Although we’ve only seen one round of Murray League football, pressure is already mounting on five-time reigning premier Nathalia.
The Purples were blown away in the final quarter last week, going down to a powerful Mulwala outfit by 41 points.
While the final score didn’t make for pretty reading for the brains trust at Nathalia, coach Mal Barnes said there was still plenty of positives to take out of the performance.
“Everyone obviously aims to go out and get the four points in round one, but overall we probably take more positives than negatives out of the game (against Mulwala),” Barnes said.
“We had some younger guys playing their first senior games and they really stood up, we just probably lacked a little bit of polish to finish off and they got a bit of a run on towards the end.
“But overall I was happy with the fight we showed and the way we played.”
Now at risk of falling to 0-2, the task does not get any easier for the Purples as they welcome an in-form Moama side, fresh off an 80-point win over Rumbalara.
Sporting a dangerous forward line led by spearhead Dylan Joyce and a solid defence that kept Rumba to just 14 points last week, Barnes said the Magpies would present a great test for his young side.
“I don’t think any game is going to be easy this year, every club has recruited well and stocked up with young talent and Moama look to be another force in the league,” he said.
“Our focus again is just going to be on the 21 of us going out there to do a job, we will have another young side this week which is really good for the club and its future.”
Saturday will also see the Purples return to their Nathalia Recreation Reserve home deck, in what will be a major boost for Barnes’ young squad.
“It will be good for everyone (to be back home), there has been a great buzz around the club over the past couple of weeks and everyone is excited to see the fans out there on Saturday,” he said.
Elsewhere, Cobram will be looking to continue on from its 98-point demolition of Finley last week as it makes the trip to Congupna.
Tigers coach John Brunskill said he was proud of the performance from his side in the round one clash.
“It’s a good start to the season,” he said.
“Harry (Beasley) was strong, one of our best, but I would have said all the side performed well.
“Finley will cause a few teams problems this year, they’ve had a few fly down from Queensland.
“It (the round one win) gives us a real good platform, we play Congupna this weekend who are an in-form side — it will be a huge test.”
The Road will also come into this contest beaming with confidence after a convincing 35-point win on the road over a talent-filled Numurkah squad.
Brunskill said the league was incredibly even, with his side needing to be at its best to come home with the four points.
“There are a few sides ascending already,” he said.
“It will be a pretty even season, Tongala are a side to watch, as are Moama, Congupna, Mulwala and Numurkah.”
Tongala will take its cast of stars on the road to Barooga, with the Hawks desperate to bounce back from a poor round one showing.
Echuca United faces the daunting proposition of an in-form Deniliquin Rams squad at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
Mulwala will be keen to make it two wins on the trot to start 2022 as it heads down to Rumbalara.
Finley and Numurkah round out the weekend’s action, with both teams desperate to get on to the winners’ list for the first time this season.