The 18.14 (122) to 6.10 (46) result came on the back of four consistent quarters, a feature that had eluded the Tigers through the opening three rounds.
“It’s always nice to get your first win and get the monkey off the back,” coach Mark Wheatley said.
“A really pleasing four-quarter effort and a really good day for the club.”
Rushworth set the tone early with a seven-goal opening term, then built steadily across each quarter to record its highest score of the season and bank a much-needed percentage boost.
After a competitive but winless start to the year — including losses to Avenel and Nagambie — Wheatley said belief in the group had not wavered.
“I’m pretty bullish on playing finals. I know there’s a lot of work to do yet,” he said.
“Avenel, we were nine goals down at half time and came back to lose by 25. Last week hurt a lot — we kicked 7.16 to 10.9, so when you’re kicking more points than goals you’re going to be pretty hard up against it.”
“But yesterday, we took most of our chances. Still heaps of work to do, a coach is never happy, but it’s good to see reward for effort.”
Thirteen different players hit the scoreboard in the win — with Riley Edwards, Liam Adlington, Ryan Beale and Paul Vavlitis among the leading contributors — a spread that Wheatley said was not just welcome, but essential to their game plan.
“In the KDL, the big clubs have their go-to forwards — Lloyd at Murchison, Sutherland at Shepp East — who kick bags and bags,” he said.
“We don’t have that one key forward, so it’s really important to share the load. From an opposition point of view, it’s hard to know where the goals are coming from.”
The midfield brigade, built on contested footy, laid the foundation for the result, with the coach praising the group’s consistent energy and effort.
“We train contest. That’s our go-to, and everything — our ball movement, our defence — comes from that,” Wheatley said.
Rushworth’s win also capped a near-perfect weekend for the club. All three football sides saluted, while six of the eight netball teams also recorded victories.
“There’s a really good energy and vibe at the place at the moment,” Wheatley said.
“Just a little bit of reward for effort, which is really pleasing.”
Looking ahead, the Tigers now travel to face Tallygaroopna in round five.
Despite the Redlegs’ winless start, Wheatley said there would be no room for complacency.
“We’re not in a position to take any side lightly,” he said.
“The KDL is so even — we’re not good enough to take our foot off the pedal. It’s another opportunity, but it will not be easy. On their home deck, they’re a different opposition.”
Elsewhere in round four, it was a day for big wins across the league.
Shepparton East flexed its muscle with a commanding 168-13 win over Merrigum, while Lancaster piled on 22 goals in a 136-point thrashing of Stanhope.
Murchison-Toolamba proved too strong for Violet Town, running away a 125-61 winner and Longwood kept Tallygaroopna winless with a 38-point home victory.
