Another week, another version of McPherson Media’s Best Battles.
Best Battles takes you to the most important duel, result or individual performance between the teams that would have met at the weekend if the season had continued as planned.
FINLEY V KATANDRA
Round 15, 2018 at Finley Recreation Reserve
Finley 13.16 (94) d Katandra 4.8 (32)
The first contest between these two sides following Katandra’s shift to Murray Football League was one lop-sided affair.
On its home deck, Finley controlled the first half of the match to run out a 62-point winner.
In the opening half, the Cats piled on 11 majors and held Katandra to single digits, with the visiting side not scoring a goal in the first two quarters.
Mathew Wilson was on fire early in the contest for Finley, booting five majors in his best afield performance.
And teammates Mitch Ryan and Ben Ashley-Cooper (two goals) contributed strongly.
But for all of Finley’s dominance, Katandra outscored the hosts in the second half, with the Kats scoring 4.5 to Finley’s 2.9.
Mitch Riordan and Ramadan Yze were the standout performers for Katandra.
MOAMA V ECHUCA UNITED
Round 12, 2015 at Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Echuca United 9.8 (62) It Moama 13.10 (88)
There are few bigger rivalry games in the Murray league than the Eagles and the Magpies contesting the Three Jacks Trophy.
In 2015 the teams would split their two contests, with Moama’s forward line stars leading the way in this clash in round 12.
Tyler Jones and Angus Grigg were typically brilliant with four goals each, while Paul Van Der Sluys the best across the field.
Guy Campbell kicked two for his Eagles, but bragging rights and the Three Jacks Trophy returned to Moama Recreation Reserve.
TONGALA V TUNGAMAH
Round 12, 2018 at Tongala Recreation Reserve
Tongala 11.7 (73) lt Tungamah 14.16 (100)
The first clash between these two sides after Tungamah made the jump from Picola District to the Murray league was owned by Ashley Saunders.
He would kick 53 for the season, including six in this clash as the Blues were taught a lesson about what their new opposition was able to do.
Corey Nexhip gave his best for the Blues, but the win easily went to the newbies in the end.
COBRAM V BAROOGA
Round two, 2009 at Scott Oval
Cobram 15.9 (99) lt Barooga 14.20 (104)
Barooga prevailed in a cross-border classic against Cobram in 2009, with a wild last quarter highlighting the ripping contest.
The teams combined for 14 goals in the last term after 15 in the first three, with not even inaccurate kicking (14.20) able to stop the Hawks from holding on to the five-point win.
Travis Nye kicked three goals for the Hawks with Sean Harrap, Brent Chapman and Shaun Connor each nabbing a pair, with Shaun Robbins dominant in a best-on-ground display.
For the Tigers, Shaun Downie and Ryan Bongetti both slotted four majors, Adam Rudd and Ash Hockey named their best players.
Barooga would go on and finish the regular season second, while Cobram would miss finals in ninth.
NATHALIA V MULWALA
Round 10, 2017 at Lonsdale Reserve
Mulwala 12.12 (84) d Nathalia 12.10 (82)
Ash Froud was always going to make an impact at Mulwala.
But perhaps his finest hour came mid-season at Lonsdale Reserve against the powerhouse of the MFL. After a ding-dong duel with Harley Cobbledick inside a thrilling contest between the Lions and Purples themselves, the match came down to a shot after the siren for the star forward.
He barely paused at the top of his mark before delivering the dagger — his sixth of the clash — and setting the huge crowd into a frenzy and prompting one onlooker to shout ‘‘that was as a good as a grand final’’.
It was certainly close to it.
NUMURKAH V RUMBALARA
Round one, 2018 at Mercury Dve
Rumbalara 12.11 (83) lt Numurkah 15.10 (100)
Rumbalara was right in this contest to open the 2018 season before Numurkah found enough late in the piece to get over the line.
