An undermanned Tocumwal senior side came up against Congupna in Murray League action on Saturday.
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Four boys came up from the under-17s to play a second game for the day. They did well to hold their own.
Again Mitch Collins Bye, Kade Rowe and Jordan Lavis led from the front but Congupna were just too good on the day.
A positive for the day was young Blood Logan White playing his second senior game, and receiving the first Incentive award.
Final score: Tocumwal 3.1 (19) def by Congupna 32.11 (203).
Best: Kade Rowe, Mitch Collins Bye, Drew Haebich, Logan White, Andrew Dickins, Jordan Lavis.
Goals: Dane Maxwell 1, Kade Rowe, Logan White.
Awards: 1st Incentive - Logan White; 2nd Incentive - Connor Crowley; 3rd Incentive - Ed Thompson.
It was another tough weekend for the Toc reserves, coming up against a strong, well-placed Congupna side who are looking towards a strong finals campaign.
With the season winding down and injuries featuring heavily, once again the experienced, or older, brigade put their hands up to help out.
The evergreen Darren White, Ben Wilson, Toby Chappell, Al Saraikin and Dennis Sutton all helped the team put in a competitive effort.
Despite the sun shining and a cold breeze assisting the Bloods in the first quarter, Congupna showed their talent by starting the game well.
They used the spread on the bigger ground to score consistently and take a convincing lead into the first break.
The Bloods rallied at the break and came out in the second quarter with real intent around the footy.
The midfield through Saraikin, Glyn Matters and Tim Arkley all managed to get their hands on the footy and cause a real contest at stoppages.
We were no match for the younger and fitter Congupna boys. When the ball spread from the contest we couldn’t match the run forward from their midfield.
They managed to create space across the ground and put real pressure on the Bloods’ defence.
Will Grinter and Greg Whelan battled hard all day in the backline and did a great job keeping up the pressure with the amount of ball coming in.
Congupna proved too strong for the Bloods.
Final score: Tocumwal 0.2 (2) def by Congupna 20.14 (134).
Best: Glyn Matters, Jack Gowty, Tim Arklay, Alex Saraikin, William Grinter, Greg Whelan.
Awards: Incentive award - Glyn Matters; Farmers Arms Hotel Award - William Grinter; Baldwin’s Farms Thursday night dinner award - Joe Barker; IGA voucher - Jack Gowty; Baldwin’s Buses Thursday night dinner - Liam Purtill.
On a perfect day for footy, the thirds came our firing after some pre-game advice from 1975 North Melbourne premiership player Peter Chisnall.
The boys kicked four goals straight to Congupna’s one point.
The second quarter saw the boys let Congupna back into the contest, with The Road keeping us to one point and kicking one goal one themselves.
After some stern words at half time to wake them up, the boys responded with a massive lift in their attack and pressure on the footy to kick three goals to one for the term.
The final term was another test for the boys, as they were asked to play the game out to the end.
With plenty of run and pressure, the boys kept the game going and finished strong to kick another three goals one for the quarter.
It was another tough week to pick best players as everyone took their opportunity when needed.
Final score: Tocumwal 10.3 (63) def Congupna 3.4 (22).
Best: Nate Grieves, Pacey Haebich, Kane Wardlaw, Cooper Mangion, Cody Palmer, Hunter Groutsch.
Goals: Liam Sutton 4, Will O’Connell 2, Pacey Haebich 1, Charlie Locke, Liam Purtill, Cody Palmer.
Awards: Ed Thompson $20 award - Nate Grieves; Wingates $10 award - Pacey Haebich; Palmer Excavations award - Cooper Mangion; Foreshore Café award - Kane Wardlaw.
The young Bloods took on Congupna at home but unfortunately couldn’t quite get over the line, falling short by two goals.
Despite the loss, the final score was a huge improvement from our first meet at the start of the season.
There were several standout performances that deserve recognition.
Heath Mansell was named best on ground, showcasing his exceptional skills and perseverance throughout the game.
Lucas Grieves managed to kick an incredible goal and the gutsy efforts of Braxton Brunskill and Arlo Haley were inspiring, showing determination and resilience in the face of a bigger opposition.
While we did not get the win, all the boys played their roles and made for a great team effort and took in some learning.
We need to maintain concentration and focus, and to remember discipline is crucial.
Silly free kicks can have a significant impact on the game.
Final score: Tocumwal 1.4 (10) def by Congupna 3.4 (22).
Best: Heath Mansell, Jake Hicks, Chace Brunskill, Archie Chellew, Cooper Quick, Josh Herezo.
Goals: Lucas Grieves.
Awards: Ice Creamery award - Lucas Grieves; Paul Quick & Peter Absolom $10 award - Heath Mansell; Donovan Tainton Refrigeration award - Arlo Haley; Toc News and Lotto - Braxton Brunskill.