The Finley Cats put in a competitive effort against top side Congupna on Saturday.
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On a windy day at Congupna that favoured one end of the ground, the Cats took an early advantage, kicking four goals in the first quarter through excellent midfield pressure and direct ball use.
They were eight points in front at the first change.
Congupna were always going to respond and had a huge second quarter, piling on five goals to none for the term.
Finley regained the lead in the third quarter.
Doug Billings, in the ruck, gave the midfielders good use of the ball in his first game for the year.
The Will Sexton and Paul Massingham duo in the forward line were looking dangerous, as the Cats headed into the last quarter down 11 points.
The Cats managed to snag the first goal of the last quarter bringing the difference back to five points and looked on the charge.
Some injuries and a send-off hurt the Cats in the end, and Congupna blew the score out in the last 15 minutes.
Jack Sexton and Matt Whelan continued their recent form, and the Finley players fought until the end.
Final score: Finley 12.6 (78) def by Congupna 18.9 (117).
Goals: Jack Sexton 3, Will Sexton 3, Sam Barnett 2, Paul Massingham 2, Harry Daniel 1, Vincent Adduci 1.
Best players: Jack Sexton, Matt Whelan, Jordan Taylor, Vincent Adduci, Will Sexton, Sam Barnett.
Awards: Matt Whelan, Isaac Lunn, Doug Billings, Reece Simmons.
Reserves
The Cats were trying to keep their winning season going, but unfortunately didn’t come away with the win, falling short by 13 points.
Spencer Hawkins kept his great form going earning another best on ground, winning most of the ruck contests and also taking some strong marks around the ground.
Cam Isedale, Marcus Anderson and Matt Jackson controlled the backline and started a lot of our forward attacks.
Co-coach Bubba Kennedy had a strong game in the middle, kicking a great goal early, giving the team a solid start.
He was helped in the midfield by Beau Lawrence, who gave another strong performance and also scored a goal.
Nathan Brown and Jeremy Congram imposed themselves at the contest.
It was a great learning curve for the team, losing a close game.
They will look to band together over the bye week and be ready for a big performance against Rumba at home.
Final score: Finley 6.9 (45) def by Congupna 9.4 (58).
Goals: Lachy Hawkins 2, James Kennedy 1, Beau Lawrence 1, Harrison King 1, Levi Webster 1.
Best players: Spencer Hawkins, Cam Isedale, James Kennedy, Levi Webster, Nathan Brown, Beau Lawrence.
Awards: Spencer Hawkins, Cam Isedale, Matt Jackson, Jordan Sykes.
Under-17s
The team was undermanned due to injury and player unavailability and called on six of our fourths boys to help fill the gap.
They gave great energy to the side.
The first quarter saw each team kick a goal in the start of an arm wrestle.
Amazingly, these two goals were the only goals for the entire contest.
The usual suspects did their bit for the team but encouragingly some of the younger boys in Josiah Everingham, Pete Everingham, James White (one goal) and Jed Flanagan worked extremely hard when it was their turn to help the side.
The team unfortunately went down by four points, but their spirit showed all game.
There is a bye this week, then the Cats hope to get some players back from holidays and injury to continue a surge forward.
Final score: Finley 1.4 (10) def by Congupna 1.8 (14).
Goals: James White 1.
Best players: Jackson Tooke, Jed Flanagan, Angus Urquhart, Josiah Everingham, Tom White, James White.
Awards: Jackson Tooke, Jed Flanagan, Angus Urquhart, Josiah Everingham, Tom White, James White.
Under-14s
A pleasing team performance with strong signs of growth and connection across the ground.
Goals and positions were shared, with a willingness to work for each other.
In his first season of Aussie rules football, Shayne Kunzekweguta finished with two goals and was strong all game, while Noah Brindley led the midfield with effort and intent.
Orlando Orsida showed great selflessness up forward and Rory Burton was consistent across the ground.
Lachie Urquhart played his best game this season, applying strong pressure and winning key touches, while Huddy Daniel pushed forward to kick three standout goals in a great performance from a backliner.
Edgar Jangao capped off a strong game with his effort and determination.
This result came from a full team effort.
The side is still building, and the improvement is starting to show each week.
Final score: Finley 25.15 (165) def Congupna 0.0 (0).
Goals: Levi Jakeman 4, Jed Flanagan 3, Orlando Orsida 3, Hudson Daniel 3, Noah Brindley 2, David Hay 2, Flynn Rourke 2, Shayne Kunzekweguta 2, Thomas Bain 1, Jackson Pyle 1, Will Harris 1, Zander Fleming 1.
Best players: Edgar Jangao, Rory Burton, Lachlan Urquhart, Hudson Daniel, Orlando Orsida, Noah Brindley.
Awards: Edgar Jangao, Rory Burton, Lachlan Urquhart, Hudson Daniel, Orlando Orsida, Noah Brindley.