Welcome to yet another edition of Best Battles, where McPherson Media Groups sports journalists have combined to present match reports on past clashes between the footy teams who were originally set to do battle on the weekend.
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This week would have seen the Picola & District League and Murray League play out round 12.
A notable out this week is the Deni Rovers, who would have had the bye in the original draw.
Katunga v Blighty
Round 8, 2019 at Blighty Recreation Reserve
Blighty 16.14 (110) d Katunga 10.7 (67)
A six-goal haul from Katunga’s Dylan Sidebottom was not enough to help his Swans get over the line against Blighty.
In what was Redeyes defender Jack Bunnett’s 100 senior game milestone, Blighty controlled the contest right from the first bounce and strolled home to claim a 43-point drubbing of the Swans.
Having spent many winters apart in different conferences within the Picola league, it was not the performance Katunga was looking to dish up against the Redeyes.
Blighty’s Lachie McDonald and Tyler Amor-Beale led from the front in the comfortable win, while teammate Tom Billings provided plenty of support.
Berrigan v Jerilderie
Round 14, 2015 at Jerilderie
Jerilderie 15.11 (101) d Berrigan 11.8 (74)
An epic comeback had Jerilderie race away with a 27-point win against Berrigan five years ago.
The Demons were sluggish out of the blocks and quickly found themselves chasing tail, with the Saints dominant in the first half in racing to a 20-point lead.
But on their home deck, the Demons were never going to die quietly and kicked six goals to one in the third term, finishing the job off with a quality final quarter to grab the win.
Legend Aaron Purcell kicked nine goals in a standard display of brilliance, with other important Demons Josh Bryce, Andrew May and Nick Keating.
Katamatite v Yarroweyah
Round 8, 2019 at Katamatite
Katamatite 19.16 (130) d Yarroweyah 6.5 (41)
There was simply no stopping Tigers forward Brodie McDonald when the two sides faced off last season.
McDonald was in devastating form with seven majors on his way to 68 goals for the season.
Jayson Bigg, Mark Mills and Jedd Wright helped themselves to three each.
The Tigers only led by 24 points at half-time, but had far too much in the second half, booting 12 goals to two to blow the score right out.
For the Hoppers, Andy Jones led the way with three goals.
Rennie v Mathoura
Semi-final, 2019 at Katamatite
Rennie 17.8 (110) d Mathoura 8.7 (55)
Mathoura’s first finals appearance in almost a decade ended in disappointment last year as Rennie made the most of several injuries to the Timbercutters’ stars.
Finding the right match up for Chase Strawhorn proved difficult for Mathoura as he booted eight goals of his own to lead Rennie to the next week of finals.
Duane Rhodes gave the Timbercutters more problems in defence, kicking four of his own.
Alex Brooks and Denver Bruce were among the better players for Rennie.
Meanwhile, Amos Farrell and Stuart Day were best for Mathoura.
Strathmerton v Waaia
Grand final, 2019 at Berrigan
Strathmerton 12.15 (87) d Waaia 7.7 (49)
The Bulldogs would have been confident of beating Waaia in the big dance after they handed the minor premier its only loss earlier in the season.
Strathmerton, which finished the home and away season second on the ladder, led at every break to record an eventually comfortable 38-point win.
Lance Oswald was a star for the Bulldogs finishing the day with three medals - the AFL Victoria Country and Picola District Football League best-on-ground awards and a premiership medallion.
Oswald also kicked three goals with Connor Hargreaves adding two of his own.
Tocumwal v Picola United
Semi-final, 2015 at Strathmerton
Tocumwal 19.9 (123) d Picola Utd 14.11 (95)
Tocumwal was far too good for United when the two sides met for the third time in 2015, despite losing the first two outings.
Dylan Flanagan played a big role in ending United’s season with seven goals, while Michael O’Riordan was named among the better players.
Tocumwal also benefited from a wide contribution of goal-kickers with 10 different players hitting the scoreboard.
For Picola, Brad Walker, John Walker and Kodi Hicks all kicked three goals.
‘‘We’ll reload and go around again,’’ United coach Jon Varcoe said after the match.
Tongala v Deniliquin Rams
Round 10, 2011, Harding Street Oval
Deniliquin 10.6 (66) d Tongala 7.9 (51)
Sam Lloyd was always destined for big things as a footballer.
