Sport
Finals football inches closer as Goulburn Murray Women’s League contenders assert themselves
Three rounds remain in Goulburn Murray Women’s League and it’s a question of which contending side will blink first.
The top four have long since separated from the bottom four in the women’s division and those looking for upsets in round 11 at the weekend were left empty-handed.
Rumbalara and Nathalia collided on Sunday afternoon at Rumbalara Recreation Reserve, not long after the complex was reopened following months of renovations.
With scores level at the first change, Rumbalara had certainly given the Purples and their coach Alyx Jorgensen something to ponder.
A low-scoring second term left few questions answered, but the visitors took control during a barnstorming third quarter.
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Rumbalara’s Marissa Kerr got down to the ball first. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 8
Rumbalara’s Nerrissa Leitch gets the kick away with some encouragement from teammate Lisa Thorpe. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 8
Nathalia’s Helen Williams earned a few touches under pressure. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 8
Rumbalara’s Jamilah Pynor provided some outside run in space. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 8
Nathalia’s Cody Power was busy all day, named as one of Nathalia's best. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 8
Rumbalara’s Che Atkinson saw plenty of the ball herself. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 8
Nathalia’s Helen Williams had to try and corral Rumbalara’s Nhykira Mansfield. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 8
Nathalia’s Tori Russell was desperate to bring down Rumbalara’s Che Atkinson. Photo by Rechelle ZammitKiara Cooper continued her electrifying run as one of the hardest forwards around to stop, bagging six goals on the day to keep her goal streak intact quite emphatically in 2024.
Following on from that, Nathalia promptly coasted home to win eight for the year, coming home a 9.7 (61) to 1.4 (10) winner.
Jorgensen certainly believes there’s scope to go all the way with the forward line firing.
“With Kiara, and our other forwards supporting her, we can hopefully make a push for the premiership,” Jorgensen said.
“We’ve got a couple of big games in between now and then, though; we’re not going to lose fourth spot, but if we want to advance up, we need to beat Shepp United on Friday.
“Ideally we want top spot, but I don’t know if we’ll get that.
“Even moving into second or third would be more ideal, but it’s all very close between us four.”
The Purples continue to sit a half-game behind Shepparton United and Mansfield, who benefit from the breathing room provided by a draw between those clubs, and two games behind leader Echuca.
The three other aforementioned contenders got their respective jobs done, remarkably only conceding one goal between those games.
The Murray Bomber girls continue to set the standard, belting Tatura in a 17.8 (110) to 0.0 (0) shutout that saw Paige Baksh — Cooper’s closest goal-kicking contender — slam home seven of her own.
Mansfield also brought up the ton in its 15.13 (103) to 1.2 (8) hammering of Barooga over the border, highlighted by a season-high four goals to Asha Foubister.
Shepparton United’s offence was more subdued than that of its rivals, but it mattered little as Grant Searle’s side easily overcame Nagambie 5.5 (35) to 0.3 (3) after three goals in the final term iced the contest.