Tigers claim clash of big cats

Goals: Cobram: Tyron Baden 2, Tim Garlick 2, Hunter Hardwidge 2, Luca Allen 1, Mikael Corso 1, Will Irwin 1, Ben Ryan 1, Brodie Wren 1.

Mulwala: Beau Seymour 2, Bradley Ward 2, Tom Dow 1, Charley McKenna 1, Jackson Meade 1, Will Robinson 1, Adam Rouel 1.

Best: Cobram: Jackson Trengove, Tyron Baden, Hunter Hardwidge, Alec Ritchie, Samuel Beasley, Luca Allen.

Mulwala: Max Hemphill, Will Robinson, Lachlan Rouel, Kade Rowe, Beau Seymour, Bradley Ward.

Cobram came from behind to mount a stunning seven-point win over Mulwala in round two of the Eagle i T-L Irrigation Murray FL Seniors.

With the Lions tipped as the favourites to win, Scott Reserve filled quickly with punters keen to see where things stood after Mulwala’s 18-point upset over Cobram in round 18 last season.

A goal in the first minute from Mulwala’s Jackson Meade, joined minutes later with the Lions’ second, appeared to confirm such beliefs as Cobram struggled to come up with an answer.

But efforts in front of goal from several Darwin imports for the Tigers soon put Cobram in lock step with Mulwala at 20 points level at the end of the first term.

Back to square one in the second term, the Tigers’ only contribution to the scoreboard came with help from Luca Allen and another two behinds.

Meanwhile, Mulwala appeared dominant in front of goal, opening the margin to 14 points (28-42) at half-time.

When Mulwala pulled away in the third term with a further two goals, Cobram’s only answer was further behinds.

But consistent pressure around the ball and efforts from the Tigers saw Cobram finish the third term with the margin still at 14 points in the Lions’ favour.

But if the first half of the match was Mulwala’s, the final quarter belonged to the Tigers.

A Lions goal in the second minute appeared to seal the deal for the day, until a drop punt from Tigers’ Tyron Baden lent the embattled Tigers a flicker of hope.

Just like dominoes falling, the Tigers rallied and belted a further three through the big sticks to take the margin to a five-point lead with 67-62.

A late term resurgence from Mulwala threatened to snatch the lead, but a goal from Cobram’s Brodie Wren before the final siren put paid to any doubts as the Tigers took the victory with an eight-point margin.

Reserves

Cobram 13.18.96 def Mulwala 0.4.4.

Best: Joseph Bland, Josh Ednie, Jye Brennan, Oliver Nagle, Archie Purtle, Charlie Drake.

Thirds

Cobram 12.15.87 def Mulwala 4.6.30.

Goals: Lucas Tonna 2, Beau Sissons 1, Jai Sneddon 1.

Best: Maiko Leith, Nash McNamara, Axel Saunders, Miller Sanderson, Hugo Varndell, John Burns.

Fourths

Cobram 13.7.85 def Mulwala 1.0.6.

After a first up win in round one, the boys were eager to continue on their winning ways. This was not to be the case, coming up against a strong Cobram outfit.

The first half was a tough battle with Mulwala failing to register a score. The grit and determination from the whole team was very pleasing to see.

With the coaches throwing the magnets around, Levi Purtle was put behind the play to great effect.

Mitchell and Jackson Smith showed some great fight trying to get the game back on their terms.

Nash Cook was thrown into the ruck for the first time to great effect. Zeke Small in his first game for the club scored the Lions only goal early in the fourth quarter, but the Lions could not go on with Cobram kicking six goals to one in the last.

While the scoreboard showed a big loss, the game itself seemed much closer.

The Lions fourths will learn from this game and come back against the Roaders next week.

Awards: Beechworth Armour Motor Inn Defensive Award – Blake Carey, Crusty Loaf – Nash Cook, Ricky D’s – Blake Bruan, Charlees Chicken – Finn Mitchell and Gormos Award – Wally Hammond.