Seniors
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Tungamah 3.1, 10.1, 12.3, 16.6 - 102
Tocumwal 2.2, 2.3, 3.5, 4.8 - 32
Goals: N. McKeown 7, A. Ford 3, C. Powell, D. Haebich, J. Cheek, C. Phibbs, F. Fletcher, S. Ferguson.
Best: A. Ford, S. Ferguson, J. Holcombe, W. Thomson, B. Fitzpatrick, O. Willis.
It was a classic country footy day, sideways rain, icy wind, and a ground that looked more like a cow paddock than an oval by the time the seniors ran out.
If you didn’t bring a second pair of socks, you were in strife.
But wet weather or not, the Bears rolled up the sleeves, got the job done, and sent Tocumwal packing with a 70-point reality check.
Honestly, by the time the main game started, the ground was absolutely cooked.
It had seen four quarters of Fourths, Thirds, Seconds and enough traffic to turn full forward into a mud wrestling pit.
More so thanks to Ash Saunders standing there for years and weighing the ground down. But the boys didn’t flinch, they embraced it.
McKeown continued his mission to kick one goal for every blade of grass left on the ground.
Seven more sausages, takes him to 83 for the season, and unless defenders start triple-teaming him he’s a good chance to bring up the tome.
Patrick Bateman wannabe Angus Ford kicked three goals and is now officially calling himself Wayne Carey.
Between the contested marks, the chest puffing and the constant comparisons to 'The King' or ‘The Duck’ we’re just waiting for him to start asking for a statue outside the rooms.
It was overheard that he had a conversation with the runner at halftime and The Duck asked, “How was I not picked up in the mid-season draft has me so lost.”
Sam Ferguson jet-lagged? Doesn’t matter.
Straight from Japan and into the mud, laid tackles like he owed the ground money.
The local wine connoisseur Jye Holcombe was wet, wild, and wonderful.
Played like a bloke who loves getting dirty.
Sir Wally Thomson scrubbed in nicely despite the worst haircut seen at Tungamah since the mid-2000s.
May have lost his hairline but didn’t lose a contest all day.
For some reason he’s been a big advocate for the footy trip to be in Türkiye at the end of the year, half the senior list has also agreed.
Fitzpatrick and Willis again dug in when it counted.
Hit contests hard, kept their feet when others didn’t, and used it well when they got it.
The weather was rubbish, the ground was a bog, but the result was all class.
The boys are building nicely with two rounds to go and finals footy in sight.
One eye on the ladder, the other on McKeown’s goal tally.
Go bears.
Reserves
7.14 - 56 def Tocumwal 0.0 - 0
Saturday morning was wetter than an otters pocket out there and it had the boys reconsidering if those soft tissue injuries may require another week.
Velvet Prescott bagged three and at times defied physics.
Punched a soda from the goal line into the man on the mark, then curled one in from the next postcode over, and received an applause from the rent-a-crowd he’d brought. Pacey also slotted three majors, not a bad effort for a bloke who struggles to understand why trains don’t have steering wheels.
Ocean looked dangerous forward… right up until he had to kick the ball.
I’d have more faith in a home cooked meal from Erin Patterson than him and Saunders kicking a goal.
Benjamin Bell returned from injury and was spoiling everything like he was at a free Palestine rally.
Kellock looked good… give or take 20 metres.
The bloke can usually kick it further than most can afford to go on holiday, but even he struggled to shift the heavy pill through the bog.
He still covered more ground than the bar tab post-Two’s Day.
Olly Connell was, as always, peak Olly Connell.
He’s tougher than the tin man’s old fella. Rain, hail, or shine he’s making chiropractors cringe when he hits contests.
The poor Toc ruckman saw more rotations than a rotisserie attendant at charcoal chicken, as the Reserves rolled out five ruckmen.
By half time the players on the bench had thinned worse than patches fringe and by full time there were no rotations left as the injured, ejected, and geriatrics parked on the bench like it was bingo night at the retirement village
It was a clean sheet in dirty conditions and a win delivered with the finesse of a reverse dump truck without any tyres on.
Goals: W. Prescott 3, P. Haebich 3, J. O'Shea.
Best: W. Prescott, T. Greene, L. Ryans, O. Connell, S. Kellock, B. Bell.
