Picola United has avenged its Picola District Football League elimination in 2024.
The Blues achieved a hard-fought victory over Tungamah, the side that ended their season in the elimination final and a top-four side in this campaign.
The Bears will look at their 10.17 total and rue missed opportunities, but United capitalised on the chances that came its way to notch a narrow five-point win, 12.10 (82) to 10.17 (77).
Tungamah led throughout the first half, forcing the Blues to play from behind.
Both teams struggled for accuracy in the first period and the Bears’ 3.6 played Picola’s 2.4 at its conclusion.
The visitor remained on top at the main break, but could have led by more as both teams found three goals, but the Bears piled on another four behinds, making 10 by half-time.
From 12 points down, Picola took the ascendancy in the third, slotting four majors, while Tungamah continued to miss the target, logging 1.5.
A tense final period had both sides find the goal on three occasions, Picola United doing enough to hold on.
Hayden Brown led the scoring for the Blues with four majors, while Cody Haub added two.
For Tungamah, Ned McKeown kicked four goals and Jett Bamford three.
The Blues are now knocking on the door of the all-important top four, level on points with fourth and fifth and with a game in hand.
Another step towards that goal could come this weekend as the 7-3 Blues visit the 4-7 Tocumwal.
The Game
Scores
Picola United: 2.4, 5.4, 9.7, 12.10 (82)
Tungamah: 3.6, 6.10, 7.15, 10.17 (77)
Goals
Picola United: Hayden Brown 4, Cody Haub 2, Benjamin Turpin, Sean Solar, Matthew Jorgensen, Jared Laffy, Tanner Smith, Blake Jorgensen
Tungamah: Ned McKeown 4, Jett Bamford 3, Josh Cheek, Matthew O'Kane, Sean Johns
Best
Picola United: Sean Solar, Jared Laffy, Blake Azzopardi, Matthew Jorgensen, Fraser Monahan, Cody Haub
Tungamah: Sam Ferguson, Josh Cheek, James Irvine, Oscar Willis, Brett Smith, Jett Bamford