Riverine Herald | District teams were mostly successful in an interesting day of football results.
Echuca won its second match in a row to move off the bottom of the Goulburn Valley Football League ladder with a 61-point win against Seymour at Victoria Park.
The Murray Bombers took control of the contest in the second quarter, kicking six goals, before eventually winning 19.7 (121) to 8.12 (60).
Joel Magnabosco, Simon Buckley (five goals) and Tom Stevens led the way for the home side, with Nick Jackson and Brieghton Shea also kicking three goals each.
Seymour, without many of its leading players, relied heavily on small forward Saad Saad and he tried his best to boot seven of his team's eight goals, with Jason Cole and Brandyn Grenfell also trying hard.
■ Shepparton Swans booted six goals in the last quarter to overhaul Rochester at Moon Oval, winning 11.8 (74) to 7.12 (54).
In a fairly scrappy game, the Tigers led by eight points at the last change before the Swans finally kicked into gear, with returning forward Justin Maddern finishing with six majors.
Tyson Sidebottom, Tom Preece and Kaiden Antonowicz were the visitors' best players.
Scott Hann, Brendon Hollow and Grant Weeks (four goals) impressed for the Tigers.
■ Kyabram dominated its match against Shepparton Bears after quarter-time as it romped to a 21.10 (136) to 9.2 (56) win.
The Bears led by 12 points at the first break, but the Bombers went on to kick 17 goals to three after that point.
No best or goal-kickers were available.
■ Benalla was challenged but proved too strong for Shepparton United, winning 18.19 (127) to 17.6 (108).
The Saints rocketed to a 26-point lead at half-time, only for the Demons to kick six goals to two and trail by just two points at the last break.
However, Benalla pressed on to record the 19-point win, with Al Jacka (five goals), Luke Morgan and Brook Martyn leading the way, while Josh Mellington also booted five goals.
Brad Henderson, Shaun Huy and Justin Davies (four goals) were the best for United, while Ryan Butler, Brodie Ross and Tim Looby all kicked three goals.
■ Tatura prevailed in a tough contest away against Mansfield, triumphing 9.14 (68) to 7.9 (51).
The Bulldogs enjoyed a comfortable lead at every change, with Jayden Young, Chris Ryan and James Wall the team's best.
Mark Jones, Matt Hine and Ben Fagan (three goals) tried hard for the Eagles.
■ Luke Conca (five goals) led Mooroopna to a much-needed win against Euroa, prevailing 10.8 (68) to 6.15 (51).
The Magpies were made to pay for their inaccuracy in front of goals, trailing by 11 points at half-time despite having four more scoring shots, with the Cats doing the most damage in the third term.
Simon Russell, Tom Casey and three goals to Daniel Lewis also helped the home side, while David King, Matt Quinton and Nick Snowdon tried hard for Euroa.
Murray Football League
If the the top of the Murray Football League ladder was congested before, it is a logjam now.
Five teams are level on 24 points, with only percentage separating Echuca United, Barooga, Mulwala, Rumbalara and Finley.
Nathalia holds the sixth spot but is being pursued by Moama and Deniliquin.
The Eagles took top spot after recording a come-from-behind win against Congupna at Echuca South.
Trailing by nine points at half-time, United kept the visitors scoreless while booting five goals themselves to set up the match-winning lead.
Dean Moon, Farran Priest and Tom Jackson were the home team's best players, while Nathan Congram, Daniel Bowles and Daniel Collyer impressed for the Road.
Tyson Sidebottom also kicked three goals.
■ Moama recorded a much-needed percentage-boosting win against Numurkah at Moama Recreation Reserve, 20.13 (133) to 8.10 (58).
Forward duo Tyler Jones and Jake Kilmartin, who produced his best performance of the year, combined for 15 goals between them, while Aidyn Johnson starred for the team in his first game for the year.
The Magpies booted eight goals to none in the opening term and led by 89 points at the last change, before the Blues kicked five goals to two in the final term.
Paul Collins, Jake Wilkinson and Justin Cooper were the best for Numurkah.