Thirds
Tungamah 4.5 - 29 def by Tocumwal 4.7 - 31
The Third’s first game back after a couple of weeks off was their first real wet weather football game of the year.
Playing Tocumwal was always going to put our boys to the test, but they were up to the challenge.
The first quarter saw a fast and physical start to the game from both sides seeing Toc jump to an early lead as they kicked with the wind.
Tungamah’s Thirds responded very well in the second quarter, kicking two goals to Tocumwal’s two points.
The third quarter saw a neck and neck tussle with both teams kicking one major each in what were trying conditions.
The Bears went into the final quarter eight points down.
The Thirds fought hard and showed great resilience in the last quarter but unfortunately came .away two points down as the final siren went.
Great effort boys, the side looks forward to their last game of the season next week and the upcoming finals campaign.
Goals: B. Doyle 2, J. Walker, J. Bamford.
Awards: X. Chessells, L. O’Brien, K. Morritt, S. Goudie.
Fourths
Tungamah 7.4 - 46 def Tocumwal 6.3 - 39
What an incredible game, the Fourths truly demonstrated their capabilities.
The two-week break clearly benefited the players.
The pressure and tackling around the contests reached new heights.
Pax's explosive approach to the ball and his drive forward were outstanding.
Jacob excelled in his tagging role, executing it flawlessly.
It was a complete team effort, with everyone giving their all.
Let's go, Bears, we're on the right track.
Goals: P. Poll 4, T. Lawrence 2, T. Saunders.
Best: P. Poll, T. Saunders, C. Jarjoura, J. Haebich, J. Morritt, D. Phillips.
Fifths
No Score
The Tungamah Cubs came out all excited about playing around in the mud.
The fifths mixed well with the opposition, helping them with numbers.
Plenty of goals were kicked from both sides.
Awards: Crusty Loaf - Eddie Pettit, Intersport Wingates - Roly Cummins, TFNC Canteen - Mason Thomson, Tungamah Shop - Hunter Toohey.
Tungamah triumphs in muddy showdown, McKeown shines with 7 goals
A Grade
Tungamah 32 def by Tocumwal 47
The Bears returned to the court after a two-week break, hosting the Bloods on a cold and wet Saturday.
The opening quarter was a tight contest, with both teams going goal for goal.
However, Tocumwal finished the term strongly with a couple of quick goals to take a three-goal lead into the first break.
Despite a solid effort, unforced errors from Tungamah allowed Tocumwal to stretch the margin to nine goals by halftime.
The Bears lifted in the second half and showed plenty of promise, but the Bloods maintained their advantage to run out 15-goal winners.
Thanks to Tahnee Pearce and Mollie Walton for helping the side out.
Awards: Players Player - Olivia Ford, Free as a Bird - Bella Cavka.
B Grade
Tungamah 25 def by Tocumwal 35
It just wasn’t B Grade’s day, going down to Tocumwal by 10 goals in tough, cold and wet conditions.
Despite patches of brilliance and strong defensive pressure, B Grade struggled to convert consistently and couldn’t find the rhythm needed to take control of the game. The side remained within striking distance throughout and even took out the third quarter, but couldn’t make the most of the turnovers created.
Key opportunities in transition that could’ve shifted momentum were missed.
The shooting circle worked tirelessly under pressure, with Kara proving she definitely hasn’t lost her edge; reminding us why she should never have given up the dress. Mariah showcased her trademark grit and versatility, picking up multiple intercepts and executing some clever, game-smart plays.
Down back, Players’ Player Tahnee Pearce and Brodie Gissing were rock-solid, combining for 11 intercepts and 10 rebounds.
Their relentless hustle gave B Grade plenty of chances and kept the side in the contest. Despite the scoreboard, there are positives to take forward.
B Grade fought to the end with their heads high and continued to build on-court connections.
As Tungamah edges closer to finals, it’s games like these that sharpen B Grade’s focus and fuel the fire.
Awards: Players Player - Tahnee Pearce, Purtle’s - Kara Lawless, Free as a Bird - Mariah Duffy.
C Grade
Tungamah 26 def Tocumwal 21
After two weeks off and no one succumbing to the temptation of a Euro summer (true restraint), the team opted instead for the unmatched thrill of a true Aussie winter. Armed with frozen fingers and fire in the belly, the whole team was ready to light it up. Bridie, Chels, and Jorja came out with a point to prove, slamming a denied stamp on Toc’s dreams of a rebound.
