A crucial rematch against Cobram in the penultimate home-and-away will make or break Tongala’s dreams of a top two finish, and the Blues are calling in the cavalry to make a win happen.
A straight swap of Tongala’s fly-in players from the Northern Territory will see Ryan Nyhuis and Cameron Ilett make way for prolific goalkicker Darren Ewing and ruckman Jack Monigatti.
But perhaps the biggest in for the Blues would be none other than young gun Harley Reid, who is available for selection this week.
Reid made waves in the football world following a superb NAB Under-18 Championships stint with Victoria Country, as well as a stellar campaign for the Bendigo Pioneers.
Reid last played for Tongala in the Blues’ round six victory over Moama.
“As far as we know, (Harley’s) going to be in unless something happens on Thursday where he’s not allowed to play,” Tongala coach Jordan Souter said.
Sitting in third a game behind Cobram and tied with Mulwala on 13-3, the Blues set out this Saturday at Tongala Reserve to correct its 48-point defeat to the Murray Football League ladder leaders.
Tongala is looking to get one back over Cobram before finals after a poor showing in round eight, a result that put in motion a chain of three consecutive defeats for the Blues.
Currently on a six-game winning streak, it seems Tongala has put its mid-season slump behind it, but Souter is under no allusions as to the challenge ahead of his side.
“We must have that high pressure around the football, when we do that we play our best brand,” Souter said.
“It’s going to be a challenge against Cobram. I think the boys are excited to have another crack at them.
“Obviously they pulled our pants down last time — and let us know about it — so the whole lot of us are raring to and hopefully we’ll get one back on them before finals.
“It’s going to take a mighty effort, they’re going pretty well.”
Undefeated up until round 13, Cobram has dropped two of its last four games but is coming off 24-point win over Numurkah.
The Blues comfortably accounted for Rumbalara last start, and with a clash against Finley to conclude the home-and-away season, Tongala’s shot at a double chance would be greatly enhanced with a win over the Tigers.
Around the league, Moama will aim to put an end to the Nathalia dynasty with victory to the Magpies set to knock the Purples out of the finals race.
Mulwala will be looking to shore up its own top two aspirations with a clash against 10th-placed Finley, while Barooga welcomes finals-bound Congupna.