MFL | Gallery | Congupna prevails over Deniliquin Rams to stake finals claims

By Zac Standish

Jul 17, 2022

In dispute: Congupna’s Tate Mifka and Deniliquin’s Ryan MacDonald battle for possession. Photo by Megan Fisher

Congupna is well and truly on the road to the Murray League finals after easily accounting for Deniliquin Rams at Memorial Park on Saturday.

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With fifth place on the ladder up for grabs, the game served as a final of sorts for these two teams as they push towards securing a finals berth.

And it was Congupna’s class around the contest and slick ball movement that proved too much for the Rams, with a five-goal burst in the shadows of half time the catalyst for the 14.10 (94) to 7.5 (47) triumph.

Battling it out: Congupna’s Joel Costa and Deniliquin’s Angus McKay contest the ruck. Photo by Megan Fisher

Nine goals between spearheads Daniel Campbell (five) and Daniel Schaper (four) and a masterful midfield performance by Jimmy Boyer would be critical in the win, as the Road made it eight victories from its last nine starts.

A result that puts his side firmly in top four contention, Congupna coach Kevin O’Donoghue said this result was pivotal in the context of its season.

“It feels fantastic (to get this win), they are a really good side and we knew coming in this was going to be one of those eight-point games, so to put in a performance like that was very pleasing,” O’Donoghue said.

Dialing up the pressure: Congupna’s Jimmy Boyer and Jordan Gee tackle Deniliquin’s Ricky Gittens. Photo by Megan Fisher

“We have got to keep winning to play finals and today I thought we really stood up to the challenge, it was a great team effort and one we can certainly build on moving forward.”

Greeted with near-perfect conditions, it was a fierce start to proceedings at Memorial Park, with both teams trading blows in a gripping opening term.

Together as a unit: The Deniliquin Rams prepare for the match to start. Photo by Megan Fisher

With scores locked away at 2.2 (14) at the first change, Congupna made its charge in the second term, winning some crucial free kicks and converting three goals from 50-metre penalties to open up the game.

As tempers frayed, the Rams players began to lose their composure, with the class of the Road making them pay to open up a 34-point lead at the main change.

Gripping contest: Congupna’s Joel Costa and Deniliquin’s Angus McKay battle it out. Photo by Megan Fisher

“There was nothing really special (that changed the game), we just worked really hard and made the most of our forward entries,” O’Donoghue said of the way his team played in the second term.

“We’ve got some really good options down there and we were maybe fortunate with a few free kicks, but that’s just putting our head over the footy and getting on top around the contest.”

Time and space: Deniliquin’s Harry Hillier. Photo by Megan Fisher

Brimming with confidence, Congupna continued its momentum into the third term, as the league’s leading goal-kicker in Campbell came alive with two quick majors to get the margin up past 40 points.

Get it on the boot: Deniliquin’s Jack Tyndall sends the ball forward. Photo by Megan Fisher

But just as it looked like Deniliquin was on the canvas, a resurgence of sorts would come in the shadows of three-quarter time, as it managed to get on top through the midfield and kick a trio of quick goals to bring the margin back under five goals.

Making things happen: Congupna’s Daniel Campbell. Photo by Megan Fisher

With the door slightly ajar at the start of the final term, Congupna would show its class, slamming the Rams’ cause shut with a blistering four-goal stanza to secure the 47-point win.

O’Donoghue credited the way his team responded to multiple challenges as the group continues to grow in confidence.

Time to settle: Congupna’s Brodie Gee gathers possession. Photo by Megan Fisher

“We’ve been challenged all year and there’s been times we’ve stood up and times we’ve let ourselves down — we are a pretty young group so the beauty of it is we just keep learning,” he said.

Setting off: Deniliquin’s Ryan MacDonald gives chase. Photo by Megan Fisher

“Today was a really big step in the right direction, I feel we just keep getting better and are confident we can beat any side on our day.”

Run down: Deniliquin’s Angus McKay tackles Congupna’s Jordan Gee. Photo by Megan Fisher

Around the grounds, Moama inflicted a second straight defeat on ladder-leader Cobram, prevailing 8.8 (56) to 6.13 (49) in a gripping contest at Moama Recreation Reserve.

Arm in arm: The Congupna team pre-game. Photo by Megan Fisher

Trailing through the entire first three quarters, a dominant final term would see the Magpies home, with a major to skipper Jack Russell in the dying minutes sealing a famous come-from-behind victory.

Russell would come away with best-on-ground honours, with Jye Smith and Nicholas Pavlou proving great allies, while for Cobram Kyle Coates, Lewis Kennedy and Matthew DeMaio were the standouts.

Dishing it off: Deniliquin’s Harry Hillier gives off a handball. Photo by Megan Fisher

Mulwala put an end to Nathalia’s six-game winning streak, travelling across the border and recording a dominant 13.18 (96) to 9.5 (59) victory.

Hot contest: Deniliquin’s Harry Hillier and Congupna’s Sam Slavich. Photo by Megan Fisher

Owen Conway, Jackson Gash and Matthew Gorman were the top performers for the Lions, who kept themselves entrenched in the top four, while for the Purples Andrew Jones, Harrison Hawks and Bailey Bell battled gallantly.