Echuca United inflicted Nathalia's first defeat of the Murray Football League season at Nathalia today, winning 8.12 (60) to 6.4 (40).
MFL
The Eagles won every quarter in the low-scoring affair, with a 2.8 to 1.0 third term when the visitors put a bigger gap between the sides.
Brad Sanderson, Clint Starkey and Bryn Barnes-Webb played well for United, with the returning Al Corry, Malcolm Barnes and Troy Snelson the most impressive for the Purples.
No player kicked more than two goals.
■ A blistering final quarter saw Rumbalara come from behind to defeat a desperate Tongala at Tongala.
The Blues were leading the battle of attrition by seven points at three-quarter-time, having kicked 4.13 to 3.12, but Rumba kicked into gear in the last term to kick seven goals to two and triumph 10.16 (76) to 6.15 (51).
Brad Dick starred for the winners with four majors, with Desmond Morgan and Ash Miller also important.
For Tongala, Jordan Souter, Ben Holman and first-gamer Jason Puruntatameri saw the home side give it their best shot.
■ Mulwala's strong recent form continued with a solid 40-point win away against Moama, 18.14 (122) to 12.10 (82).
Will Farrer and Tyler Jones kicked six goals apiece for their respective teams, with Sean Robinson and Mathew Howard also impressing for the visitors.
Moama trailed by only nine points at half time, but the Lions went on to boot a further nine goals to five, with Chase Strawhorn and Dean Staunton contributing seven goals combined.
Jones was Moama's best, followed by Rhys Archard and youngster Lachie Schultz.
■ A 10-goal to five second half saw Barooga triumph away against Deniliquin Rams, 14.7 (91) to 9.7 (61).
The Hawks ultimately proved too strong for the Rams, with James Philpot, Dylan Brooks and Davin Hall (four goals) impressing the most, while Tim Hargreaves also kicked three goals.
Todd Gallagher (four goals), Brett Macdonald (three) and Ricky Gittens were the most impressive for the home side.
■ Numurkah was the only home team to win in the league on the day, claiming its first triumph of the season as it defeated Congupna 14.9 (93) to 8.9 (57).
The Blues secured the win with a five-goal to none third term, eventually running out 36-point winners with Chris Oliver, Jordan O'Dwyer and Tyler Larkin starring.
Sam Ferguson, Daniel Bowles and Nathan Congram tried hard for the Road, while Mark Brown and Tom Kelly finished with seven goals between them for the home side.
■ Cobram's percentage dipped into single figures after another big loss, falling to ladder-leader Finley 21.17 (143) to 1.6 (12).
The Cats dominated every quarter, with Reid Crowe (three goals), Ned Morrison and Levi Middleton leading the way. Tim Robertson finished with four goals.
The Tigers' best were Michael Gillard, Matt Sorrenti and John Lucas, in his 150th senior game.
HDFL
Lockington-Bamawm United's superb winning streak against Mt Pleasant extended to a 14th match with a comprehensive victory, 16.19 (115) to 7.10 (52).
The Cats dominated the contest after quarter-time, booting 13 goals to five in that time.
Winger Ryan Jensen (four goals), half-back Simon Keleher and Paul Hudson were the best for the ladder-leaders, while Matt Deledio and Lachie Collins kicked three goals each.
League leading goal-kicker Matt Gretgrix was held goalless for Mounts, with Jarrod Findlay, Tim Hill and Koe Ngawati trying hard.
■ Heathcote came extremely close to recording its first win of the season, falling by just six points to Huntly, 12.14 (86) to 14.8 (92).
The Saints rectified a slow start to kick six goals to three in the second term to trail by just three points, with the margin the same at the final break, before the Hawks just held on in the last term.
Braidy and Riley Dickens and Ryan Harris led the way for the visitors, while Lachie O'Toole finished with five majors.
Daniel Russell, Daniel Carroll and Darcy McLean almost earned Heathcote its first triumph, as Grant Ford returned to the field from his head injury in the opening round.
■ Colbinabbin secured its second win of the season with a win against White Hills, 13.10 (88) to 10.11 (71).
Alex Van Ruiswyk starred for the home side to finish with five goals, with Tim Holobowski and David Price also impressing in the win.
Lochie Sirrett and Adrian Pappin kicked three goals each.
Ben Gardner, Malcolm Douglas and Sam Kerr were the best for the Demons, with Jake Ward kicking four goals.
■ North Bendigo booted 10 goals in the final term as it ran away from winless side Elmore, triumphing 23.23 (161) to 14.5 (89).
The Bloods led at the opening break, but the Bulldogs, boasting 13 separate goal-kickers, ran away with the match.
Tyson Findlay, Jordan Ford and Aarryn Craig were the best for the visitors, while Jeremy Mills and Elliott Massina kicked five and three goals respectively.
Amir Dianati (three goals) was the leading scorer for Elmore, while James Harney, Jeff McMurtrie and Jack Hayes led the way for the team.
GVFL
Rochester secured a confidence-building win against Mooroopna today, winning 11.11 (77) to 4.6 (30).
