Best Battles
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McPherson Media Group’s new series, Best Battles, continues this week as we take a look back at the most memorable clashes between sides slated to face each other in round two of the 2020 season.
GOULBURN VALLEY LEAGUE
Mansfield v Euroa
Round 17, 2015 at Mansfield Recreation Reserve
Mansfield 13.5 (83) d Euroa 11.13 (79)
Not even the most optimistic of Eagles supporters could have seen this result coming five years ago.
After being handed a 169-point drubbing, in which they were held goalless, by Benalla a week earlier no-one expected Mansfield to trouble the finals-bound Magpies.
But with a point to prove, the Eagles were in no mood to muck around – even as they lost key players to injury throughout the game.
Star midfielder George Burbury was one of those struggling, so coach Simon Dolling threw him to full-forward.
Was he really injured? Burbury finished the day with eight goals.
‘‘That’s the proudest I’ve been of the boys, to respond the way they did was just incredible,’’ Dolling said of his side’s win.
‘‘It was wasn’t a coaching masterstroke or any doing of mine, it was plain and simple a desire to win the contest.”
Kyabram v Rochester
Grand final, 2016 at Deakin Reserve
Kyabram 10.5 (65) d Rochester 7.10 (52)
It was the day Kyabram’s dynasty officially started.
The Bombers won the first of three premierships that would come in the next four years – as they also completed the perfect season.
Across the ground, there were individual stories as important as their own.
In his final game as a full-time player, Paul Newman produced a third term for the ages against Rochester star James Gledhill – kicking two crucial goals when the game was there to be won.
Meanwhile, Lachie Smith’s controversial switch from GVL rival Benalla now had a silver lining.
And big game specialist Jake Reeves left the ground with three medals draped around his neck - the Barry Connolly Medal for player of the finals series, the AFL Victoria Medal and a premiership medallion.
‘‘We were obviously the best side all year and we’ve got the just rewards, but it doesn’t always fall that way, so I’m very happy,” Newman said at the time.
Echuca v Tatura
Round one, 2018 at Victoria Park
Echuca 13.13 (91) d Tatura 12.12 (84)
The story pre-match was Andrew Walker’s return to Victoria Park.
But the story out of the game was reigning Morrison medallist Simon Buckley.
Buckley picked up an incredible 47 disposals in front of a 5000-strong crowd on Easter Saturday, as Echuca overcame a 13-point three-quarter time deficit to open its season with a win against the Bulldogs.
Matt Ryan was the star for the Dogs, booting five majors, with Zavier Ballis named the best for Tat.
Echuca co-coach Walker said, after a long time away from country football, it was a great feeling to be back on the field.
“I’ll tell you what, that feeling was as good a feeling as I’ve had in the game of footy,” Walker said.
“One for the performance, but two to turn around and see what (the crowd) was like was incredible.”
Bulldogs coach Jamason Daniels said while he was disappointed by the outcome, he believed his side had been better than its opponent for most of the contest.
“They’re a really good side, and we probably matched it with them or were the better side for most of the day,” he said.
Seymour v Benalla
Round four, 2016 at Kings Park
Seymour 10.7 (67) lt Benalla 10.12 (72)
A seesawing, early-season affair in 2016 lit up Kings Park, with home side Seymour almost pulling off an unlikely comeback against Benalla.
The Saints notched 12 scoring shots to four by half-time, but errant goal-kicking – that almost came back to haunt them – meant the margin was only three goals.
A half-time bake from playing coach Brent Colbert proved enough to spark the Lions into action, but it was too little, too late as the final siren sounded with Benalla still holding a slender lead.
“It was a good game between two clubs that have invested in their local talent and we fought it out right to the end,” Saints playing coach Luke Morgan said at the time.
“We had the upper hand in the first half, but didn’t capitalise on our opportunities and when you don’t capitalise it comes back to bite you in this competition.”
