In form: Michael Pryde’s last month of football has been his best of the season, including two goals against Rumbalara on Saturday. It makes him an important part of the Tongala outfit come September.
Tongala was forced to weather a fierce first-half challenge from the winless Rumbalara, but a seven-goal haul from Blues’ forward Mackenzie Ryan ensured his side ran away with a comfortable 86-point win in round 16 Murray Football League action.
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Rumbalara showed early fight to carry a one-point lead into the first break, before Tongala rallied to snatch back an 11-point buffer at half-time.
Rumbalara’s promising first-half resistance was short-lived as Tongala ran away with the game in the third quarter, slamming home eight goals to one in a scintillating display.
The Blues put another five goals on the board against a tiring Rumbalara in the fourth quarter to notch win number 13 for the year and go level with Cobram atop the Murray Football League ladder.
Ryan’s seven goals were telling, while Nicholas Jamieson ran riot through the midfield to continue his stellar season. Michael Pryde, Corey Nexhip and Brayden Nevett also played well for the Blues.
Andrew Hummerston added three majors to Tongala’s 22 goals as the Blues ended the day with 10 individual goal-kickers. Rumbalara forwards Eric Edwards and Josh Patmore had three each for the day.
Key goalkicker: Mackenzie Ryan has missed only one match this season, the high flying forward held goalless in only two of those matches. He kicked seven against Rumbalara on Saturday (29 for the season) in the Blues’ 86-point win.
Meanwhile, the efforts of Steve Stallion, Anthony Miller and Kane Atkinson failed to see Rumbalara avoid its 16th straight defeat. With just two games to go in the season, its chances at victory are narrowing with games against Echuca United and Nathalia to come.
Tongala now has a bye before a highly-anticipated rematch against Cobram in round 17 that will see the Blues look to make amends for their early-season defeat to the Tigers.
– On Page 27 of today’s edition Rohan Aldous speaks with Tongala’s Vic Country NAB Under-18 Championships star Harley Reid.
Reid spoke on afl.com last week when he was touted as a potential number one pick at the 2023 AFL Draft. He also has to weigh up his options, in conjunction with AFL Academy coaching staff, for September.
He told the Free Press he was desperate to play in the Murray league finals series with the Blues, but a hectic schedule may not allow for that to happen.
