Echuca United’s Anthony McMahon tries to smother Nathalia’s Josh Gemmill’s effort.
Photo by
Jordan Townrow
Which club will dare to emerge and try to tame this Murray Football League beast?
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Congupna, on Saturday afternoon at Congupna Recreation Reserve, handed the league a cold hard truth: The Road are lengths — and then some — ahead of their competition.
The reigning premiers were merciless during their round seven clash against alleged next-best team in the league, Cobram.
Up till half-time, the Tigers remained prowling, growling and snarling in the contest, pushing the Roaders more than any other side has in 2025.
Congupna held a 31-point lead as the two teams trotted back out onto the field for the third quarter, but it was quickly made obvious that The Road was done toying with their food.
The five-goal lead quickly became a 17-goal belting as Congupna turned its playful taps and scolds into a jaw-crunching uppercut.
On their home deck and in front of a legion of fans, The Road made easy work of Cobram in the second half as the hosts won 21.16 (142) to 6.2 (38).
Congupna coach Ben Bingham said his boys played near-perfect football in a rampaging second half.
“It was nice and tight early as we expected,” Bingham said.
“We were really prepared to get our hands dirty yesterday and we just focused on the little things like our pressure around the contest and our tackling pressure yesterday was elite and what set the game up for us.
“The way we moved the ball in the second half ... it was probably the best half of football they have played with me as coach.
“At times it was good to sit back (and enjoy our ball movement).”
Mercurial small forward Kyle Mueller returned to form for Congupna after a quieter game the round prior when he kicked one goal.
Mueller finished the game with six off his own boot to be among his side’s best against the Tigers.
Star Cobram ruck Jackson Trengove went down injured in the second quarter and didn’t return, allowing The Road’s midfield department to claim complete ascendancy.
Bingham said a number of midfielders had standout performances.
“We had all four of our on-ballers and our starting ruck at their best, so they were very good yesterday," he said.
“BJ Squire he has been in our best every week, he cops a tag most weeks and he can just find a way to shake that and get over 30 touches a game; he is leading the way.
“Other guys like Jimmy Boyer and the likes are playing some fantastic football as well.”
Fellow final contenders Echuca United and Nathalia played out an enthralling contest.
The lead never leapt out by more than 14 points as the Purples travelled to take on the Eagles.
Goal merchant Liam Evans was again in fine form, booting a game-high four goals for Nathalia.
Echuca United trio Mitchell Lourey, Anthony McMahon and Ryan Stobaus both contributed two goals for the day.
The visitors outlasted their mid-table rivals on Saturday afternoon as Nathalia claimed an important 7.8 (50) to 9.7 (61) victory.
In other round seven results, Rumbalara fell to Mulwala to the tune of 46 points and Moama survived a Numurkah scare to win by eight points on the road.
Meanwhile, 2024 grand finalists Finley secured its second win of the year with a 21-point victory over battler Barooga and Deniliquin defeated Tongala by 37 points.
