The ML joined Picola District Football Netball League and Goulburn Valley League in bringing an end to the year due to the continuing outbreak of coronavirus across both Victoria and New South Wales.
With both states in continual lockdown, it seemed unlikely a finals series could be started in the foreseeable future, forcing the Murray League into its decision to abandon the season.
A statement from the league was sent out just after 7.30pm last Thursday to confirm the season would end without a premiership decided.
After 13 rounds played, the Blues were undefeated and warm favourites to claim their first premiership since 1984.
That aspiration came to an end for this year at least with the league's decision.
Their minor premiership will be recognised however, alongside the league's commitment to award the O’Dwyer Medal to the league best and fairest.
Tongala coach Jordan Souter is at peace with the league's decision not to award a premier but was understandably disappointed to see the season end the way it did.
“It’s obviously disappointing,” Souter said.
“We definitely knew it was going to get canned two or three weeks ago, it was just a matter of when.
“We never wanted to be given the flag - we talked to the players, it wouldn’t have felt right being given the flag.
“It would have been a pretty hollow feeling.”
The Blues’ playing group will take some fire in the belly into next year said Souter, who also confirmed he’ll be going around again next year for another shot at the flag.
“It’s given me motivation to go around again,” he said. "You don’t really want to finish on that note.
It will be a case of unfinished business for Tongala in 2022, and the club is tipped to retain the majority of their list, according to Souter.
“From a playing group point of view, we’re pretty confident we’ll keep most of our list,” he said.
“There’s going to be some fire in the belly next year.
“Over the last two years, we’ve probably had the best list we’ve had for 25 years, and all of a sudden we haven’t been able to get results through whatever reason.
“We’re all keeping pretty positive about it (the season cancellation). There’s nothing the Murray League could have done, nothing as a club we could have done better – it’s just the way it goes.”
