The Tigers hosted Numurkah on Easter Saturday for its season opener and flag unfurling, but it would be the Blues who came away with the chocolates after a sensational 32-point comeback.
Cobram will rue poor kicking for its early blemish, scoring seven times to Numurkah’s two in the first term but only establishing a 10-point advantage, 2.5 (17) to 1.1 (7).
The Tigers straightened up its accuracy in the second term, kicking four goals to two to extend its lead to 19 at the main break, before firing out of the change rooms to reach a game-high lead of 32 as the third quarter reached red time, 8.12 (60) to 4.4 (28).
However, the Blues would wrestle momentum back in the time-on period, kicking three goals in six minutes to draw the margin back to 13 points at three-quarter-time.
From there, they would ride home with a wet sail.
Eight scoring shots to three in the last quarter would sink the 2025 flag-winners by seven points, with Numurkah’s first lead of the contest coming six minutes into the final term, before a goal in the 25th minute sealed a buffer greater than one straight kick.
Numurkah coach Jordan O’Dwyer lauded the Blues’ improved fitness after pre-season and marked increase in disposal efficiency that aided the club to run over the top of the Tigers.
“They were scoring off our turnover, we felt like we matched it with them initially in the contest, but we struggled to finish off our good work,” O’Dwyer said.
“Getting fitter in pre-season was a big focus and we were able to run over them in pretty tough conditions, everyone was pretty knackered after four quarters played in 25 degree heat.”
Numurkah 19-year-old Harry Hopkins starred with five goals and was sung high praise by O’Dwyer, while Theo Thomas was named best afield for the Blues.
“Harry’s a star and he could be anything to be brutally honest,” O’Dwyer said.
“We’re pretty lucky to have him this year, he could go up another level or two and play some high level footy.
“He obviously kicked a few, but we were lacking speed in the middle and threw him on ball too and that was a game-changer.”
Former AFL footballer Jackson Trengove was Cobram’s sole multiple goal kicker with two, as Tyron Baden was acknowledged as the Tigers’ best.
Around the grounds, 2025 runners-up Congupna secured a 49-point victory to begin its MFL campaign on Good Friday, defeating Mulwala at the Lions home deck.
Also on the public holiday weekday, Tongala edged out Nathalia by nine points as a late Purples surge fell short, Moama defeated Echuca United by 22, and a straight-shooting Deniliquin Rams pinched a one-goal win over an inaccurate Finley, 11.3 (69) to 8.15 (63).
Last week, Echuca United and Deniliquin also played an opening match standalone blockbuster, which the Rams claimed by 14 points.
The pair will have byes in round four with Congupna after playing the early fixture, while Rumbalara had the bye in round one.
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