■ Tongala finally recorded its first win for the year, defeating Cobram 18.16 (124) to 12.3 (75).
Scores were tied at the first break, but six goals to none in the second term saw the home team surge ahead, with Nick Mellington (three goals), Stephen Townsend and Mark Watson leading the way.
Jordan Souter finished with five goals, while Elijah Edwards also booted three.
Ryan McIntyre, John Lucas and Michael Gillard were the Tigers' best.
■ Rumbalara produced a bizarre four-point win away against Barooga, winning 12.29 (101) to 15.7 (97).
Recording almost twice as many scoring shots as the Hawks, the visitors still needed to come from behind to win after trailing by nine points at the final break.
By that stage Rumba had kicked 8.25 — a conversion rate of less than 25 per cent — after Barooga had kicked five goals to two.
Jamie Atkinson, Daniel Patten and Ryan Hudson were the best for the winners, while Brad Dick kicked four goals.
Bo Nixon, Davin Hall (five goals) and Will Gorman (three goals) led the way for Barooga.
■ Deniliquin Rams produced an upset 10.8 (68) to 9.6 (60) win away against Nathalia to keep in touch with the top six.
In what was an even contest throughout, the Rams kicked three goals to one in the final term to come out on top with Chris O'Connor, Brayden Hall and Jayden Pitts leading the way.
Nathan Ryan, Troy Snelson and Alistair Corry tried hard for the Rams, while Jason Limbrick finished with three goals.
■ Finley produced a somewhat surprisingly easy win away against Mulwala, 18.11 (119) to 11.9 (75).
The Cats sprinted out of the blocks to lead by 44 points at the opening break, but their lead was reduced to six points by half-time.
However, the visitors again pushed out to a 32-point lead and this time the Lions could not respond.
Jordan Daniel, Tom Seccull (five goals) and Tim Robertson were instrumental in the team's win, while Reid Crowe kicked three goals.
Jarrod O'Shea, Liam Russell, Chase Strawhorn (four goals) and Jackson Gash (three goals) were Mulwala's best.
Heathcote and District Football League
Lockington-Bamawm United fell to its second loss in three rounds to slip from the top of the ladder, with White Hills winning 11.10 (76).
After an even first quarter, the Demons pushed away to lead by 30 points at the last change before the Cats finally found some momentum, but were unable to haul back the advantage.
Matt Lehane, Caillum Brady and Jake Allport starred for the home side, with Hayden Wright kicking three goals, while Marcus Angove, Ady Dohnt and Gavin Broad were the best for LBU.
■ Leitchville-Gunbower responded to last week's disappointing result with a big win away against Huntly, 19.15 (129) to 8.16 (64).
After wasting a few chances in the opening term, the Bombers booted six goals to one in the second term and did not look back from there as it won all four quarters.
Ryan Hocking, Marty Shadbolt and Joel Helman (six goals) led the way, while Jake Williams added four goals.
Briady Dickens, Matt Klein-Breteler and Stacy Fiske were the Hawks' best.
■ North Bendigo surged to the top of the ladder with a massive 77-point win against premiership hopeful Mt Pleasant, 18.14 (122) to 6.9 (45).
An eight goal to none second quarter blew Mounts away, with Tyson Findlay (five goals) again starring.
Daniel Sipthorp and Ash Craig also impressed for the home side, while Pat O'Brien, Tim Hill and Carl Thiesz tried hard for the Blues, with Kain Robins kicking four goals.
■ Colbinabbin prevailed in a tough match against a competitive Elmore outfit, 14.16 (100) to 13.4 (82).
After leading by 25 points at quarter-time, the Bloods replied to be within four points at the long break.
However, the home side pushed on and ultimately won by 18 points, with Tim Holobowski, Tim O'Dwyer and Lochie Sirett (three goals) leading the way.
Linton Jacobs and Leroy Miller also kicked three goals each.
Phil Wills, Jack Hayes and Ben Makepeace were Elmore's best, while James Harney kicked three goals.
