There was pride on the line between Tongala and Echuca United, with ladder position up for grabs in the Murray Football League clash.
As both sides have been ruled out of finals contention, they found themselves squabbling over 10th and 11th on the ladder, the Eagles having gone a game clear of the Blues the previous weekend.
But it was Tongala that claimed a comprehensive victory, 13.10 (88) to 6.7 (43).
United started relatively well, kicking two goals to one in the opening term to lead by four points at the first break, before the Blues asserted themselves on the contest.
Tongala broke the game wide open with a five-goal second quarter while restricting the home side to just two points, opening up a 27-point lead at the half.
The Eagles were resolute after the main break, halving the term as each side kicked 2.2, before Tongala powered away in the final quarter to win by 45 points.
Echuca United coach Farran Priest was particularly downcast with the result given it was a fixture he had circled for his side to measure its growth this season.
“It was pretty disappointing, to be honest with you. It was a big occasion for us,” he said.
“We were just poor, just really three quarters of poor footy.
“We started really well, which is good, we generally start well, but our second quarter let us down.
“We started well in the last, kicked the first one or two and looked like maybe something might be generated, but they got back on top again and they beat us in every area, which is pretty disappointing.”
While the loss was a less than desirable result, Priest takes confidence from the flashes his side has shown, although there are still definite areas where improvement needs to be made.
“Our good footy is really good,” he said.
“I think we make mistakes that give them goals. A lot of it is just clinical skill errors that we continue to try and tidy up, but we’ve still got to keep working on that.
“As I said, our best is good, we do match it with a lot of the good sides, it’s just we should be able to sustain it for longer, and that’s been a big issue for us.”
Nash Ramage was the best for the Eagles, with the young ruck continuing to impress in his first full senior campaign, while rising stars Mitch Boyd and Ollie Poole were also among the best.
But it was none other than Harley Reid, pulling on a Tongala jumper for probably the final time in the foreseeable future, who earned best-on-ground status.
Finishing with three goals, the potential number one pick in the AFL Draft was a class above, lighting up the second half when the game was there to be won.
“I didn’t want to get too much into the hype of it all, but his second half was actually pretty good to watch,” Priest said.
“As bad as that sounds for a coach, he single-handedly tore us apart, but you can see why he’s going to be number one, he’s a bloody good player.”
Reid was supported by Kyle Fitzgerald in the ruck, while Jack Sinclair’s four goals made him the equal highest goal-kicker on the ground, alongside United’s James Harney.
Despite being level on wins following the match, Tongala’s far superior percentage means it ended the round in 10th, relegating the Eagles to 11th.
While Echuca United faces the winless Rumbalara next week, the Blues will turn their attention to the opposite end of the ladder when they host reigning premier Mulwala at Tongala Recreation Reserve.
• Heading into the weekend, Tongala sat in second spot on the Murray Netball League A-grade ladder, two games clear of third with the opportunity to seal a double chance come finals.
But Blues coach Grace Hammond remained wary of the Eagles, and it proved to be for good reason.
With home court advantage, United was able to carve out a 39-34 win, which strengthens its position as a genuine dark horse come September.
“It’s a huge win for us,” Echuca United co-coach Kate Donehue said following the victory.
“It was pretty scrappy netball for most of the day, and really came down to who was more disciplined in the last quarter.”
The Eagles were able to get the job done thanks to goal keeper Elle Molluso’s leadership, while wing defence Tessa Bruni was able to apply significant pressure.
“Elle Molluso was level-headed all day and showed great leadership on the court,” Donehue said.
“Tessa Bruni forced lots of errors in the last quarter, which resulted in four goals for us.
“We will take lots of confidence going into finals after this match.”
The 20-goal loss to Tongala in round one must seem seasons ago now for United, which, with Donehue and Asher Arnel at the helm, has morphed into a team that believes it can beat anyone.
The win is a big boost for the Eagles in terms of ladder position, drawing three games clear of Congupna (8-7) in seventh with just three games to play, meaning a win next week will clinch a finals spot.
For Tongala, it is just the second loss of the season, the first having come against the undefeated Deniliquin, although it shouldn’t affect the side’s finals hopes.
Next weekend could shake up the positions inside the top six, with Tongala facing Mulwala, while Echuca United takes on Rumbalara, as all four sides remain a chance of clinching the second double-chance spot.