Sport

Lions keep top two chance alive

By Yarrawonga Chronicle

Aug 6, 2024

Brodie Tyson moved the ball smoothly out of the midfield after flying for this contest. Photo by Les_Garbutt

Mulwala: 4.1, 14.3, 15.7, 18.9.117.

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Tongala: 2.2, 3.3, 4.5, 6.6.42.

Goals: Mulwala: D. McNamara 4, J. Meade 4, M. Hemphill 2, D. Robinson 2, B. Seymour 2, B. Tyson 2, C. McKenna 1, A. Rouel 1.

Tongala: D. Watt 2, S. Cipriani 1, A. Williams 1, M. Fitzgerald 1, T. Watson 1.

Best: Mulwala: H. Haley, B. Tyson, M. Hemphill, N. McNair, D. McNamara, J. Meade.

Tongala: A. Williams, K. Fitzgerald, S. Cipriani, H. Kellett, J. Souter, B. Mclay.

Mulwala have kept their chance of a top two finish alive with a stirring victory against Tongala on Saturday.

The Lions were committed to the footy from the onset and the move of Dylan McNamara to the forward line from his usual defensive position paid dividends immediately as he kicked the first goal of the game within minutes.

Brodie Tyson and Max Hemphill were moving the ball smoothly out of the midfield and Jackson Meade was the beneficiary in the forward line as he kicked the next two to give Mulwala a great early lead.

Max Hemphill keeps his eye on the ball to boot it long into the forward fifty. Photo by Les_Garbutt

Tongala fought back well and Mulwala went into quarter time with an unsure 11-point lead.

An early goal to Tongala in the second quarter and it seemed Mulwala were going to be challenged again.

From that point however the light switch flicked and Mulwala’ s ball movement and tenacity at their opponent lifted and the scoreboard began ticking over.

Multiple goals in the quarter to Beau Seymour, Dylan Mc and Dylan Robinson helped Mulwala to their best quarter of the season as they piled on ten goals in a dominant display that had them go into halftime 11 goals in front.

The pressure index rose significantly in the third quarter as Tongala attempted to fight back into the game.

Nathan McNair was doing a brilliant job of nullifying his opponent and both teams were missing opportunities in front of goal due to the tight checking of all players.

Harry Haley was smooth, looking to a teammate with this handball. Photo by Les_Garbutt

Harry Haley was smooth as butter on occasions and was one of the only players to get off the leash of his opponent in the second half as Mulwala surged forward later in the game with several last quarter goals and run away with a dominant 75-point win.

Dylan McNamara flies for a mark before booting 4 majors. Photo by Les_Garbutt

Reserves

Mulwala 5.5.35 def by Tongala 5.6.36.

The Mulwala Reserves have been beaten by the smallest of margins in another close game by a fellow finalist in Tongala.

The brilliance of ruck and rover Austin Frauenfelder and Matt McLachlan who dominated the game from start to finish was not enough to get the boys across the line.

Mitch Appleby returned from injury and immediately made an impact on the game controlling his wing for the whole game and teaming up with Cameron Carling and Nathan Beasley out of defense.

Addison was the best of the Psaltaris twins this week and could have been the difference in a low scoring match that could have been in Mulwala’ s favor if not for some decisive moments in the final quarter.

Goals: C. Nye 2, A. Psaltiras 1, J. Wheeler 1, L. Wood 1.

Best: M. McLachlan, A. Frauenfelder, M. Appleby, C. Carling, N. Beasley, A. Psaltiras.

Thirds

Mulwala 10.13.73 def Tongala 3.1.19.

The Thirds boys have come away with a convincing victory against a determined Tongala team who were fighting for their spot in finals.

In a game marred by undisciplined football from some of the senior members of the team, it was the forward line that has kept Mulwala in the contest.

Baxter Donovan was dominant at Centre Half Forward throughout the match in preparation for his senior call up as the sub later in the day and along with Jai Sneddon they were devastating the Tongala defence.

Archie Purtle and Maiko Leith were unpassable at the defensive end of the ground and with Van Kreeck and Harley Cooper controlling the wings Mulwala came out on top with a 9-goal victory to keep them in the hunt for top two finish to the year.

Goals: B. Donovan 2, V. Kreeck 2, S. O'Bryan 2, M. O'Bryan 1, S. Sneddon 1, J. Sneddon 1, N. McNamara 1.

Best: B. Donovan, A. Purtle, V. Kreeck, J. Sneddon, M. Leith, H. Cooper.

Fourths

Mulwala 13.9.87 def Tongala 5.5.35.

Back at the Lions den after their agonizing first loss of the season last week and the young Fourths came out all guns blazing.

Axel Saunders was unstoppable through the middle of the ground and his hard running was rewarded with an early goal.

Tongala were up to the contest in the first quarter and were able to match Mulwala goal for goal in what was a brilliant display of contested footy from both teams.

Supercoach Dono moved the T – Boat Taylor into the forward line in the second quarter in a move that had immediate impact as he and Henry Donovan took control of the game.

Tyce Woodhead was harder than a Cat’s head in many contests that built confidence in the other mids as Hugo Varndell, Byron Dodd and Axel began controlling the ball across the field. Benny Ferguson kicked a ripping goal in the final quarter to put the result beyond doubt much to the joy of all his teammates as the team scored another great win.

Goals: H. Donovan 3, A. Saunders 3, W. Hammon 2, N. Leith 2, B. Ferguson 1, B. Dodd 1.

Best: T. Woodhead, A. Saunders, H. Donovan, T. Taylor, H. Varndell, B. Dodd.