Finley hosted Moama at home in another good opportunity to get their second win of the season.
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Moama started the game kicking with a slight wind advantage, and they made the most of it by kicking five goals.
Finley scored three goals.
The second quarter saw Finley hold Moama scoreless and kick two more of their own to head into the main break four point leaders.
Coach Jack Sexton led again with inspirational play and four goals for the game.
Midfielders Will Sexton and Sam Barnett put a lot into the game and provided the Cats with some grunt and ball clearances through the midfield.
The third quarter saw Moama with the wind again bagging 4.2 for the term, restricting Finley to just three points.
Will Garner was back to some good form this week being a real target for Finley and James O’Connor was everywhere for the Cats.
He started in the back line and was then swung forward to give the Cats another target, and scored two goals of his own.
The Cats started the final quarter three goals down and had to throw everything they had at the game.
They did this and took the lead with not long remaining.
Moama then regained the lead late and held on by one point.
Final score: Finley 10.10 (70) def by Moama 11.5 (71).
Goals: Jack Sexton 4, James O’Connor 2, Harry Daniel, Bailey Burke, Will Garner, Nick Lunn.
Best: Jack Sexton, Will Sexton, Sam Barnett, Will Garner, James O’Connor, Isaac Lunn.
Awards: Will Sexton, Kris Bextream, Isaac Lunn, Sam Barnett.
Reserves
Finley secured a hard fought and necessary win against Moama this week with a full team effort.
It was a low scoring game with both sides finding it hard to hit the scoreboard.
Our backline held up under pressure all day, with everyone playing their role. As did the midfield, working hard to make first use of the ball from a stoppage.
Our forwards also had to make sure they made the most of every entry, applying scoreboard pressure when given the chance.
One of the standout performances came from Jordan Sykes, giving plenty around the ground.
Lach Hawkins and brother Spencer worked hard in the middle and forward, and Matt Jackson and Nathan Brown were also very strong in defence.
Final score: Finley 4.6 (30) def Moama 2.7 (19).
Goals: James Kennedy 2, Ben Nisbet, Jack Miley.
Best: Jordan Sykes, Spencer Hawkins, Peter Cochrane, Lach Hawkins, Matt Jackson, Nathan Brown.
Awards: Spencer Hawkins, Lach Hawkins, Nathan Brown, Jordan Sykes.
Under-17s
The thirds took on the top of the table Moama side, desperate to continue our improvement. This was certainly the case.
Although the scoreboard didn’t reflect a close game, our supporters should be proud of some of the passages of play that we put together.
Blake Vidler, Ryan Bauer, Tom White and Nick Chesworth were in everything all day, which is no surprise if you watch these boys play weekly.
The way they throw themselves at every contest and continue to bring their younger teammates into the game is a huge credit to them.
This week’s captain, Tom Marshall, worked tirelessly all game from centre half forward.
He had support from Campbell Reynolds and Angus Urquhart, who battled away all day and both were rewarded with a goal each.
Joel Fitzell gave away experience and height at full back, but showed the grit and determination he is known for.
Final score: Finley 2.0 (12) def by Moama 16.13 (109).
Goals: Campbell Reynolds, Angus Urquhart.
Best: Blake Vidler, Nick Chesworth, Joel Fitzell, Ryan Bauer, Tom White, Josiah Everingham.
Awards: Blake Vidler, Nick Chesworth, Joel Fitzell, Ryan Bauer, Tom White, Josiah Everingham.
Under-14s
After a slow start, Finley settled into the contest and produced one of its strongest performances of the season to defeat Moama.
The midfield was outstanding, with Sam Hay, Noah Brindley, Jed Flanagan and Lachie Urquhart leading the way around the contest and giving the Cats first use of the football all day.
Tommy Bain was composed and reliable while Rory Burton continued his strong development, getting better every game and providing a valuable target up forward.
It was a complete team performance, with Finley taking control of the footy after quarter time and continuing to build momentum as the season progresses.
Attention now turns to Deni, the side that handed Finley its first loss of the season.
It promises to be a great contest and will provide a strong indication of how far this group has come as they continue to develop and build throughout the year.
Final score: Finley 12.11 (83) def Moama 0.3 (3).
Goals: Orlando Orsida 3, Levi Jakeman 2, Jed Flanagan 2, Lachlan Urquhart 2, Rory Burton, Dylan Pyle, Will Harris.
Best: Samuel Hay, Noah Brindley, Tommy Bain, Lachy Urquhart, Rory Burton, Jed Flanagan.
Awards: Samuel Hay, Noah Brindley, Tommy Bain, Lachy Urquhart, Rory Burton, Jed Flanagan.
Goulburn Murray Junior League
Under-12s
The Finley under-12s came away with a fantastic win over Bloods on the weekend, in one of the closest games of the season.
From the first bounce, both teams gave it their all, with the lead changing several times throughout the match.
The ball was contested fiercely, and every player worked hard to help their team.
In the end, Finley held their nerve in the final minutes to come away with a well-deserved victory.
Cam Price was one of Finley’s best, using his skills and determination to win plenty of the footy and help drive the team forward.
Ben Price was also outstanding, putting in a strong four-quarter effort and making an impact whenever the ball was near him.
A big highlight of the day was Colton Johnson, who played his best game of the year.
He attacked every contest with confidence, worked hard around the ground and showed great improvement, earning plenty of praise from teammates and coaches
It was a terrific team performance from Finley, with every player contributing and never giving up.
The win was a great reward for the effort and teamwork shown throughout the game against a determined Bloods side.
Final score: Finley 65 def Tocumwal 63.
Awards: Ben Price, Cam Price, Colton Johnson.
Under-10s
Our focus against the Bloods was, once again, team play and keeping our positions on the field so we can make some space to work in.
Some of our lesser experienced players in Will, Tilly and Parker did a great job of this, forcing the direct opponents to stay deep with them allowing our on ballers to go to work around the packs.
We had some great chains of hand passes moving the ball forward which allowed Oli once again to be strong in front of goal.
Benson, Zain and Charlie were as usual solid as rock in defence rebounding the ball with surgical precision quickly turning defence into attack time after time.
Max and Levi provide good targets going forward tacking several good marks in the slippery conditions.
Alfie, Charle, Billy and Logan continue to get involved and show improvement.
Kai, Jackson and Theo provided the hard physicality winning the contested ball as usual.
Final score: Not scored.
Awards: Oli, Benson.