A dominant second-quarter performance was the catalyst for Murchison-Toolamba in running out 11-point winners over Shepparton East on Saturday.
The Grasshoppers strengthened their premiership credentials in the top-four contest and have now moved into second spot on the Kyabram District League ladder.
Murchison-Toolamba’s frenzied attack and pressure around the contest in the second term helped set up the crucial and memorable win.
Ignatius MacGibbon led the way with an inspiring role in the ruck, while onballers Trent Freer (two goals), Brayden Cecchin and Jayedo Hexter lifted.
After a 1.5 first term, the Grasshoppers piled on seven goals to three, which gave them a 16-point buffer at the main break.
According to Murchison-Toolamba coach Nick Iorianni, the 13.10 (88) to 12.5 (77) win was a real war of attrition.
“It was a great contest. It was basically an arm wrestle the whole way through the game,” he said.
“They started off really strong but we bounced back in the second term, which was a really important quarter for us.
“It’s a quarter we haven’t played our best footy in and it’s been a big focus of ours to improve in that quarter which was really good to see.
“The group showed a lot of fight, resilience and determination to tough it out and I’m rapt about their four-quarter effort because we knew we would need one against a quality side.”
Shepparton East’s Kane Handley (three goals) and Matt Rendina (three) gave spirited performances but the Eagles were unable to get over the line.
MacGibbon was instrumental in the ruck, while Freer got his hands first to the ball and kicked two goals in “his best game for the club”.
Iorianni praised his side’s midfield brigade.
“It was Ignatius’ first game in the seniors this season. He was a player that we identified who could come up and play a role and he executed his role perfectly which was great to see,” he said.
“Hopefully he grows a lot of belief from that performance.
“I thought it was Trent’s best performance for the club. He hit the scoreboard and gave us first use of the footy.
“And Brayden’s efforts around the contest were superb and he created plenty of 50-50 opportunities for us.”
Around the grounds, Tim Ross was able to celebrate game 300 in style as Violet Town ran out to a 48-point win over Girgarre.
Ross booted a goal in his milestone match as the Towners chalked up a 16.17 (113) to 9.11 (65) triumph.
The Towners’ Jack Excell was superb with nine goals and takes his season tally to 56.
For Girgarre, onballer Jarrod Kellock and Corey Wanganeen were the two standouts.
Undera pencilled in its second win of the season following a 20.15 (135) to 5.9 (39) victory over Rushworth.
Logan Campbell starred for the Lions, while Henry Wedding and Corey Reardon (five goals) chipped in.
Tom Stevens and Josh Newton battled hard for the Tigers.
Lancaster was able to grind out a gritty win over Dookie United on Saturday.
The Wombats, up by four points at the last break, went on to register an important 10.14 (74) to 8.7 (55) triumph.
Luke Davies, Kyle Kydd and Coby O’Neill were Lanky’s best performers, while Rhys O’Sullivan and Tom Cook were Dookie’s standouts.
Nagambie kept its finals hopes alive with an 108-point thrashing over Tallygaroopna.
Brayden Biggs (five goals) and Nathan Fothergill (four) stood out, while Jonathan Moore was clinical in the ruck.
Elsewhere, Stanhope saluted over Longwood by 225 points with Tom Rennie and Jye Adamson both kicking six goals each.
Ryan Semmel and Sam Woodward were Stanhope’s better players.
Lastly, Avenel continued its unbeaten run with an emphatic performance over Merrigum.
The Swans, led by nine and eight-goal efforts to Jake Sutherland and Braydon Avola respectively, skipped away to win by 157 points.