Jade did what Jade does best—wreaked absolute havoc and had Toc second-guessing every move like they were in a Year 12 exam.
Bern, running purely on the high from Chris Fagan’s wisdom via the Howie Games, brought the motto "walking on thin ice, might as well dance" into full force, and dance she did.
It earned her a well-deserved Players’ Player and probably a spot on the next podcast episode.
Dim and Charli rotated through wing attack like seasoned pros, determined not to back down and feeding the ball into the ring with the kind of style that makes it all look too easy.
Meanwhile, Dan and Illa tried reasoning with the wind like it was a rowdy spectator, just asking politely for one calm hour to pop a few shots.
Remi stepped in after halftime with her usual cool, teaming up with Dan to bring it home strong. Illa, now in full commentary mode, didn’t stop for breath.
Offering a running analysis that would make Bruce McAvaney proud (and slightly concerned).
Issy and Rahni held it down from the bench, hyping the team and making sure spirits stayed high, even if the temperature wasn't.
It was a hard-fought battle in cold and wet conditions, but nothing could dampen the vibe, not even soggy socks.
The win was C Grade’s for the taking as we parted ways with the Bear Pit for the final home game of the season.
Awards: Player's Player – Bern, Jaycee's – Remi, Free as a Bird – Illa.
C Reserve
Tungamah 22 def Tocumwal 18
The temp was low, the wind was high, and the rain was wet.
A real winter day for our match up with Toc.
C Reserve had a better start, but they had a better middle which made Tungamah work hard to come out on top in the final quarter.
Another full team effort.
Awards: Intersport Wingates – Renee, Ricky D’s – Kandy, Miss Dolly – Sharelle, Players Mug - Ally Cooper.
Under 17s
Tungamah 26 def by Tocumwal 39
Tungamah went down to Tocumwal by 13 in a tough, hard-fought game in cold and at times windy conditions.
The Under 17s defence stood tall under pressure, showing grit and resilience at every ball.
The midcourt and attack displayed good communication, working together to covert goals where they could.
Despite the final score, the girls gave it their all.
Awards: Central Murray Bank - Maddie S, Crusty Loaf – Laila, Sock Award - Chelsea & Mads K.
Under 15s
Tungamah 23 drew with Tocumwal 23
In a high-pressure and hard-fought game, the Under 15s went goal for goal with Tocumwal in a thrilling 23-all draw.
The lead changed multiple times, keeping spectators on edge from the first whistle to the last.
Both teams brought strong defensive intensity, with Tungamah showing high standards across the court and refusing to give an inch.
Despite the tight contest, the Under 15s maintained great composure under pressure, working together as a team right to the final whistle.
Awards: Bamford Builders – Kiera, Tunga Shop – Chaye, Crusty Loaf – Torah, Talk Award – Sienna.
Under 13s
Tungamah 10 def by Tocumwal 23
This week the Under 13s faced a tough challenge against top-of-the-ladder Tocumwal, going down 10–23 in a hard-fought match.
The girls started strong and showed great intent early, but Tocumwal’s experience and pressure proved why they’re leading the competition.
While the girls gave their all, a number of contact, obstruction, and centre break calls made the task even harder, giving the team something to focus on in training.
Tayla continued her consistent form in goals, earning the Attwood Builders Award.
Eliza L brought great defensive effort and composure, while Georgie had a strong game in WD, applying pressure through the midcourt and helping to slow Tocumwal’s attacking flow.
Friday night awards went to Milli, Annabelle, and Eliza for their outstanding efforts.
The team will regroup at training and look to come out firing against Katamatite next Saturday.
Awards: Attwood Builders – Tayla, Tungamah Shop – Eliza L, Crusty Loaf – Georgie, Friday Night Rich Glen Awards: Milli, Annabelle and Eliza P.
Under 11s
No Score
Excited and revved up about mini's day and the senior girls watching them, the girls took the court with big smiles on their faces.
Their main objective of the day was to have fun playing netball and then go and eat as many lollies as they can.
There were intercepts left right and centre by many different players, making it hard to choose who the awards went to this week.
Thank you to all the senior girls who came and watched them, you made their day.
Awards: Alex, Annabel, Lexi and Mackenzie.
Yarrawonga Chronicle