In the final round of the Murray League home and away season, Finley was tasked with taking on a Tongala side which needed a win to ensure a chance at finals.
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The Cats could have easily rolled over and touted this as a nothing game, but they had a point to prove and wanted to finish their season with an awesome win.
The first quarter saw that message turn into action, with a five goal to zero term for the Cats.
Jack and Will Sexton continued to hurt the opposition, both hitting the scoreboard - Jack bagging five and Will with two of his own.
Sam Barnett had a very good day also, strolling the wings and finding plenty of the footy.
The Cats went into the half-time break 42 points up.
The last half of the season had Jake Armer continue his good form and provide a headache for the opponent, as did Isaac Lunn who gets the job done each week.
Nik Burns also played a very important nullifying game on one of the oppositions best.
An even third term had the Cats fire up and get home comfortably to round out their season with a great win!
Final score: Finley 14.12 (96) def Tongala 5.7 (37).
Goals: Jack Sexton 5, Will Sexton 2, Lenny Dattoli 2, Isaac Lunn 2, Sam Barnett, Vincent Adduci, Jordan Taylor.
Best: Jack Sexton, Sam Barnett, Will Sexton, Jacob Armer, Isaac Lunn, Nik Burns.
Awards: Will Sexton, Jacob Armer, Isaac Lunn, Nik Burns.
Reserves
The reserves finished the home and away season in style, with a strong win over Tongala in front of a great home crowd.
From the opening bounce, the boys brought plenty of energy, pressure and determination to the contest.
It was a great team effort, with everyone playing their role and working hard across all four quarters to get the result.
There were some strong individual performances, with Jordy Sykes, Will Doolan, Luke Congram and Jez Doolan all having excellent games and making important contributions throughout the match.
The hard work continues, and the boys will be ready to give everything they’ve got in finals.
Final score: Finley 10.3 (63) def Tongala 7.4 (46).
Goals: Paul Massingham 3, Luke Congram 3, Beau Lawrence 2, Bailey Burke 2.
Best: Jordan Sykes, Will Doolan, Bailey Burke, Spencer Hawkins, Marcus Anderson, Jeremy Doolan.
Awards: Jordan Sykes, Will Doolan, Bailey Burke, Jeremy Doolan.
Thirds
Keen to finish off a tough and challenging season on a high, the boys started slow and allowed Tongala to kick the first two goals of the game.
This shocked the team into action, and they were level at quarter time.
Our second quarter was where we started playing the game on our terms, with Evan Lawton, Pat Billings, Logan Eldridge and Campbell Reynolds performing well to be up by three goals at half-time.
In the third quarter, we let Tongala back into the contest, but we were able to steady again and be level at three quarter time.
Ahead of the fourth quarter, the message from the coaching staff was simple - win the quarter, win the game.
This is where the team worked extremely hard. We were fortunate enough to get our first win for the year.
Angus Urquhart, Jackson Tooke, Judd Clarke and Tom White had big moments throughout the game, which were telling in the final result.
Final score: Finley 5.13 (43) def Tongala 6.3 (39).
Goals: Archer Chellew, Campbell Reynolds, Blake Vidler, James White, Angus Urquhart.
Best: Evan Lawton, Pat Billings, Logan Eldridge, Campbell Reynolds, Angus Urquhart, Blake Vidler.
Awards: Evans Lawton, Pat Billings, Logan Eldridge, Campbell Reynolds, Angus Urquhart, Blake Vidler.
Fourths
A great way to finish the home and away season, with Finley producing a win.
It was a very mature performance from the boys. They stayed humble, respected the opposition and simply went about their job.
With almost a full squad available, it was also great to give some of the boys who don’t always get as much game time a good run.
Sam White was outstanding, and has been incredibly consistent all year.
Orlando Orsida was dangerous and finished with eight goals, while Lincoln Cicolini brought plenty of pressure and effort and Rory Burton had another strong game.
Henry Pascoe competed well in the ruck, while Levi Jakeman arguably played his best game of the year with his intensity and involvement around the ground.
To finish second on the ladder is an incredible achievement for a group that not that long ago was sitting at the bottom.
The growth in these boys, the confidence they’ve built and the way they now play for each other has been pretty special to be a part of.
We are incredibly proud of how far they’ve come but we’re not done yet.
We’d love to see as many people as possible get along and support the boys in our first final against Cobram at Rumbalara in a couple of weeks.
Come along, get behind them and show the boys that Finley is right behind them.
Final score: Finley 21.17 (143) def Tongala 0.0 (0).
Goals: Orlando Orsida 8, Jed Flanagan 3, Rory Burton 2, Hudson Daniel 2, Noah Brindley, Levi Jakeman, Lincoln Price, Elijah Took, Riley Gatty, Lachlan Urquhart.
Best: Levi Jakeman, Orlando Orsida, Sam White, Rory Burton, Lincoln Cicolini, Henry Pascoe.
Awards: Sam White, Orlando Orsida, Lincoln Cicolini, Rory Burton, Henry Pascoe, Levi Jakeman.