After both teams kicked three goals in the opening term, the Tigers started to take control of the contest and pushed out to a 22-point lead by the final change, before finishing with a further five goals to one.
Full-forward Grant Weeks booted his biggest haul of the season with eight majors for the visitors, with Daniel Anderson and Ash Watson the team's best.
Trent Freer, Rhys McKenzie and youngster Clayton Oliver tried hard for the Cats.
■ Tatura secured a thrilling win against Euroa, 12.9 (81) to 11.13 (79).
The Bulldogs led by 21 points at half-time, before the Magpies came back to hit the front with about 10 minutes left in the last quarter.
However, the home side came again to secure the two-point win, which lifts the team up to fifth spot.
Tim Lanyon, Linc Wellington and Rob Montgomery (three goals) led the way for the home side, while Sonny Whiting also snagged three majors.
Will Hayes, Nathan Gilliland (four goals) and Andrew Doxey gave Euroa some real hope, while Luke Hyatt also kicked three goals.
■ After a tight opening quarter, Shepparton Swans proved too strong for Mansfield, winning 13.12 (90) to 3.5 (23).
A six-goal to none second term set up the win for the visitors.
No other details were available.
PDFL
Mathoura fought hard but Tocumwal proved too strong in the end, pushing away in the second half to win 14.17 (101) to 11.7 (73).
The Timbercutters led at each of the first two breaks, but 10 goals to six from then on gave the Bloods their fourth win of the season.
Dylan Flanagan and Daivd Reardon finished with four and three goals respectively, while the best players were not available.
■ Blighty shored up its spot in the top five with a 16.20 (116) to 10.6 (66) win away against Picola United.
The Redeyes won three of the four quarters to ease to the comfortable win, with Sam Singleton, Judd Barnes and Matt Tubb the team's best.
Brody Lumber and Phil Williams kicked a combined seven goals, while Dylan Cunningham booted six goals for the gome side.
John Walker and Brad Power were the other Blues players to impress.
■ Jerilderie continued its dominant start to the season with a big 21.8 (134) to 4.5 (29) win against Berrigan.
The Demons kicked 18 goals to two after quarter-time, with Andrew May (five goals), James Gilligan and Shaun Bryce (five) leading the way, while Jak Payne also booted five majors.
Grant Martin, Brock Gray and Ed Wallis were the best for the Saints.
■ Strathmerton also secured a massive win, thumping Yarroweyah 23.22 (160) to 5.5 (35).
Shaun Downie (three goals), Luke Carter (three) and Josh Evans (five) were the most impressive for the Bulldogs, while Chase Saunders (three), Tom Van De Merwe and Ben Davis tried hard.
CMFL
Cohuna remains without a win this season after falling to Swan Hill, 6.15 (51) to 11.7 (73).
In a comparison of goal shooting accuracy, the Swans kicked 5.3 to 1.10 after half-time to secure the win, with Jon Hirst, Leighton Dullard and Tobias Thoolen (three goals) leading the way, while Hugh Foott also kicked three majors.
Tyson Bock, Tom Holdstock and Kieran Tracy tried hard for the Kangas.
■ High-placed teams Mallee Eagles and Woorinen fought out a tense 12.8 (80) to 11.14 (80) draw.
Scores were tight throughout the match but it will be the Tigers who will feel most aggrieved with the end result.
The visitors registered six behinds in the final quarter compared to the Eagles' 1.1.
Sam Ayre, Wes Bennett and Andrew Gill were the best for the home team, while Owen Hone, Nick Trenfield and Steven Daniher led the way for Woorinen.
Simon Andrews and Jamie Nicholas kicked four and six goals respectively for the teams.
■ Kerang continued its brutal start to the season with a 23.14 (142) to 5.12(42) dismissal of Koondrook-Barham.
The Blues led by more than 100 points by the final break, with Troy Coates (six goals), Mark Walter and Karl Lohde leading the way, while Ryan Gillingham also chipped in with four majors.
Jye Cousins, Michael Grant and Tom Lamb were the best for the Raiders.
■ Lake Boga pushed towards a top-six berth with a big 20.13 (133) to 7.7 (49) win against Tyntynder.
An eight-goal opening term set the tone for the Magpies, with Kyle Brawn, Brodie Bennett and Rochester's Hamish Hooppell leading the way.
Oliver Rohde and Jakson Holt kicked five and three goals respectively.
Tom Sala, Lachie Carroll and David Andrivon were the best for the Bulldogs, with Brad Carroll finishing with three goals.
■ The final big result saw Tooleybuc-Manangatang smash Balranald 26.17 (173) to 6.1 (37).
After only 13 points separated the sides at the first break, the Saints booted 10 goals in the second term and went on from there, with Lee Cox and Joel Cullen finishing with nine and five goals respectively, while Michael Dedini and Jack Spinks also impressed.
Dane Fitzgerald, Ryan Middlebrook and Mitch Leaver tried hard for the Roos.
By Geordie Cowan
