Cobram remains the team to beat in the Murray Football League, with the side producing another strong victory on the weekend.
After a week off due to the round 16 split fixture, the Tigers were all class as they cruised to a 9.4 (58) to 12.10 (82) away win.
Saturday afternoon’s result was never in doubt for the visiting side, with the ladder leaders in front at every change.
A first quarter of six goals and six points set the tone for the day, and Cobram coach John Brunskill said while the first half was bright, the Tigers dropped off in the second.
“Numurkah were really good in the second half I thought,” he said.
“We probably went away from a few of our structures, but we got the four points and that was the main thing, and obviously keeps us in the hunt for the top two.”
Brunskill said the Tigers had five or six players out for the clash, however with finals on the horizon, a number of players are shaping up for a return.
Nathan Hartley was named best-on-ground for Cobram, with Lewis Kennedy also performing well.
Tyron Baden was named third best for his six-goal haul.
“Nathan and Lewis, they played really good one-on-one footy so that’s what they brought to the table, and Tyron just did his normal thing, he’s in really good form at the moment and kicking some goals,” Brunskill said.
“We lost Darcy Kennedy early and that hurt our structures up forward.
“He’s only just come back from his hamstring injury and now he’s done his ankle so he’ll be out for a few weeks.”
For Numurkah the result was a disappointing one, with Jordan O’Dwyer, Charlie Hill and Clancy Lester all standing out in the loss.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Mulwala kept its foot on the accelerator, downing Echuca United in convincing fashion.
The 7.2 (44) to 14.15 (99) win at the Echuca South Recreation Reserve sees the Lions sitting just four points behind Cobram in second place.
After a low-scoring first quarter the home side held a four-point lead, however the visitors soon took control of the contest.
Mulwala piled 32 unanswered points on the Eagles in the third quarter to cruise to victory, with Sean Robinson, Tom Dow and Bradley Wilson all standing out.
In the final game, Nathalia continued its charge for finals action.
The Purples overcame a spirited Finley side to run out 10.14 (74) to 15.6 (96) winners.
Led by the performances of Tom Nihill, Jackson Farrell and Brodie Ross, the visiting Nathalia side overcame an early deficit to secure the four points.
A big final term to Finley could have seen the margin reduced, however the home side’s inaccuracy let it down.