Seven goals from Liam Evans have seen Nathalia score a useful early-season win over Tongala in round three of Murray Football League.
After a dominant victory over Barooga in round two, the Blues travelled to Nathalia Recreation Reserve looking to string together their first winning streak of the season.
The sides seemed evenly matched in the early going, both teams putting on 3.2 (20) in the opening quarter.
The teams traded majors throughout the second, but the Purples bookended the exchanges to go into the main break two goals to the good.
Nathalia threatened to run away with the game after the break, kicking the first two of the new half, but Tonny managed to stem the flow through most of the quarter, before the Purples kicked away again late to lead by five goals at the final break.
Although the win looked unlikely, the Blues maintained their intensity to the final siren, winning the final term to end the game on 11.9 (75) to Nathalia’s (15.10) 100.
As mentioned, Evans’ seven-goal haul was a big part of the Purples claiming the win, while Lincoln Mann supported with two majors.
Tongala relied on Kyle Fitzgerald, Mitch Heywood and Tristan Watson for their production, the trio kicking two goals each.
Now 1-2, the Blues will look to rebound next weekend as they host the winless Rumbalara.
The Game
Scores
Tongala: 3.2, 5.4, 7.5, 11.9 (75)
Nathalia: 3.2, 7.2, 12.5, 15.10 (99)
Goals
Tongala: Kyle Fitzgerald 2, Mitch Heywood 2, Tristan Watson 2, Matthew Caia, Sam Cipriani, Bailey Waasdorp, Dominic Watt, Alex Williams
Nathalia: Liam Evans 7, Lincoln Mann 2, Malcolm Barnes, Clancey Congues, Ewan Congues, Joshua Dohnt, Jordan Koo, Brodie Ross
Best
Tongala: Kyle Fitzgerald, Sam Cipriani, Cameron Ilett, Bailey Waasdorp, Dominic Watt, Mitchell Fitzgerald
Nathalia: Liam Evans, Ryan Butler, Malcolm Barnes, Clancy Congues, Chris Brown, Ned Nihill