Sport

Slow start costly again

By Gus Underwood

Aug 5, 2025

Liam Barrett and Alex Williams fight for the ball in the air. Photo: Jordan Townrow. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Tongala gave another start to a rival and paid the price.

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The Blues took on second-placed Moama at Moama Recreation Reserve on Saturday and by quarter-time were five goals down.

They didn’t shirk on a comeback bid though, outscoring the Magpies in the second and third quarters to still be a chance at the last change, trailing by 13 points.

Moama’s Mitchell Lake soccers it past Tongala’s Kyle Halliwell. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

But it was the home side that rallied in the last term, taking control and kicking 4.7 to Tongala’s 2.2 to run out winners by 29 points — 14.14 to 10.9.

Tongala skipper Kyle Fitzgerald said he was proud of his players’ efforts and never-say-die attitude.

Bailey Cox kicks it to the middle. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

“We put it to them, they had a bit more polish than us, but we fought it right out,” he said.

“It was certainly a lot better than the previous week.”

Tongala’s Alex Williams wraps up Moama’s James Whitehead. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

A suspected ACL injury to the consistent Alex Williams was a blow for the Blues, who had plenty of contributors on the day.

None were better than classy fly-in Darwin recruit Cam Ilett, who played a tireless game on-ball.

Mitchell Fitzgerald gets it off the middle of the boot. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Mitch Fitzgerald at full back, who continued his rise as a solid player at this level, and Kyle Halliwell, who had a tagging role, were the pick of the defenders.

Kyle Fitzgerald turned in his usual solid game in the ruck.

Alex Williams nails it off the wing. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Jack Sinclair in the midfield and across half-forward used his pace and skills to win a lot of the Sherrin and Sam Cipriani with three goals also made his presence felt.

Tongala has a rest in the second half of the split round this Saturday and then faces the all-conquering Congupna at Congupna and Mulwala at home to finish the home and away season.

Darchi Clarke climbs on Tongala’s Jack Sinclair. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

The Tongala reserves also suffered a loss to the Magpies.

It took the Blues four quarters to get a goal under their belt, while Moama was far too strong on its way to an 11.16 (82) to 1.4 (10) win.

Moama and Tongala players fly in a marking contest. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Kade Northausen kicked the sole major for Tongala, while Bryce Denham was named best-on in the loss.

While the under-17s couldn’t get over the top of Moama, it was a much closer contest.

Cameron Ilett tries to subdue Fraser Verhey. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

After a slow start, the Blues got within two points at half-time and then took the lead in the third term until Moama roared back to snatch the win at the death.

The final score was 7.8 (50) to 6.6 (42).