He’d already kicked 100 goals in 2010, and this season would be a key part of the Rams’ flag.
However, this was one of his quieter days, as he only managed to kick four of his team’s 10 goals.
It was an important four, though, with the Rams winning the day by 15 points.
Nick Howe was the best player for the Rams, while Tyson Dipetta gave his all for the Blues in a losing effort.
Numurkah v Mulwala
Round 15, 2014 at Numurkah Showgrounds
Numurkah 6.10 (46) lt Mulwala 12.9 (81)
This was well and truly one for the travellers as Mulwala produced one of the league’s greatest hot starts at Numurkah Showgrounds to leapfrog the Blues into finals contention.
Down by four goals at the first break, Numurkah was unable to hit its straps early and was exposed by a ruthless Lions forward line.
While Nick Fothergill toiled away for the hosts, it was Mulwala’s William Farrer and Dylan Robinson who proved to be a different kind of problem during the contest.
The pair bagged three goals apiece to hoist its side into a pretty position, four points clear of Numurkah three rounds out from finals.
Echuca United v Katandra
Round 17, 2019, Katandra Recreation reserve
Katandra 11.11.77 lt Echuca Utd 14.13.97
United and the Kats are still yet to develop any rivalry in Katandra’s brief stint in the Murray league.
Their first clash late in the season was also their most competitive one, with the Eagles running out with a 20-point victory.
Lance Oswald was typically brilliant for the Eagles in a best-on-ground performance, in a game that remained close throughout.
An eight-goal opening quarter had the Eagles up by 16 points, with the margin rarely getting much higher.
Despite three goals from Matthew Riordan, United would claim an important win, helping it secure the final spot in the finals.
Rumbalara v Congupna
Round 5, 2015 at Memorial Park
Rumbalara 13.19 (97) d Congupna 9.12 (66)
Congupna’s rap sheet for 2015 shows the side only managed two wins for the year – but it might have easily had another if not for a third-quarter monstering from Rumbalara in round five.
Trailing by a goal at the half, it was a case of what could have been for The Road as Rumba snapped six in the third to take the game out of the hosts reach.
Gary Weston (four goals) put on an away day masterclass to claim best-on honours and put his side a mere four spots behind leader Tongala, the perfect springboard for the side following a tumultuous start to the season.
Nathalia v Cobram
Round 8, 2016 at Nathalia Recreation Reserve
Nathalia 22.10 (142) d Cobram 5.9 (39)
There was hardly any denying premier Nathalia on its way to the throne in 2016, and the Tigers were no exception in this 103-point rollicking. While the Purples ran riot in the first half, Cobram was restricted to two behinds, but forced some resistance on the home side as the second half ticked by.
Brodie Ross, Jason Limbrick, and Ricky Barnes all looked sharp for Nathalia – but it was Alex Hicks who well and truly stole the show, collecting a lazy haul of five as the Purples made it eight straight wins.
Finley v Tungamah
Round 20, 2018 at Tungamah Recreation Reserve
Finley 12.4 (76) d Tungamah 9.8 (62)
Finley’s road to the playoffs was almost derailed in spectacular fashion by Tungamah on the regular season’s final day.
Although underdogs heading into the clash, a slick start by the Bears had them up by three points at the end of the first quarter, and poised to pull the rug from beneath the visitors.
However, with Tim Mead occupying the half-forward spot Finley looked a different animal in the second half and scooted away from Tungamah despite a late surge from the Bears.
The 14-point triumph secured third spot for the Cats, but they would eventually fall to Rumabalara in the semi-final.
Moama v Barooga
Round 17, 2017, Barooga Recreation Reserve
Barooga 13.5 (83) d Moama 11.8 (74)
From the opening siren of this clash, the Hawks were too hard to catch.
An opening quarter rampage had Barooga take a 24-point lead in to the opening break and Moama would be behind all day.
Though they had the better of the clash for the remainder, the Magpies were never able to reel in the margin, especially with Lucas Olson kicking truly.
Olson booted five majors, while Thomas Wilkinson also kicked three and while Moama was able to spread its goals better, no individual stepped up in front of the sticks.
Not even a Rhys Archard masterclass was enough for the Magpies, who made a late charge, but still fell nine points short.