MFL | Tongala returns to top two after bruising Rams wrestle

By Josh Huntly

Jul 10, 2022

Jumping Jack: Tongala midfielder Jack Hammond played a starring role in the Blues’ 35-point win over Deniliquin. Photo: Steve Huntley Photo by Steve Huntley

Tongala has jumped back into the Murray Football League top two, but the Blues were forced to work for it by a gallant Rams outfit out at Tongala Reserve.

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The Rams held a nine-point lead at half-time, but the Blues slammed home four goals to one in the third quarter to lay the platform for a 12.13 (85) to 7.8 (50) win, Tongala’s 10th of the season.

After conceding around the stoppages for the majority of the first half, Blues’ coach Jordan Souter said a simple structural change helped stymie the Rams’ greatest strength - their contested football.

“We went a bit more man-on-man at the stoppages and backed our on-ballers to win the 50-50 contest,” Souter said.

“Their pressure around the ball in the first half allowed them to cut us open a bit through the midfield. Our first half was a bit slow; things weren’t going our way at that stage.

“Deni played a really good game of footy — they really made us earn it.”

Jack Hammond was swung into the forward line to great effect booting three goals, while prolific spearhead Darren Ewing marked his return to the side with a game-high four majors.

John Anstee, Jack Tyndall, Angus Mckay led the Rams charge before Kyle Fitzgerald and Cameron Ilett tipped the scales back the Blues favour.

“Jack Hammond’s been playing wing, but we swung him off that rotation and threw him into the half-forward line,” Souter said.

“Cameron Ilett was excellent; he was probably our best player or close to it.”

The result marks the Blues’ third straight win, and Moama’s victory over Mulwala has seen Tongala leapfrog both sides into second, tied on win-loss but with a superior percentage.

It’s another positive step for the Blues after a mid-season slump of three-straight losses, and Souter said it was now a good opportunity for his side to chase their pre-season goal of a top-two finish.

“The way Murray League finals work you don’t have to finish top two, but it’s a massive help,” Souter said.

“That’s our goal from here. We’re probably going to have to win every game to the end of the year, or close to winning every game.”

Tongala weren’t the only movers in round 13.

Cobrams undefeated reign over the league came to an end in a mammoth upset to Nathalia, with the Purples pipping the Tigers by a single point.

However, the five-time reigning premier remains in seventh after Congupnas win over Echuca United saw them hold sixth spot, a game clear of the Purples.

In other results, Numurkah returned to the winners list with a strong win over Barooga, while Finley picked up win number three with a 63-point win over Rumbalara.