Blues down in cliffhanger

By Gus Underwood and Matthew Kappos

Apr 8, 2025

Footy returned on Saturday with Tongala travelling to Echuca to face Echuca United in the Murray Football League. Photo by Jordan Townrow

Tongala has missed celebrating a win to start the Murray Football League season by a point, after an enthralling last quarter duel with Echuca United at Echuca.

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The Blues missed their chances in the final quarter, kicking 1.5 to United’s 3.1 to let the game go from a slippery grasp.

One of these behinds was a shot on goal by Alex Williams from 45m out with two minutes remaining which resulted in a point.

And then a mark by Mackenzie Cowley 40m from goals was beaten by the final siren.

‘‘We led all of the last half until they got the winning goal,’’ new non-playing coach Steve Hammond said.

‘‘They jumped us at the start and we had to lift and we did that in the last three quarters.

‘’The are definitely an improved side and moved the ball really well.

“But we had our chances and just didn’t take them.’’

On-ballers Mackenzie Cowley and Baily Waasdorp were standouts for the Blues and their main source of forward drive throughout the game.

Tristan Watson also carried out a tagging role with authority and experienced Brock McLean and Jordan Souter were good contributors.

McLean played in defence and Souter had an on-ball role early before being moved to attack where he provided a target.

Tongala hosts another first round loser Barooga this Saturday when Top End star Cam Illott is expected to play his first game for the season.

Echuca United battled and prevailed over Tongala by a single point in Saturday’s clash. Photo by Jordan Townrow

· Tongala overpowered United in the reserves, running away an 11.15 (81) to 1.5 (11) winner.

The Eagles kept touch in the opening stanza, trailing by only five, but stalled from that point on, allowing the Blues to continue adding to their lead throughout the contest.

The Blues shared the goal-kicking around with only Clayton Watson slotting multiple goals, while Riley Armstrong kicked the lone major for United.

It was a close contest in the under-17 division, the Blues escaping a late Eagles surge to win, 9.5 (59) to 7.8 (50).

Leading by 23 at the final change, Tongala was left scoreless in the final period, but managed to hold on as the clock expired.

Angus McMahon kicked five goals before earning a senior call-up for the Eagles later in the day, while Jedd Turpin was the Eagles’ leading scorer, kicking four.

The Eagles earlier won in the under-14 battle, 7.9 (51) to 2.5 (17), ensuring the two sides would split the overall football honours across the round.

Tonny could only find the centre sticks in the second quarter, kicking both of its goals in that period.