Finley scored a narrow, ‘come from behind’ four point victory at Barooga on Saturday, and in doing so retained second position on the Murray League ladder.
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The conditions were terrible for football, with strong winds, sleety rain at times and cold enough to have to rug up with plenty of winter woollies.
The first term saw both sides take time to adapt to the conditions. The ball went end to end before Finley’s Paul Massingham received a free kick and registered the Cats first goal.
Barooga were applying plenty of pressure and spreading from the contest, but Finley were able to hold the Hawks goalless and take a slender lead at the break.
The second quarter saw Barooga score first through the efforts of Samuel Trembath after a strong lead and mark. The Hawks scored again shortly after, following a downfield free kick.
Barooga had gained the ascendancy and after another free kick inside 50, Barooga scored again.
Finley were able to get a centre clearance late in the term and Tom Lang got goal side of his opponent to reduce the margin to seven points at the main break.
During the third quarter Barooga continued to maintain control of the contest and were on top of the Cats.
They got out to a 20-point lead before Charlie Lang imposed himself on the game.
He took a strong mark inside 50 and kicked truly at the 16 minute mark. This sparked the Cats into action and when he kicked his second after another strong mark, the Cats had reduced the margin.
Barooga weren’t to be denied when Trembath kicked another, and it was 13 points the difference.
The last quarter was played at a high intensity and the Cats raised the pressure.
Massingham kicked his second and the game went to another level. Desperation from both sides made for a great contest.
Finley’s sub, Issac Lunn, laid a couple of big tackles and drove the ball forward, showing poise beyond his years. He, Charlie Lang and Kyle Coates were going to make sure that the Cats could record a victory.
The Cats hit the front late in the game and then went to work around the stoppages. When the siren went the Cats had recorded a hard fought four point victory.
Finley take on top of the ladder Congupna next week which should be an enthralling contest.
Final scores: Finley 7.15 (57) def Barooga 8.5 (53).
Best players: Tom Lang, Charlie Lang, Kyle Coates, Jesse White, Levi Middleton, Jordan Taylor.
Goals: Paul Massingham 2, Charlie Lang 2, Tom Lang, Mitch Reilly, Isaac Lunn.
Awards: Finley RSC - Tom Lang; Garnaut Private Wealth - Charlie Lang; Irwin Stockfeed - Kyle Coates; OMLS - Paul Massingham; Eagle I Machinery - Lenny Dattoli.
Reserves
In the reserves, the Cats came up against a much improved Barooga side on a howling, windy day.
This made for a highly contested game with a lot of stoppages, but the Cats proved far too strong.
Shaun Kable was providing a great target up forward and finished with four goals while the congestion was tailor-made for Sam Hatty who was in and under all day.
Riley Rennick was strong down back, always putting himself in great positions and Sam Price was once again impenetrable.
The Cats put in a great four quarter effort running away with the win 83 to eight.
Final scores: Finley 12.11 (83) def Barooga 1.2 (8).
Best players: Levi Webster, Shaun Kable, Sam Hatty, Cameron Robertson, Reilly Rennick, Sam Price.
Goals: Shaun Kable 4, Levi Webster 2, James Kennedy, Marcus Anderson, Liam Osborne, Callum Robertson, Cameron Robertson, Reilly Rennick.
Awards: Marshall Ag - Sam Hatty; Country Club Hotel - Shaun Kable; O’Connors Case IH - Levi Webster; Kelly Grains - Reilly Rennick; Kalangadoo Nursery - Sam Price.
Thirds:
The thirds needed to win to keep their dream alive of playing finals in 2024.
Unfortunately they lost one player before the game and another took to the field who played well, even though he had been sick all week.
The Cats challenged after half-time but missed scoring opportunities and came up short.
The players are encouraged to keep working until the end of the season and keep seeing improvement.
Final scores: Finley 3.10 (28) def by Barooga 9.5 (59).
Best players: Lachlan Whelan, Will Doolan, Jackson Tooke, Jordan Sykes, Isaac Lunn, Harry Daniel.
Goals: Lachlan Whelan 2, Will Doolan.
Awards: Finley RSC - Lachlan Whelan; Ross & Sarah - Will Doolan; Evans & Associates - Jackson Tooke; Mogg Advisory - Jordan Sykes; Kalangadoo Nursery - Isaac Lunn; Massingham Auto - Harry Daniel.
Fourths:
Finley’s under-14s were defeated by Barooga in a low-scoring game played in difficult conditions.
The game started slowly for Finley, with Barooga getting the run of early clearances and containing the play within their forward 50. However short bursts of speed and second efforts from Corey Dundon, Tom Marshall and Logan Paesley got the ball down the Cats’ end a couple of times.
It wasn’t until the second quarter that Finley were able to start equalising the opposition’s efforts around the ground, rebounding off great defensive work by Blake Vidler and rallying through the wings where Noah Brindley and Lachy Marshall worked hard to give a contest whilst outnumbered.
After a lapse in the third that let Barooga pour on the pressure, the boys needed a huge final quarter. It was highly contested as Barooga’s inaccurate third quarter kicking had let Finley stay in the game.
After a couple of shots on goal were unsuccessful, Campbell snuck a goal through a gathering of players in the square to bring the Cats within a kick before Barooga responded and kicked away to a 15 point win.
Final scores: Finley 1.2 (8) def by Barooga 2.11 (23).
Best players: Thomas Marshall, Blake Vidler, Campbell Reynolds, Logan Peasley, Lachlan Marshall, Noah Brindley.
Goals: Campbell Reynolds.
Awards: Finley RSC - Thomas Marshall; Riverina Fertilisers - Blake Vidler; Kalangadoo Nursery - Campbell Reynolds; Bauer Family - Logan Peasley; Sutto’s Mini Excavations Coaches Award - Lachlan Marshall; Lucas McCaw - Noah Brindley.
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