With the top five sides all confirmed to be playing finals this season, the final spot has come down to the Blues and Deniliquin, who remain separated by half a game with three rounds remaining, but swapped positions at the weekend after contrasting results.
Travelling to Echuca South Recreation Reserve to take on Echuca United, Numurkah escaped with a narrow 58-51 victory over the Eagles, overcoming a 24-28 half time deficit to bank a vital four points in its quest for finals.
The win proved even more valuable as the Rams went down 45-74 to a rampant Tongala outfit, promoting the Blues (7-8-1) to sixth, two premiership points ahead of Deniliquin (7-9).
With both sides still to face a bye in the final three rounds, as well as facing the bottom-placed and winless Congupna, it is looking increasingly likely that the last spot inside the top six will be decided by Numurkah’s result against fourth-placed Rumbalara and the Rams’ contest against second-placed Mulwala.
Elsewhere in round 17, Rumbalara ensured it is still a mathematical chance of a top two finish, with a clinical win over Congupna furthering its case for a double chance.
An opening term that restricted The Road to just five goals saw Rumba unleash a double-digit advantage by quarter-time, leading 15-5.
Congupna’s best effort came in the next term, scoring eight goals, but the blue uniform would continue to hold the majority of possession and scoring, surging out to a 19-goal half time advantage.
For the second half’s quarters, Rumbalara’s defensive presence was at its best again, holding Congupna to another two terms of five goals, while rallying more than double that on its offensive end, producing a 32-goal win at the final whistle, 23-55.
The landslide result continues to boost Rumbalara’s percentage as it makes a late charge for the top two and a double chance in the MNL finals.
With games against Nathalia (first), Numurkah (sixth) and Moama (fifth) in its run home, the reigning premier face one of the harder draws to finish the home and away season, but Rumba should take belief after being the only team to knock off the Purples so far this season that anything is possible.
In the round’s other results, Moama punished Finley in a 57-19 rout, and Mulwala continues to be a threat for the flag after defeating Cobram by a scoreline of 60-35, while ladder leader Nathalia had the bye.
