For the first time since April 19, 2019 fortress Tongala has been breached ― with a young and daring Congupna side delivering the killer blow in the upset of the Murray Football League season.
Coming into this clash off the back of their first loss since the 2019 grand final, the Blues were unable to produce the response the football fraternity expected, with The Road’s intense pressure guiding them to a memorable 14.8 (92) to 9.12 (66) triumph.
Showcasing the form when it nearly knocked off Tongala five weeks earlier, it was a true four-quarter performance from Congupna, with nine goals between forward duo Jak Trewin (five) and Daniel Schaper (four) the catalyst for the victory.
The Road’s fourth consecutive victory, and first against a fellow top six side this season, coach Kevin O’Donoghue said his team produced a near perfect performance to come away with the victory
“I am extremely proud of the guys, the biggest thing was the focus on Saturday was to make sure we had all 22 players contributing, that’s how you beat sides like Tonny and that is exactly what we did,” O’Donoghue said.
“It was as good a performance I would have hoped to see from our team, our pressure game was on from the start and we limited their ability to move the ball through the middle of the ground.
“Starting with our mids, we got on top in the territory battle and our forwards capped off their good work by making the most of their chances.”
Sporting a number of winners across the ground, O’Donoghue highlighted the work of a handful of players that won pivotal battles against the star-studded Tongala side.
“Jak (Trewin) kicked five and Daniel (Schraper) kicked four, so the forwards were really good,” he said.
“Our midfielders in Hugo (Ingham), Orien (Kerr), Jimmy (Boyer) and Tate (Mifka) really set the tone and our backs just played their roles sensationally.
“Joel Shannon on the wing did an awesome job on (Jack) Hammond, who’s a great player, so his role on the day was just sensational.”
The scalp that Congupna needed to stamp its top six credentials, he said this victory instilled incredible belief in his side moving forward.
“We had been really competitive against those top sides like Cobram, Mulwala and Deniliquin, who we played in the first five weeks, and I felt we had chances to win those games,” O’Donoghue said.
“So to finally get that reward for effort and take that big scalp in Tongala, it just gives us so much confidence that we are up there with the best this season.”
Elsewhere, Cobram continued on its merry way, crossing the border and destroying fellow finals contender Deniliquin 91-28 at Hardinge Street Oval.
Sporting an even list of contributors, Adam De Cicco continued his fine season kicking two goals from the midfield, Tyron Baden and Lewis McShane added three goals apiece, while Samuel Beasely was prolific and claimed best-on-ground honours.
Liam Pitts, Clay Howe and Brayden Hall were gallant for the Rams.
Mulwala made it nine straight wins to begin the season, triumphing by 25 points over Numurkah in a gripping encounter at the showgrounds.
Boosted by a five-goal-to-one first term, the Lions weathered a late surge from the Blues to remain undefeated and consolidate their spot in the top two.
Jack Sutherland was the star for Mulwala booting six goals, while midfield duo Bodhi Butts and Jackson Gash were at their prolific best.
Nathalia recorded its third win of the season, travelling to Barooga Recreation Reserve and besting the struggling Hawks 115-79.
Recapturing some of the form that led them to five consecutive premierships, the Purples registered triple figures for the second straight week, with Liam Evans starring booting six majors.
Playing coach Jackson Trengove showed his class for the Hawks, booting five goals in the loss.
Finley produced its second win of the year with a 62-point win over winless Echuca United at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
A confidence-building triumph for the struggling Cats, the visitors filled their boots with 11 different players hitting the scoreboard.
Benji Neal, Angus Robertson and Frazer Neate were the standouts for Finley as it looks to catapult into the second half of the season.
Moama rounded out the weekend’s action with a clinical 68-point win over Rumbalara at Mercury Drive.
A win that puts the Magpies up into third spot on the ladder, Jye Smith, Nicholas Pavlou and Jordan Ives were impressive for the visitors.
While Justin Terlich, Steven Stallion and Kane Atkinson battled manfully in the loss for Rumba.