The battle for fourth is set to come down to the wire in the Goulburn Murray Women and Girls League senior competition.
A stinging loss to ladder-leader Echuca has had Nathalia lose its one-win buffer over Mansfield and now sits precariously in the league’s finals calculations, ahead of the Eagles by percentage.
The Murray Bombers fired from the early going, commanding territory and possession at Nathalia Recreation Reserve, and notched six scoring shots to zero in the opening term.
The Purples continued to struggle producing any fluent attack in the second quarter, once again going scoreless, but sharpened up defensively to only allow a further five behinds from Echuca before half-time.
Echuca’s accuracy improved briefly following the main break, scoring 3.2 in the third term, while Nathalia managed its only points for the contest.
Abby Favaro kicked the sole goal for the Purples, the major being her first since a bag of five against Tatura in round nine.
The Murray Bombers’ inefficiency in front of goal would return in the final quarter, but the damage had already been done, leaving their missed opportunities as no more than wasted percentage-boosting scores.
Four goals from Sienna Lee headlined the near-flawless result for Echuca, claiming its ninth win of 2025, 7.17 (59) to 1.1 (7).
Echuca now boasts an intimidating 9-1 record and with two rounds to play and a healthy percentage is effectively locked in for a home semi-final.
Nathalia sits on equal premiership points with Mansfield following the loss, but failure to capitalise on the scoreboard could cost the Eagles a chance at premiership contention.
Currently a touch less than 20 per cent behind Nathalia, the Eagles let a prime opportunity slip against winless Tatura, holding the Bulldogs to one behind, but booted a wayward 3.10 (28) themselves.
Chloe Rekers was the star, providing all three goals for Mansfield.
Meanwhile, Shepparton United remains undefeated after condemning Barooga to a 53-point loss, as Rumbalara rested with the bye.
In the youth league, Barooga pipped the Demons at the post after trailing at all changes, clinching a thrilling five-point win.
Nathalia defeated Shepparton Swans by 14, while an inaccurate Moama still cruised by Echuca United 4.10 (34) to 0.2 (2).