The Murray Football League just got a whole lot closer.
Congupna has suffered its first setback of the 2024 campaign after multiple close calls, falling to Finley by nine points at Memorial Oval in round six action.
The obvious pre-match favourites by virtue of a 5-0 record, Ben Bingham’s side was against the wall early following a quick pair of Cats majors to open proceedings.
It quickly became a game of momentum swings, with Congupna throwing the next four on the board before giving up another pair of Finley goals in an identical opening to the second term.
Though Congupna restored some ascendancy in the contest before half-time, the unbeaten Road would have to settle for a one-goal lead at the main break.
There was no early Finley flurry coming out of the sheds as Congupna opened up two separate game-high 16-point buffers during the third before the visitors decided to save their best work for the back end of the term, rather than the front.
Not to be outdone, the game’s final swing of the pendulum saw Finley put the cherries on a remarkable win away from home by opening up a 16-point gap of its own after reclaiming the lead almost exactly three quarters on from squandering it.
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Directing it down: Finley's Lachlan Hawkins. Photo by Holly DanielImage 2 of 8
Kick under pressure: Congupna's Cody Di Bella. Photo by Holly DanielImage 3 of 8
In amongst it: Finley's Jack Sexton. Photo by Holly DanielImage 4 of 8
Going back with it: Congupna's Sam Slavich. Photo by Holly DanielImage 5 of 8
A lot going on: Finley coach Jordan Taylor. Photo by Holly DanielImage 6 of 8
Dragged down: Congupna's Tate Mifka. Photo by Holly DanielImage 7 of 8
Leading out in front: Congupna's Jak Trewin. Photo by Holly DanielImage 8 of 8
Trying to find space: Congupna's Daniel Campbell. Photo by Holly DanielThe end result was a big bag of six from Tom Lang shouldering a brilliant 12.8 (80) to 11.5 (71) for the Cats, situating them just four points off the top.
Plenty of sides were waiting in the wings for the moment Congupna slipped up and the advantage was certainly taken — more comfortably in some cases than others.
Moama (5-1) moved to join the Road at the league’s summit, but not without receiving an almighty scare away at winless Barooga (0-6).
The Hawks led at the first change and sat within a goal in the latter two breaks, but four goals from Thomas Holman were eventually just enough to pull the Magpies home and avoid an upset of the season contender, 8.8 (56) to 7.9 (51).
The remainder of the chasing pack all saluted in varying degrees of ease, with Tongala (4-2) riding a wealth of contributors to overcome a game but inaccurate Rumbalara (1-5), 13.6 (84) to 8.13 (61).
Reigning premiers Mulwala (4-2) have firmly restored order after a pair of losses in the opening fortnight, coming out the other side of a scrappy affair with Numurkah (2-4) as 18-point winners, 8.16 (64) to 6.10 (46).
Nobody picked up four points in more style than Nathalia (4-2), though, who put the contest away at its earliest convenience in bowling over bottom side Echuca United (0-6).
Liam Evans took a dominant step towards keeping the league’s goalkicking award competitive, bagging 11 majors in a 24.14 (157) to 1.9 (15) demolition of the Eagles.
Deniliquin Rams (4-2) edged out Cobram (3-3) in a clash between two sides looking to join what already shapes as a logjam for the remaining finals places.
The Rams overcame three goals from Tigers star Jackson Trengove, pulling away from a three-quarter-time deadlock to successfully steer home 7.13 (55) to 6.5 (41).
The ladder shapes as remarkably even after the first month and a half of play, with Cobram, who has fallen to parity after a 3-0 start to the year, sitting eighth as the only team with a neutral record.
Following the Road and Magpies are five teams at 16 points split by percentage only, setting up a fascinating few weeks to come — especially if more banana peels await Congupna.