Shepparton United v Shepparton
Round 16, 2015 at Deakin Reserve
Shepparton United 14.11 (95) d Shepparton 11.6 (72)
Shepparton United has lost its past seven games to Deakin Reserve co-tenant Shepparton by a combined 426 points, having last celebrated victory against the Bears in 2015.
That match had the Demons lead from start to finish, able to see off a late Bear challenge to seal a 23-point victory.
Co-coach Tim Looby booted three goals that day as did John Bradaric, while a two-goal, best-on-ground display from Shaun Huy certainly caught the eye for United.
For the Bears, Mitch Brett was best and booted three goals, while Sebastian Walsh, Rowan Hiscock and second-gamer Jordon Butts each kicked two.
The win was huge for the Demons having won just one of their nine previous matches, according to co-coach Brendan van der Donk.
“We told a few home truths at our team meeting before the game, we had a couple of the past players say a few things — what it means to them as a club, what it means to beat Shepparton number one, the arch rival, so to get the four points was awesome,’’ van der Donk said.
Mooroopna v Shepparton Swans
Round three, 2019 at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve
Shepparton Swans 12.8 (80) d Mooroopna 6.11 (47)
The last time the Shepparton Swans and Mooroopna met Princess Park’s finest won for the first time in 630 days.
Having endured a lengthy losing streak that included a winless 2018 season, the Swans seized their first true opportunity to sing the song in 2019, playing an electrifying final quarter to see off the Cats by 33 points.
The Swans led by 16 points at the final break, but piled on four goals to one in the last term to lock up the win, with Quade Johnstone and Tom Preece the outstanding players, along with a three-goal haul from Rob Staff.
Matt Deane and Ajak Dang were best for the Cats, but the match was all about the Swans and the hard work they had put in to finally bank four points.
‘‘I’m pleased for so many people on so many levels,’’ Swans coach Paul Hawke said.
‘‘It’s not just the players, it’s our supporters, our sponsors, our committee. There’s a lot that goes into a club behind the scenes and it’s a good reward for all of that.’’
MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Echuca United v Moama
Round 17, 2011 at Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Echuca United 12.7 (79) d Moama 10.15 (75)
A loss to your biggest rival always hurts, but they hurt much more when they change the course of your season.
The Eagles’ shock victory had Moama missing out on a double chance, despite the Magpies winning their last three games.
United’s win completed a 71-point turnaround after Moama won by 67 points in their previous meeting.
“Last time we built it up a little bit and made our young guys aware of what it meant to play against Moama, and they got overawed by the situation,” United coach Scott Beattie said.
“This time we didn’t bring it up at all and I think with the crowd that was there and the support that we had, they could really tell the rivalry was alive and kicking.”
Tongala v Nathalia
Round 14, 2013 at Tongala Recreation Reserve
Tongala 9.4 (58) lt Nathalia 11.15 (81)
With Nathalia the dominant force of the Murray league for the past five years, it’s hard to think that they were once at the lower end of the ladder.
But when the Purples met 2019 grand final opponent Tongala in late 2013, neither side was talking about the finals.
Five goals from Jason Limbrick and an 11-to-four-goal first half had the Purples get a 23-point win, avenging their 56-point loss from round one.
It would play a key role in their season standings, where ninth-placed Nathalia (8-10) finished one game ahead of 10th-placed Tongala (7-11).
Finley v Deniliquin Rams
Round two, 2014 at Blighty Recreation Reserve
Finley 12.11 (83) d Deniliquin Rams 10.13 (73)
There have been few more even seasons in the Murray league than 2014, where only two games separated first and sixth.
So when Finley and Deniliquin met in round two, they were bound to produce a great clash.
Troy Bartlett and Brett Macdonald combined for six goals, but it was Jess Koopman with three goals and a best-on-ground showing from Cam Robertson allowed Finley to run over the top late.
