Tocumwal is celebrating its first win on the football field since returning to Murray Football Netball League after defeating Rumbalara in an encounter described as a “mini grand final”.
The Bloods made the decision to move across from the Picola District Football Netball League on the eve of the 2023 season and the club now has its first senior win on the board thanks to a 69-point triumph over Rumba.
A 10-goal-to-none first half gave Tocumwal a commanding lead at half-time, as it kicked on to prevail 15.13 (103) to 5.4 (34).
Tocumwal coach Kade Rowe said it was a huge moment for the club when the final siren sounded on Saturday afternoon, with the Bloods accomplishing something doubters said they’d be unable to achieve.
“It was unreal, to be honest,” Rowe said.
“Obviously Rumbalara are struggling, they are in a similar boat to us. We had pencilled this game in as our mini grand final.
“To see the enjoyment on all the boys’ faces after the game, it was really great to see.
“Going back a couple of months ago, everyone was saying we wouldn’t win a game in the Murray league, we’d be disgraced and belted every single week.
“Honestly, it means a lot to the whole club. I know all our supporters, our president, everyone was rapt. It is not just the 22 blokes out there who got the win, it was literally the club.”
Tocumwal and Rumbalara entered the clash on the hunt for their first wins of the season, but it was the Bloods who quickly gained the upper hand.
The red and whites opened up a 24-point lead at quarter-time at Tocumwal Recreation Reserve, extending that advantage to 61 at the main break as Rumba was held goalless for the half.
The contest tightened in the second half as Rumbalara dug in and showed plenty of pride, but it was Tocumwal’s day as the home side cruised to a landmark victory.
“Our first half was brilliant,” Rowe said.
“We had Andrew Dickins our ruckman dominating at centre bounces and giving our midfielders first use.
“We had the luxury of Mitch Collins Bye up front, he kicked five goals in the first half.
“The first half set up the win for us. But the job is not done at half-time, we know we had to play four quarters of footy.
“To Rumbalara’s credit, in the second half they came out. I know the scoreboard might look a bit different, but it was a much, much harder contest in the second half.”
The Bloods coach said it was hard to pick a best-on-ground for his side, with so many contributors on the day.
“We looked across the board trying to pick our best players, and even people with the vote cards, there were 12 or 13 blokes who all polled votes. It was a really, really good team performance,” Rowe said.
“Blair Eddy, a young kid on the wing, he was excellent yesterday. As well as Andrew, Tom Barker had his moments in the game.”
It may have taken the Bloods nine rounds to get that first win on the board, but with four points now sitting in the bank, Rowe said his side wasn’t stopping there.
“I spoke to the boys after the game, I said ‘let’s enjoy this win, but let’s not be happy with one win’. We are halfway through the year now, let’s see if we can pinch another couple,” he said.
“To the boys’ credit, they are all on board. They are not happy with one win as well.
“We will continue to front up week after week and we will give our all and I am sure we will be able to win a couple more towards the back end of the year.”
It has been a tough slog for Tocumwal up to this point, having lost its previous seven games by an average margin of 102 points.
But despite being on the wrong end of some tough scorelines, Rowe said the Bloods were loving life in the Murray league.
“I would like to thank every single club in the Murray league, to be honest. They have been so accommodating to us,” he said.
“Playing away games, all the opposition clubs have welcomed us with open arms. It is great to see, it is what country football should be about.
“We are rapt to be back in the competition. It is run superbly and we are loving it.”