NT superboot stars for Tongala, Former AFL forward stars for Deniliquin in Murray League

A former AFL star celebrated his homecoming in style while an ex-Northern Territory superboot dominated as the Murray League kicked off.

Tongala ruckman Jack Monigatti flies above his Nathalia opponent. Photo: TFNC

Tongala may well have put down a marker as the team to beat in the Murray League this season thanks to a sensational debut from a Northern Territory superboot.

Darren Ewing, who is a six-time leading goalkicker in the Top End, booted seven majors as the Blues avenged their 2019 grand final loss to Nathalia in a 65-point demolition.

The cancelled 2020 season in some part has helped Tongala build an impressive list on paper, which also includes former Footscray VFL premiership player Nick Jamieson.

Cameron Ilett and ruckman Jack Monigatti — who were both named in the best on Friday — have also both returned to the club for 2021.

Tongala’s second half was the type of form which put the rest of the competition on notice as it kicked 11 goals to three after leading by just 14 points at the major break.

Blues’ president Darren Maloney said he was very impressed by the club’s first official hitout in more than 18 months.

“It’s great to see the new guys contribute from the first game,” he said.

“We feel like we’ve got a terrific group of young guys who can hopefully take a big step forward in their development this year. It’s going to be helped by having guys who have played at a higher level.

“The second half was very good to watch and hopefully we can build on that from here.”

Maloney said coach Jordan Souter deserved a lot of credit for how we had been able to keep the group together.

“He’s the man in the middle and everyone loves playing with him,” he said.

“The boys have stuck together throughout last year and have made it clear to each other where they want to be at the end of the season.”

Despite the heavy defeat, the reigning premier will have no reason to panic as it suffered the same fate to start the 2019 season.

In the loss, familiar names Alex Hicks, Brodie Ross and Liam Evans combined for their side’s seven goals.

Former Richmond and Western Bulldog forward Sam Lloyd’s one-off for the Deniliquin Rams return couldn’t have gone any better under the lights of Finley Recreation Reserve either.

After finding his way into the contest in the first half, Lloyd exploded to finish the game with three goals and to be named among his side’s better players as the Rams won by 53 points.

The Rams would have also been excited by the performance of Charlie Hiller with three majors with the youngster a player to keep an eye on this season.

Moama celebrate one of Tobias Hore's five goals against Echuca United. Photo: Moama Football Netball Club.

Moama was able to bounce back from its loss in the season opener against the Rams a week earlier to get the better of local rivals Echuca United off the back of a sensational second half.

Tobias Hore, formerly of Leitchville-Gunbower, impressed in his second game for the Magpies with five majors.

What would have impressed coach Luke Eldridge even more was to see fellow recruits Brock Kennedy, Fraser Verhey and Josh Pell also having a strong impact on the result.

For the Eagles, Michael Caven and Mitch Jensen kicked three apiece on debut.

Former AFL footballer Jackson Trengove was unable to inspire Barooga on his debut as the Hawks went down to local rivals Cobram by 111 points.

Trengove kicked one goal but it was Cobram’s Darcy McCormack who stole the show with five.

Lewis McShane showed he his a natural talent in front of goal with three, an impressive return after kicking 59 in the under 17s in 2019.

Mulwala’s Jack Sutherland, formerly of the Ballarat Football League, booted three in his first game for the Lions as they prevailed by 46 points against Nurmurkah.

And Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson’s five goals on debut weren’t enough to inspire his new side Rumbalara who went down by a goal against Numurkah.