Tongala is the Murray Netball League B-grade premier for 2026.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Tongala was never truly tested in B-grade in 2026 – until grand final day.
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Under sunny Moama Recreation Reserve skies, Tonny felt the heat of a potent Lions challenge, but the Blues’ class would shine to overcome Mulwala.
Mulwala led at quarter-time by two goals, as Tongala’s 18-0 season, with no win smaller than 16 goals, took a scare.
But Tiff Bartram’s Blues would find a way to grind out a winning result.
“We were in this position last time against them, I think it was 14-all at quarter-time,” B-grade player and the club’s A-grade coach Abby Pettifer said..
“So we knew what we had to do, we know our systems and everyone stepped up when they needed to.”
Across the next three quarters, Mulwala would continue to mount a challenge, but Tongala rose to the occasion.
The Blues renewed the lead to two goals at half-time, 24-22, before continuing the charge in the third term.
But as things were smooth sailing, Tongala took a hit.
Starting goal attack Maya Kellett injured her ankle and was substituted for the rest of the match.
Pettifer entered the court, but the injury meant on-court adjustment, and Mulwala took advantage of its well-oiled crew.
Tongala kept holding its advantage, up to as many as seven, but Mulwala pounced and narrowed the deficit.
The Lions were on the charge deep in the last, reducing the margin to two goals and had the ball in attack when the final whistle sounded, the Blues holding on for a 45-43 victory.
“I’m over the moon,” Pettifer said.
“We knew they would come at us really strong – going in as the ‘hunted’ always put that extra grey area over everything.
“I’m so proud of the girls, we might not have played our best, but we wanted it really badly and, ultimately, we won.”
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