After coming off a great win, Finley were on the road again to Numurkah.
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The Blues are placed second on the ladder, meaning the Cats were major underdogs.
The game started as any usual game does, hot and fast from both teams.
Numurkah got the first major for the day before Finley managed to get the next two, with one of them coming from the coach Jack Sexton.
James O’Connor went up a level again this week with his desperation in defence. One of his plays ended in a Finley goal, to finish the first quarter a goal ahead.
The second quarter saw a lot of the same - a serious arm wrestle with both sides going goal-for-goal.
Doug Billings got the better of his opponent, dominating the ruck and giving Finley midfielders first use.
Heading into the main break, the Cats held the lead by seven points.
Jack Yelland, Sam Barnett and Jack Sexton continued to take advantage of Doug’s ruck work to get the ball going forward. But Numurkah were able to peg the lead back in the third term, and the sides couldn’t be split going into the last break even.
Will Sexton continues to provide for the Cats each week, whether it is forward or through the middle of the ground.
The last quarter saw each side throw everything they had into this game.
Two injuries to Finley’s side were detrimental, but they still had some fire left.
There were a few moments that could have changed the course of the game, but Numurkah came away one point winners in the end.
Final score: Finley 9.8 (62) def by Numurkah 9.9 (63).
Goals: Jack Sexton 2, Kris Bextream 2, Will Sexton, Luke Congram, Will Garner, Bailey Burke.
Best: Jack Sexton, Jack Yelland, James O’Connor, Will Sexton, Doug Billings, Sam Barnett.
Awards: Doug Billings, Kris Bextream, Matt Whelan, Luke Congram.
Reserves
On a slightly cooler day this week, we headed down to Numurkah to take on the Blues.
In a great team performance, it was Nick Lunn taking out the best on ground honours in what was a great win for the Cats. He was closely followed by Harry Daniel.
The two played mostly in the midfield, getting their hands to the ball first on countless occasions.
Co-coach Bubba Kennedy kept his good form going, leading from the front with his run and voice for the entire game.
Matt Jackson had another strong performance in the back six, cutting off many opposing forward entries.
Kade Pyle had his best game of the season, featuring in the best.
Final score: Finley 12.4 (76) def Numurkah 4.9 (33).
Goal: James Kennedy 4, Ben Nisbet 2, Jackson Haigh 2, Harry Daniel, Jack Miley, Jordan Sykes, Nick Lunn.
Best: Nick Lunn, Harry Daniel, Beau Lawrence, Kade Pyle, Matt Jackson, James Kennedy.
Awards: Nick Lunn, Isaiah Kuru, Kade Pyle, Harrison King.
Under-17s
The thirds headed down to Numurkah, ready to break our duck and get our first win for the year.
The start was great considering we had not played for the previous two weeks due to a bye and a forfeit.
Blake Vidler hit the scoreboard early after continued strong defensive drives from Evan Lawton.
The arm wrestle continued all game, with the margin always within 10 points.
Josiah Everingham moved forward and took some strong marks, and also kicked a goal.
Logan Eldridge provided a strong focal point when forward early in the game, then continued gathering the ball when moved to the midfield.
This week’s captain, Nick Chesworth, tackled well and chased hard all game, which was also pleasing.
Judd Clarke started in defence and eventually rewarded himself with a great team settling goal late in the third quarter.
Tom White battled hard all game as he always does and was also supported well by Corey Dundon, Lach Marshall and the ever reliable Joel Fitzell.
Unfortunately, the result didn’t go our way, but the boys are providing a great team environment and a win won’t be too far away.
Final score: Finley 5.7 (37) def by Numurkah 7.9 (51).
Goals: Judd Clarke, Campbell Reynolds, Blake Vidler, Logan Eldridge, Josiah Everingham.
Best: Logan Eldridge, Evan Lawton, Corey Dundon, Angus Urquhart, Ryan Bauer, Nick Chesworth.
Awards: Logan Eldridge, Evan Lawton, Corey Dundon, Angus Urquhart, Ryan Bauer, Nick Chesworth.
Under-14s
Finley recorded a convincing 74 to 6 victory over Numurkah in round eight, although the performance highlighted a number of areas, the group will continue to work on as they build throughout the season.
Dylan Pyle made an impressive debut for Finley, showing composure and competitiveness in his first game for the club.
Lachie Urquhart continued his strong run of form, building momentum each week with another influential performance.
Orlando Orsida was the standout in attack, finishing with six goals in a dominant forward display and providing a constant target inside 50.
Sam Hay, Jed Flanagan and Huddy Daniel once again delivered the consistency and reliability the side has come to know, contributing strongly across all four quarters.
Numurkah managed to break through for a late goal after a fast start to the final quarter, with Finley unable to completely shut down their momentum before the siren.
It was a strong result overall, but the group knows the standard will need to lift ahead of Saturday’s clash with Moama.
Final score: Finley 10.4 (74) def Numurkah 1.0 (6).
Goals: Orlando Orsida 6, Levi Jakeman 2, Flynn Rourke, Riley Gatty.
Best: Samuel Hay, Orlando Orsida, Jed Flanagan, Lachy Urquhart, Hudson Daniel, Dylan Pyle.
Awards: Samuel Hay, Orlando Orsida, Jed Flanagan, Lachy Urquhart, Huddy Daniel, Dylan Pyle.
Goulburn Murray Juniors
Under-12s
The Finley Cats were super excited to get their first win of the season with a great game against Barooga.
Everyone played really well, and worked hard from the first bounce until the end.
The team showed awesome teamwork, great effort, and never gave up.
Ruby and Colby were the best players on the day, both giving 100 per cent and helping the team all around the ground.
They showed great skills, strong tackling, and encouraged their teammates all game.
It was a fantastic effort by all the Cats, with every player doing their part and playing their best.
The team should be very proud of their first win of the season.
Final score: Finley 74 def Barooga 9.
Awards: Colby and Ruby.
Under-10s
On a cold, damp night, the young Cats put in a great effort against the Hawks.
Playing with desire and purpose, they fought out the closely contested match until the very end.
Oli again was our best scoring option and has now got the entire team celebrating. I think we will have to work on some new celebrations this week.
Jackson, Zayn and Levi were also strong contributors.
Our awards this week went to Billy and Patrick, for their efforts and desire to do what the coaches are asking.
This week we will be working on keeping position and developing a system that uses all of the ground and opens the play up.
Final score: Not scored.
Awards: Billy and Patrick.