Nathalia continued its rapid rise back into Murray Football League contention at the weekend, triumphing over Congupna 14.6 (90) to 13.7 (85) in one of the games of the season.
A five-goal fourth-quarter blitz would prove the catalyst for the thrilling win, as spearhead Glenn Boyd carried the Purples on his back, booting three majors in the final term on his way to an epic five-goal performance.
The victory is Nathalia’s fifth in a row, with the five-time reigning premier now just sitting one win out of the top six after a dismal 0-4 start to the season.
Purples coach Mal Barnes said he was incredibly proud of the effort his side produced.
“I am very proud (of the boys) and it’s not just me, a few of the older guys around the club have been coming up and saying how impressed they were by that performance,” Barnes said.
“Just to see the improvement from when we started the year to now, as a coach it is so great to see the boys just stick at it and commit to a different game plan.
“This win really sets us up now and gives us an opportunity to get what we want out of the year.”
Greeted by pristine conditions at Nathalia Recreation Reserve, the Purples got the better of the start, booting four first-quarter goals to open up a two-goal buffer.
But Congupna quickly showed why it was the form team of the competition, getting on top around the contest and producing a brutal seven-goal second term to take an 11-point advantage into half time.
The Road would get the better of a tightly contested third term, turning for home with a handy 19-point buffer.
Barnes said the message at three-quarter-time was to take the game on.
“We went into that last quarter knowing we would have to take the game on, and to the boys’ credit they just stuck at it until the final siren,” he said.
“Playing to the game plan we’ve been trying to build all year, we knew that if we got it right and everybody played their part we could get the win, and that is exactly what happened which was really pleasing.”
A brilliant win by his team, Barnes pinpointed a couple of individuals that stood out on the day.
“We had a very even contribution again which was great, but Jackson Farrell played his best game for the year off half-back, giving us plenty of drive,” he said.
“Boydy (Glenn Boyd) kicks his five and three in the last quarter that probably wins us the game, and we had our usual suspects in Brodie Ross, Bailey Bell and Tom Nihill that won a lot of the footy.”
Elsewhere, Echuca United chalked up its first win of season 2022, upsetting Numurkah 11.7 (73) to 8.10 (58) in a spirited performance at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
Coughing up four first-quarter goals, the Eagles were forced to dig deep to get back in the contest, before blowing the Blues away with a blistering second half.
Dane Leyden was the star for the home side, kicking two goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Kynan Sharpe, Lachlan Carmody and Max Childs were all prominent in the drought-breaking win.
Kade O’Dwyer, Charlie Hill and Flynn Penberthy were the standouts on a miserable day for Numurkah.
Tongala showed it is still well and truly a force to be reckoned with, travelling to Mulwala and destroying the Lions 13.11 (89) to 4.6 (30).
The statement victory the Blues needed after losing three of their past four, Cameron Illett showed his class with a dominant performance through the midfield, while former AFL talent Ryan Nyhuis also starred, kicking three goals.
Adam Rouel, Matthew Gorman and Dylan McNamara were gallant for Mulwala in the loss.
Moama held its spot in the top three with a hard-fought 9.5 (59) to 5.7 (37) win over Deniliquin Rams at Hardinge Street Oval.
Magpies spearhead Nicholas Pavlou would prove the difference in a low-scoring encounter, booting four goals in a best-on-ground performance.
Cobram continued its rampage through the Murray League, travelling to Finley and recording a clinical 25.7 (157) to 4.8 (32) win over the Cats.
Matthew DeMaio and Lewis McShane did the damage for the visitors, booting five goals apiece.
Barooga rounded out the weekend’s action with a gritty 14.11 (95) to 12.10 (82) win over a winless Rumbalara.
Daniel Johnston was the star for the Hawks, booting six goals in the much-needed victory.