Tongala has suffered its fourth defeat by 16 points or fewer this season, the Blues unable to break through against Nathalia.
The Murray Football League clash at Tongala Recreation Reserve saw the Purples jump out of the blocks quickly.
Nathalia scored the first goal, only to be matched by the Blues, but surged on with three more majors in the first period to lead by 19 points at the first break.
On the back foot, Tonny pushed back in the second, keeping the Purples goalless to close the gap to 10, but could have done much more had their scoring shots sailed true.
The Blues kicked 1.6 for the quarter to go into the half down 30-20.
Both sides were more accurate coming out of half-time and Nathalia pushed again to lead by three goals at the final change.
The fourth period went Tonny’s way narrowly, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Nathalia prevailed 11.9 (75) to 8.11 (59).
Mackenzie Cowley was the pick of the Blues’ scorers, kicking three majors, while Nathalia relied on the efforts of Liam Evans, who slotted five.
At the halfway point of the season, the league’s nearly-men are languishing at 2-7, the Blues now three games adrift of the finals places.
Also 2-7 is next week’s opponent, Finley, the Cats in a slump after losing the 2024 grand final.
The game should pose a chance for Tonny to get back to winning ways and break its three-game losing streak.
The Game
Scores
Tongala: 1.2, 2.8, 5.8, 8.11 (59)
Nathalia: 4.3, 4.6, 8.8, 11.9 (75)
Goals
Tongala: Mackenzie Cowley 3, Matt Caia, Bailey Cox, Kyle Fitzgerald, Jordan Souter, Max Trigwell
Nathalia: Liam Evans 5, Clancy Congues, Malcolm Barnes, Harry McDonald, Tom Nihill, Charlie Sheehan
Best
Tongala: Jessie Johnstone, Mackenzie Cowley, Cameron Ilett, Sam Cipriani, Tristan Watson, Kyle Fitzgerald
Nathalia: Brodie Ross, Charlie Sheehan, Liam Evans, Chris Brown, Oliver Sheehan, Ned Nihill