THE UNGARIE Magpies are all but assured of a minor semi-final berth despite losing to nemesis Tulli Grasshoppers last weekend by 79 points 20.9.129 to 7.8.50 at home.
Currently sitting on 12 points in the Northern Riverina Football League Men’s Seniors comp, eight points behind third placed Tullibigeal but more importantly, four clear of arch rivals West Wyalong-Girral, with a bye in the last round.
The Magpies were brave in front of a parochial home crowd but Tulli had too much class and are emerging as a genuine dark horse for the title this year.
The Magpies started well and were only three majors down at quarter time trailing 5.2.32 to 2.2.14.
From there, Tulli swarmed like a locust plague and increased the lead to 27 by the main break with a three goal second term to assert their authority on the match. By the the end of the third it had swollen further after a five goals to one period increased the lead to 50 points (13.9.87 to 5.7.37) going into the final stanza.
Despite strong showings from Flynn Bryant and Angus Williams as well as the standard excellent contribution from the Roscarel brothers, Harry and Josh, it wasn’t enough to stop the rot as the Grasshoppers bagged another seven goals in the last to stretch the lead to 79 which ended up being the final margin.
Ethan Robb was again strong for Ungarie while Koop and Crofts also put in a good shift for the Magpies.
With only one round to go, Ungarie will no doubt have to line up against the Grasshoppers again in week one of the finals in Tulli in a winner-takes-all sudden death semi-final.
It’s enough to make the pulse palpitate and the fear glands secrete but football is a funny game and anything can happen on any given day.
Good luck Maggies!
Read More: Ungarie
