Finley travelled to Mulwala on Saturday to take on Murray League’s two time reigning premiers.
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The Cats were looking to bounce back from a last quarter fade-out the previous weekend.
Finley started well, kicking the first goal and applying pressure to the Lions every possession, holding an eight point lead at the first break.
It was much of the same in the second stanza, with Finley kicking three goals to Mulwala’s two and the Cats holding a 13 point lead at the main break.
Mulwala, the great side they are, came out firing in the third, with their prime movers in the midfield starting to gain some momentum, winning the ball on the inside and feeding it out to their runners, sending the ball inside forward 50 putting the Cats’ defenders under enormous pressure.
They kicked 3.3 to Finley’s 1.1 for the quarter, giving them a one point three-quarter time lead.
With injuries starting to play a part for both sides, the coach pleaded with his troops to dig deep and stick to the process.
It was goal-for-goal with both sides going at each contest with ferocity, neither team shying away and both teams desperate for the four points.
With the Lions sending the ball deep inside forward 50, Finley’s Kayden Sharp took arguably one of his finest marks, and contender for mark of the day as he sat on his opponent’s shoulders.
Finley moved the ball quickly to their forward line, where Tom Lang marked and lined up for his sixth goal for the day.
With 26 minutes gone in the quarter and ice in his veins, he was cool under pressure, kicking truly and putting the Cats in front with only seconds remaining.
Mulwala won the ensuing centre clearance sending the ball deep inside their 50, but another brilliant individual effort from Angus Robertson standing strong and taking a match winning contested mark at the top of the goal square denied Mulwala any opportunity to steal the match.
Final score: Finley 9.6 (60) d Mulwala 7.15 (57).
Goals: Tom Lang 6, Zac Brain 1, Levi Webster 1 and Mark Whiley 1.
Best players: Tom Lang, Kayden Sharp, Nik Burns, Kyle Coates, Charlie Lang and Zac Brain.
Awards: Kelly Grains - Tom Lang; Garnaut Private Wealth - Kayden Sharp; Finley Country Club - Nik Burns; Irwin Stockfeeds - Kyle Coates; OMLS - Jesse McDonald.
Reserves:
In what was a hard fought out loss, it was great to have some players in Cruz Nash and Jimmy Brain returning to the club for the season.
Cruz and Jimmy featured in the best alongside Liam Osborn, Matt Jackson, and Bailey Burke.
Mulwala have been a strong reserves side for many years and to be within two goals at three-quarter time was a great effort.
The Cats have another big challenge this week hosting Moama; hopefully the reserves can do everything right and get back on the winners’ list.
Final score: Finley 5.3 (33) def by Mulwala 8.18 (66).
Goals: Matt Jackson 1, James Kennedy 1, Robbie Hamann 1, Harrison King 1 and Marcus Jackson 1.
Best players: Cruz Nash, Jimmy Brain, Eli Sutton, Matt Jackson, Harry Haynes and Zye Treadway.
Awards: Eagle i Machinery - Cruz Nash; Marshall Ag - Jimmy Brain; Finley RSC - Eli Sutton; O’Connors Case IH - Bailey Burke; Kalangadoo Nursery - Matt Jackson.
Under-17s:
The thirds headed over to Mulwala full of optimism for a big performance against a quality opponent.
The boys started well, kicking a goal in the first two minutes. The first quarter was an arm wrestle back and forward with Mulwala going into the break two goals up.
The middle two quarters the Lions slowly extended their lead on the young Cats, although the efforts of Tyrelle Taylor, Cooper Sutton and Sam Hurlston in particular in the defensive half was high.
In the last quarter the boys kept grinding away and were rewarded with a goal to Harvey Sneddon. Issac Lunn battled all day as expected.
The thirds have a huge game this weekend against Moama which leads us into the bye so they will be working as hard as possible to get our first win on the board for the season.
Final score: Finley 2.4 (16) def by Mulwala 11.6 (72).
Goals: Harvey Sneddon 1 and Jonty King 1.
Best players: Tyrelle Taylor, Samuel Hurlston, Cooper Sutton, Isaac Lunn, Harry Daniel and Harvey Sneddon.
Awards: Finley RSC - Tyrelle Taylor; Ross & Sarah - Samuel Hurlston; Finley Bakery - Cooper Sutton; Three Rivers Excavations - Isaac Lunn; Kalangadoo Nursery - Harry Daniel; Coach’s Award - Harvey Sneddon.
Under-14s:
The boys once again pulled on jumpers and laced up boots to take on a strong Mulwala side at their home ground.
Immediately Angus Urquhart made his return felt with strong work in the centre of the field and working from contest to contest.
Jason Hay and Joel Fitzell played a strong physical game, meeting Mul on their own terms and crashing packs when needed, while Dom Kelly came into his own on the wing covering ground and finding his way through contests with clean hands from the start.
Eventually, Mulwala’s strength began to tell, and despite valiant one on one efforts, defensive cracks became evident, letting the opposition pile on scoring shots.
Judd Clarke moving through the centre and then to half back provided a rallying point to rebound off late. But despite some opportunities, the Cats failed to score.
Final score: Finley 0.0 (0) def by Mulwala 14.14 (98).
Best players: Angus Urquhart, Dominic Kelly, Jason Hay, Judd Clarke, Ryder Loomes and Joel Fitzell.
Awards: Finley RSC - Angus Hay; Finley Bakery - Dominic Kelly; Kalangadoo Nursery - Jason Hay; Bauer Family - Judd Clarke; Sutto’s Mini Excavations Coach’s Awards - Ryder Loomes, Lucas McCaw, Joel Fitzell.
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