Saturday’s five-goal win over Nathalia makes it three wins on the trot for The Road and their fourth for the season, making up two thirds of the side’s total win tally in 2022.
What sets Jodie Fleming’s charges apart from the rest is their willingness to put noses to the grindstone when games get tough – the last three wins have been by margins less than 10 goals – and the coach knows it.
“They’ve really got a great mindset on them which I think they’ve struggled with in years past, I don’t think they’ve had much belief in their ability to win,” Fleming said.
“This year they’ve really been turning it around and now they know they can match it with anyone.
“They’re just as talented as anybody else and we keep improving every week.
“For every week, I’m just seeing this really great improvement, so it’s going to be a really exciting season - we just want to stay in that top six.”
Congupna has shot into fourth after downing Nathalia, sliding the Purples down into sixth following what was a neck-and-neck contest on Saturday.
The Road led at every change, taking a two-goal buffer into the first break and edging three ahead at the half.
That margin was reduced to two heading into the last quarter and when it was time for The Road to knuckle down and push on, they obliged.
Fleming was proud as punch when referencing her side’s mettle in the final 15 minutes, saying it took something special to notch the 46-41 win.
“It was a tough match physically which we expected, most of them are, but I found that one was pretty tough,” she said.
“Nathalia kept putting a press on which the girls kept getting out of with ease which I was so thrilled to see.
“They were able to convert when they needed to and get the ball into the goalers when it counted, so it was terrific.
“We were up all day and I was very happy about that, and going into the last quarter something happened to my team and they found a new level of energy – a next gear, almost.
“They just put their foot down and go and they’ve done that the last three weeks.”
Fleming noted that Taylah Durden and Morgan Zotti impressed for Congupna, while Abbey Bell and Jessi Hicks starred for the Purples.
Around the courts, Deniliquin retained its perfect record with a 49-44 win over Moama, while Tongala, the only other unbeaten side, put Tocumwal to the sword 59-22.
Rumbalara grabbed its second win by beating Finley 56-24, Echuca United overcame Numurkah 51-35 and Mulwala demolished Cobram by 39 goals.
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