no good going back into our shell.
“We kept the ball and used it well going forward and we didn’t just blaze away to the pocket.”
Johnstone ended with four goals for the day, while Matt Tyler, sitting at full forward for what Hammond said was the first time, sunk three to help guide Tongala to victory.
Nick Woods was a powerhouse for the Blues, capping off a stellar season by earning best-on-ground honours.
But after a tight first quarter, it was Moama, aiming to cause a big grand final day upset, that led by seven points.
The Blues rebounded in the second quarter with three goals but a red card handed to Tongala’s Lachlan Hipwell meant Tongala was a man down heading into the second half.
Glory: The Blues lift the premiership cup. Photo: Steve Huntley
Photo by
Steve Huntley
Tongala was held goalless in the third term as Josh Smith and Jake Kilmartin hit the scoreboard for Moama and the Pies, leading by 12 points at three-quarter-time, looked poised for the upset.
Enter Johnstone. The Blues’ spearhead booted three of Tongala’s five goals in the final term, including two in a minute to help lift the Blues to a flawless season, and its first flag since 2019.
“Zane was great, he was our best finals player last game and one of the best today,” Hammond said.
“Matt Tyler went to full forward and he kicked three or four, that was a move that worked. He’s never played full forward in his life.”
Charlie Houghton, Jayden Tucker and Todd Van Roy also lifted for Tongala, while along with Josh Smith who booted three goals for Moama, Noah Milner, Josh Pell and Jacob Simpson were prominent.
Reserves grand final
Tongala: 1.2, 4.3, 4.4, 9.5 (59)
Moama: 2.3, 3.6, 5.10, 7.11 (53)
GOALS: Tongala: Zane Johnstone 4, Matt Tyler 3, Lachlan Hipwell, Jayden Tucker. Moama: Josh Smith 3, Jake Kilmartin 2, Khy Stovell, Matthew Veitch
BEST: Tongala: Nick Woods, Zane Johnstone, Matthew Tyler, Charlie Houghton, Jayden Tucker, Todd Van Roy. Moama: Josh Smith, Clay McGregor, Noah Milner, Joshua Pell, Jacob Simpson, Clay Poidevin
