Mulwala's Matthew Holgate launches for a mark.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Rumbalara has fallen to a rampant Mulwala outfit in its first hitout of the Murray Football League season.
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After holding the bye in round one, Rumbalara kicked off its 2026 campaign on home turf against the Lions fresh off a loss to 2025 runners-up Congupna.
Mulwala held the ascendancy in the early going, scoring the first 14 points of the match before Rumba found the scoreboard with a behind.
Rumbalara would be restricted to a goalless opening term, trailing by 19 points at quarter-time, but the wound would only grow in the second.
Mulwala pumped three quick goals out of the huddle before Rumbalara finally flushed the Sherrin through the big sticks, but then the Lions would produce another spurt of three majors to extend the half time lead to 50.
Mulwala's William Cookson dashes away.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Rumbalara's Brogan Mcgee takes in the home crowd atmosphere.
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Megan Fisher
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Rumbalara's Kydan Atkinson kicks in full flight.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Rumbalara's Elwyn Bush marks the ball under a picturesque sky.
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Megan Fisher
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The Lions circle the stoppage with pressure.
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Megan Fisher
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Rumbalara's Enrico Bauer lays a tough shepherd.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Mulwala's Jackson Meade kicked five for the afternoon.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Rumbalara's Will Morgan andMulwala's Owen Conway fly for the tap.
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Megan Fisher
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Mulwala's Harrison Meade dishes with hands.
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Megan Fisher
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Rumbalara's Elwyn Bush feeds the football.
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Megan Fisher
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Mulwala's Matthew Holgate launches for a mark.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Rumbalara's Djaidha Miller looks dejected at the siren.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
However, Rumbalara would show resilience in the second half.
While an inaccurate term, Rumba’s 1.4 for the quarter matched Mulwala’s 2.3, before restricting the Lions to another two goal term in the last, resulting in only a marginal increase of the half time lead to 63 at the final siren, 3.7 (25) to 13.10 (88).
Skipper Kydan Atkinson, Jake Zerbato, and Anthony Walker were the three individual goalkickers for Rumba, while Mulwala’s Jackson Meade travelled back to the lakeside town with a bag of five.
Darrnell Edwards was defiant in defeat for Rumbalara, named as the home side’s best, while Kyal Tyson was best-on for the Lions.
Rumbalara will look to rebound against Deniliquin next week, a dangerous outfit that has captured two wins on the season already.
However, the Rams - which competed in a standalone season opener and hence has an additional match played - lost its round two match to Nathalia by 68 points, meaning both sides will be aiming to get back on the winner’s list in round three.
Around the grounds, Congupna defeated Moama on the road by 32 points, while its grand final opponent of 2025 Cobram rebounded following its round one loss, defeating a gallant Finley by 18.
In a battle of the Blues, Numurkah defeated Tongala by 19 points, handing the navy side a 2-0 start to its Murray League season.
Numurkah will take on Rumbalara-defeaters Mulwala in round three, while Echuca United will return from the bye - Moama set to have the week off next Saturday.
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