Tongala chalked up a 17th consecutive league victory despite a strong first-half challenge from Numurkah, which made the most of the dour conditions to lead by three points at the main change.
Half-time scores told the story of each club’s efficiency, with Numurkah’s 4.1 (25) laser accurate opposed to Tongala’s 2.10 (22).
But while Numurkah managed to hold Tongala goalless in the first quarter, a rarity in recent times, the Blues responded in kind by keeping Numurkah goalless for the entire second half, running away 7.17 (59) to 4.6 (30) winners.
Despite nearly doubling Numurkah’s inside 50 count, Tongala’s inaccuracy once again threatened to derail the Blues, and coach Jordan Souter said his side needed to straighten up in front of goals.
“We need to kick straighter,” Souter said.
“I think we kicked eight points before we even kicked a goal.
“Our intensity around the ball was good. It was wet around the ground and pretty hard to handle the footy.
“The scoreboard didn’t reflect the win, I’d say. We controlled it most of the day. If we kicked a bit straighter, it could have been an eight-goal win.”
Souter swung the magnets around at half-time in response to a stern Numurkah challenge, moving key defender Corey Nexhip down forward to great effect, with the Blues’ tall booting three goals.
Dominic Watt added two goals for Tongala, with Sam Cipriani and Cam Ilett rounding out the goalkickers.
Numurkah kicked just four goals for the match, with goals coming through Charlie Hill, Josh Evans, Matthew Smyth and Sean Thompson.
Shane Miller, Kade O’Dwyer, and Hill were named in the best for Numurkah, while Dom Watt and Bryce Denham continued to grasp their chances at senior level for Tongala.
“I don’t think they played many senior games last year, but Dom Watt and Bryce Denham were excellent for us yesterday,” Souter said.
“They had a lot of the ball and played their role well. Conditions suited them.
“(Corey) was originally a forward back in the day. He ended up slotting three and gave us a bit of presence, which was good.”
It’s Tongala’s fifth win of the year and the 2021 minor premier currently sits in fourth, undefeated alongside Cobram, Moama, Deniliquin and Mulwala.
Souter is now casting his eyes firmly forward to his side’s clash against ladder-leader Moama in a blockbuster clash at Moama.
Moama is the form team of the MFL and remains undefeated following its 27-point win over Barooga.
Both clubs come into round six undefeated in what shapes as an early contender for game of the round.
“I think the boys are really looking forward to the challenge,” Souter said.
“Without any disrespect to our opponents, we haven’t played a top-five side yet.”
MFL
Tongala: 0.5 (5), 2.10 (22), 4.14 (38), 7.17 (59)
Numurkah: 2.1 (13), 4.1 (25), 4.3 (27), 4.6 (30)
Best
Tongala: Dominic Watt, Bryce Denham, Coby Mccarthy, Cameron Ilett, Corey Nexhip, Malcolm Hedges
Numurkah: Shane Miller, Kade Odwyer, Charlie Hill, Braydon Sutton, Travis Down, Jarrod Holmes
Goals
Tongala: Corey Nexhip 3, Dominic Watt 2, Sam Cipriani, Cameron Ilett
Numurkah: Charlie Hill, Josh Evans, Matthew Smyth, Sean Thompson