MFL | Red-hot Blues keep rolling, Congupna wins Unity Cup

By Bransen Gibson

Apr 16, 2023

Wrapped up: Congupna’s James Boyer is tackled by Rumbalara’s Scott MacDonald. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Numurkah co-coach Sean Harrap says his side is full of confidence after the Blues continued their red-hot start to the Murray League season on the weekend.

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The Blues are off to a perfect 3-0 start to the season following an emphatic 76-point win against Deniliquin.

Only a goal separated the two sides at quarter-time, but Numurkah hit its straps from there as it kicked away to a 17.11 (113) to 5.7 (37) triumph.

“It is pretty exciting. We are playing some pretty good footy at the moment, which is really pleasing,” Harrap said.

“It is nice to see all the hard work we have put in over the preseason come to fruition.

“We know there is a long way to go and we definitely aren’t getting ahead of ourselves, but we are pretty happy with how things are going.

“You can see there is some real happiness in the group.

“No doubt it gives that young group some really good confidence moving forward.”

After a tight first term, the Blues established their ascendancy in the second quarter before booting 12 goals to four in the second half.

“After half-time, we were able to get the game on our terms and play it in our half of the ground, which is what we want to do, and we hit the scoreboard pretty well.”

Up for grabs: Rumbalara’s Dion Patten and Congupna’s Sam Nash leap for the ball. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Hunter Verhoeven and Josh Evans have been in fine form in front of goals for the Blues in the three wins.

Verhoeven kicked five majors against the Rams and has 10 goals in his past two games, while Evans kicked four last weekend with a season total of 13.

“They work really well together,” Harrap said.

“Josh Evans has been a really good player for a long period of time.

“He has really good forward craft.

“They are the ones getting the lick of the ice cream, so to speak, both those guys are going really well.“

The Blues are one of two undefeated teams remaining, alongside reigning premier Mulwala.

The Lions topped Moama and Congupna in rounds one and two, before trouncing Barooga by 123 points on Saturday, 27.9 (171) to 6.12 (48).

Hit for six: Congupna’s Elliot Cavallaro booted six goals for the Road during his side’s big win over Rumbalara. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Congupna was another big winner in round three, picking up its second victory of 2023 after demolishing Rumbalara.

The Road kicked 15 goals to one in the first half, continuing the domination after the break to win by 162 points at Mercury Drive.

The 27.21 (183) to 3.3 (21) victory also earned Congupna its first piece of silverware of the year, with the Road no doubt hoping it won’t be the last.

Congupna and Rumbalara compete for the Unity Cup each year in a celebration of the role of women in the community and in sport, with both an A-grade netball and senior football trophy awarded to the respective victors.

Daniel Schaper led the way up forward for the Road with seven goals, while teammate Elliot Cavallaro had a great day in front of the sticks as well, finishing with six.

Jak Trewin and Jack Norman both had great games for Congupna, while teammate James Boyer was also named in the best in his 100th game for the Road.

Ashleigh Miller was one of the shining lights for Rumbalara, kicking all three of his side’s goals.

In other results, Moama defeated Tongala 13.10 (88) to 5.3 (33) in a rematch of last year’s semi-final.

Nathalia was too good for Finley as the Purples prevailed 13.6 (84) to 10.6 (66) while Cobram topped Tocumwal 22.16 (148) to 5.8 (38).