Nathalia secures a crucial victory over Murray Football League contender Cobram

Round 12 had potential title challengers Nathalia and Cobram duel it out.

The fifth-placed Purples hosted the fourth-placed Tigers at Nathalia Recreation Reserve on Saturday afternoon with the former requiring a win to stay close to their opponents on the ladder.

Meanwhile, Cobram had a chance to leap-frog third and start chasing down a top-two spot if it won.

The match was an arm wrestle throughout each quarter and, hopefully, a glimpse into the type of contest supporters can expect come September.

Cobram held a one-point lead at the first change, which quadrupled by half-time.

Neither side could get their attack flowing, with the Tigers’ inaccuracy keeping them from breaking open a two or three-goal gap.

With scores tied at the final change of ends, it was Cobram that broke the deadlock to move six points clear at 47-53.

However, Nathalia’s Jordan Koo booted his fourth and final goal of the day two minutes later to once again tie the scores.

A 13-minute stalemate had supporters’ nails nibbled off and the coaches sweating profusely.

But with a cool head, cold-blooded lethality and ice in his veins, Nathalia’s Josh Vallender (three goals) booted the match-winner to the raptures of the Purples faithful.

Nathalia prevailed in a thriller 9.6 (60) to 7.12 (54).

Purples playing co-coach Ryan Butler said he was thrilled with Vallender’s efforts.

“Joshy has been very important to us, he got a concussion about three weeks ago, so it was his second game back in,” Butler said.

“He is a very crafty young forward. He is another one who is 18 or 19 years of age, so he has a long footy career ahead of him and he looks very lively down in the forward line.

“His sealing of the goal was very pleasing, especially for the coach sitting in the back line and looking at the time as it ticked away.

“To Cobram’s credit, they came home pretty hard and the last five minutes was all down in their forward line and our boys held on.”

Butler said the emerging presence of a couple of young gun Purples would hold Nathalia in good stead heading into the final few games of the home and away season.

“Kai Lundberg has had a slower start to the season,” he said.

“Last couple of weeks he has really stood up after he got crook, so gave him best-on-ground honours. His ability to move the footy as he does is exceptional for a 19-year-old.

“Jordy Koo came back in as a forward, has been out for four weeks with a crook shoulder, and he kicked four for us.

“To have him back in the forward line on par with Liam Evans is another avenue to goal which certainly helps us out.”

Up along the Murray River, a thriller between Moama and third-placed Mulwala was playing out.

After skipping away to a 25-point quarter-time lead on the road, the Lions’ advantage was slowly cut back over the following three terms.

Fresh off a 91-point mauling from Congupna, Moama was still licking its wounds in the opening term before snapping back to reality to record a memorable victory over its ladder rivals.

Chasing a 21-point deficit heading into the final quarter, the Magpies’ Blake Evans became a hero as he booted the final two goals of the match, the last in added time, to steal a one-point victory from the Lions.

Ladder leader Congupna added another 100-point scalp to its bulging 2025 collection with a 105-point dismantling of Tongala.

The Road didn’t have it all their way early, but switched into fifth gear after quarter-time to power away.

Congupna’s Kyle Mueller continued his fine form with a bag of seven.

Rumbalara secured its biggest win of the year with a 105-point demolition job on Barooga.

Michael Mummery starred with the seven majors.

Numurkah continued its mid-season momentum with a 47-point victory over Deniliquin.

It was the Blues' fifth straight win and keeps them safe in the top six with a percentage lead over seventh-placed Rumba.

Meanwhile, Echuca United thumped Finley by 50.