Blues sweep aside Finley in positive sign

By Matthew Kappos

Jun 15, 2025

Jack Hammond has been a consistent force for Tongala this season, the on-baller making his fifth appearance in the side’s best players list this week against Finley. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Plenty of work remains ahead for Tongala if it hopes to recover from a disappointing first half of the season, but the road to recovery may have begun this week.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The Blues ended a three-match losing run with a convincing win over struggling Murray Football League grand finalist Finley, defeating the Cats 10.15 (75) to 6.10 (46).

It could have been a disastrous first quarter for Tonny as an inaccurate Finley sprayed 1.6 towards goal, but fortune favoured the Blues as they took a two-point lead into the break.

Tongala put its stamp on the game from the second onwards, kicking five majors in the second period to enter the half up 22.

It was more of the same after the break at Finley Recreation Reserve, as Tonny kept Finley at arm's length in the 29-point win.

Sam Cipriani, Nate Dear and Kyle Fitzgerald topped the goal kickers list for Tongala, kicking two each, while no Finley player kicked more than one.

Sixth spot is the best the 3-7 Blues can realistically hope for this season, but Tonny will need to make up a two-game deficit to current holder Deniliquin (5-5) over the remaining eight games.

Another side hoping to snag that finals place is Numurkah (4-6) and Tongala has the opportunity to draw level with the fellow Blues as the two sides match up at Numurkah Showgrounds this weekend.