A 10 goal haul from energetic forward Connor Nutting has helped propel Tooleybuc-Manangatang to a hard-fought 15-point win over a determined Kerang on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues had no answer for Nutting’s evasiveness, with the forward single-handedly earning the Saints their first four points of the season following a disappointing 123-point loss to the Mallee Eagles seven days earlier.
The 16.16 (112) to 15.7 (97) win was set up either side of half time, with Tooleybuc-Manangatang turning a two-point deficit at quarter time into a 20-point lead by the final change.
Despite controlling the momentum for much of the second and third terms, the Saints soon found themselves fighting for the win in the last, with the Blues storming back into the contest in the final term to temporarily take the lead before the home side again rallied with a couple of late goals helping to seal the victory.
There is little doubt that Nutting was the hero up forward for the Saints, but he wasn’t alone in contributing to the scoreboard for the home side, with midfielder/forward Josh Koster also influential, kicking four majors for the day.
Koster was as equally damaging around the stoppages as he was up forward, with the recruit showing that he will be a handy acquisition for Tooleybuc-Manangatang this season.
Also named among the home side’s better players was Josh Williams, Sebastian Rogers and Connor Nutting, who was dominant in the ruck, while Rydar Morris had perhaps his best game of senior football for the Saints.
Kerang were far from disgraced and in fact, showed that they will be a tough opponent to beat on their day this season despite losing the bulk of last year’s grand final side.
Bradlee Pay is as important as any player to the Blues team and showed why he is still regarded as one of the Central Murray’s premier midfielders with another strong game through the middle and around the stoppages, while also kicking two goals for the afternoon.
Kerang would have been equally pleased with both Ethan McKnight and Jordan McNeil, who both finished with four goals each to help keep their side in the contest late in the game.
McNeil’s ability to get high up the ground and contribute also saw him finish as one of the visitor’s better players, along with Archer Dibsdale, Cody Makeham, Rylee Gitsham and Bohden McKnight.
After starting the season with two losses from their opening two matches, Kerang will be hoping to open their account against Swan Hill after the Easter break, with both clubs yet to register a win in 2025.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang will also fancy their chances of a victory when they travel to Lake Boga to take on the Magpies in round 3.
VOTES
3 – Connor Nutting (Tooleybuc-Manangatang)
2 – Bradlee Pay (Kerang)
1 – Josh Koster (Tooleybuc-Manangatang)