Picola and District Football League North-West
Mathoura overturned its recent torment against Blighty to come away with a nine-point win at Mathoura Recreation Reserve, 17.5 (107) to 14.14 (98).
A seven-goal to one second term gave the Timbercutters a 30-point half-time advantage and, despite a last-quarter fightback from the Redeyes, Mathoura secured its second win of the year.
Brodie Unwin, Nick Tucker and David Reardon (five goals) led the way for the home side, while Justin Allingham also kicked three goals.
Sam Singleton, Jarrod Wilson (three goals) and Judd Barnes were Blighty's best.
■ Jerilderie looked like the team of last year as it thumped Picola United at Picola, 24.21 (165) to 4.2 (26).
Lachie Leeds (four goals), Andrew May and Jarrod Hillary (four goals) were the most impressive, while Aaron Purcell and Casey Hillary added seven goals between them.
Ben Daniel, Clinton Barnes and Tom Lindsay tried hard for the home side.
■ Tocumwal could not recover from a slow start as Strathmerton produced a 15.9 (99) to 11.14 (80) win at Tocumwal.
The Bulldogs kicked six goals to one in the opening term and led by 40 points at the last break, before being held goalless in the final quarter.
Michael Laidlaw, Scott Iddles, Shaun Downie and Josh Evans (five goals) led the way for the visitors, while Ken Chellew, Russell Sheriff and Michael O'Riordan (three goals) impressed for the Bloods.
Dylan Flanagan also kicked three goals.
■ Deniliquin Rovers put in a competitive performance but were ultimately outclassed by Berrigan, 17.15 9117) to 11.7 (73).
The Saints won the match in the second term, when they kicked seven goals to two, with Kyle Russell (three goals), Cameron Mynard and Chris Patten the team's best.
Ron Middleton and Ed Walliss also kicked nine goals between them.
Matt Dowling, Alex Rourke, Marc Braybon and Terry Lumbar (five goals) were the best for the Rovers.
Central Murray Football League
After an even first half, Kerang proved too strong for Cohuna, 15.12 (102) to 10.5 (65).
Both teams kicked seven goals in the first half, but the Blues pushed away with 10 separate goal-kickers, led by Troy Thamm (three goals).
Levi Moss, Bailey Mitchell and Keiran Tracy were the best for the Kangas, while Kerang's best players were not listed.
■ Balranald won a thrilling match against NNW United, prevailing 15.8 (98) to 13.14 (92).
The Roos led at every change but the biggest margin was just nine points, with Ben Fuller (four goals), Raven Jolliffe (four goals) and Cameron Barrett (three goals) the best for the visitors.
Brent Daniels, Ben Sheridan (four goals) and Calen Dobbin led the way for the Demons, while Adrian Knee kicked three goals.
■ Tooleybuc-Manangatang slaughtered Tyntynder to the measure of 220 points, 35.20 (230) to 1.4 (10).
Josh Stone, Ryan O'Sullivan and Ben Jones (eight goals) were adjudged the best for the winners, while Lee Cox (nine goals), Joel Cullen (five goals) and Zach Nichols (three goals) added to the score.
David Andrivon, Brock Storer and Elliot Broad tried hard for the Bulldogs.
■ Swan Hill proved too strong for Woorinen, winning 14.11 (95) to 10.11 (71).
Four goals in each of the last three quarters led the Swans to the win, with Xavier Moloney, Hugh Foott (five goals) and Callan Beasy the team's best.
Matt Iannucci, Dwayne Hamlyn and Jason Iannucci tried hard for the Tigers, while Doug Palmer kicked three goals.
■ Mallee Eagles romped to a 101-point win against Lake Boga, 19.15 (129) to 4.4 (28).
The Eagles kicked 14 goals to one after half-time, with Matt Roberts, Harry Allen and Jacob Wade leading the way, while Jake Mills kicked four goals.
Josh Ewart, Nathan Cunning and Hamish Hooppell were the best for the Magpies.
By Geordie Cowan
