Upsets and close matches were aplenty in matches across the district today.
Close results were the order of the day across the Murray Football League and other competitions in windy conditions.
Moama held off a determined Tongala 13.16 (94) to 12.15 (87) at Moama Recreation Reserve in a hard-fought contest, with the Magpies scraping home in the last quarter.
Kicking with the aid of a breeze, the home team booted four goals to two in the final quarter after conceding five goals to none the previous term.
Tyler Jones, Jake Kilmartin and Lachie Schultz shared 10 goals between them for the day, with midfielder Daniel Thorp, forward Jake Kilmartin and midfielder Tim Scadden particularly impressive.
Jordan Souter was in superb form for the Blues and added two goals, while Luke McGill and midfielder James Cullum (three goals) also had terrific games.
■ The biggest upset of the day came at Numurkah, when the Blues defeated ladder-leader Echuca United by 37 points.
The home side led the contest throughout the day after a six-goal to two opening term, eventually winning 16.9 (105) to 10.8 (68).
Veteran forward Mark Brown booted six goals for the winners, with Mitchell Jones, Chris Oliver and Sam Robertson the Blues' best.
Duane Hueston and Rowan and Farran Priest played well for the Eagles, while Guy Campbell kicked three goals.
■ The second upset was seen at Cobram, where the Tigers were surprised by an in-form Nathalia side.
The Purples trailed by 19 points at the first change but fought back to take a two-point lead into the final term, when both teams kicked three goals as Nathalia won 10.10 (70) to 10.7 (67).
Coach Jason Limbrick starred up forward for the Purples with seven majors, as Matt Davies and Troy Snelson also impressed, while Dylan Ryan, Logan Morey and Mark Pennycuick tried hard for the Tigers.
John Lucas also finished with four goals.
■ Deniliquin Rams survived a late charge from Congupna to triumph 14.9 (93) to 13.9 (87) at home.
The Rams led by 32 points at the final change but only kicked one goal to five in the last quarter.
Deniliquin captain Nick Howe, Oliver Draffin and Lachie MacDonald were the best for the winners, with Brayden Hall kicking four goals, while Marcus Drum, Luke Kennelly and Mitch Sidebottom gave their team the best possible chance.
Matt Hodgetts also kicked three goals.
Deniliquin's Jack Tyndall was also reported for striking Congupna's Reegan Sheehan, but Deniliquin contested the identity of the offended player and the Road agreed it was a wrong named player.
■ Second-placed Mulwala were restricted from its usual free-flowing game style to defeat Barooga by only 28 points, 13.14 (92) to 10.4 (64).
The Lions booted eight goals in the third term to win the match after only leading by four points at half-time, with Chase Strawhorn and Anthony Giuliano booting six and three goals respectively.
Tom Wilson, Sean Robinson and Kyle Archibald were their best, while Riley Brooks, Scott Thorn and Chase Saunders (five goals) tried hard for the Hawks.
Mulwala's Cameron Symes has also accepted a one-week penalty for striking Barooga's Saunders.
■ The final game saw Finley ease to a 17.17 (119) to 8.7 (55) win against Rumbalara.
The Cats booted eight goals in the second term to overturn an 11-point quarter-time deficit, with Tim Robertson (seven goals) starring for the team alongside Nick Robertson and Ollie Ford.
Jesse Beckhurst, Robert Power (five goals) and Justin Terlich were the best for Rumba.
GVFL
Shepparton United proved way too strong for Echuca today, recording an 18.20 (128) to 5.4 (34) result.
The Murray Bombers restricted the Demons to two goals to one in the opening term, but it was all the home team after that, kicking a further 16 goals to four.
Jason Eagle, Tim Looby and Matt Forys all finished with four goals, with Brad Henderson, Sam Dawes and David Gillespie the best players.
Simon Buckley, Matt Pollock and Josh Edgar tried hard for Echuca, with five individual goal-kickers.
■ Rochester eased to a comfortable 88-point win at home against Shepparton, 16.17 (113) to 3.7 (25).
The Tigers only led 22-14 at the first break but kicked 13 goals to one from then on, with midfielder James Brain, forward Grant Weeks (seven goals) and Nick Knight starring for the side.
Luke Gestier also played well to finish with three majors.
Braden Pullen, Nick Allan and Rhys O'Sullivan were the best for the Bears.
■ The GVFL saw its fair share of close matches with Mooroopna winning a thriller against Euroa 10.16 (76) to 10.13 (73).
No more than four points separated the sides at any break, with the Cats just holding on for the vital win.
Daniel Lewis starred up forward to finish with seven goals in a best-on-ground performance, with Mitch Keddell and James Marks also impressive, while Tyson Biffin, Craig Bamford and Nick Snowdon all battled manfully for the Magpies.
Luke Hyatt and Brad Gleeson each kicked three goals.
■ Benalla booted six goals to three in the second half to snatch a thrilling victory at home against Tatura, 10.9 (69) to 9.10 (64).
