Deledio, Tongala top Numurkah on big day for club

Life as a Blue couldn’t have started any better for Deledio as Tongala came away the better in its round three clash with Numurkah, running out the winner by 40 points at Tongala Recreation Reserve.

Tonny burst out of the blocks in the first quarter, establishing a 32-point lead by quarter-time, but the home side stalled in the second quarter, managing only a single behind as Numurkah clawed back the deficit to trail by 17 at the main break.

A huge third quarter re-established Tongala’s dominance as it kicked five goals to two for the term to lead by 35 points at the final change, before closing out the match with another three majors in the final term to claim victory 14.12 (96) to 8.8 (56).

“It was an enjoyable win, that’s for sure,” Tongala coach Billy Barnes said.

“We’re slowly starting to click with the new group.

“We’ve been able to learn how each other play and have everyone identify what their role is within the team.

“I feel like we’re starting to improve each week and something that we’re really focused on is going quarter by quarter, week by week, and just learning how the game evolves and how we can be better.”

Sam Cipriani followed up his five majors the previous week with another three, the most in the match, while Mitchell Gugliotti, Brayden Nevett and James Coulson each kicked two goals.

Gugliotti earned best-on-ground honours for Tongala, while Kyle Fitzgerald, Matthew Caia, Alex Williams, Angus Scoble and Nevett rounded out the best players for the home side.

“It was really hard to identify one person,” Barnes said.

“Our best players were great, but I just feel like collectively it was just a really good team effort.

“Everyone was able to play their role.

“Numurkah are a good team and they challenged in the second quarter, which is really good for our group to respond and try to identify where we needed to improve.

“From there we went out in the second half and started to play the way that we’ve tried to implement through the week and over the preseason.

“With a new group and so many new faces, it’s just great that we’re starting to get that camaraderie as a group.”

Deledio provided an invaluable asset for Tongala on and off the field, as the former Tiger and Giant played forward and through the midfield, kicking one goal.

He also took part in a live Footy and Friends with Dylan Buckley and Michael Barlow as part of the club’s sportsman’s night later that evening.

“His knowledge of the game and how he was able to be a coach on the field as well as support our younger group moving forward with their decision making, it was really great,” Barnes said on Sunday.

“He was fantastic yesterday and was very consistent and you can see that even though he hasn’t played for a couple of years, he’s still fantastic by hand and foot and gave us so much.

“He’s already connected and learnt the names of the group and the players and he was able to enjoy the night with them last night as well.

“It was great and I think that the group were really looking forward to having him back, as are the club people in the community and Tonny community as well.”

Barnes expects Deledio to make at least a couple more appearances for Tongala this campaign but isn’t sure when the next occasion will be just yet as the in-demand star juggles other commitments.

By virtue of the split round, Tongala has a week off this weekend before it challenges Barooga on April 27.

“I think it’s great that we’re able to have a split round so early in the season just to ensure that we rest our bodies and hopefully welcome back some players from injury,” Barnes said.

“It’s great to have the break, enjoy it and then our focus will be on Barooga.”