Trailing by 24 points at half-time, Tongala staged a second-half revival to fall by just one goal to Nathalia in the Good Friday clash on the Purples’ home turf.
The Blues were dealt their first loss of the season at the weekend, beaten 11.7 (73) to 9.13 (67) in a tight clash out at Nathalia.
Tongala was just four points behind at the first break, but it was ultimately the second quarter where the Blues fell away, Nathalia winning the term with four goals to one.
Tonny drew back within 13 points at the final change, but despite a late onslaught, the Purples managed to withstand the Blues to claim their first win of the season.
Four goals to playing coach Glenn Boyd and three to Liam Evans laid the platform for Nathalia, while Clancy Congues, Michael Croxford and Kai Lundberg were in the thick of the action.
James Ross and Makenzie Ryan led the way for Tongala with two goals apiece, while Dom Watt, Tristan Watson and Riley Clarke helped the Blues make a dash for victory.
Tongala will now look ahead to its semi-final rematch against Moama this Saturday hoping to exact revenge for the fateful two-goal defeat, while Nathalia will head to Finley for a game under lights.
The Magpies toppled Echuca United by 19 points in a tightly contested Three Jacks Trophy clash, while over at Barooga the Hawks sprung an upset on Cobram, pipping the Tigers by nine points.
Finley edged out Deniliquin by a point on the last kick of the game, while reigning premiers Mulwala claimed an important 30-point win over Congupna.
Meanwhile, Tocumwal made its return to the Murray Football League but it was one that ended in defeat as they fell to a rampant Numurkah by 70 points.
– Ollie Watt will push to join his brother, Dominic, in senior ranks after a strong display in the Blues 26 point reserve grade win.
Watt, who played a game with Bendigo Pioneerds last season and also represented the Goulburn Valley league at Under 18 level, was a strong performer with Kyabram during its under age finals campaign last year.
Kyle Halliwell kicked two goals , while Riley Souter kicked his second successive bag of three in successive Tongala resreve grade wins.
Clayton Watson also kicked three goals in the win where the reigning premier Blues kept Nathalia goalless for two of the four quarters.
– Tongala was no match for Nathalia at Under-17 level, but in the Under-14 match kept Nathalia to one goal in a 42 point victory.
Captain Lachlan Nevill kicked two goals and was the team’s only multiple goalkicker as he gained support from Cruz Kreymborg and Hugo Monnich Vo.
–Tongala made a statement in round two with a comfortable win over Nathalia to improve its Murray Netball League record to 2-0.
The young Blues toppled the might of the Purples by 21 goals on their home court in a well-rounded outing, with a fast start and a starring role from attacking maestro Milly Brock laying the groundwork for Tonny.
“It was a good solid win,” Blues’ coach Grace Hammond said.
“We had a solid start which set it up for us and everyone played their role for the day.
“No-one played a bad game and we just chipped away at it.
“Milly Brock was a superstar in goal attack for us. We brought her out of the ring this year and she’s been really good.
“She combines well with Meg Brennan in goal-shooter.”
The Blues have moved into fourth spot on the A-grade standings, one of four undefeated clubs remaining in what’s been an exciting start for the premiership aspirant.
Hammond said a focus on fun and a youthful squad have handed them an edge on the court.
“We’re just a young group of girls trying to get out there and enjoy their netball — success will come with that,” she said.
“We’ve got an average age of 23, so we’re a very young side.”
But the early-season challenges don’t stop for the Blues, who battle Moama in a rematch of last year’s thrilling semi-final.
The Pies notched their first win of the season after overcoming the Eagles, and Hammond knows Moama will be another strong test for her side.
“It will be another tough one for us again, but it will be a good hit-out,” she said.
Around A-grade, reigning premiers Deni were comfortable 61-6 winners over Finley, while Mulwala kept its unbeaten start to the year alive with a 34-goal win over Congupna.
Cobram earned its first win with a 32-11 triumph over Barooga, while Numurkah welcomed Tocumwal back to the Murray League with a 33-goal win.
SCOREBOARD
MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
ROUND TWO
NATHALIA v TONGALA
Nathalia 4.2, 8.5, 10.7, 11.7 (73)
Tongala 3.4, 4.5, 7.12, 9.13 (67)
GOALS, Nathalia: G. Boyd 4, L. Evans 3, B. Ross 2, M. Croxford 2, Tongala: J. Ross 2, M. Ryan 2, J. Sinclair 1, M. Fitzgerald 1, M. Gugliotti 1, S. Cipriani 1, T. Watson 1.
BEST, Nathalia: C. Congues, M. Croxford, K. Lundberg, D. Conroy, G. Bramwell, C. Sheehan, Tongala: D. Watt, M. Ryan, T. Watson, R. Clarke, J. Ross, J. Sinclair.