A gutsy eight-point win over Dookie United has kept Murchison-Toolamba undefeated in the Kyabram District League.
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The Grasshoppers were forced to dig deep in the round-four classic, but a late Nathan Turner goal in the final minutes of the match saw them seal a 9.10 (64) to 8.8 (56) triumph.
At a soaked Murchison Recreation Reserve, both sides demonstrated why many pundits expect them to feature heavily come September.
Despite both squads being able to break the lines and find space through the middle, goals were hard to come by.
The back six at both ends of the ground stood tall — highlighted by defenders Adam Macgibbon and Andrew O’Connor both being named best-on for Murchison-Toolamba and Dookie respectively.
Ashton Cashion produced a special six-goal performance for the Hoppers, two coming in the final term of the contest, in his first match of the season.
Speaking after the match, Murchison-Toolamba coach Nick Iorianni said he was relieved his outfit was able to fall over the line.
“It was a bit close for comfort that’s for sure,” he said.
“They (Dookie United) are quite slick, they play a good brand of footy.
“The boys really fought that out to the end. We had a chat at half time about showing resilience and getting the game back on our terms.
“To the boys’ credit they were able to fight it out which was great.”
Dookie United held the advantage, at least on the scoreboard, for the majority of the contest.
The visitors led by four points at the first break and held a slim one-point buffer at the main break.
With the scores level at the last break, Iorianni said he called on the playing group to tough it out until the final siren.
“The message at three-quarter time was more of what we said at half time. Let’s keep showing resilience and let’s keep fighting,” he said.
“The [playing group] showed a lot of courage too. We didn’t have a bench for a fair chunk of that game. The boys were able to grind and get the four points which was pretty special in the end.
“Adam Macgibbon across half back was sensational all day.
“Jye Borg in defence did a good job on Patty McMullan. Ash, that was his first game back this year and he was very dangerous in front of goals.”
But the win did come at a cost for Iorianni’s men.
The Grasshoppers were without key defender Josh Wild, after his day was cut short in the first quarter, while Cody Vincitorio injured his shoulder.
“Josh was out in the first five minutes of the game,” Iorianni said.
“Cody went down early in the second with a shoulder injury and then we had Kallyun Sanders do his ankle.”
Around the grounds, Stanhope notched up back-to-back victories at the weekend.
The Lions ran away with five goals to two in the second half to chalk up a 10.8 (68) to 6.12 (48) win.
On-baller Ryan Semmel was judged best-on for Stanhope.
The loss keeps Nagambie winless after four rounds.
Over at Central Park Reserve, Shepparton East recorded a 38-point win over a plucky Girgarre.
Tom McCluskey, Adem Barolli and Matt Rendina shone for the Eagles.
For the Roos, Mitch Smith and Jarrod Kellock stood tall.
Meanwhile, a depleted Longwood suffered a mammoth loss to Lancaster.
Lancaster booted 46 goals to post 46.28 (304) to 0.2 (2) against the Redlegs.
Only three players for Lancaster failed to boot a goal.
Avenel continues to get wins on the board after it dispatched Undera by 123 points.
Tim Brook banged home five majors, while Jack Myers and Mitch Tobin were prolific in the midfield.
Lastly, a spectacular six-goal final-quarter surge saw Violet Town walk away with a 33-point win over Merrigum.
The loss was Merrigum’s second on the trot.
Tallygaroopna was at home to Rushworth in the sole Sunday game.
Sports Editor