Nathan Hicks finished with a huge haul of eight majors for the Blues in a best afield showing, while Djaran Whyman (three goals) and Vaasili Tuifao (two) were in form up forward for Rumba.
Nathan Terlich was also influential for the home side in defeat.
PICOLA UNITED V BLIGHTY
Round 13, 2011 at Picola
Picola United 16.7 (103) d Blighty 6.12 (48)
This was simply a year to forget for Picola United as it finished with the wooden spoon.
But against Blighty, United produced one of its best performances of the season to record its second victory.
United was able to run away with the game in the second half as it booted 10 goals to four.
Joel Thompson was heavily influential for the home side kicking four goals, as Joel Regan and Scott Miles added three apiece.
Shaun Pearce was named best-on-ground.
MATHOURA V JERILDERIE
Round 15, 2011 at Mathoura
Mathoura 11.15 (81) lt Jerilderie 17.8 (110)
For much of the 2011 season, these were the best two teams in the north-west division of the competition.
And the Demons sent a message to their rivals, when they comfortably accounted for the Timbercutters late in the season.
The visitors finished the day with eight different goal-kickers, including three players kicking a lot of three including Bradley Parker, Chris Marshall and Paul Payne.
Not to be outdone at the other end, Brody Lumber kicked seven majors for the home side, but his efforts weren’t enough.
David Gregory was named best afield.
KATAMATITE V KATUNGA
Round five, 2013 at Katunga
Katunga 9.9 (63) lt Katamatite 12.8 (80)
When Katamatite star forward Rhys Colbeck booted six goals to move his side to three wins and two losses after five games, you would have thought he would have taken the headlines.
But it was centre half-back Nicholas Clurey who won the praise of Tigers coach Damian Kennedy.
‘‘He was sensational,’’ Kennedy said.
‘‘He’s a young fellow, but he’s really coming of age, he’s a bit underrated I think.’’
For the Swans, Elliott Small was a solid contributor in his first senior game of the season.
‘‘We just had too many blokes down on the same day,’’ Katunga coach Daniel Burness said.
‘‘We really dropped away in that third quarter and it came back to haunt us.’’
RENNIE V DENILIQUIN ROVERS
Round 17, 2019 at Deniliquin
Deniliquin 9.9 (63) d Rennie 6.6 (42)
At a time when the Rovers needed to produce one of their best performances of the season, they delivered.
Led by Josh Flight, who kicked four goals, the home side led at every change to send a strong message to other top eight sides, just two weeks out from the start of the finals series.
Despite Rennie clawing its way back into the contest in the third term, Deniliquin regathered its composure to secure the upset victory.
BERRIGAN V STRATHMERTON
Semi-final, 2009 at Mathoura
Berrigan 11.10 (76) d Strathmerton 10.7 (67)
Berrigan’s path to the 2009 Picola District league north-west grand final included ending Strathmerton’s season in the semi-finals.
In an incredible turnaround, the Bulldogs led by 24 points at half-time and 15 points at three-quarter time, but the Saints charged home with seven goals to three in the final frame to win by nine points.
Matt Eales kicked three goals to lead the Saints with Braidy Lewis and Ben Way each finding two, and Dan Hickey starring throughout.
For the Bulldogs, Drew Shadbolt slotted three goals, while Matt Shannon (two goals) was best for the Bulldogs.
The Saints would eventually lose the grand final by three points against Jerilderie.
YARROWEYAH V WAAIA
Round 17, 2019 at Yarroweyah
Yarroweyah 5.8 (38) lt Waaia 15.20 (110)
Waaia cruised to a 72-point victory when it met Yarroweyah late last season.
On their way to the grand final, the Bombers kicked five unanswered goals in the second quarter to blow the Hoppers away.
Charlie Burrows was in unstoppable form, best on ground with six goals, while Mark Meyland was also on fire up forward with five.
Shaun Greenway and Andy Jones were fine for Yarroweyah.