The Finley Cats recorded their best win of the season on Saturday, with a nine point away victory over ladder leaders Congupna.
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After 20mm or more of rain the conditions were slippery, however it was perfect weather for a mouth-watering clash.
Finley got the first centre clearance and Jack Lang drove the ball forward. Jack Sexton snapped truly to give the Cats the first major.
Tom Lang marked and kicked the second for the Cats.
Congupna scored the next four goals though to take a 13 point lead into the first break.
The second quarter saw Congupna’s James Boyer and Daniel Campbell providing the home team with plenty of drive and scoring options.
Finley’s defence led by Kayden Sharp and Kyle Coates restricted The Road to only two goals while the Cats were able to score three themselves.
Both sides were fierce at the contest and there was only a goal separating the two sides at the main break.
Coach Jordan Taylor’s message to his troops was simple during the break. Continue to believe in the process, keep winning the contested ball and that you are right in the game.
The third term saw the Cats dominate the inside 50, giving their forwards plenty of opportunity to score.
Mitch Reilly, Luke Moore, and Charlie Lang were applying plenty of pressure at the contest while Jesse White and Nik Burns were giving the Cats plenty of drive around the ground.
Both sides scored three goals for the term and only a single point separated them going into the last stanza.
The last term was another entertaining quarter, with the crowd on the edge of their seats.
It was the Cats who took it right up to the home side and this was on the back of Tom Lang.
Three last term goals were a superb effort, and this allowed to Cats to maintain the momentum and record an nine point victory.
Finley return home this week to take on the Numurkah Blues and look to consolidate a position in the top six.
With only two games separating the top eight sides, every game has a level of importance attached to it.
Final score: Finley 12.8 (80) def Congupna 11.5 (71).
Goals: Tom Lang 6, Jack Sexton 3, Nick Burns 1, Mitch Reilly 1, Jack Lang 1.
Best: Tom Lang, Jack Sexton, Mitch Reilly, Kyle Coates, Charlie Lang, Jesse White.
Awards: Finley Country Club - Tom Lang; Irwin Stockfeeds - Jack Sexton; OMLS - Kyle Coates; Eagle i Machinery - Kayden Sharp; Marshall Ag - Liam Rafferty.
Reserves:
It was a very ordinary first quarter with Congupna kicking six goals to nil. As a group the Cats didn’t attack and fight for the ball in the contest.
They tightened up in the second, but could not hit the scoreboard again.
After the half-time break, Will Robertson was welcomed back into the ruck winning the first two contests, hitting it to James ‘Bubba’ Kennedy and getting the ball forward and kicking two quick goals.
Riley Sutton laid some very good tackles and was applying loads of pressure. Liam Osborne was winning plenty of the ball and getting it going forward allowing us to hit the scoreboard and winning the quarter.
In the final quarter it was an even contest with the Congupna taking away the win.
In the final three quarters the effort from the Cats was very good, but it showed the need to be prepared to start playing from the first bounce.
Final score: Finley 6.3 (39) def by Congupna 15.16 (106).
Goals: James Kennedy 2, Callum Robertson 2, Harrison King 1, Will Robertson 1.
Best: Liam Osborne, Riley Sutton, Callum Robertson, Gus van Tilborg, James Kennedy, Will Robertson.
Awards: O’Connors Case IH - Liam Osborne; Kelly Grains - Riley Sutton; Finley RSC - Cam Isedale; Garnaut Private Wealth - Gus van Tilburg; Kalangadoo Nursery - Roree Wallis.
Under-17s:
The thirds, with only a bare 18 and three fourths players on the bench, overcame a determined Congupna.
Both sides missed a lot of scoring opportunities but Finley were making more of the play, more of the time than their opponents.
Final score: Finley 3.13 (31) def Congupna 2.5 (17).
Goals: Reece Simmons 2, Jonty King 1.
Best: Jackson Tooke, Ryan Bauer, Isaac Lunn, Kade Pyle, Will Doolan, James McNamara.
Awards: Finley RSC - Jackson Tooke; Ross & Sarah - Ryan Bauer; Finley Bakery - Isaac Lunn; Albury Sportspower - Kade Pyle; Kalangadoo Nursery - Will Doolan; Massingham Auto - James McNamara.
Under-14s:
The boys headed down to an early start in their first taste of wet weather footy of the season, hoping to find their second win.
However, the heavy ball and slippery conditions proved to be too unfamiliar and a dominant Congupna midfield had Finley on the back foot.
Scoring was slow for the first three quarters, with Jordan Dean moving back into defence to give the backline a rest, relieving Orlando Orsida on the back flank to add more speed to our defenders.
Corey Dundon had his best game of the year, hitting the loose ball first and maintaining his speed in the wet conditions, covering huge amounts of distance from his position on the wing.
Cambell Reynolds and Angus Urquhart maintained their good form, providing the Cats with repeat efforts and tackling while they were on ball and following up their own ball to create offensive opportunities.
Hudson Daniel played well off the forward flank, hanging off the shoulder of Congupna’s defensive midfielders and applying good tackling pressure and even getting his own clearances at times.
Final score: Finley 0.0 (0) def by Congupna 7.16 (58).
Best: Angus Urquhart, Campbell Reynolds, Corey Dundon, Orlando Orsida, Jordan Dean, Hudson Daniel.
Awards: Finley RSC - Angus Urquhart; Finley Bakery - Campbell Reynolds; Kalangadoo Nursery - Corey Dundon; Bauer Family - Orlando Orsida; Sutto’s Mini Excavations Coach’s Award - Jordan Dean; Lucas McCaw - Hudson Daniel.
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