In what was a beautiful autumn day for footy, the Tocumwal Bloods welcomed old rivals Finley back to the Toc Rec Reserve on Saturday.
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The two sides have been waiting six rounds to come face-to-face, since Tocumwal’s return to the Murray League.
It was a hard fought, competitive game all day with Finley coming out on top.
Josh Flight hit some form, kicking most of Tocumwal’s goals.
As expected, the game was hot in the clinches.
Tocumwal had come to play, but the Cats’ midfield was working hard.
Finley’s Tom Lang was proving a handful up forward with three first quarter goals, and brother Jack providing the run and dash off half back.
Matt Jackson was finding space for the Cats and was able to distribute the ball to runners in Charlie Lang, Charlie Ford and Archie Mason.
However, at the first change, it was the Bloods holding a one point lead.
The second quarter started as the first ended, both teams hard at the ball and physical in the contest. Neither team was able to gain momentum, both teams going goal for goal.
Liam Rafferty was continuing his fine run of form for the Cats, not only competing in the ruck, but providing plenty at ground level.
At the half, it was the Cats who had clawed their way to a five point lead.
With some firm words from the coach and a few positional changes in the break, the Cats responded accordingly and kicked the first five goals of the quarter.
The midfield group was getting first use from Lachlan Hawkins and provided forwards Lang and Bailey Reeves with great opportunities.
However, Tocumwal would not concede and responded with three goals of their own.
With another goal to Lang, the Cats went into three quarter time with a 26 point lead.
The last quarter was an old fashioned arm wrestle.
It may not have been the spectacle the crowd were after, but none the less it was a hard physical contest.
Both teams added three goals to their tally in the final stanza, but the Cats finished as 27 point winners.
Final score: Tocumwal 12.8 (80) lost to Finley 16.11(107).
Tocumwal’s best: Kade Rowe, Josh Flight, Blair Eddy, Mitch Collins Bye, Drew Haebich, Brock McCabe.
Tocumwal’s goals: Josh Flight 6, Leigh Morse 2, Mitch Collins Bye 2, Kade Rowe 1, Brock McCabe 1.
Tocumwal awards: 1st Incentive – Blair Eddy; 2nd Incentive – Connor Crowley; 3rd Incentive – Jon Ross Cardillo.
Finley’s goals: Tom Lang 7, Archibald Mason 3, Bailey Reeves 3, Charlie Lang 2, Liam Rafferty 1.
Finley’s best: Charlie Ford, Tom Lang, Jack Lang, Ethan Reeves, Matt Jackson, Liam Rafferty.
Finley’s awards: Eagle i Machinery - Charlie Ford; Finley RSC - Tom Lang; Kelly Grains - Jack Lang; Garnaut Private Wealth - Matt Jackson; Finley Country Club - Bailey Burke.
When the reserves faced off, Tocumwal came out hard and fired up.
But three early goals from Paul Massingham helped weather the storm for the Cats.
Bubba Kennedy was back to his dynamic best and finished with two goals of his own for Finley.
The Cats’ on-ball brigade were awesome once again giving their teammates great use around the ground, and Sammy Price was great down back taking some marks in defence.
It kept Toc from making too much of a come back.
The Bloods came into the game with a stronger line-up, following the return of some players from injury and absence, but the Cats proved to be the better side in the first half with clean transition and better spread from the contest.
The Cats dominated with a 7-1 goal lead at the main break.
The Bloods were able to draw even in the midfield in the second half and managed to match Finley in most areas, kicking two second half goals to the Cats' three.
It was an old fashioned ressies scrap, and Massingham chipped in further to finish with seven goals in a best on ground performance for the Cats.
Despite being happy with the effort, Toc knows there is room for improvement as the side settles back into a more consistent group of players.
Finley sit third on the ladder with the big tests coming in the next few weeks.
Final score: Tocumwal 3.5 (23) lost to Finley 10.6 (66).
Tocumwal’s best: Dane Maxwell, Jesse Colston, Glenn Braybon, Glyn Matters, Morgan Mitsch, Zander Griffin.
Tocumwal’s goals: Daniel Parmley 2, Jack Ardle.
Tocumwal’s awards: 1st Incentive – Dane Maxwell; Farmer’s Arms Hotel award – Glyn Matters; Baldwin’s Farms Thursday night dinner award – Jesse Colston; Baldwin’s Buses Thursday night dinner award – Glenn Braybon; IGA voucher – Zander Griffin.
Finley’s goals: Paul Massingham 7, James Kennedy 2, Ayden Youd.
Finley’s best: Paul Massingham, James Kennedy, Callum Robertson, Sam Price, James McCaw, Liam Osborne.
Awards: Marshall Ag - Paul Massingham; Travla Beer - James Kennedy; Peter Scott Electrical - Callum Robertson; Kalangadoo Nursery - Sam Price; Ryan Donkin Painting - Nathan Denny.
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