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Cobram has taken glory in the match-up against local rival Barooga on Saturday.
The Tigers had to work hard for the win, with the Hawks determined to put on a show for their vocal home crowd.
Barooga managed to stay with the ladder-leader and trailed by just 10 points at halftime, but Cobram banged on seven goals to take the margin to 58 points at the end of the third term and seal the win, 16.14 (110) to 8.5 (53).
Cobram coach Rob Osborne said the Tigers started off slowly.
‘‘We weren’t winning the contested ball and were making some mistakes with disposal but found in the second half that we changed that.
‘‘Our fitness is reasonably good at the moment and I think that that helped us win the game also. It was always going to be a tough game between Cobram and Barooga as it’s the big town rivalry.
‘‘(I’m) just glad to get that one out of the way and we are concentrating on this week’s game now.’’
Ryan Bongetti was named among his side’s best, along with Dylan Ryan.
‘‘John Lucas kicked three for us, and Jack Roberts did a great job on (Barooga’s) Tom Crapp. He kept Tom to less than 10 possessions.’’
Outgoing Barooga coach Rob Wren said his boys were ‘‘outclassed’’.
‘‘We stuck with them early, we were up and about a bit but Cobram probably weren’t playing their best footy,’’ he said.
‘‘We obviously can’t make the finals so this was like the grand final for our boys in a way.’’
Wren said he was happy with the way Barooga played for most of the game but the Hawks’ scoreless third quarter cost them dearly, with Cobram scoring seven goals six.
Matt Hyde was a standout performer, kicking two goals for the Hawks.
Sam Price and Matt Hendry also put in solid performances.
A depleted Barooga side suffered injuries yet again with Dylan Brooks coming off early due to ankle trouble and Rory Hilton ending his season with a hamstring injury.
Osborne reported no injuries to his side and is now looking forward to Saturday’s clash with ninth-placed Nathalia.
‘‘This week’s game is an important one for us,’’ he said.
‘‘We will be trying to polish up the little things that we have been working hard on and bring a few new things into our game style.’’
Osborne said he was happy to be welcoming back several key players over the coming weeks, including young gun Cadeyn Williams, Mark Pennycuick, Paul Diretto and Joe Sullivan.
‘‘After Nathalia, we’ve got Numurkah and Mulwala, so these next few weeks we’ll be trying to find out who fits into our side and what role they will play.’’
Osborne, who has kicked 70 goals for the 2011 season, said he was ‘‘reasonably’’ happy with his form.
‘‘My career best last year was 87 goals, but I’m not really focusing on how many goals I kick,’’ Osborne said.
‘‘I just want to make sure that every opportunity I have to kick one, I kick it.’’
The Tigers still retain top spot on the Murray Football League ladder, with a 14-1 winloss ratio.
Deniliquin Rams, the only side to beat Cobram this year, sits second.
Barooga plays Moama at Moama.
Selections: Cobram to easily beat Nathalia, but Moama will be too strong for Barooga.