MFL | Congupna rolls past Numurkah, Tongala trounces Rumbalara

BJ Squire starred in the midfield and Daniel Schaper and Jak Trewin kicked three goals each as the four points moved Congupna up to second spot on the ladder.

The result is Congupna’s first win over an opponent in the top half of the ladder, something that co-coach Kevin O'Donoghue said would serve as a boost for his side.

“It gives us confidence. We came up against a side who have been playing really well and we were able to win,” O'Donoghue said.

“Our next month of footy is really important for us to keep doing what we are doing like we did yesterday.

“We don’t want to overcomplicate it, we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, we just want to keep doing the basics well.”

A strong first half set platform for Congupna which piled on 11 goals to Numurkah’s one to open up a 58-point lead.

The Blues stemmed the tide in the second half, but The Road kicked away to a comfortable 11-goal triumph.

“It is definitely a pretty good result, it’s probably as good as we’ve played all year, realistically,” O'Donoghue said.

“Particularly in the first half, it set the game up. we’re really pleased.

“Yesterday we focused on doing the basic things really well and just playing team footy. Our pressure was really on from the start and our reacting to just give the ball straight away – first gives and it opened the game up for us and gave our forwards a better opportunity.”

Conceding three goals for the game, O'Donoghue spoke highly of the way his team played in the back half.

“Our defence has been super all year. They are the ones that lead from the front in playing your role, they really do. We had some really good match-ups with guys who did a super job.

“Sam Nash and Curtley Allen did a great job back there along with Charlie Boyer, Joshua Chapman, Cody Di Bella, Dylan Minutoli and Brodie Gee – those seven were super.”

Congupna has shown itself to be one of the top teams in the competition, but worringly for its opponents, O'Donoghue said it had room to improve.

“We still have areas that we have to work on. To be more consistent and be sustainable in games,” he said.

“We still have some areas that we have to work on and that’s all right. We don’t plan on playing our best footy right now, we plan on playing our best footy in a few months’ time. That is our goal.”

Meanwhile, Tongala had a thumping win over Rumbalara.

The Blues were far too strong, toppling Rumba by a massive 194 points at Mercury Drive in Shepparton.

Makenzie Ryan booted 10 goals for Tonny, with Coby McCarthy slotting home eight.

In the closest match of the round, Echuca United earned a big victory on the road after upsetting Cobram by four points at Scott Oval.

A five-goal-to-one third term gave the Eagles a handy 23-point lead at the final change, but the Tigers came storming back and almost snatched victory.

Cobram kicked 4.2 to United’s 1.1, but fell short of a memorable comeback as the Eagles held on to win 12.5 (77) to 11.7 (73).

Reigning premier Mulwala continued its undefeated start to the year with a 108-point demolition of Nathalia.

Moama moved into fourth spot on the ladder after beating Barooga by 49 points.

Deniliquin defeated Tocumwal by 91 points in the weekend’s other match.