Hawthorn legend Cyril Rioli puts in an effort play to spoil Ciaran O’Sullivan during the Blues’ late win over premier Cobram. Photos: Jordan Townrow
The addition of Hawthorn legend Cyril Rioli has helped Tongala to a comeback victory over the reigning Murray Football League premier.
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The Blues hosted the four-time premier at Tongala Recreation Reserve, the wily goalsneak roaming his usual roles of forward pocket and midfield as the host surged past Cobram in the fourth quarter to win 16.3 (99) to 13.11 (89).
Cyril Rioli looks to snap one off balance for Tongala, as Ciaran O’Sullivan attempts the block.
“I didn't change too much,” Tongala coach Jordan Souter said of integrating Rioli into his side.
“I just let him play his game and I wasn't telling him what to do.
“It was (about) making sure he enjoyed himself while he was down here.”
Cyril Rioli helped Tongala to the win in only his second game in Victoria since his AFL days.
Making the special appearance after forming connections in the Northern Territory with some of the Blues who frequent the Top End competition, the 275-goal AFL forward wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet in this one, but had good moments for Tonny in front of the estimated 4000 in attendance.
Kyle Fitzgerald and Joe Guiney celebrate a major.
“He probably didn't get a hell of a lot of the ball, but he did a lot of little stuff that was really good for us,” Souter said.
“We were rapt with the way he went about it, so he had a pretty good game.”
Jack Hammond distributes by hand.
The game was mostly in the balance in the first half, with Cobram holding a 10-point advantage at the main break, but the Tigers led by as many as five goals midway through the third period before the Blues made their move.
Kicking the last two of the term, Tongala pushed on in the fourth, kicking the first five to hit the lead, before trading majors down the stretch to hold on by 10.
Kyle Fitzgerald fires up the big crowd.
“I knew from a coaching point of view that we were playing some really good footy, so I was still confident at three-quarter time,” Souter said.
“In the third quarter they got five goals out, but we stuck to what we know and we knew we were playing good enough footy to get over the top of them.
“We just tweaked a couple of things in that last quarter with our forward structure and they paid off.”
Jack Monigatti shapes to kick.
While Rioli didn’t find a major, he helped facilitate an efficient 16.3 scoring effort from the Blues, the goals chart led by Darcy Laffy with four and Mackenzie Cowley with three.
There was also some disappointing news for Tongala, with key player Tom Holman, who was one of the Blues’ best leaving the field with a hamstring complaint, likely to keep him out long-term.
The win is a huge boost for Tongala (6-6), which lurks a game out of the top six heading into the general bye this weekend.
Cyril Rioli gets fist to ball
“We've got ourselves in this position,” Souter said.
“We dropped a couple of games that we probably hoped to win, but it's going to be a good finish to the season, with six rounds to go for us after the bye.
“We've got some winnable games in there and we've got some tough ones, so it's definitely helped us winning (this week).”
Matthew Caia works through midfield.
A win over Numurkah, back at home, when the league returns on July 11 is guaranteed to move the Blues into the finals places.
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