Ruck duel: Murchison-Toolamba’s Leigh Wellington and Shepparton East’s Tom McCluskey.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
A swing of the magnets and a frank discussion at half-time was the catalyst for what proved to be a match-winning second-half performance for Murchison-Toolamba in its memorable 26-point win over ladder leader Shepparton East.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
In the Kyabram District League Indigenous Round, Murchison-Toolamba achieved what no other club has this year by handing the Eagles their first loss of the 2023 campaign.
At a packed Murchison Recreation Reserve, the home side booted seven of the eight second-half goals to run out an 11.8 (74) to 7.6 (48) winner in round 10 action.
Premiership player and club stalwart James Milne was a standout for the Grasshoppers, while Adam MacGibbon and Nathan Turner provided quality performances.
Despite the loss, the Eagles remain on top of the ladder with percentage holding Nagambie and Murchison-Toolamba at bay.
On the move: Murchison-Toolamba's Chris Cullinan.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 2 of 6
Head over the ball: Shepparton East's Matt Rendina.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 3 of 6
Nominating: Shepparton East's Thomas McCluskey nominates for the ruck.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 4 of 6
Duking it out: Murchison-Toolamba's Sam Mackrill and Shepparton East's Adam Serafini.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 5 of 6
In the zone: Murchison-Toolamba's Leigh Wellington.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 6 of 6
Dish it off: Murchison-Toolamba's James Milne tries to get a handball away.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Grasshoppers coach Brett Foley described the win as important for his side’s run to finish off the season.
“It gives us a big chance to finish top-two now. It brings them back down to the same level as Nagambie, us and Lanky,” Foley said.
“It was a tale of two halves really ... it was good to come away with the win and I’m really proud of the boys.
“There was a big crowd down there too, a really good country footy feeling and it was good to be a part of it.”
Down by 16 points at the main break and comprehensively beaten in the midfield, Foley said he put the onus on his on-ballers to lift as he made some changes to his line-up.
Star Shepparton East ruck Tom McCluskey was on top in the second term and providing first use to teammates Adam Fichera and Zac Groombridge.
Foley labelled the second quarter as “all one way” as the Eagles overturned a quarter-time deficit.
However, in the third term it was the home side’s experienced heads in Milne and Ash Cashion who dictated the contest ― while Foley’s decision to swing the magnets around proved a masterstroke.
“Obviously it was a massive turnaround after half-time,” Foley said.
“We weren’t playing to our structure and we just let their on-ballers in McCluskey, Fichera and Groombridge get on top of us in the second quarter. They were dominating the midfield.
“We spoke at the main break about the need to win the footy in the midfield, start to get our hands on the ball. We threw MacGibbon from half-back onto the wing and Turner went forward and kicked two goals and I felt they gave us a real spark.
“Milney and Ash were able to win the footy in the third and we started to get the game back on our terms ― it was a real team performance.”
Around the grounds, Longwood claimed an important win over Merrigum to keep its finals hopes alive.
The Redlegs sit two wins behind Stanhope ― before the Lions’ Sunday fixture against Violet Town ― thanks to the 12.13 (85) to 9.7 (61) triumph on the road.
Longwood’s brothers Jordan and Josh Formosa were the standouts with three goals each, while Dakota Pellegrino chipped in with quality support.
Merrigum’s Jarryd Pertzel and Darcy Collins battled hard for the Bulldogs.
Dookie United clinched a crucial win over fellow finals aspirant Tallygaroopna with forward Kyle Tapscott starring with six majors.
Jye Limosani and Kyle Orchard rounded out Dookie’s top performers in the 18.7 (115) to 11. 9 (75) victory.
Nagambie won the battle of Strathbogie Shire with a 10-goal drubbing of fierce rival Avenel.
The Lakers were inaccurate in front of goal, but a best-afield effort from Tom Barnes (four goals) had his side run out a 12.22 (94) to 5.4 (34) winner.
And Undera coach Danny Brewster slotted eight majors to guide the Lions to a memorable 31-point triumph over Girgarre.
