“I’m not making any excuses for us, but we did have eight to 10 players out. But they were very impressive in getting the ball to the outside and running us off our feet,’’ he said.
‘‘We went there expecting to be competitive, but we just weren’t in it.’’
Fitzgerald said Tongala had not played unbeaten Congupna as yet, but he couldn’t have been more impressed with Mulwala.
The home side banged through nine goals to Tongala’s one in the first term to display its dominance and added another seven in the second term, while the Blues added two, to have the game safely in its keeping by the long break.
Few Tongala players beat or even broke even with their rivals.
The ever reliable Bailey Waasdorp was one Blue who worked overtime in the midfield, while Fitzgerald rucked manfully for most of the game and held his own.
Tristan Watson who started in defence before a stint in the midfield never shirked an issue, while Sam Cipriani was another defender who battled hard against the odds as did Kade Northausen in a back pocket.
Young thirds player Elijah Swigg also made an impression with a lively display when he got his chance after half-time.
Tongala hosts likely finalist Nathalia this Saturday and is looking to rebound with Alex Williams, Bryce Denham and Mackenzie Cowley chances to return to the side.
Tonny didn’t fare any better in the reserves or under-17s, with both sides falling to Mulwala by large margins.
The reserves were the closest to getting a win, losing to the Lions by 62 points in a 2.1 (13) to 11.9 (75) finish.
Clayton Watson and Lleyton Webster were the only Tonny players to kick goals in the contest.
Meanwhile, the under-17s were put to the sword by Mulwala, 4.4 (28) to 20.8 (128).
Will Brennan, Zeke Neumann, Jordan Reid and Jedd Turpin got among the goals for the Blues in the 100-point defeat.
