Sport

Do-or-die for Blues in Murray League

By Matthew Kappos

Sep 3, 2026

Tongala is potentially two games away from a grand final in senior football and A-grade netball.

Two more elimination clashes loom for Tongala’s top-grade sides as the Murray Football Netball League finals continue this weekend.

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After getting through a first round of elimination semi-finals at the weekend, both top-flight sides will fight for a preliminary final place this Sunday at Cobram.

The senior men’s side, after knocking off third-ranked Mulwala, will take on Nathalia, while the A-grade netball side is coming from the more favoured position of third, facing up to Rumbalara after defeating Numurkah at the weekend.

“We had a couple of losses during the season that we probably should have won, but we did have a few players out during those games, so we didn't mind finishing third,” A-grade coach Abby Pettifer said.

“It gives you a nice run into finals and into the grand final.

“The girls have done really well and hopefully we’re hitting our peak at the right time.”

Tongala will take on the two-time defending premier Rumbalara with some confidence, having narrowly won the only meeting between the sides this year, 54-51.

“They’re really athletic and they read the play really well,” Pettifer said.

“Hopefully we can just match up really well against them and if we play the way that we do I have got all confidence.

“If my girls play the way they did on the weekend, we’re a real chance to go deep into finals and to really push for that premiership.”

The winner will play the loser of Nathalia and Mulwala in the preliminary final.

In the senior football, if Tongala can get by Nathalia, it will battle the loser of Congupna and Cobram, also in a prelim.

In lower grade qualifying final action, Tongala’s undefeated sides in B-grade, C-grade, and C-reserve are looking to book grand final tickets as they take on Moama.

The Magpies and Blues’ 17-and-unders are also facing off, while Moama’s reserves and under-17 footballers and 15-and-under netballers, alongside Echuca United’s 13-and-under team, are seeking grand final places at Rumbalara on Saturday.

Elimination finals at Cobram in the lower grades will feature Echuca United’s 17- and 15-and-under netballers and under-14 footballers, as well as Tongala’s 15-and-under and Moama’s 13-and-under sides.