A third-quarter surge bled over into the fourth as the Blues went on a run of six straight majors to take the lead in the final period, but Rumbalara was able to close things out with the final three goals of the game.
Tongala had been well within the contest throughout, trailing by one goal at both quarter and half-time.
Rumba came out of the main break better, but Tonny’s run in the second half of the period got it to within one point at the final change before it would take the lead during the fourth.
The final score read Rumbalara 15.11 (101) to Tongala 13.11 (89).
“Credit to Rumba, they played great fast footy and delivered to the full-forward well,” Tongala coach Stephen Hammond said.
“We had turnovers.
“We had plenty of opportunities in the forward line and just couldn't get it through.”
Already missing a handful of his first-choice line-up, the Blues were struck by more injuries during the game, with Matthew Caia and Dominic Watt forced to leave the field during the game with lower body injuries.
The Blues shared the goal duties around during the game, Mackenzie Cowley, Mitch Heywood, Jessie Johnstone, and Bailey Waasdorp all goal leaders with two.
Rumba had a different scoring chart, Michael Mummery kicking nine of his side's 15 majors.
Indicating before the season his hopes of a top-four finish, Hammond is still confident his side can feature in the post-season.
Although 1-3, the Blues have suffered two tight losses, in this game and in round one against Echuca United, which he feels could easily have swung the other way.
“It's just very disappointing in that three kicks yesterday and one kick against Echuca (United),” he said.
“We are sitting 3-1, it's going to be a nice close season, probably to get from fourth to sixth between some sides.
“Losing to those two sides, we're going to have to steal two later in the year to try and make that (back).
“It’s disappointing because we have the second most disposals in the leagues after Congupna and we're not winning.
“Our turnovers, they kick goals from (and) that hurts us when we have so much of the ball.
“We can't get back them wins and credit to the sides that beat us, that's what you have to do.”
Tongala’s next match-up will be against Moama, which, like the Blues, is working with a much different line-up to recent seasons.
The two sides will face off at Tongala Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
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