Moama pulled off one of the great MFL comebacks in its elimination final win against Deniliquin, clawing its way back from 40 points down to win the game in extra time.
The Pies roared back in the second half to tie scores 51 apiece before eventually claiming an 11.4 (70) to 7.9 (51) win over the Rams, registering an early contender for game of the series.
Meanwhile, Tongala kicked off its reserves finals campaign with a thumping win over Cobram to keep their hopes of a premiership three-peat alive.
In an elimination final showdown at Numurkah, the Blues slammed home eight first-quarter goals to one to set the tone for the rest of the game, eventually running away with a 15.11 (101) to 8.5 (53) victory.
Jordan Souter led the way with five goals for the Blues, while Matt Daniel, Sam Tyler, and Daniel Maher also played a key part in setting up a semi-final against Moama or Deniliquin this week.
Meanwhile, Moama’s under-17 squad withstood a spirited Nathalia to keep its season alive.
After trailing by two goals at quarter-time, the Pies kept the Purples scoreless in the second term to lead by seven at half-time. An arm-wrestle second half went the way of Moama, who sealed an 8.7 (55) to 4.3 (27) win thanks to Archie Teasdale, Jett Keam (three goals), and Sam Hoppell.
The Pies will play Finley at Moama this Sunday in the semi-final.
Echuca United’s under-14s put in a late dash in their elimination final against Mulwala, but it wasn’t enough to topple the Lions, who came away with a 47-point win. River Masters and Bailee Westerway booted the Eagles’ two goals, while Lincoln Masters, Jaxson Price battled hard in the loss.
Murray Netball League
Echuca United’s B-grade squad sprung a finals upset in week one over Mulwala, defying the third versus sixth billing to progress to this week’s semi-final.
The Eagles were too slick at Numurkah, running away with a 45-33 victory, setting up a meeting with Deniliquin in the semi-final.
Moama’s unbeaten B-grade side will be on course to defend last year’s flag when they meet Tongala in a semi-final stoush at Nathalia this Saturday, with both earning a week off after qualifying one and two on the ladder, a clash that will be mirrored in C-grade.
Barooga and Deniliquin were the elimination final winners in C-grade.
In C-reserve, Echuca United notched a thrilling one-goal victory over Finley to keep their season alive, sealing a 34-33 result in the dying stages.
Their semi-final opponent will be Tongala, who dispatched Barooga 46-30 in a comprehensive showing.
Moama will kick off its finals campaign against Numurkah this week for a place in the grand final, as will the Pies’ under-17, under-15, and under-13 sides.
In the under-17s elimination finals, Deniliquin pulled off a 40-goal win against the Eagles, who were joined in the winner’s circle by Finley after a 10-goal win over Cobram.
Tonny battled hard against Rumbalara in the under-15 elimination final but were defeated 51-24.
Meanwhile, Echuca United’s under-13s progressed to the second week of finals with a hard-fought 25-13 victory over Tongala and will face Cobram to keep their campaign alive.
Heathcote District Football League
LBU’s reserve-grade side made a fast start in its elimination final against Huntly but were unable to capitalise as the Hawks ran away with a 13-point win.
The Cats roared to a 19-point quarter-time lead, but a rejuvenated Huntly tied up scores at half-time and three-quarter time before four goals to the Cats’ two.
Bart Phillips booted four goals while Samuel Wolfe, Jamie Maddison also lifted for LBU.
The club’s under-17s also saw their season draw to a close in a 37-point defeat to the Hawks.
Starring performances from Jai Milligan, Jonathan McAsey, and Ashton Walker helped the Cats remain within 11 points at half-time, but a fast-finishing Huntly consigned the Cats to a first-round exit.
Heathcote District Netball League
Lockington-Bamawm United fell just short in a thrilling under-15 elimination final shootout against White Hills.
The Cats took it up to the Demons out at North Bendigo, threatening to snatch an upset win before falling 37-35 in a gallant showing.
However, LBU isn’t out of the finals reckoning on the courts with the club’s first-placed under-17s facing Colbinabbin this week in the hopes of punching their grand final ticket.
It’s the same scenario for the under-13 side, who will face Heathcote.
Meanwhile, Leitchville-Gunbower will live to fight another day in the under-13 finals campaign despite an opening 12-23 defeat to Heathcote. The Bombers will face Colbinabbin in the semi-final this Sunday.
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