Seniors

Once again it was warm and dry conditions that greeted patrons and visitors to purple land. With both Nathalia and Rumbalara teams in rebuilding phases we were quietly confident our young guns would be more advanced than the oppositions. With both sides having plenty of three and four possession link ups, the red ball was refusing to go over that final white line. Finally after a terrific smother from young veteran Ricky Barnes off half back the ball worked forward to have Scotty Miles kick our first main score for the day. Minutes later onballers Nathan Gemmill and Dylan Butler combined to allow tall forward Brodie Ross mark and goal. After Rumbalara answered with two of their own a self inspired Adam Quarrell kicked out from full back then ran to the centre to win possession again allowing Jake Butler to kick our third and final goal for the quarter.

The second quarter was almost a mirror to the first in that there were five goals kicked in total by the two teams. Fortunately Nathalia scored four of them. Nathan Gemmill kicked his second, Dave Liddell his first, then the hard running of Jarrod Maskell allowed Matt Elborough to score his first goal for Nathalia. Our seventh goal came courteously of a fifty metre penalty which stood Rick Barnes within his comfortable kicking range giving us a four goal lead at half time.

The long break seemed to have favoured the visitors as by half way through the third they had kicked four majors to our one. A slight reshuffling on field  Al Corry to wing and Paul McCallum a new opponent and some tighter man on man checking brought a halt to the run on.  Wade Hicks appeared very comfortable in his new half back role as did first gamer Darren Hindle who on more than one occasion showed the viewing public some copybook tackling.   Liddell kicked his third, the Quinn brothers combined placing a heavy dose of confusion onto Rumba defenders. So much so that twice in as many minutes both Nathan Gemmill and Dylan Butler were on the end of poorly guided kick outs that went straight back over the full backs head for goals.

There is no doubt along with youth comes enthusiasm. After a combined tally of eleven goals kicked in the third quarter a further nine were added in the last. After Brodie Ross kicked his second, the Purps thinking the days work was all but over were appearing happy enough to play out time. Four goals in a row saw them rudely shaken out of bed and it wasn't until Liddell had kicked two more and Ash Quinn another that we could celebrate the rare treat of having all our four footy teams victorious on the same day.

Final score: Nathalia 17.9 d. Rumbalara13.6

Goals: D. Liddell 5; N. Gemmill 3; A. Quinn 2; B. Ross 2; S. Miles 1; J. Bulter 1. M. Elborough 1; R. Barnes 1; D. Butler 1.

Awards: Mug: N. Gemmill; Past Players: A. Quarrell; Mick Hoggan Excavations: W. Hicks; Brereton's Bakery: Paul McCallum; Club: David Liddell.

 Reserves

Nathalia 8.8 defeated Rumbalara 6.10. It was not pretty but a win's a win and it beats losing. We started well but when we lost Paul Barton to a thigh strain our structure fell apart. It took big efforts from Jason Bell in a back pocket and Jono Tamburro in the middle. Ash Dohnt was inspirational across half back and in the middle and Hayden Power was busy under packs all day. Sean Mortimer playing in the ruck for the first time was superb and Matt Van Luenen and Josh Hudson continue to improve. Thanks to Isaac Mortimer for the late call up. Goals: A Hughes 2, J Tamburro 2, S James 1, S Quarrell 1, l Smith 1. Awards: Mug, J Bell, Blake St Butchery, J Tamburro, Club, S Mortimer, Club, A Dohnt, Middle Hotel, H Power.

Under 17's

Nathalia 5.11 defeated Rumbalara 4.6 Nathalia put in a great team effort and had a fantastic win against Rumbalara. A special effort by some of the younger players, Greg Boxall, Joseph Nihill, Hayden Atkins, Lachlan Terry, Nathan Walsh and Angus Armstrong was noted for doing what was asked of them in the role they were playing. Goers all day were Corey Hicks, Bobby Nichols, Jordan Nave, Jake Curtis, Joel Cahir and Jack Ryan. Overall it was a great team effort and hopefully a sign of things to come. Goals: J Cahir 2, T Kalaitzidis 2, A Thompson 1. Awards: Tj's Supermarket, Bobby Nichols, Lowy's Farm Fencing, C Hicks, Al's Cafe, J Nave, Rex James Stockfeed, Jake Curtis, Salon 12, J Cahir, Tony Ryan Best First Year, Jack Ryan.

Under 14's

Nathalia 10.5 defeated Rumbalara 4.6 What a great day. It was fantastic to witness the joy on the Nathalia boys' faces after our hard fought victory against Rumbalara. The team played a very positive, team oriented brand of football. The boys were prepared to bring others into the game, which resulted in all the boys, big and small getting their hands on the footy. A great team effort and the song was heard being sung from the main street. Goals: K Hicks 2, A Hicks 2, C Brown 2, B Smith 1, R Shannon 1, A Bourke-Hunt 1, Dylan Bell 1. Awards: Al's Cafe, K Hicks, Salon 12, A Hicks, Tj's Supermarket, M Ginnivan, Rex James Stockfeed, H Wharton, Lowy's Farm Fencing, R Shannon, Al's Cafe medal, C Brown, Past Players' Footy, B Boxall, Nathalia Printers, J Bolger-Milkie, Tony Ryan Best First Year, D Mollison.

Netball

B Grade: Nathalia 30 lost to Rumbalara 40. This game was played at a fast pace early with great skills on display, but as the heat got to all the passing dropped away. In saying that it was a great game to watch as no one gave an inch. Great effort girls, we are not far away, so keep at it. Special mention to Nicole Walpole as it was a brilliant effort in defence. Awards: Nathalia Pizza, Nicole Walpole, Nathalia Tyre & Brakes, Bree Hicks, Breretons Bakery, Amy Kopsidis.

C Grade: Nathalia 45 defeated Rumbalara 20.Magnificent game from the whole team to win the first game of the season. Mrs Oakes was on fire all game with some precision passes hitting their targets every time. Thanks to Jordan & Caitlin for playing. Awards: Nathalia Pizza, Narelle Oakes, Kinnards Retreat, Jo Terry, Casual Step, Jordan Will-Holland.

C Reserve: Nathalia 30 defeated Rumbalara 15. Well done old chooks! Keep up the good workl. Thanks to Margot & Taylah for filling in. Awards: Kinnards Retreat, Natalie Bourke, Fastway Courier, Bernadette Brooks, Brereton's Bakery, Annie Nihill.

17/U: Nathalia 40 defeated Rumbalara 26.Another great game girls. Increased our lead with a strong last quarter. Great goaling and wonderful defensive pressure. Keep up the good hard work girls.  Awards: Camerons Lawyers, Jordan Will-Holland, Lowy's Farm Fencing, Whitney Hicks, Al's Cafe, Nikki Mahncke.

15/U: Nathalia 20 lost to Rumbalara 26.Another great game. Well played by all. Awards: Supporters' Netball, Stacey Ross, Al's Cafe, Sophie Casey, Lowy's Farm Fencing, Taylah Shanahan.

13/U: Nathalia 17 lost to Rumbalara 18. Girls played well in a tight struggle with Rumbalara to only go down by 1 goal. Awards: Causal Step, Tania Sutton, Al's Cafe, Ash Cusack, Lowy's Farm Fencing, Danielle Parker.

11/U: Some great passages of play resulting in a great game. Well done girls and thanks to Georgia for being a fill-in. Awards: Nathalia supporters' glass, Martha Craig, Lowy's Farm Fencing, Reni Hicks, Canteen Voucher, Marni Atkins.