Trailing by three points at three-quarter time, Finley kicked four goals in the last quarter to pick up a 10-point win.
Barooga v Cobram
Round 16, 2019 at Barooga Recreation Reserve
Barooga 7.7 (49) d Cobram 6.8 (44)
The storied annals of the cross-border rivalry between Cobram and Barooga could fill an entire book, but for now the last meeting between the teams makes for brilliant enough reading.
In a low-scoring affair the lead changed hands at every break before the Hawks lifted to claim a five-point win.
For the Tigers it proved to be the death knell for their hopes of a double chance, while the Hawks revelled in the victory against their close rivals in an otherwise tough season.
Zac Brain, Logan Morey and Wade Demasi (three goals) were among the better performers for Barooga, with Tom Scott the star for Cobram.
Katandra v Tungamah
Round 10, 2016 at Katandra Recreation Reserve
Katandra 11.6 (72) lt Tungamah 10.13 (73)
The best recent battle between the current Murray Football League rivals came when they were still Picola District Football League south-east foes.
Tungamah playing coach Jeremy O’Brien steered home a behind with 30 seconds remaining on the clock to give his Bears a one-point advantage, and despite Katandra marching the length of the field it was not able to get a shot off before the siren sounded.
“I took a big sigh of relief when the siren went, we were pretty lucky because I didn’t think we had enough time left, but I’m really happy to get the win,” O’Brien said after the game.
The largest lead at any break during the clash was merely a goal, with Shane Bensch (Kats) and Glenn Dominick (Bears) best afield for their respective sides.
Rumbalara v Numurkah
Round one, 2018 at Mercury Dve
Rumbalara 12.11 (83) lt Numurkah 15.10 (100)
It took a final-term surge – as well as eight goals from Nathan Hicks – for Numurkah to shake off Rumbalara in the first match of the 2018 campaign.
It was an early sign that Rumba were ready to race up the table and challenge for Murray league supremacy, eventually falling to Nathalia by less than a kick in a preliminary final.
Mitch Price and Brad Crowther joined Hicks as the best players for the Blues, while Djaran Whyman (three goals) and Nathan Terlich impressed for Rumba.
The Blues also exited at the penultimate hurdle in 2018.
Mulwala v Congupna
Round 13, 2012 at Memorial Park
Congupna 12.12 (84) d Mulwala 10.13 (73)
Congupna’s last win against Mulwala came in 2012, when The Road stood up to a stiff test to upset the Lions.
The Lions hit the contest looking to close the gap to the top-two, but instead slipped against a young Congupna side looking to establish itself inside the top four.
The Road took a one-point lead to half-time and ground their way through the second half to an 11-point win, with four goals from Ryan Sidebottom helping to get the chocolates.
Adrian Parker and Shannon Emmett were other stars for The Road, while Lee James kicked four for the Lions.
Road coach Mark O’Meara acknowledged the importance of the win.
‘‘With a young side to take a scalp above us on the ladder was important from a mental point of view, we’re growing in confidence,” he said.
The Lions have won their last 12 games against Congupna.
PICOLA DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Tocumwal v Strathmerton
Round nine, 2014 at Tocumwal Recreation Reserve
Strathmerton 15.9 (99) d Tocumwal 11.14 (80)
Tocumwal’s and Strathmerton’s first meeting after the Bloods joined the Picola league in 2014 was a close encounter eventually won by the powerhouse Bulldogs.
The Dogs controlled the bulk of the contest, but could never truly shake the pesky Bloods, who kicked 3.6 to 0.3 in the final quarter to hand out somewhat of a scare.
Josh Evans kicked five of his 84 goals for the season for Strathmerton with Michael Laidlaw, Scott Iddles and Shaun Downie the star players.
Michael O’Riordan was best for Tocumwal with three goals.
The Bloods finished the season third on the ladder in an impressive debut campaign, while Strathmerton would reach the grand final, part of the six grand finals in seven years it would reach.