In a closely fought contest Tongala was down at every change, but hit the front in the dying moments before a late charge landed Rumba with a well deserved 12-point win — 15.11 to 13.11 level.
Tongala coach Steve Hammond had praise for the visitors and their style of play.
‘‘You have to give them credit; they played a positive brand of attacking football and had some really good players,’’ Hammond said.
Hammond said some umpiring decisions were perplexing, but he didn’t offer this as an excuse for the loss.
‘‘The club may take it further, but it is disappointing.’’
The Blues also had six players missing, including experienced stars in Cam Illett and Brock McLean, which didn’t help their cause.
The Blues had a standout player in Jordan Souter who worked hard all over the ground to inspire teammates.
Midfielders and on-ballers Jack Hammond, returning after two weeks suspension, and the ever-reliable Bailey Waasdorp also stood up again.
Young left footer Jessie Johnstone, back from the Bendigo Pioneers, also showed his class at times, while Mackenzie Cowley, Tristan Watson and skipper Kyle Fitzgerald also tried hard to get Tongala over the line.
Another blow Tongala suffered out of the game was a knee injury to Dom Watt which may keep him sidelined for some time.
With its bid to play finals slipping away Hammond has labelled this Saturday’s clash with Moama at Tongala as ‘‘the Blues most important game so far this season’’.
Earlier in the day, the Blues’ reserves put on a dominant display against visiting Rumbalara, notching an emphatic 102-point victory.
Levi Taylor, Jayden Tucker and Clayton Watson were standout attacking players for Tonny, bagging three goals apiece in the 19.11 (125) to 3.5 (23) rout.
Taylor and Tucker were joined by Todd Van Roy, Kyle Halliwell, Angus Harrington and Bailey Cox among the Blues’ best.
Tongala’s under-17s provided an equally thrilling victory for the home crowd, putting Rumbalara to the sword 18.11 (119) to 1.3 (9).
Will Brennan was an ace in front of goal, bagging six goals in the lopsided contest, with Zeke Neumann’s four-goal effort adding to the glory.
Brennan and Neumann were joined by Jedd Turpin, Hugo Monnich Vo, Harley Falconer and Elijah Swiggs as part of the best-on-ground contingent.
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