Mulwala will fight for a position in the 2024 Murray Football League finals at Lonsdale Reserve this Saturday.
In what will be an exciting elimination-like final in their last home game against seventh placed Cobram, both teams will be vying for a finals spot.
The Lions will be out to also seek revenge after their agonising loss of just one point in round 11 against the Tigers.
Last Saturday, the Lions continued their hazy season, this time falling to the purple haze of Nathalia.
In a clash that could have seen Mulwala compete for a top-two finish or lose their spot in the six, Mulwala lost to a committed Nathalia team.
The goal-kicking yips that have haunted the team all year returned for Mulwala. They got off to a sketchy 2 goals, 5 behind first quarter, and Nathalia took the momentum of a late goal into the second term.
The large Nathalia ground did not favour Mulwala’s game style, as Nathalia played their home ground to perfection.
A large group of loyal Mulwala supporters found themselves in a game of two with the Nathalia fans as to which way the decisions would go, with the home team coming out slightly on top.
Strong efforts from Brodie Tyson and Zach Scott through the middle of the ground and youngsters Charley McKenna and Oscar Elliott were brilliant on the open wings of Nathalia.
A must-win game this week against Cobram will see the victor make finals and the loser have September off for the first time in a long time for either team.
Saturday will be a ripper of a game and also the Inaugural Hog Day at Bay 13, so get your tickets at the club before Thursday for a great day of footy. Enjoy slow-cooked meats and beer and support the Lions as they feast on the Tigers to book their spot in the finals.
Reserves
Nathalia 2.2.14 def by Mulwala 15.9.99.
Goals: S. Robinson 4, N. Beasley 3, J. Wheeler 2, J. Ednie 2, T. Wilson 1, M. McLachlan 1, J. Bland 1, L. Wood 1.
Best: T. Wilson, J. Bland, A. Frauenfelder, M. McLachlan, J. Ednie, N. Beasley.
The ‘Midday Legends’ have beaten Nathalia to secure a top-two finish to the season.
An almost full squad to pick from being a luxury that coach Orr has not had this year, the return of Club Legend Sean Robinson to the forward pocket quickly paid dividends as he slotted some smooth-moving goals early in the game.
Not to be outdone, Nathan Beasley found a bag of tricks in his sock, and the focus of the crowd shifted to goal of the day honors.
Lach Wood became a stepladder of sorts for his opponents on the rare occasion in entered Nathalia’s forward half and he had to have a spell on the bench to recover from the stop marks on his ears.
A fantastic team effort and a good warm-up towards finals footy.
Under 17s
Nathalia 3.6.24 def by Mulwala 11.5.71.
Goals: S. O'Bryan 2, N. McNamara 2, O. Nagle 2, J. Sneddon 2, B. Donovan 1, T. Sanderson 1, V. Kreeck 1.
Best: M. Leith, R. Cameron, J. Ibbott, A. Purtle, O. Nagle, H. Lonergan.
The third’s boys came away with a convincing victory against a determined Nathalia team that was fighting for its spot in the finals.
The backline was most impressive as Maiko, Ryan Cameron and Jordan Ibbott were impassable at times. Archie Purtle was impressive across the ground and with the injury to Max O’Bryan, Oliver Nagle went forward to great effect. A
nother massive game for the boys this week against Cobram to decide the double chance finals position.
Under 14s
Nathalia 2.0.12 def by Mulwala 10.17.77.
Goals: A. Richardson 3, H. Donovan 2, L. Cooper 1, B. Watson 1, N. Leith 1, A. Saunders 1, F. Mitchell 1.
Best: T. Woodhead, H. Donovan, T. Taylor, L. Cooper, N. Leith, W. Hammon.
The young Lions came out firing against Nathalia and got themselves on the board early through the handy forward work of Alex Richardson.
Like a well-oiled Ferrari, the boys accelerated through the middle of the ground, making life easy for the forwards. They took a commanding four-goal advantage into quarter time.
The wheels fell off in the second quarter, as they kicked one goal and six behinds to keep the game in the balance when they could have had it sewn up at halftime.
Tyce Woodhead and Tom Taylor controlled the middle and Nate Leith moved to the forward half with immediate impact.
The team ran away with a convincing victory in a great lead up to the top of the table clash with Cobram this weekend.
