After grand final defeat in 2025, it’s taken 13 rounds of Murray Netball League action to get to relive the action between Rumbalara and the Purples - and in that time, plenty has happened.
Rumbalara is adapting to new faces in its side this year and have been on the wrong end of the stick for a few results so far, holding a 5-4 record entering the contest.
On the other hand, Nathalia has used the grand final loss as fuel to charge towards an A-grade flag in 2026, and up until Saturday, was the yardstick of the competition.
But no win would have been sweeter for Nathalia than to avenge its grand final loss.
From Rumba’s perspective though, an 11-0 opponent could look intimidating.
But with a premiership flag following its last encounter with Nathalia, Rumbalara had the belief it could beat the Purples.
And from the get go, that’s what the team in blue did.
Establishing a six-goal lead by quarter time, Rumbalara’s early stumbles in its season looked a thing of the past and it was back to its premiership potential.
But the Purples’ 11-game winning streak was not a fluke, and gradually Nathalia worked its way back into the contest with its formula it had nearly banked three months worth of wins from.
Rumba’s Desmond Morgan and Nathalia’s Georgia Walpole went head to head exchanging goals at either end of the Nathalia Recreation Reserve court as the match evened up.
Purple Ashlee Cann’s switch from defence to keeper worked a treat in the second half in a laudable tactic switch by Nathalia coach Tracey Brereton to try limit Morgan’s influence, but despite all its efforts, Nathalia’s undefeated streak came unstuck, by the barest of margins.
A late clutch goal sealed the deal for Rumba, winning 47-48 and ending a dream start to the season by its languished 2025 decider opponent.
The loss moves Nathalia out of pole position too, Mulwala sharing an 11-1 record with the Purples and with a percentage 1.44 better, the Lions have overtaken minor premiership favouritism.
The Lions defeaed Numurkah by 31 in round 13 while third-placed Moama remains in touch with the two ladder leaders after beating Deniliquin by 24.
Echuca United overcame Finley by 30 goals, 63-33, while Tongala similarly beat Cobram by 32, 63-31.
Congupna had the bye in round 13, returning to action next week against second-last Finley, a prime opportunity for the Road to get its first A-grade netball win of 2026.
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