Lachie Smith, Jake Pallpratt and Will Martiniello were credit as leading the way for the Saints, while Tom Durward, Chris Ryan and Brendan Hollow fought hard for the Bulldogs.
Al Jacka and Nick Grigg kicked three goals for their respective sides.
■ A third thriller was played out at Seymour, where the Shepparton Swans upset the Lions to win 7.8 (50) to 6.10 (46).
The visitors shot out to a 30-7 advantage at the first break but were only able to kick one goal in each of the remaining quarters, but the home side could not quite fight all the way back.
Daniel Lovick, Mitchell Bell and Quade Johnstone were the best for the winners, while Rob Douglas, Matt O'Keefe and Hugh Robertson were notable for the home side.
Seymour forward Saad Saad only booted two goals for the day — but it was enough to reach his 800th goal in the GVFL.
■ The final game saw Kyabram prove too strong for Mansfield, 14.17 (101) to 10.4 (64).
The Bombers led by 12 points after a high-scoring first quarter, but eased away after that to eventually win by 37 points.
Josh Fraser kicked four goals for the Eagles, with Daniel Moloney, Mitch Wareham and Travis Hine impressing, while no details were available for Kyabram.
HDFL
A five-goal final term saw Leitchville-Gunbower leap up to fourth place in the ladder after a vital win against Colbinabbin, 8.14 (62) to 8.5 (53).
The Bombers trailed by 20 points at the final change but made the most of its chances in the last quarter to more than double its score and snatch the win, led by Sam Hawkins, Jye Keath and Kade Merlo.
Tom Hill, Darcy Booth and Tim O'Dwyer were the best for the home side, while Sam Hill was the leading goal-kicker with three majors.
■ Lockington-Bamawm United ended White Hills' faint chances of a finals berth with a 114-point drubbing, 21.18 (144) to 5.0 (30).
The Cats have now conceded just eight scoring shots in their past two weeks as they romped to the big win.
Marcus Angove, Nathan O'Brien and Matt Bongiovanni were the most impressive players for the visitors, with goals going to Ryan Jensen (five), Chris Hudson (four) and Ady Dohnt (three).
■ Heathcote maintained its fight for a finals berth well and truly alive with a 10-point away victory against North Bendigo, 17.11 (113) to 16.7 (103).
The third-placed Bulldogs have now lost their past four matches and look to have lost their form at the wrong end of the season.
A remarkably high-scoring first half saw the Saints lead 74 to 73 — with only three behinds recorded — while both teams could only muster one goal each in the final term.
Marc Millard (three goals), Joel Condon (four goals) and Daniel Russell led the way for the winners, with Reece Carmichael also slotting three majors.
Ryan Alford (three goals), Ash Craig (two goals) and Aarryn Craig (four goals) were the best for the home team, with Damien Webb also booting three majors.
■ Elmore finally secured its first win of the season with a dramatic 22-point win away against Mt Pleasant, 13.20 (98) to 11.10 (76).
The Bloods powered home in the final quarter with six goals to two, led by Russell Fulton, Tom Kuhne and Jack Hayes, while Ryan Wellington and Brad Hewat each kicked three goals.
No details were available for Mounts.
PDFL
Mathoura fought hard but Blighty was too good today, winning 24.22 (166) to 7.5 (47).
The Redeyes extended their lead at every break and the Timbercutters kicked five goals in the final quarter to add to their total.
Brody Lumber booted was the leading goal-kicker on the day with six majors against his former club, while Brad Todd (five), Brett Napier (three) and Zeke Flangan (three) also chipped in.
The visitors' best were Judd Barnes, Kyel Bain and Lumber, while Mathoura president Warren Barnett was named best for his side along with Justin and Chris Allingham.
■ Picola United showed little mercy in its disposal of Yarroweyah, winning 31.15 (201) to 2.3 (15).
Brett Vallender (13 goals), Joel Thompson (four) and Shaun Pearce (eight) led the way for the team with most of its goals, while Lewis Oliver, Jon Slatterie and Stuart Thomson tried hard for the Grasshoppers.
■ Jerilderie fell to its second loss of the season as Strathmerton produced an impressive performance to win 20.10 (130) to 15.6 (96).
A nine-goal third term was the catalyst for the Bulldogs, while Demons full-forward Aaron Purcell was held to his equal-lowest total of the year, adding only five majors — the same amount as in his team's only other loss.
Marcus Cleary, Josh Evans (five goals) and Michael Laidlaw (three) were the leaders for the winners, with James Daniel also adding three goals.
Paul Evans, Jak Payne (four goals) and Shaun Bryce tried hard for Jerilderie.
■ A blistering first quarter led Deniliquin Rovers to a 27-point win against Berrigan, 13.15 (93) to 10.6 (66).
The Rovers led 54-7 at the first change and held on for the rest of the match, with Peter Lewis, Todd Gallagher (three goals) and Chris O'Connor leading the charge. Andrew Hogan also kicked four majors.
Mark McQualter, Jack Hill and Peter Hoggan were the Saints' best, while Ron Middleton and Ed Walliss shared seven goals.
By Geordie Cowan
