With 14 points separating the sides at quarter-time, the Purples were well and truly in the fight.
But from there, the Tigers were all business — and a frighteningly accurate one at that.
Cobram booted 19.4 across the final three quarters, including a12-goal-to-one final term that blew the margin out to 118 points and reminded the rest of the competition exactly why the Tigers are a genuine flag threat.
The scoreboard says it all: 24 goals from 30 scoring shots.
It was ruthless, efficient and backed by a forward system that hummed from siren to siren. No wasted entries. No passengers. Just scoreboard pressure — and a lot of it.
Bailey Roberts (five goals) and Paulie Degei (four) led the way in front of goal, but it was the even spread that impressed most.
Eleven players hit the scoreboard, with Tyron Baden, Matthew De Maio, Lucas Roberts and Jackson Trengove also kicking multiple goals.
Cobram showed glimpses of what was to come in the second quarter, kicking 4.2 to Nathalia’s 1.1 to open up a 33-point lead by the main break.
But the final term was something else entirely — 12 goals to one, as the Tigers cut through at will and barely missed when they had the chance.
The turnaround was as stunning as it was sudden.
Five weeks ago Cobram fell to Nathalia by a goal.
This time, it turned the tables emphatically — a 124-point swing that sends a clear message to the rest of the competition.
Since that loss at Nathalia, Cobram has won all four games and they come with an average winning margin of 88 points.
The Tigers now move to 12-4, sitting third on the ladder behind Congupna and Moama, with top-two still within reach.
For Nathalia, which also sits on 11 wins, the loss dents its percentage and sends it down to fifth on the table.
The Purples were game early, but couldn’t hold back the tidal wave once Cobram clicked into gear.
With Mulwala and Congupna to come in the final two rounds, the Tigers have every opportunity to fine-tune their September game — and shake up the top four in the process.
After a performance like that, no-one will be taking them lightly.
In the split round’s othe games, Congupna romped to a 134 point win over Deniliquin with Kyle Mueller adding five majors to his season tally, while Moama saw off Tongala 14.14 (98) to 10.9 (69).
