Murray, Wimmera, Central Murray: Numurkah downs reigning premier Mulwala
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Numurkah has rival Murray league clubs firmly on notice by taking down reigning premier Mulwala by 27 points on Saturday.
The Blues remain outside the top-six, but are shaping as the competition wildcard in the run to finals.
They stormed to victory with a six-goal final term after trailing Mulwala by nine points at three quarter time
Midfielder Jordan O’Dwyer produced another dominant display in his return from a season with Yarrawonga in the Ovens & Murray and Jarrod Holmes finished with four goals.
Jamason Daniels, who polled 10 more votes than any other player in the O’Dwyer Medal last year, but was ineligible due to suspension, and midfield bull Tom Scott were other major contributors.
Tim Arnel has also returned from Queensland in a further boost for Numurkah, which plays Tongala next round before a Sunday showdown with Nathalia, which suffered a 32-point loss to Deniliquin.
Deniliquin is clinging to sixth spot, two points ahead of Nathalia, with another four points back to Numurkah.
Ladder leader Congupna beat fifth-placed Cobram by 20 points.
WIMMERA
Reigning premiers Ararat regained top spot on the ladder with a decisive 47-point win against Southern Mallee Thunder at Jeparit.
Ararat won its earlier season encounter by 15 points, but was even more impressive in the away win with coach Tom Williamson and fellow forward Tom Mills booting four goals.
Williamson is league’s leading goalkicker with 42.
The Rats had a host of other stars including high-leaping ruckman Cody Lindsay, Jake Robinson, Jack Ganley and Brody Griffin.
The damage was done in the first half when it led by 45 points, restricting the Thunder to only two goals to the long break.
Midfielder Billy Lloyd was named the Thunder’s best player.
The only downsides to the win for Ararat was defender Flynn Toner on report and a collarbone injury suffered by Xavier McLoughlan.
Ararat beat Southern Mallee in the grand final last year.
Thunder slipped from top to third with Stawell beating Dimboola by 55 points to go to second.
Warriors coach Tom Eckel played a starring role and ruckman Josh Fowkes was again impressive.
Cody Driscoll also booted four goals for the Warriors.
CENTRAL MURRAY
Nyah Nyah West United stumbled to only its second loss of the season in going down to Woorinen by 29 points.
The Demons stay on top of the ladder, but the gap to second-placed reigning premier Kerang has tightened to only two points.
Former Quambatook livewire Will Collicoat, playing his second season with Woorinen, booted a season-high six goals for Woorinen, which is sitting fifth, but capable of snatching a double chance finish, trailing third-placed Mallee Eagles by only two points.
Doug Beams and Matthew and Lachlan Gardner were among the best for Woorinen.
The top team losing to the fifth placed team is further evidence the Central Murray league is one of the most even in the state.
Eighth-placed Swan Hill upset finals contender Tooleybuc-Manangatang by 37 points with Sonny Beasy playing a starring role.
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Originally published as Murray, Wimmera, Central Murray: Numurkah downs reigning premier Mulwala
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