It was always going to be a tough game for the Tocumwal seniors, coming up against the benchmark team for the Murray Football League on Saturday.
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The boys battled hard against the top side and grand final favourites.
Although Mulwala got off on a great start kicking 15 goals to one in the first half, the Toc lads pulled together keeping the second half score to 7 goals to 4.
Final score: Tocumwal 9.8 (62) def by Mulwala 23.13 (151).
Best: Mitch Collins Bye, Andrew Dickins, Jon-Ross Cardillo, Brock McCabe, Kade Rowe, Ed Thomson.
Goals: Brock McCabe 3, Mitch Collins Bye 1, Jon Ross Cardillo, Kade Rowe, Andrew Dickins, Chris Stott, Leigh Morse.
Awards: 1st Incentive – Leigh Morse; 2nd Incentive – Harvey White; 3rd Incentive – Charlie Locke.
Coming up against a strong Mulwala reserves side with plenty of depth, experience and youth, Toc were focused on maintaining a consistent effort across the four quarters.
They also wanted to enjoy the last few games of the season.
Once again the experienced brigade of Ben Wilson, Mick East, Dave Farrell, Corey Herezo and Dennis Sutton put their hands up to help out.
They all managed to play a key role across the ground and impact the contest.
It was clear from early on that the Lions were going to be a tough opponent.
They were able to apply real scoreboard pressure on the Bloods with their ability to spread from the contest when they won the ball, and deliver accurately into their forward line with real purpose and intent.
The Bloods were once again competitive around the contest and won their share of contested footy, but were unable to match the skill and run of the Lions on the rebound.
Despite the one-sided affair, the game was played in good spirit with both sides putting in their best efforts and coming off the ground with their heads held high.
Mulwala ran out easy winners and managed to keep the Bloods scoreless.
Better players for the Bloods included Jack Gowty, who has grown in confidence over the past month with his hardness around the ball.
Jessie and Liam Colstan were back in this week and continued their great run of form this year to play another consistent game in the midfield.
Glynn Matters had his normal impact around the ball to finish off strong, while Liam Ryan and Harry John also played well.
Final score: Tocumwal 0.0 (0) def by Mulwala 26.13 (169).
Awards: Incentive award – Jack Gowty; Farmers Arms Hotel Award – Liam Colstan; Baldwin’s Farms Thursday night dinner award – Liam Ryan; IGA voucher – Jessie Colstan; Baldwin’s Buses Thursday night dinner – Harry Johns.
The thirds boys came up against another side in the top six.
They came out ready to play from the first bounce, having about 80 per cent of the play.
In the second quarter, Mulwala got their game going and the boys just couldn’t quite match the Lions.
To the boys’ credit, they fought hard all day.
Final score: Tocumwal 3.3 (21) def by Mulwala 15.7 (97).
Best: Hunter Groutsch, Joe Barker, Pacey Haebich, Liam Purtill, Nate Grieves, Cody Palmer.
Goals: Kane Wardlaw 1, Liam Sutton, Jirra Letcher.
Awards: Ed Thompson $20 award – Hunter Groutsch; Wingates $10 award – Joe Barker; Palmer Excavations award – Kane Wardlaw; Foreshore Café award – Cody Palmer.
The Bloods fourths aimed to enhance their scoreline from the previous game against Mulwala, prioritising improvement over victory.
Despite another challenging game, the team showed unwavering determination.
They fought until the very end, displaying remarkable resilience.
The boys are eager to wrap up the season with a win against Finley.
Final score: Tocumwal 0.0 (0) def by Mulwala 15.22 (112).
Best: Jake Hicks, Chace Brunskill, Heath Mansell, Harrison Wilson, Josh Herezo, Archie Chellew.
Awards: Paul Quick & Peter Absolom $10 award – Jake Hicks; Donovan Tainton Refrigeration Award – Josh Herezo; Donovan Tainton Refrigeration Award – Heath Mansell; Toc News and Lotto – Archie Chellew.